Internet connectivity when
on the road has become one of the must-haves of today’s legion of
travelers. There are so many things you can do when you plug yourself to the
World Wide Web, and among the many travel apps, one can instantly create travel
plans on the go. Using Google Maps, consulting TripAdvisor and booking hotels
through AirBnb, makes life on the road so much easier. Doing so though, can amount to a
huge part of your travel budget. I still remember the outrageous bill that
greeted me upon my arrival from Hanoi, Vietnam three years ago when I used my
roaming connectivity to use the internet while traveling. 3,500 pesos for a few
hundreds of data is just too much.
Since then I tried buying local sims from the succeeding countries I visited; India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. While it is cheaper than turning 'on' the roaming features on your phone. The hassle of loading it up can prove to be a discomfort especially when you are in the middle of a long bus or train ride.
Recently, I discovered that
my local carrier; Smart Telecoms, instantly connect to its local network
partner to other countries. Upping the convenience and prompt connectivity the
moment you arrive in your destination abroad, the limitations of its 500MB data
cap and 500 pesos a day is still something to be frowned upon.
At
Last! A Perfect Travel WiFi for This Traveler
Enter Flytpack Travel WiFi –
and I quickly found the connectivity gadget I was looking for.
“FLYTPACK Travel WiFi is a personal wireless modem that connects
any WiFi-enabled devices to the internet with a secure network connection.
Think of the WiFi you have at home, just smaller, in a pocket size version. You
can connect your laptop, tablet and (or) mobile phone to the internet while you
are travelling overseas, anytime, anywhere. It saves you from costly data
roaming, WiFi hunting and loads of prepaid SIM card credits. FLYTPACK Travel
WiFi is pre-configured and does not require any complex installation.
”
Using
Flytpack Travel WiFi in Japan
During our recent trip to
Osaka, Japan where I joined the Cebu
Pacific Air’s media Familiarization Tour, I tested the capabilities of
Flytpack and was astonished at how fast it connected to its local network
partner in Japan the moment we landed at Kansai Airport.
Already prefigured for
connectivity, all I needed to do was turn it ‘On’ and connect it to my phone by
entering the password and tada – I
was able to update my friends and family back home with a simple “Touchdown Osaka” status on my
Facebook.
FLYTPACK
as my Call-a-Friend On the Road
Costing less than 300
hundred pesos per day with a daily data cap of 1GB (even if you exceed it the speed almost never changes), it sure is the best
deal I’ve ever seen in the market when it comes to availing internet connection
abroad. Being connected online became sort of fallback in times of getting
lost – which, in Japan happens a lot to travelers because of the vast and
complex train system and language barrier.
During our extended stay in
Japan, thanks to Flytpack, we were
able to score a cheap hostel when we arrived past 10:00 pm in Kyoto after a
whole day of chasing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nara. Under a heavy
downpour and a threat of an incoming typhoon, we consulted with Google Map to
locate a decent place to sleep at a very affordable rate.
You will never worry about
experiencing dead spots because it
partners with the fastest local network in the country you are traveling to.
This is the reason why we were able to plot our itinerary even from inside the
train or bus.
And
A Digital Nomad’s Best Friend
Because it tethers to the
fast network of Japan, I was able to do some online work, which for freelance
writers such as myself is an added bonus each time I am able to finish some tasks
while on the road. Not only I remained connected throughout my 7-day trip to
Japan, I was also able to earn additional funds for my future travels by using
my Flytpack WiFi router for work during the night.
FLYTPACK’s
USABILITY is FTW!
Flytpack’s ability to
connect to 5 devices simultaneously will afford you to
share connectivity to your friends. This makes travel planning on the go more
exciting and efficient. The battery life was surprisingly long as I was able to
use it all day only charging the Flytpack pocket WiFi at night before going to
sleep.
 |
| FLYTPACK Travel WiFi rental fee are so affordable |
During our last day in Japan
me and Gael stayed in Kyoto while another travel writer friend, Glenn stayed in
Osaka. On the train heading to Kansai airport, Glenn was able to learn that we
are riding the same train because his mobile phone instantly connected to my
FLYTPACK WiFi Router – so we all ended up meeting again on the train.
How
Much is it to Rent a Flytpack Travel WiFi?
I made a mock booking at
FLYTPACK’s website for a 5-day trip to Japan in November and the total fee totaled
for only 1,440 pesos (288 pesos / day), plus the deposit of 2,800 pesos (which
will be refunded to you 7-14 days after you return the WiFi Router) – the total
amount to be slashed from your travel budget will only be 4,240 pesos. Ticking
off the ‘Router Insurance’ will add 550 pesos to your bill.
Picking up and returning the
Router is made easy with the ‘Courier
Delivery’ feature. Since, I had an errand at BGC the day before my trip I
opted to pick up the device at their office. Otherwise, it would be more
convenient for you to select the courier delivery for both pick-up and return
method.
*Router
will be delivered within three days before departure date and will be collected 3 days
after your arrival if you choose the courier method.
Payment through leading
banks and Visa / Mastercard cards are accepted for online payments.
Two
Thumbs Up
Well first off, sayonara expensive roaming bill which
took me 6 months to pay and ohayo more
affordable and reliable FLYTPACK Travel WiFi. Taking advantage of technology on
the road has never been this convenient and quick. Whether we were mapping out
the places we want to visit, to choosing a highly recommended Ramen place, to
finding a nice hostel, the connectivity I got from using FLYTPACK Travel WiFi
has definitely exceeded my expectations. All of that without burning a hole in
my pocket.
Flytpack Philippines
Level 11 KMC
Solutions, SM Aura Office Tower,
McKinley Parkway, BGC,
Taguig 1634
Contact Numbers: +63 02 485
8341 / +63 926 018 2272
For more information about Flytpack
Travel WiFi, visit their website at www.flytpack.com or follow them in Facebook and Instagram
@flytpackph.
