If you are a frequent traveller, you would know how important it is to have wi-fi overseas. Be it for leisure or for work, you’d want to Whatsapp your friends, update Instagram or Facebook, use Google Maps or check your emails on the go.
We all know too well data roaming charges are exorbitant. Recently, I discovered a new alternative – getting an overseas wi-fi router from the Changi Recommends counter at Changi International Airport. It was such a breeze using the service I almost kicked myself for not discovering this earlier.
If you are as much as a wi-fi addict as I am, read on for the reasons why you should rent an overseas wi-fi router from Changi Recommends for your trips:
1. It’s Easy to Use
I went on a trip to Japan last month and decided to get an overseas travel router from Changi Recommends. It was a breeze right from the start.
I only had to reserve the router at least three days in advance before my trip. On the day of departure from Singapore, I collected my router from the Changi Recommends counter at Changi Airport. The router battery has been charged prior and I simply needed to turn it on the moment I reached Japan.
Photo: Changi Recommends
The pocket-sized device was extremely easy to use. I simply pressed the “On” button, searched for the wi-fi signal on my phone and keyed in the password. And, voila! I am connected to the world again.
2. It’s Hassle-free
Typically when I go to a foreign country, I would bring along an extra mobile phone and buy a local pre-paid SIM card at whichever country I am in. That means I have to go around hunting for a shop/outlet that sells SIM cards the moment I land in the new country. Sometimes I even have to wait for the assistant to help me activate the local SIM card (that happened to me in Bali). Not to mention in the event that I use up my quota, I have to top up the SIM card.
With the overseas travel wi-fi router, I didn’t have to worry about all these problems. I got my internet connection at the touch of a button the moment I landed in Japan. It was as easy as ABC. While waiting in the massively long queue at the immigration counters at Kansai International Airport, I was already checking my Facebook to help me while the time away.
3. It’s Affordable
For my trip to Japan, it cost S$12 per day to rent the wi-fi router. Before you conclude that it’s expensive, the router can support up to eight devices at one time – which means you can actually split the cost with your friends. Assuming you are travelling in a group of eight, the cost works out to only S$1.50 per day per person!
For Asia and the United States, the rate is S$12 per day per country. (You need different routers for different countries) For European countries, the rate is S$25.
4. It Helps Me to Make Friends
My Japan trip was a travel assignment with other journalists. I shared my wifi with the rest in the group, and everyone was happy. One of the journalists joked that she will follow me wherever I go.
5. It Allows Me to Multi-task
Two months ago, I was in Beijing and I was faced with a problem of virtually zilch wi-fi in the hotel. As a result, I could hardly check my emails and do my work. If only I had discovered the overseas travel router earlier, it would have saved me from the grief I had.
In Japan while travelling on long train rides between cities, I linked my laptop up with the router and had no problems doing my work. I did not even feel any lag in connection. The connection speed was fast and I could browse webpages easily.
Even when I was high up in the mountains at Mount Rokko in Hyogo prefecture, I did not experience any lapse in connection. Absolute bliss.
How to Get the Overseas Wi-fi Router from Changi Recommends
The Overseas Travel Wi-Fi routers are available to rent at any Changi Recommends counters at all three terminals’ arrival halls (and only at Terminal 2 Departure Hall) at Singapore Changi Airport.
Reserve a router online at www.changiwifi.com. If you need one at the last minute, you can either call the hotline at +65 692 9508 or WhatsApp to +65 9427 6977 to reserve and check on the router’s availability.
