Last edit by: IBJoel
What is PokeFi?
Pokefi is a type of "MiFi" (or mobile WiFi network) device.
What is the cost of using PokeFi?
The price is of the device ranges from US$125-200, depending on where it is bought and then costs US$3/day or US$3/GB for data.
Where can I use PokeFi?
It is compatible in 60 countries
Expert Advice: Beware inconsistency of connection speeds and battery life
What are some alternative options?
Competitors include GlocalMe and Skyroam. Substituting SIM cards in a phone is another method.
Of note:
Pokefi is a type of "MiFi" (or mobile WiFi network) device.
What is the cost of using PokeFi?
The price is of the device ranges from US$125-200, depending on where it is bought and then costs US$3/day or US$3/GB for data.
Where can I use PokeFi?
It is compatible in 60 countries
Expert Advice: Beware inconsistency of connection speeds and battery life
What are some alternative options?
Competitors include GlocalMe and Skyroam. Substituting SIM cards in a phone is another method.
Of note:
- It does get warm for long usuage. So try to give good air circulation from time to time while using it.
- It doesn't charge well when it is in use. Turn the connection off before charging. Otherwise it may take forever to charge.
- Try to turn it on and establish internet connection while you are stationary. I once drive from Ottawa to Toronto and my wife turned it on while the car was in motion. It never established a connection for the whole trip. But if the connection was negotiated before I drive, it was good for the whole trip.
Pokefi MiFi Device
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,659
Looking at my Pokefi usage history and the usage remaining I would say no.
#32
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Hawaii
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 192
so I took the leap and bought one...it arrived today. Speed is pretty much useless in Hawaii. I believe its on TMobile. I really hope it works better outside of the US (really the only place I'll use it)
I will carry both the Pokefi and my GlocalMe and try to use the pokefi first as its much cheaper.
to be fair my freedom pop sim is pretty useless here as well. Really slow but fast in Europe so I hope this pokefi is the same
I will carry both the Pokefi and my GlocalMe and try to use the pokefi first as its much cheaper.
to be fair my freedom pop sim is pretty useless here as well. Really slow but fast in Europe so I hope this pokefi is the same
#33
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPC
Posts: 65
Does anyone know how the pokefi day-pass works? If you use it for 2 hours does an entire day of access time get deducted, or do you still have 22 hours to use at some later date?
By the way, I've just bought a Birdie Travel SIM which I saw advertised in Hong Kong. The rates for some countries in Asia seem quite good at HK$10 (about US$1.28) a day. I haven't actually tried it yet, so can't comment on how well it works.
https://www.birdie.com.hk/en/
By the way, I've just bought a Birdie Travel SIM which I saw advertised in Hong Kong. The rates for some countries in Asia seem quite good at HK$10 (about US$1.28) a day. I haven't actually tried it yet, so can't comment on how well it works.
https://www.birdie.com.hk/en/
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,659
Does anyone know how the pokefi day-pass works? If you use it for 2 hours does an entire day of access time get deducted, or do you still have 22 hours to use at some later date?
By the way, I've just bought a Birdie Travel SIM which I saw advertised in Hong Kong. The rates for some countries in Asia seem quite good at HK$10 (about US$1.28) a day. I haven't actually tried it yet, so can't comment on how well it works.
https://www.birdie.com.hk/en/
By the way, I've just bought a Birdie Travel SIM which I saw advertised in Hong Kong. The rates for some countries in Asia seem quite good at HK$10 (about US$1.28) a day. I haven't actually tried it yet, so can't comment on how well it works.
https://www.birdie.com.hk/en/
Birdie day pass is capped at 300M, then it is throttled to 128K.
#37
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
I've tried to use it in Canada recently with no luck. It just would not connect no matter how many times I reset it. Have you been there? Have you tried it?
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,659
How recently? It is my backup connection for Canada and I had no problems with it around the GTA during the summer; even at rural places where the second tier services provider have problems.
#39
formerly ltabi
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AA PLT, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 202
Hi All,
This thread is very informative. I saw this awhile back in a CX duty free catalog and was debating with myself whether I should get this or not. I mostly travel to Canada (Vancouver B.C specifically), Hong Kong, Japan, S.Korea and Taiwan. The price on the website is $169 with 5gb loaded) or $194 starter back with 5gb loaded so it is more expensive than the CX catalog.
