I started using TEP Wireless just a few weeks ago for an important business trip abroad. While I was apprehensive about it at first – especially since I needed a good travel Wi-Fi hotspot that wouldn't let me down on upcoming conferences and events – this handy technology paid off, and I was more than happy with the result!
This is a guest post by Laurence from Finding the Universe.
Introducing TEP Wireless
Ever heard of MiFi? This trademark name owned by several companies in the United States and the UK has been recently tossed around a lot, and it caught on with most frequent travelers.
The idea behind it is the use of a mobile Wi-Fi modem(hence the name) that you can take with you on trips to other countries, without having to cover exorbitant roaming expenses.
This is precisely where TEP comes in. Unlike most MiFi routers and modems that are still quite expensive, with TEP you simply rent the device for a fixed period and then return it as soon as you arrive back home.
During my travels I found the concept itself to work beautifully, and with a portable Wi-Fi device that works as well as TEP, it was even easier to contact business partners on time, sync schedules, receive important documents, and everything else that my sometimes overwhelming schedule doing business abroad may consist of.
Portable and Easy to Use
What I really like about the TEP Wireless is that it's built to be practical. There are no fancy, complicated steps in order to install it, no nonsense about having to tweak it to get a better signal and no other unusual problems you have to keep track of.
Basically, you just start it up and it gives you exactly what you want: complete, unlimited Internet access without any extra costs.
The device can be stored virtually anywhere since it's much lighter and more compact than most mobile hotspots. Also, keeping it in a bag, briefcase, or pocket doesn't interfere with the signal, so you don't have to put it on display anywhere you go.
Finally, my personal impression of the TEP's user interface was that it's pretty straightforward. It takes a few minutes to get used to it, but it's also fairly intuitive and focused on safety and convenience – providing a strong unique password and delivering a Wi-Fi network supporting up to five mobile devices at any given time.
The Technical Advantages of a Wi-Fi Hotspot
- TEP Wireless was built for consistency, ensuring that you get constant, high-speed Internet access even in more remote areas.
- The device is extremely secure, preventing anyone who doesn't have your Wi-Fi password from accessing the network.
- Internet speeds are up to 7 to 8 Mbps on 3G (even higher for 4G).
- 4G speeds are available, so if you have a phone that supports 4G networks, this will come in very handy.
- No maintenance is needed since you will always get a working device each time you rent from TEP.
- In urban areas, it is virtually impossible to lose access to your Internet connection within 15 meters of the device.
Price Comparison
One of the things I found to be quite special about the device – as many TEP Wireless review posts would attest – is that it's definitely not as expensive as some of the other options currently available on the market offering wireless Internet.
Let's consider the prices in Europe. If you live in Britain, like I do, and you go on a two-week trip to one of the more developed European countries, such as France or Germany, you can expect to pay anything from £200 to at least £300 for Wi-Fi, even just for 150Mb of data per day.
Even with more affordable pocket Wi-Fi solutions available in Europe, you still end up paying close to that amount, if you need a decent connection speed.
Enter TEP Wireless: the reliable travel Internet hotspot that can provide you with an unlimited 3G/4G connection you can use for even the most demanding online activities. The price you have to pay per day is quite affordable, and if you end up getting it for a longer trip abroad, the cost just decreases. For a 2-week trip such as the one I mentioned earlier, you only have to pay around 125 Euros – which is only about £104.
Clearly, TEP is the most affordable option when compared to all other mobile Wi-Fi hotspots and offers from local cell phone companies. Add that to the fact that it's also the most reliable, fastest, and easiest hotspot to obtain, and you have yourself a real winner.
Renting Your Own Wireless Internet Hotspot
Renting the TEP Wireless device at a short notice is not as difficult as one might think. In fact, the process only requires a short series of quick steps that will land the modem right at your doorstep in no time at all:
- Access TEP's official website and go through the Rent form.
- Check the pricing options to see the rental period that suits you best.
- Choose your destination and the amount of time you want to rent the device for.
- Select the number of devices you want to rent.
- Complete the billing and shipping details.
- Wait for the device to arrive at your doorstep, and start using it.
When you return the device, you'd typically have to send it back 4 days (at the latest) after the rental period ends. I've found that returning it in the UK was a snap since I had one of two options: either use the pre-paid envelope included in the package to return it through the post or leave it at the Excess Baggage Company upon my return to London Heathrow airport. I chose the latter, since it was the more convenient option for me at the time.
Overall, renting and using this remarkable little gadget has proved to be one of the most satisfying tech experiences I ever had. With TEP Wireless, everything seemed to go so smoothly. And of course, life’s so much easier with an always-on Internet connection, especially when abroad.
This post is a contribution by travel blogger and photographer Laurence Norah from Finding the Universe. The link to the TEP Wireless site is an affiliate link. If you order a MiFi device through this link, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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