Update from 11/13/2018
Skyroam has now introduced the "Fair Use Policy", which also means that the much-feared throttle to 3G and slower after the used-up free transfer of 500 MB per day, is completely eliminated. It remains at 4G even if this limit has been significantly exceeded. I recently noticed that this works in San Francisco, when I volunteered to play hotspot for some colleagues without a prepaid card. This is new and makes the whole thing even more interesting.
Hotel Rooms in San Francisco – AMD New Horizon Event
Original article from 14.08.2018
If you read this here, I'm not there anymore. Ok, don't be scared, I'll be back soon. But this orange puck is currently practically my companion in all situations and outside the hotel also the center of my digital communication. With the Skyroam Solis, you have your own hotspot, in fact, always on the man (or the woman), as long as there is any network coverage. And this in more than 110 countries. The EU without roaming charges is fine, but outside the roaming witch always strikes mercilessly.
Sure, in many Asian countries you get a local prepaid card for 15 or 30 days at an absolute savings price, often enough even without any data limits. But if you have to go to North America (and not just there), you have a long nose. You quickly pay 50 euros or more for ridiculous 2 or 3 GB of data, silly high three. This is where the concept of Skyroam comes in, where it almost doesn't matter when you're where, how often and for how long. You pay 9 euros each for a day or corresponding packages for several days or all year round.
For this entry-level price of 149 euros, you get a small puck that jumps into the eye, a USB-C charging cable, a USB adapter and a quick starter guide. After all, the hotspot also functions as a power bank with 6000 mAh. Realistically, it should be more approx. 4800 mAh. If you don't have your smartphone with you, the Skyroam Solis also keeps up the whole paid day, after all a statement.
Sounds good? Is it actually, but there is of course also a small hook on it, respectively even several. First of all, you have to buy the mobile hotspot, which already comes with 149 euros, but at least remains a one-time issue. There is no rental model. Incidentally, the former model that is throttled after 500 MBper day for the rest of the 24 hours is also history, but it remains on the basis of the "fair use policy" with the agreed 4G. This, in turn, is not self-evident (update).
The use is simple, the Swiss would say bubilieicht. Simply create an account online, log in your own device and purchase the desired number of days. Then you're already in it. After all, up to 5 devices can now surf simultaneously with LTE-Speed. Theoretically, at least. However, the whole thing is also a bit tricky to buy and puts a tiny stumbling block in the way, which should immediately stand out with some logical thinking.
Because if you sign up for the first time with the Skyroam Solis BEFORE the trip and buy a credit right away, even though you haven't travelled yet, you'll consume the first day with a little bad luck when you click "Start" in the login process. Well, actually logical.
So always buy credits via the Skyroam Solis (after)when you are already on the way and really need access or the best way to do it via browser in the open Wlan of a hotel without the Solis. Credit card, of course, always provided.
Otherwise, it's all really playful to handle. Charging, turning on, logging in to the hotspot and entering a password (which unfortunately cannot be changed individually and is device dependent). Since the device relies on a soft SIM, you cannot convert a possibly installed SIM card into a smartphone of your choice. It was a pity, but that was certainly to be expected in the end. Once emptyed, the battery is full again after just over two hours, unfortunately there is no quick adefunction.
Which raises the question of how fast all this really is. Here, too, you have to accept minor restrictions, because you can never decide for yourself which network the Skyroam Solis will eventually log in to. By the way, you don't know. In addition, the prioritisation is likely to be quite far behind. In the peak, more than 10 Mbps went, but mostly (especially in real agglomerations) it looks more like this:
For my Wi-Fi telephony, however, it is easy enough, also the Skypen goes really well. Only fat videos from certain events I prefer to upload via the hotel's own Wi-Fi. But such a hotspot is a smart alternative for all places where you are otherwise offline. Stupid feeling and really easy to eliminate. With such a hotspot, which I really don't want to miss since I owned it.
Whether it is worth the high acquisition costs, one has to determine with oneself. A rental hotspot can be cheaper. Depending on the country, you can also use a prepaid card at a lower price, but this is rather rare. And you don't always have to fumble around, change SIM cards, look for a shop at night, or queue in a queue at the airport forever. Charging, pushing a button and done. Nice, convenience costs of course first, but can also help save money. Depending on. And I'm in it! Almost always and everywhere.
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