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Nowadays, it is so important to stay connected at all times because of our addiction to social media, WhatsApp and our emails. We look for Wi-Fi signals everywhere we go and we get annoyed if the connection is too slow.

Getting unlimited data roaming with your subscriber or buying a local SIM card are options to consider when you travel, but there is another convenient option you can choose – renting an overseas Wi-Fi router from Changi Recommends.

Here are 6 reasons why you should take this option seriously:

1)   Stay connected all the time

With this global router, you no longer need to look for public hotspots or bug the hotel receptionists for the password. You can take this Wi-Fi device anywhere you go and be connected all the time, even on the roads during a road trip.

The only thing you need to worry about is the device running out of battery, but there was a powerbank provided in the pack that you can use to keep it charged.

2)   Share your Wi-Fi with friends

It can get frustrating if you encounter a hotel that tells you only two devices can be connected to their Wi-Fi per room. This global router can connect up to eight devices simultaneously, regardless of whether it is your smartphone, laptop or tablet.

3)   Cheaper than unlimited data roaming

Unlimited data roaming charges can range from $15 to $30 a day depending on which country, but with this global router, prices are between $12 to $25 a day. Also, there is a waiver for the first day of collection; meaning you don’t get charged for the first day.

4)   24/7 convenient pick-up and collection

Sometimes we get so busy trying to clear work before we go overseas and also running errands to prepare for the trip, that there is just no time to go and collect the router from an office in town.

This global router can be easily picked up – and returned – at the Changi Recommends booth, which is open 24 hours every day and is located in all three terminals. That way, no delivery charges are needed!

5) No need to hunt for local SIM cards

I’ve always had to run around the airport to look for local SIM cards, often having to stand in long queues. Throughout the trip, it can be quite a hassle looking for places to top up the value too. With this router, you can immediately start using it once you land. (I had a little connectivity issue, but remote help was rendered to me and the problem was fixed.)

6)   No switching of SIM cards needed

When you buy a local SIM card, you run the risk of losing your own SIM card when you swap it out. Either that, or you have to bring a second phone along but you can only have WhatsApp fixed to only one line.

However…

Here are 3 factors that stops it from being perfect:

1) You don’t get unlimited data for every country

It is usually unlimited data roaming from your telcos, but for this router from Changi Recommends, the amount of data per day differs from country to country. For example, you only get 400MB a day in China, Malaysia, Australia, USA and Europe, 500MB for Hong Kong and Thailand, 1 GB in Japan.

2) They are not available in every country yet.

So far, they are available for Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, USA, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Europe.

 3) You may not be able to share with that many friends.

For countries that only have 400-500MB a day, you may not be able to share with that many friends if you are as social media-intensive as I am.

Nonetheless, I would recommend this if you don’t need that much data. If it’s just posting photos on Instagram and Facebook, chatting on WhatsApp and replying of some emails, this is definitely a considerable option.