With over 77% of internationally traveling Internet users departing from North America, there is a high demand for affordable, instant Internet access in countries worldwide. Since nationally based Internet service plans via USB airport card do not usually include international usage, and in fact can incur high costs of roaming charges when used internationally, international travelers must find an alternative to their national USB airport cards for Internet access abroad.
Out of an estimated 1.9 billion Internet users worldwide, nearly 29% are using international Internet while traveling abroad. This means that international leisure travelers are constantly faced with the hassle of searching for a wireless hotspot or Internet café, while the companies paying for international business travel must compensate for expensive international roaming fees so their employees can work from anywhere abroad and continue to correspond with their constituents back home.
International mobile WiFi service and Internet air cards offer a solution to the necessity of uninterrupted Internet service for travelers abroad, from the comfort of hotel rooms, condos, restaurants, and anywhere else you could possibly wish to use your laptop and other WiFi enabled devices. However, purchasing a year-round international mobile service plan is unrealistic and unaffordable for most business and leisure travelers, especially since many international travelers still spend the majority of their time in their home countries.
International Internet service providers offer quick, easy, and affordable access to the Internet worldwide with wireless data rentals for international travelers. Two types of 3G broadband wireless Internet service device rentals are available:
USB Modem air cards provide 3G network Internet access at a speed of 7.2 MBps for use with your laptop. The flash-drive sized air cards plug into your USB port and provide instant Internet access from any location after the initial software installation.
Mobile Wireless Hotspots provide 3G network Internet access at a speed of 7.2 MBps for up to five WiFi enabled devices at once with unlimited data usage. The rechargeable smartphone-sized device provides four hours of uninterrupted service, connecting wirelessly and instantly to your laptop and other WiFi devices.
How the rental service works: Three or more days before your departure you request your preferred device and it is shipped to your home, arriving 1-2 days before you leave so you can install the necessary software and test the device. If your trip is scheduled last minute, you can request overnight shipping for your device. Your service begins the day of your scheduled departure and ends the day you return. You send your device back in the prepaid, labeled envelope the day you return. Your credit card is charged after the device is returned undamaged. Insurance is available for your rental device, and business solutions are available for companies with frequent and multiple international travelers.
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About the Author: Erick D. Smith is a technology blogger living in San Diego, California who writes for XCom Global, which provides mobile hotspots for international Internet access. If you plan on traveling abroad and want instant Internet, consider renting one of XCom’s Internet air cards.
