[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]’d imagine that I speak for most people my age when I say that ‘I can’t live without Wi-Fi’.
Sure, if I packed myself off to a digital detox or yoga retreat I could manage for a few days without being connected, but the reality of modern life means that checking my emails, staying up-to-date with world news, and updating my status on social media, are activities almost as vital as drinking my first cup of green tea in the morning.
As a frequent traveller and one-time digital nomad I’m all too familiar with the struggles of finding a reliable Wi-Fi connection on the road. The hours I’ve spent searching for free Wi-Fi and buying local pay-as-you-go SIMs only to find myself repeating the process in another phone store, in another country, a week or so later, could be spent exploring the places I visit or working on my blog.
After reading horror stories about travellers racking up large phone bills by either using their data roaming or forgetting to turn the function off whilst abroad, I would always make sure I turned aeroplane mode on prior to take-off and wouldn’t turn it on again until I landed back in the UK.
While updates have been made to the plans of most major service providers to avoid this (they now cap your data usage), there is a daily fee to pay and a limited amount of data offered with exorbitant prices per MB to add additional data if you run before the day ends.
After much experimenting with UK service providers I discovered TepWirless. A wireless modem (pocket Wi-Fi), it connects up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices to 3G internet in most major destinations – see the list of countries covered here.
It requires no installation, cables, or software and works like a Wi-Fi hotspot, but it’s personal and fits in your pocket. It gives you a secure, consistent and fast internet connection wherever you are, whilst helping you save a fortune on data roaming fees.
STAY CONNECTED ABROAD WITH NO DATA LIMITS OR CAPS
Unlike mobile service providers your TepWireless connection comes with unlimited data for a fixed daily fee (£7.95 if you rent the device and £5.50 if you buy a Tep device).
Regardless of where you’re from or where you’re travelling to, there’s a TepWireless solution that’s perfect for your trip.
FOR OCCASIONAL EXPLORERS
For travellers who take one or two trips abroad each year Tep offers a device rental service. Through the simple ordering system on their website you can place your order for a device to be delivered to you the next day.
Take your Tep with you on your trip, stay connected (you’ll only be billed for the days you use the internet), and then return the device once you get home. Easy.
FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
If like me you’re often abroad then owning a Tep device means you can rock up and hook up to Wi-Fi whenever you want. You don’t need to worry about ordering and returning a device each time you travel, and you’ll enjoy a cheaper day-rate for the Wi-Fi you use. Bonus.
Take a Tep device with you when you travel and only pay for the days you connect. Simple.
I’ve found that I can connect seamlessly when travelling between countries where Tep offers coverage – Tep partners with the biggest network operators worldwide to ensure that you always have the best and fastest connections available.
However, it’s important to note that while there will always be great coverage in “populated” areas, (i.e. cities and towns), if you are traveling to exceptionally rural or uninhabited areas (such as the Alps), Tep recommends that you get in touch with them in advance so they can verify the coverage at your destination.
While a Tep device is the perfect option for a solo traveller keen to avoid roaming fees and take advantage of an unlimited data allowance, the device comes into its own when one or more people are in need of Wi-Fi.
With your Tep device you can connect up to five devices at once, making it much more cost effective for a couple or small group of travellers to get online while they’re away.
I recently spent a weekend at a lake-side cabin with friends and while they were hesitant to book the trip on hearing that the cabin was off-grid and had no Wi-Fi, as soon as they knew they could connect to my Tep everyone wanted to stay!
It’s easy to stay connected when you travel, just take your Tep!
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This post was published in partnership with TepWireless and is based on my own usage and recommendation of the product.