What is Pocket WiFi?
No matter if you are going on vacation or traveling for business, you will need the internet to stay connected to check your emails, make phone calls, share your photos with family and friends, or post on your social media sites.
There are several options available to get an internet connection, such as purchasing an international data plan, adding data to your existing plan for the length of your trip, purchasing a local SIM card, connecting to a public WiFI network, getting an eSIM, or looking into renting a pocket WiFI.
In this blog, we cover the basics such as what Pocket WiFi is and how it provides internet connectivity.
A Pocket WiFi is a portable WiFi router that provides wireless internet access on the go. Unlike a traditional WiFi router we use at home or in the office, Pocket WiFi is designed to travel with you, wherever you go. Its function is broadcasting the internet to the compatible devices around it, like smartphones, tablets, cameras or personal computers.
A Pocket WiFi works just like any WiFi device, but it is a lot smaller and portable than your traditional home WiFi router. Unlike the router, Pocket WiFi is designed for use without any location restriction, this way you can stay connected to the internet no matter where your travels may take you.
From a technical perspective, the Pocket WiFi operates using a SIM card. This SIM card connects to a cellular network in the exact same way as smartphones do. Once the device is connected to the internet via a SIM card it gains internet connectivity via the cellular network. Then the device emits a WiFi signal just like your home WiFi does, allowing any of your internet capable devices to connect via WiFi. As a result, these devices can access the internet through the cellular network, maintaining connectivity even while on the move.
Pocket WiFi devices can only be accessed with a password, so only those in your group who are provided with that password, will have a secure and fast internet connection.
You can either purchase a Pocket WiFI and prepaid SIM card or rent a Pocket WiFI and purchase a prepaid SIM card.
Pocket WiFI is a great alternative to avoid roaming charges and to stay connected, but keep in mind, Pocket WiFI has its own powersource, so you will need a power bank at all times to stay connected. The prepaid SIM card needs to be for the area you travel to.
A great alternative to Pocket WiFI is an eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE.
With the eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE you will avoid unexpected roaming charges and will never run out of data.
The easiest, fastest, and most cost effective option for international travel or for areas outside your home plan is to purchase an eSIM from the Red Bull MOBILE Data App .
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is embedded directly into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike physical SIM cards, which are small removable chips that need to be inserted into a device, an eSIM is a virtual SIM that can be programmed and activated remotely. Here’s how eSIM works:
When you purchase a device with eSIM capability, the device manufacturer or your mobile carrier can provision an eSIM profile onto the device. This involves assigning a mobile plan to the eSIM and linking it to your account.
To activate the eSIM, you might receive a QR code from your carrier. Alternatively, Red Bull MOBILE has a dedicated app that guides you through the activation process. Scanning the QR code or following the app’s instructions triggers the eSIM activation.
Once the QR code is scanned or the app process is completed, the device connects to your carrier’s server to download the eSIM profile. This profile contains all the necessary information for the device to connect to the carrier’s network.
Since the eSIM is digital, it can be remotely managed by your carrier. This means you can switch carriers or plans without needing a physical SIM card. You might need to update your eSIM profile when you want to change carriers or plans.
One of the key advantages of eSIM is that you don’t need to physically swap SIM cards when changing carriers or traveling internationally. You can simply activate a new eSIM profile or switch between existing profiles.
Not all devices and carriers support eSIM technology. Your device needs to have eSIM functionality, and your carrier needs to offer eSIM support for you to take advantage of this technology. To find out if your device supports eSIM click here.
eSIM profiles are stored securely on the device’s hardware, reducing the risk of physical SIM card theft or loss.
eSIM technology provides more flexibility for users to manage their mobile plans. It’s particularly useful for international travelers who can easily switch to local carriers without the need for a physical SIM card.
It’s important to note that while eSIM technology offers many benefits, it might not be universally supported across all carriers, devices, or regions. Before relying on eSIM, it’s recommended to check with your carrier and device manufacturer to ensure compatibility and availability.
Using a LTE/4G network while traveling worldwide you can connect to the internet with your eSIM card and the Red Bull MOBILE Data app and avoid expensive roaming charges. With eSIM you will never run out of data and it enables you to have multiple mobile numbers and data plans on a single device. This allows you to switch between different plans without physically changing SIM cards, providing convenience and flexibility.
With eSIM, you can activate or switch to a new data plan remotely without needing a physical SIM card. This can be particularly useful when traveling internationally or if you frequently switch between different data plans.
That way you will stay in touch with your family and friends via your favorite apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook or Instagram. Don’t think about roaming and start saving on your trip.
eSIM eliminates the need for a physical SIM card slot in your device, which can free up space for other components or reduce the overall size of the device.
Simply download the app, choose your data plan for your destination and follow the instructions on how to activate the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM data plan. Once your account is activated you are ready to connect to the world.
Using eSIM with the Red Bull MOBILE Data App for roaming offers several advantages over traditional physical SIM cards. Data roaming has become much easier, more efficient and cost-effective with the use of eSIM.
