TravelinSperry

Decent idea - but it already exists... I just switched to Google Fi. They offer non-capped speeds in over 130 countries and you pay $10 per 1GB of data (not per day - just pay for what you use). Much better way to go imo.

Dubai Stu

Didn't know I would be needing it until I needed it. My phone has unlimited nontetherable data and on paper I had data at this spot. I also had coverage on my work, but the person didn't want to touch this issue because it was complicated.

My point is that that these devices have a purpose as a fallback/filler when you don't hit the ground knowing you'll need the data, as a bridge until you can get things setup, or when you've got very short stops in places.

All my other stops in Australia had great wifi. I actually only needed it that one day.

chx1975

If you are in the USA. Otherwise... good luck getting it.

paperwastage

don't get your hopes up...

what's the point of this? it's not a new/creative idea, or new hardware..
only thing new = more roaming agreements... which doesn't exactly need a lot of startup capital (more of negotiations/relationship building). company incurs costs as users get onboarded onto it, so there's reason to join later when everything's finalized (unless they decide $10/day = early starter price, $20/day for later)

i give this a 30% chance of success... most likely, they'll revise the "unlimited" terms and/or charge more

either they keep their promise/hopes (means you can join later... why back this right now?), or they'll change their promise/hopes (in which case, why back this right now? they might change other stuff as well)


(my whole point is: don't think that you're buying a product on amazon... you're buying a product plus risk that you won't get your money back, or risk that it's delayed for months/years)

KevinSFO

cboy funded the GlocalMe U2, not the GeeFi. The U2 is just an update to GlocalMe's existing G2 4G hotspot (no display, smaller size/battery). So the risk should be pretty low. The network is already in place.

I funded the GlocalMe G2 on KickStarter. I got a great price on the device plus data plan, but I did have to deal with delays and a pretty poor communications from the company. Overall, I'm satisfied with the product and my experience.

chx1975

And I have funded the U2 too. It might not be a new idea but I have never seen a global SIM where you buy a bucket of reasonably priced data and that's it for a year. Most of the global SIMs make you pay for global data either eye watering amounts or daily/weekly. One gigabyte for the purposes needed is plenty for me for an entire year: navigation, email, translation.

A local SIM is a wonderful concept ... except it might not be available at the airport -- I looked up which SIM to buy at Ben Gurion and the post office was out of those so I ended up with a much more expensive one and then you need to hassle with changing SIMs at the airport (and not lose your home SIM!). Because the very moment I found the need to be connected to be the highest is when I land. Call the hotel for the shuttle? Look up bus schedules? Translate the name of the odd looking sandwich? These are just a few of the examples when you need data right there and working. And maybe there's wifi in the terminal but it either works or it doesn't but also maybe there's no wifi out in the bus stop. I have learned my lessons and will welcome this thing with open arms.

Internaut

That's what I do when on holiday in the Canaries, where hotel WiFi is pretty much universally awful (well either that or I've been unlucky). Some parts of Africa, also, but data can be expensive in Africa. I've found a local SIM plus iPhone* to be the most reliable option.

* Wouldn't trust Android unless its on a decent, brand name device (my original Nexus 5 is also reliable). I've had cheaper Android devices simply fail to connect to a 3G or LTE network for no apparent reason.

cboy

just got my GlocalMe U2 that I funded. It boots up and connects in the US at my house, I got 5Mbit down and slightly less than 1 up

I'm going to be using it in Mexico City next month as my 1st international trip with it. Hopefully it works well ^

theworld

Wonder how this compares to Skyroam.

AltaBound

Please provide an update on how it worked on your return. I am interested in the product.

Enthilza

From the indiegogo page. This doesn't look good.

chx1975

GeeFi might not be real but the GlocalMe U2 just landed in the post for me as well. It'll be a while before I can report experiences in Europe, though.

bukzin

Any useage (field reports) on either the Glocame U2 or Google Fi?

Dubai Stu

I purchased a Skyroam Soltis in part based on the assurance that there was an internal SIM card for my usage which there was, but it does not seem to be active. I was looking for something where I could use the same hotspot on Day 1 or 2 with them but if I needed a day five or six run out and get a prepaid SIM card.

airsurfer

Another 'unlimited' buzzword which is used with pleasure by telco marketeers.

I still don't understand why 4G is so expensive compared to DSL / cable / fiber after almost 20 years of mobile internet. The only difference is a wireless connection between the cell phone tower of at most a few km away and your device. The tower is similarly (wired) connected to trunks / interchanges of the internet as cable / DSL / fiber.
It is more or less wifi over a much longer range.
Moreover in most places wifi is readily available, so I barely use 4G. In another country I buy a simcard (easily available at airports like JNB / CPT / AKL / SYD) and in rare occations I use their 4G.