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Pocket WiFI vs SIM
Newbie to Japan here and confused by the whole pocket WiFi thing. I bought a 1 month SIM2FLY Simcard. Should I also rent a pocket WiFi. I am a bit confused if it is really needed, and I if I get one should I keep my USA Iphone number and ditch the SIM2FLY.
Any clarity would be greatly appreciated. Although I have traveled extensively, I have never heard of the pocket WiFi. |
A pocket wifi is a small portable unit that contains a sim and which allows wifi connections to the unit, usually for up to 10 devices simultaneously. If you’re a solo traveler with a single iPhone, then a sim maybe an easier alternative; however, if you have more than one device or there’s more than one of you, than a pocket wifi is the way to go. It also has the advantage that you can leave your home sim in the phone so that people can reach you on that number if needs be. There are various companies that rent them. You can arrange the rental before you leave home and pick it up at the airport in Japan (usually at a post office or convenience store) or have it delivered to your hotel etc. They come with a return envelope so you just drop it in the mail before you leave Japan. There are various companies - here’s one example - iVideo. There are also rental shops at the airport but probably easier/quicker to arrange it before you leave home. |
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by tt7
(Post 29949024)
A pocket wifi is a small portable unit that contains a sim and which allows wifi connections to the unit, usually for up to 10 devices simultaneously. If you’re a solo traveler with a single iPhone, then a sim maybe an easier alternative; however, if you have more than one device or there’s more than one of you, than a pocket wifi is the way to go. It also has the advantage that you can leave your home sim in the phone so that people can reach you on that number if needs be. There are various companies that rent them. You can arrange the rental before you leave home and pick it up at the airport in Japan (usually at a post office or convenience store) or have it delivered to your hotel etc. They come with a return envelope so you just drop it in the mail before you leave Japan. There are various companies - here’s one example - iVideo. There are also rental shops at the airport but probably easier/quicker to arrange it before you leave home. With regards to pocket wifi, I have some questions. - You say to arrange for it in advance, but why not just get it at one of those outlets in NRT upon arrival? If it's a price thing, is the price difference that substantial? - For a typical pocket wifi you pick up at NRT, do you charge the battery and how long does a fully-charged wifi last? - If the pocket wifi is inside the suitcase sitting on the train's overhead rack and I'm sitting right below, will it work? Or do you always have to place it out in the open near the connected devices? |
Some countries are starting to rent pocket wifi's from departure airports, could be more convenient that way if your country is one of those, cos you have internet access the moment your plane touches the ground.
Examples: https://www.changirecommends.com/owifi.aspx? (SG) and http://www.wiyo.my/rental_fees (MY)
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29952764)
- For a typical pocket wifi you pick up at NRT, do you charge the battery and how long does a fully-charged wifi last?
- If the pocket wifi is inside the suitcase sitting on the train's overhead rack and I'm sitting right below, will it work? Or do you always have to place it out in the open near the connected devices? You can think of the device as a (weak) wifi router -- doesn't have to be in line of sight or anything, it'll work fine (within reasonable distances) if it's in a pocket, or a bag, or a backpack, etc. |
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29952764)
You say to arrange for it in advance, but why not just get it at one of those outlets in NRT upon arrival? If it's a price thing, is the price difference that substantial?
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29952764)
For a typical pocket wifi you pick up at NRT, do you charge the battery and how long does a fully-charged wifi last?
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29952764)
If the pocket wifi is inside the suitcase sitting on the train's overhead rack and I'm sitting right below, will it work? Or do you always have to place it out in the open near the connected devices?
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Originally Posted by shuigao
(Post 29953310)
In my experience pocket wifi's last maybe 8 hours, so generally speaking you do need some sort of top-up during the day (whether via powerbank or car lighter socket).
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Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29952764)
With regards to pocket wifi, I have some questions.
- You say to arrange for it in advance, but why not just get it at one of those outlets in NRT upon arrival? If it's a price thing, is the price difference that substantial? - For a typical pocket wifi you pick up at NRT, do you charge the battery and how long does a fully-charged wifi last? - If the pocket wifi is inside the suitcase sitting on the train's overhead rack and I'm sitting right below, will it work? Or do you always have to place it out in the open near the connected devices? 2. My rentals usually lasts almost an entire day. 3. I'd have mine in one hotel room and can go next door/across hall to family members rooms and it'd be fine. |
Thanks, guys!
I'm looking at the thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japa...tal-japan.html Interesting that some of the suppliers (like ivideo) are not even in Jpn. Wouldn't the shipping fees to/from Jpn alone (both delivery and return) be cost-ineffective? And if there's a technical issue for which you need support during the trip, wouldn't it be problematic if the device is from another country like Taiwan? Sorry, another dumb question, but I just want to be sure. Mifi = pocket Wifi, correct? |
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29956912)
Sorry, another dumb question, but I just want to be sure.
Mifi = pocket Wifi, correct? |
Originally Posted by evergrn
(Post 29956912)
Thanks, guys!
I'm looking at the thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japa...tal-japan.html Interesting that some of the suppliers (like ivideo) are not even in Jpn. Wouldn't the shipping fees to/from Jpn alone (both delivery and return) be cost-ineffective? And if there's a technical issue for which you need support during the trip, wouldn't it be problematic if the device is from another country like Taiwan? Sorry, another dumb question, but I just want to be sure. Mifi = pocket Wifi, correct? Ivideo is about half the price of Japanese domestic suppliers, and shipping fee is only $8 usd. Why don't you just price it out yourself? If you're worried about support then just go with a Japanese company. |
I use Sim2Fly. It's the best ever! Fast and cheap. All the Japanese local SIMs for tourists are very slow, and of course more expensive. I had been using tourist SIMs since ~2010.
SIM: cheaper than pocket wifi. Can be tricky to set up for iPhone. Some people simply couldn't get it to work. I never had a problem using models from 3GS to iphone X. Pocket Wifi: unlimited (subject to fair usage), very high speed data. Most people do not need that kind of speed. Extra equipment to carry - the device itself and external battery pack. Everyone in the party must travel together to benefit from it. Coverage is not as good as SIM (which is NTT Docomo for Japanese SIMs, the best coverage). Sim2Fly is on Softbank. Some cheap pocket wifi typically provided by Airbnb hosts have dismal coverage in popular out-of-town destinations, or underground malls. |
Okay thanks again.
I've got an Iphone paid for by my company on some type of special plan that's also paid for. Perhaps that's the reason why the SIM card situation seems to be so complicated with my phone and therefore it's not an easy option. I think I'm going to have to go with Jpn pocket wifi vendor when in Jpn just cuz of concerns of tech support if that becomes necessary. I will look at the other thread for some recs. I'm leaving for Jpn in a couple days and will be in a remote part of the country for much for the trip this time around, so will probably just go with our extremely slow cellular data again. But will definitely look into it when I go back in fall. |
Originally Posted by beep88
(Post 29960045)
Pocket Wifi: unlimited (subject to fair usage), very high speed data. Most people do not need that kind of speed.
Originally Posted by beep88
(Post 29960045)
Some cheap pocket wifi typically provided by Airbnb hosts have dismal coverage in popular out-of-town destinations, or underground malls.
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Originally Posted by CrazyInteg
(Post 29962088)
Aren't these two statements contradicting each other? I interpret your statement as "XYZ is really fast, but sometimes it's not" Can you explain this better?
Pocket wifis that you order yourself will normally feature more reliable LTE connections with bigger allocations of fast data, on average at least 1GB/day. However, you are still subject to the risk and cost of equipment loss, so It appears to be another profit opportunity for suppliers. |
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