I don't travel as often as others (1-2 trips a year) but would like to get my own pocket wifi. Anyone tested this out in Taiwan?
Thanks!
This thread is very informative. I saw this awhile back in a CX duty free catalog and was debating with myself whether I should get this or not. I mostly travel to Canada (Vancouver B.C specifically), Hong Kong, Japan, S.Korea and Taiwan. The price on the website is $169 with 5gb loaded) or $194 starter back with 5gb loaded so it is more expensive than the CX catalog.
I don't travel as often as others (1-2 trips a year) but would like to get my own pocket wifi. Anyone tested this out in Taiwan?
Thanks!
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,659
Hi All,
This thread is very informative. I saw this awhile back in a CX duty free catalog and was debating with myself whether I should get this or not. I mostly travel to Canada (Vancouver B.C specifically), Hong Kong, Japan, S.Korea and Taiwan. The price on the website is $169 with 5gb loaded) or $194 starter back with 5gb loaded so it is more expensive than the CX catalog.
I don't travel as often as others (1-2 trips a year) but would like to get my own pocket wifi. Anyone tested this out in Taiwan?
Thanks!
This thread is very informative. I saw this awhile back in a CX duty free catalog and was debating with myself whether I should get this or not. I mostly travel to Canada (Vancouver B.C specifically), Hong Kong, Japan, S.Korea and Taiwan. The price on the website is $169 with 5gb loaded) or $194 starter back with 5gb loaded so it is more expensive than the CX catalog.
I don't travel as often as others (1-2 trips a year) but would like to get my own pocket wifi. Anyone tested this out in Taiwan?
Thanks!
Taiwan Experience:
Turn on upon landing at TPE and was ready with green indicator before clearing immigration.
Very usable around Taipei. That is the limit of my Pokefi usage in Taiwan.
#41
formerly ltabi
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AA PLT, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 202
Thanks for the quick reply
Perhaps, I will buy one on board CX in March. Is the one brought in HKIA or CX duty free also loaded with 5gb?
Thanks!
Last edited by traveling_newbie; Sep 25, 2017 at 10:39 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 21
Report back from usage in Bay Area in California, Pokefi uses AT&T and Tmobile. Both are very slow after 2 days testing... Sometimes when it was on AT&T it was faster, but most of the times forget about refreshing your Instagram... Even Twitter pictures can take a long time to load. I decided to buy a Mifi because Freedompop turns out to be annoyingly useless in this area. Hopefully I will have better luck in Japan in a few days..
#43
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Hawaii
Programs: Delta Diamond
Posts: 192
Report back from usage in Bay Area in California, Pokefi uses AT&T and Tmobile. Both are very slow after 2 days testing... Sometimes when it was on AT&T it was faster, but most of the times forget about refreshing your Instagram... Even Twitter pictures can take a long time to load. I decided to buy a Mifi because Freedompop turns out to be annoyingly useless in this area. Hopefully I will have better luck in Japan in a few days..
#44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Beijing
Posts: 349
And after months of trying to contact them about the problems I am experiencing, I am no wiser to well it works, or wether I just have a faulty unit. Either way, I am not happy with it. There is no customer service, which is somewhat odd, seeing that HK customer service is generally pretty good. They go through the motions of replying, but then nothing comes of it.
Also, be warned, that if you buy it with the idea of having unfiltered internet access in China - something that normally work, when u use a foreign SIM card on roaming in China - this Pokefi unit will not do that. Once in China, even u on 4G most places, the same restrictions of the Great Firewall apply then as if you were using a local SIM. Defies the idea, as locals SIMS work out cheaper too.
Well, Pokefi, if you reading this. I have told you I be posting my expereince here, if there is no further reply. And you had three months to reply to my concerns about use of the unit. You didnt asnwer my phone calls, didnt follow up the wechat conversation, and never even bothered replying to my email, after the initial "we received your email, and will reply shortly".
Could be soo good, and a grewat idea - but looks like complete failure to me
#45
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Beijing
Posts: 349
btw, just found this whilst looking for a Japan option: https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/