TEP Wireless is a British company that rents wireless hotspots and USB modems to international travelers.
The transaction is handled through the company's website. You, the traveler, enter the dates of travel, and the country to be visited. Then you select a data plan (150 MB a day, or unlimited), the device (hotspot for multiple devices, or USB modem for a single laptop), and options like insurance against loss and an extra battery for the hotspot. Proceed to pay by credit card.
A couple of days before your trip, you receive the hotspot by FedEx. When you return, use the prepaid FexEx envelope to return the rental device.
More information here. Http://www.tepwireless.com
TEP Wireless competes with San Diego-based XCom Global. Both companies offer plans for visiting a single country, and both have an all-Europe plan. XCom is more flexible about service on a trip where you will visit a couple of adjacent countries. XCom offers wireless access in more countries around the globe.
TEP, however, is less expensive.
For example, I priced hotspot rental for an 11 day trip to Israel. XCom's price was $265, TEP $175 for unlimited data service. Both plans included insurance, and an extra battery so the hotspot could run for about 10 hours a day.
If you can work within a 150 MB/day average (1.65 GB over 11 days), then TEP offers service on my hypothetical 11 day trip for $110. XCom has no limited data plan.
Why rent a mobile hotspot? Your local cell phone company will apply roaming charges for data access when you're in a foreign land. A 10 day trip with lots of Internet use can easily cost $1000 in extra fees.
Internet service is available in hotels and Internet cafes while you travel. Spending $10 to $15 for an hour or two of Internet access can add up to a substantial amount on an extended trip. Having a hotspot that you can use anytime for a fixed price provides a useful measure of flexibility, and peace of mind.
The transaction is handled through the company's website. You, the traveler, enter the dates of travel, and the country to be visited. Then you select a data plan (150 MB a day, or unlimited), the device (hotspot for multiple devices, or USB modem for a single laptop), and options like insurance against loss and an extra battery for the hotspot. Proceed to pay by credit card.
A couple of days before your trip, you receive the hotspot by FedEx. When you return, use the prepaid FexEx envelope to return the rental device.
More information here. Http://www.tepwireless.com
TEP Wireless competes with San Diego-based XCom Global. Both companies offer plans for visiting a single country, and both have an all-Europe plan. XCom is more flexible about service on a trip where you will visit a couple of adjacent countries. XCom offers wireless access in more countries around the globe.
TEP, however, is less expensive.
For example, I priced hotspot rental for an 11 day trip to Israel. XCom's price was $265, TEP $175 for unlimited data service. Both plans included insurance, and an extra battery so the hotspot could run for about 10 hours a day.
If you can work within a 150 MB/day average (1.65 GB over 11 days), then TEP offers service on my hypothetical 11 day trip for $110. XCom has no limited data plan.
Why rent a mobile hotspot? Your local cell phone company will apply roaming charges for data access when you're in a foreign land. A 10 day trip with lots of Internet use can easily cost $1000 in extra fees.
Internet service is available in hotels and Internet cafes while you travel. Spending $10 to $15 for an hour or two of Internet access can add up to a substantial amount on an extended trip. Having a hotspot that you can use anytime for a fixed price provides a useful measure of flexibility, and peace of mind.