Data communication when traveling overseas What is the best?(Rental Wi-Fi/prepaid SIM edition) (page 1/2)

Now is the summer vacation season.Many people travel abroad.

When traveling abroad, "communication costs" are one of the worrisome things.Current mobile phones and smartphones are generally used overseas by using "international roaming".

However, there are many people who think that "roaming is a bit ..." because the price structure is different from the use in Japan.In particular, the tendency is remarkable, and if you receive a phone call, you may be charged a free "arrival fee" in Japan (SMS reception is free).

International roaming data communication is now available at a lower price than in the past.

However, depending on the destination and the number of stay days, the conventional "rental Wi-Fi (wireless LAN) service" or "overseas prepaid SIM card" may be cheaper.

Therefore, this article introduces the main rental Wi-Fi services and overseas prepaid SIM cards in Japan.I hope it helps to find the best data communication service overseas.

This article has been created based on information as of July 2018.In addition, the price is excluding tax unless there is a special statement.

For rental Wi-Fi services, prior application is required in principle.Services that support the application on the day of travel may not be accepted depending on the stock status of the router and the lending period.For more information, please check on the website of each service.

If you use an overseas prepaid SIM card on a terminal sold by major carriers (NTT DOCOMO, AU, Softbank, Y! Mobile), you need to cancel the SIM lock.Please check the details of the procedure on the website of each carrier.

Some terminals sold by Y! Mobile do not have SIM locks from the beginning (reference article).

The mobile phone network has different communication standards and frequency bands (Band) used by country and region.Many mobile phone smartphones sold in Japan are optimized for the standards and Bands used in Japan, so they may not be able to communicate comfortably overseas.

With a rental Wi-Fi service, you can rent a (optimized) router that is tailored to your destination in principle, so you don't have to feel uncomfortable due to mismatches between the terminal and the communication environment.However, it is also a disadvantage, and if the destination straddles multiple (tour), you may have to borrow multiple routers.

Nevertheless, the strength of the rental Wi-Fi service is that multiple people can share the Internet connection without hesitation.It is best when traveling in a group.

Ex-Com Global's "Imoto's WiFi" is a rental Wi-Fi service that bears the name of Ayako Imoto, known for doing severe shooting overseas.He himself uses this service overseas.

At the airport with the company's counter, rentals are also available on the day if the router is in stock.Some airports also have a "return box" that can be returned 24 hours a day.At Kansai International Airport, there is also an "Imoto locker" that you can receive anytime if you make a reservation in advance.

The price plan varies depending on the combination of "travel destination", "corresponding communication standard (LTE or 3G)", and "communication capacity per day".Depending on the destination, there is also a "30 -day plan", so those who stay for a long time can be happy to choose that.Please note that LTE routers may not be selected depending on the destination or the choice of capacity may be limited.

The main service specifications are as follows.

* 1 If you wish to take delivery of delivery, complete the procedure by 16:00 by 16:00, 2 to 4 days before departure.If you would like to receive at the airport counter, complete the procedure by 16:00 at 16:00, 1 to 3 days before departure at the airport.* 2 If there is no router stock, it cannot be accepted.* 3 Narita International Airport, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Kansai International Airport, Chubu International Airport, New Chitose Airport, and Fukuoka Airport.* 4 Return box can only be used if you pay the price by credit card.

The major feature is that the Wi-HO (Wiiho) of Telecom Square is an unlimited plan for world tours that can be used for 2980 yen a day (tax-exempt).In addition, the high -speed communication capacity per day is slightly less, at 300MB, but depending on the destination, there is also a reasonable plan that can be used from 390 yen (tax exempt) for one day.

The basic usage is almost the same as the WiFi of Imoto mentioned above, and the main airports have a counter that accepts and returns.If the usage fee exceeds 3000 yen, it is also attractive that the shipping fee at home is free.It depends on the destination and the number of days you use, but the convenience is high.There is also a 24 -hour support center.

The unlimited plan is very encouraging for those who use videos and music.Note, however, that if the communication speed may decrease or the communication may be interrupted if the communication of large capacity is significantly shorted.

The main service specifications are as follows.

* 1 Please complete the procedure by 12:00 (noon), 1 to 3 days before departure by the address and airport.* 2 It will be treated as "Telecom Wi-Fi" (the service content is different from Wi-HO) * 3 If the usage fee is less than 3000 yen, the shipping fee will be charged 540 yen (tax included).* 4 Narita International Airport, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Kansai International Airport, Chubu International Airport, New Chitose Airport, and Fukuoka Airport.The return to the counter is accepted only at the counter of Narita International Airport.

MAYA SYSTEM's "JETFI" is characterized by a virtual SIM card called "Cloud SIM" and can communicate inexpensive and comfortably overseas.It is a rental version of "Pocket WiFi 701UC" introduced in a major carrier edition (two of the three models compatible with the same manufacturer).

One of the different features from other rental Wi-Fi services is that the tour plans such as the "Asian Plan" and "Global Plan", which are not subdivided into each country or region, are standard (one country plan plan).There is also a fee by area) N, the use of the LTE network is free (limited to supported countries and regions), and it can be used in Japan.

I am also grateful that the daily capacity can be selected from "350MB", "500MB", and "1GB" as needed.These capacity will be reset to the country and region, so it is safe for transit use.In addition, there are "30 days", "60 days" and "90 days" plans that are optimal for those who stay long -term (capacity is 500MB).In addition, there is a "unlimited use" plan for travel destinations (1280 yen per day, tax -exempt).

Although the corresponding countries and regions are slightly less than 100 countries, the main destinations of Japanese people are generally covered.I am also grateful that you can freely choose the plan according to your destination and usage.

The main service specifications are as follows.

* 1 In the case of receiving a convenience store / post office, the procedure is performed by 2-3 days to depart (3 days before the convenience store and post office in the airport, 5 to 12 days before remote islands).Please complete.In the case of receiving the airport, complete the procedure by the morning two days before departure (3 days before Kansai International Airport).* 2 If you receive it outside the airport counter, the receiving fee (shipping fee) will be charged separately.The same is true for receiving at a convenience store or post office in the airport.* 3 Convenience stores are compatible with FamilyMart, Lawson and Ministop.* 4 Narita International Airport, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Kansai International Airport, Chubu International Airport.At other airports, you can pick up at stores if you have a convenience store or post office that supports you.* 5 650 yen will be charged as the price of the return pack (letter pack + packing kit).* 6 Apart from the cancellation fee, there is also a fee for receiving and return packs.However, it is free if you cancel to the deadline timing (depending on the destination).