So some developments since my original Phoning in Italy post …
Data Connectivity
I’ve gone ahead and signed up to rent a mobile wireless “MiFi” hotspot configured for Italy with unlimited data, via XcomGlobal. It’s costing me about $280 for the full trip, but the idea is to have instant-on WiFi access to broadband wherever we are (via smartphone), not just in the places we’re staying or wherever I can find a (free) cafe. I think the convenience will be worth it, to have maps and Wikipedia access everywhere.
(This is driven by Margie and I having smartphones via Verizon that won’t talk to European networks. Those of with GSM-based phones, like iPhones, can access stuff over there natively, though using a US phone plan overseas is pricy — sites like iPhoneTrip also have info on purchasing SIMs that will give you local phone/data rates.)
The unit covers up to 5 connected devices at a time, so anyone in our group standing nearby will be able to access the unit.
Reviews looked good (1 2 3 4), and the alternative services I was able to find were either all booked up (Cellular Abroad) or had serious data limitations (DRoam).
So, if all goes according to plan, we should have GPS navigation and Googly lookups and Wikipedia and Google Goggles wherever we go. Oh, and Tweeting, too, huzzah.
Voice Connectivity
The above solution doesn’t (for our Verizon CDMA phones) solve voice connectivity (see above for info for those who have GSM-based phones). In theory, with this connectivity we could use Skype — but Verizon’s Skype app doesn’t allow use of Skype over WiFi (mutter mutter) and Google Voice (the other often-mentioned alternative) only seems to be available in the US.
I got, through my company (using Roam4Less), a temporary international travel dumb-phone for my Australia and Chile trips. They may let me keep it through this vacation, esp. if I give the reason of being accessible to the office. My relatives Dave & Elda recommend ICS for an international mobile phone rental. There are several other phone rental firms, plus the option of grabbing a disposable phone at the airport when we arrive.
As things stand, it’s not clear what Margie and I are going to do with this need. But we’ll figure it out.
http://www.xcomglobal.com/internationalcoverage/italy.html
It’s costing me about $280 for the full trip, but the idea is to have instant-on WiFi access to broadband wherever we are (via smartphone), not just in the places we’re staying or wherever I can find a (free) cafe. I think the convenience will be worth it, to have maps and Wikipedia access everywhere.
(This is driven by Margie and I having smartphones via Verizon that won’t talk to European networks. Those of you with GSM-based phones, like iPhones, can access stuff over there — sites like http://www.iphonetrip.com/ also have info on purchasing SIMs that will give you local phone/data rates.)
The unit covers up to 5 connected devices at a time, so anyone in the group standing nearby will be able to access the unit.
Reviews:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/01/xcom-global-international-mifi-data-rental-service-review/
https://www.nytimes.com/external/gigaom/2010/10/27/27gigaom-xcom-global-offers-flat-rate-mifi-for-internation-23072.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Xcom Global’s MiFi rental service: why you shouldn’t leave the US without one
Alternative service (via National Geographic) — that is currently all booked up: http://www.cellularabroad.com/italyRmifi.php
I do not recognise “serious data limitations” ? Very surprised. 2 weeks over here (yes, we are a European company). What are the odds you would break 4 gigs in 2 weeks ? Haven’t seen any of our customers do it and our solution works not ONLY in Italy but all over Europe; just one device for all over the continent. Anyway, would have been pleased to answer a request 🙂
DRoam is definitely less expensive, at €48.50/wk. On the other hand, that only buys you 50Mb/day — divided by up to five devices — while XcomGlobal provides unlimited data. I can imagine, esp. using maps/navigation or doing some picture uploading, hitting that 50Mb/day cap pretty easily.
(I would gauge it off my own usage this month, but I spent two weeks overseas where I couldn’t use any data services.)
For each extra MB you’ll pay €1.25.
On the other hand, there’s a “bulk” deal of € 65 for the first Gb, and € 45 each Gb thereafter, which might be a better deal.
Or maybe not. This article shows average Verizon Android users chewing up 421Mb … per month. That’s more like 13Mb/day. So maybe I’ve overestimated how significant limitation is, even with a couple of users, unless we’re streaming video (which we aren’t).
Dave, I think the Verizon numbers include lots of default standard users, or users who do not know they are even on the mobile Internet. As such, our numbers might be more meaningful. One Droam iphone/android/W user averages 31Mb per day on the 50mb plan and only break the cap when they have an accidental update. Lots of them never come near the average. On the Gigabyte plan, it suprising how few times we get to bill a 2nd Gig. And if we do, Skype video is the culprit.
Anyway, the only reason we do not sell unlimited is because you can use Droam from Ireland to Greece and every country in between without switching off, chganging sims, losing connection or anythin else. We are the 4361 in PDP country 🙂
One other telling statistic: we sell unlimited to Europeans travelling to USA; average use so far : 212Mb per week.
anyway, have a good trip !
Your flexibility in going from country to country (vs XcomGlobal that adds a surcharge for each country) would be a definite plus for some travelers (I’m only going to one country on this trip).
I will certainly keep you in mind for future travel.