Most of us have been abroad and been in the situation where we want to just quickly check email, Facebook or read Connected Digital World, but know that our mobile provider will charge us a fortune for the smallest amount of data. Well now you can avoid that fear with a mobile hotspot from Globalgig.
As part of Globalgigs ‘1 plan, 1 price, 40 countries’ package, you can choose how much data you want, for how long you want it – and then, within the chosen plan, receive no further bill, regardless of how many Globalgig countries you visit.
Globalgig’s hotspot device connects up to 5 devices simultaneously (mobile phone, laptop and tablet) or the new SIM only option for tablets or 3G devices allows customers to have their own personal hotspot.
Globalgig operates in: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Testing and Final Thoughts
I’ve tried mobile hotspots (mi-fi) in the past with varying degrees of success. The two biggest stumbling blocks for them have been price (they are not usually cheap) and where you can use it (different countries require different devices unless you get an unlocked one).
Also, depending on the country and the provider, you may not be able to sign up for just a month, or if you can it’s usually expensive and time consuming to arrange, although all of those things still work out less painful than using your own roaming data!
One of the things that drew me to Globalgig was the fact it was the same hotspot device and same package wherever I went, so if I happened to be in the US on holiday I could use it, and then if I was at Gamescom in Cologne for work the following month it was the same.
One important point to note is that the maximum speed you can get from the Globalgig device is 3G, but for most people that will be more than sufficient, but keep that in mind depending on what you want to use it for.
I have personally tested the Globalgig service in a few different European cities and also in a few US ones too. Overall I was impressed how easy it was to use (just switch it on, connect your device, and surf) and for the most part I got good speeds, given the limitation of 3G. It is important to note that speeds can vary drastically depending where you are (although this is down to the service provider in that location providing the service to Globalgig) so it is worth checking the coverage for where you going.
Battery wise the device lasts for a good few hours, depending on your usage. I found that it was quick and easy to just power it on when I needed it, power it off when I didn’t, and just leave it in my pocket or bag and not think about it. Like any mobile device it can get a little warm so don’t put it in the same part of your bag as chocolate (yes, I did that, once!).
If you are planning on going abroad and you don’t want any nasty roaming bills then I highly recommend you take a look at Globalgig, as they will have you covered. And as a bonus you can also use it at home in the UK too.
Mine is in the bag ready for my next trip!
