Make your trip better: 6 key tips for choosing mobile internet before traveling abroad

▲ Want to snap photos and share updates while traveling abroad? Mobile internet is a must. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

In this smartphone era, the internet has become an essential part of travel—whether you're navigating your way or sharing scenic moments online, staying connected makes travel more convenient and enjoyable. While major telecom providers offer roaming services, the costs are relatively high, so many travelers opt to find suitable mobile Wi-Fi before going abroad. When choosing, besides checking if the Wi-Fi provider supports your destination country, there are some useful “tips” worth keeping in mind.

1. Choose a brand based on your travel destination
The choice of a mobile Wi-Fi brand largely depends on where you’re traveling. Some brands only support Northeast Asia or specific countries, while others offer service in dozens of countries. Especially for long-term or multi-country trips, it’s recommended to choose a brand with wide coverage to avoid the hassle of renting different devices for different regions.

2. Sharing data among multiple users can be more cost-effective
Besides selecting a brand that supports your destination, data allowance is another key factor. Mr. Masanori Fukamachi, president of mobile Wi-Fi brand HORIZON, suggests that for solo travelers with lower usage, choosing a cheaper plan with limited data can be both sufficient and economical. However, if you have high data needs or are traveling in a group, it’s better to opt for a plan with unlimited daily data. Though slightly pricier, the cost is more reasonable when split among multiple people.


▲ There are “tips” to choosing the right mobile Wi-Fi for travel. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

3. For multi-country trips, mobile Wi-Fi beats international roaming
Typically, international roaming charges from mobile carriers are calculated per day per country. So for business trips or travel spanning multiple nations, renting a mobile Wi-Fi device—calculated by the number of devices and rental days—is usually more suitable.

4. Choose a mobile Wi-Fi brand that offers online booking and home delivery
Most mobile Wi-Fi services require phone reservations with in-person pick-up, some need to be collected at the airport, and others may even require you to visit the provider’s office. But before a trip is often the busiest time, and forgetting to reserve or not having time to pick up can leave you without internet abroad. Now, HORIZON offers an online booking system and free home delivery. You can also easily return the device via convenience store delivery upon returning home.

5. If you use a lot of data, choose a brand that offers unlimited data plans
Due to telecommunications regulations in various countries, most mobile Wi-Fi devices on the market come with data limits. If you have high data demands, it’s strongly recommended to choose a device with unlimited data for worry-free and convenient usage abroad. Currently, HORIZON is one of the few providers offering the most countries with unlimited data plans. Not only Japan, but also other Asian destinations such as South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, China, and the Philippines, as well as European countries (France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, UK, Belgium, etc.), and even over 60 countries in the Middle East, Africa (South Africa), and Arabic-speaking regions all have unlimited data options.

6. Book early to avoid missing out
Popular travel destinations for Taiwanese travelers include Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong/Macau, and mainland China. Although some Wi-Fi brands allow online booking, during peak travel seasons or to hot spots, devices might still be unavailable. Therefore, remember to select and book your ideal mobile Wi-Fi device as early as possible after planning your trip.

※ Good news: When renting HORIZON mobile Wi-Fi, be sure to enter the promo code “ETtoday” in the dealer discount code field when placing your order. Some products are eligible for special rental discounts via Eastern News Network. For details, please contact HORIZON.

HORIZON official websitehttps://www.horizon-wifi.com/index.php