4 Connectivity Innovations Every Traveler Should Know!
Technology is making life easier by the day. And the travel industry is no exception to this, with new apps and tools that simplify booking, researching, and even enjoying your trip.
But staying connected with friends and family when abroad is still a difficult thing to navigate. With different networks, roaming rules, and coverage, you might find yourself unreachable or offline for long periods. And this can be hugely frustrating.
So, what are the best ways to stay connected when you are thousands of miles away or flying high in the sky? What must-have tech should you pack with you on your next trip?
With these questions in mind, let’s discuss some of the best innovations travelers need to know about. These tools can guarantee seamless communication and connectivity wherever you find yourself. Each can help you stay tethered to the internet and connected to loved ones throughout.
Four innovations every traveler needs to stay connected
The best trips have one thing in common—convenience. You want amazing experiences without any hassle or headaches. With that in mind, below are four of the most useful ways of connecting online, staying in touch, and more:
In-flight Wi-Fi
Putting your phone on airplane mode is becoming a thing of the past. This is because more and more airlines are embracing new tech that allows you to stay online—even when the airplane is in motion.
Research from American Airlines found that over 90% of passengers carry a smartphone, laptop, or tablet onboard. Recognizing their importance, airlines are rolling out a technology called in-flight Wi-Fi.
This technology provides a stable connection during both short and long-haul flights. To do this, it works via two methods. On one hand, Wi-Fi can be “ground-based” through an antenna on the plane’s body. This transforms the aircraft into a hotspot, allowing you to connect to cell towers you pass by.
But what if you’re on a long-haul flight across oceans or remote locations? In this case, satellites can then step in, connecting to the airplane’s antenna as it comes into range. Through these two methods, you can stay connected and entertained from the very start of your trip.
eSIM
Once off the plane, travelers can face another connection hurdle—networks. Without proper planning, you might be unable to connect to a network or use the internet. Or you might face costly roaming charges and limited data plan options.
eSIMs are revolutionizing how travelers stay connected when abroad. These virtual SIM cards allow users to change local mobile networks through an app. You won’t need to remove or insert brand-new cards to change operators.
When you download an eSIM app, you can customize your packages to suit your needs and length of trip. If visiting multiple countries, eSIMs offer amazing flexibility. You can change networks to suit your exact location without sourcing new SIM cards at a border crossing. All the while, you’ll enjoy stable, reliable connectivity.
Best of all, you can research and pre-purchase a plan before your trip starts. This means you’ll be connected as soon as you step off the plane.
Portable hotspot device
Mobile hotspots are often seen as a last resort for connecting to the internet. In the past, travelers would use their smartphone’s connection as a Wi-Fi router, which allowed other devices to connect through it. However, this had noticeable downsides, including a dramatic decrease in battery life and mobile data.
Dedicated hotspot devices are an emerging solution to these problems. Think of them as portable routers that can convert standard 3G, 4G, and 5G connections into Wi-Fi signals.
This way, laptops, tablets, and other smart technology can connect online. Another benefit of using a portable hotspot is cybersecurity. Your signal can be password-protected, ensuring you and your travel buddies are the only ones who can connect.
VPN
Whether at the airport, a café, or a tourist attraction, public Wi-Fi is an option for staying connected. Often free, these networks can be a lifeline for many. But they can also be a huge liability.
This is because public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured. Many networks lack proper security measures to protect your information. This means the data you send and receive could be monitored and intercepted.
These networks can be risky, especially if entering sensitive financial information. But there is a solution to address these concerns. Travelers can use tech tools like a virtual private network (VPN) to safeguard connections abroad.
A mobile VPN, which is managed through an app, sends traffic through an encrypted tunnel. This means that cybercriminals cannot track your online activity. You can enter sensitive information and keep in touch with family with total peace of mind.
Why Are Internet Connectivity Innovations Essential For You When Traveling?
Here are some reasons as to why internet connectivity innovations are essential to you as a traveler.
Stay In Touch With Your Family And Friends
The initial benefit you get from using the above-listed connectivity innovations, live VPN, in-flight WiFi, and eSIM is connectivity. The option to stay connected with your family and friends while you travel to different locations.
You can connect with necessary organizations like the police, ambulance, etc., during emergencies through the Internet. Especially if you are traveling to foreign countries where you are unfamiliar with the local authorities and services, this connectivity innovation works as a guide for you.
You can use social media when traveling to stay connected with your loved ones. Share your captured moments or clips with them using these connectivity innovations.
Finding Routes
When traveling to remote locations, innovative connectivity tools function like a guide for you. If you get lost, just find your route on search. The Internet will help you find routes to the location you are planning to travel to.
You can also find hotels, eateries, and locations you wish to visit during your stay in an unknown country.
Translating Language
You can translate foreign languages using internet translation services like Google Translate.
Educate Yourself About The Place You Plan To Travel
You can be informed about the place you are traveling to for work or vacation. Find transportation or tourist spots to visit during your trip. Getting some idea about the place you are visiting, like its currency and its rules, helps you avoid trouble.
Entertainment
Traveling can be fun but lonely at times as well. You can overcome this loneliness with entertainment. Watch a movie or drama that will help pass the time till you arrive at the destination. This way, internet connectivity innovations can help you during your travels.
Again, you can also pass your time playing your favorite games. If these online games are blocked in the particular country you are traveling to, then use VPN to overcome the block.
Planning Your Itinerary
Use the internet to plan your itinerary as you travel to your destination. You can book hotels or rent cars using these connectivity innovations. From which are the top spots to visit to where to enjoy local food or shop, the internet helps you provide information about any place without even visiting it.
Get Your Work Done
You can get your work done while traveling using these connectivity innovations like portable hotspot devices, e-SIM, or in-flight WiFi.
Staying Connected On Your Next Trip
Technology has taken the headache out of booking a fantastic trip away. But you still have to be mindful of connectivity, which can be a difficult obstacle to overcome.
As this article has demonstrated, you can use a range of tools to keep communication open with loved ones. And no matter where you’re traveling to, tools like in-flight Wi-Fi, eSIMs, and hotspot devices allow seamless connectivity worldwide. The only thing you need to do is research the best service providers and apps before jetting off.
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