HOW IT WORKS

The hotspot itself is smaller and lighter than a mobile phone and comes with the company’s Unlimited aXcess data plan.  The company sends you the hotspot, an extra battery (optional), a power cord (it uses Micro-USB) with adapters for local power outlets, and instructions, all in a carrying pouch.

Before leaving for the airport, I charged the MiFi in case I needed Internet access en route.

Using the MiFi is as simple as pressing the power button.  Once you see WIFI on the device, open your browser and enter a password.  (Once you enter the password, you won’t typically have to reenter it throughout the day, even if you turn the MiFi off to save battery power)  It can support up to five users or devices simultaneously, which comes in handy for me since, at times, I had my Apple iPad, Lenovo ThinkPad, and 4G phone all on at once.

When I was in my hotel room, I kept the MiFi plugged in to provide 24×7 Wi-Fi. I didn’t really expect too many phone calls given the 14 hour difference between Tokyo and New York but I also made sure that I turned my phone off when going to sleep because 11 a.m. New York time was 1 a.m. in Tokyo.

BOTTOM LINE

If you want to use your own mobile phone on a trip, be it to Japan or Europe or elsewhere, having a portable hotspot along on the trip will give you unlimited calling to and from the U.S. at no additional charge (if you have an unlimited plan) or at local rates as opposed to international rates (if you don’t).

The speed will vary depending on location and the local network provider.  While I never saw speeds higher than 2 Mbps in Japan, I was almost always able to place and receive calls, which was my primary goal.

Xcom Global offers MiFi hotspots for 42 European countries, 16 countries in the Asia Pacific region, three Latin American countries, as well as Israel, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.  The cost is $14.95 per day and other fees may apply.  Oh, and my total phone bill for the trip (outside of the normal monthly charge) was $0.  For each call on my bill, the call type is shown as “(U)” with a notation that this means “Wi-Fi call.  Minutes used on calls placed via Wi-Fi while connected to a wireless router.”

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