Internet access for Android tablet

Posted by George (Towson) on 04/21/14 11:42 PM

I'm looking for options for mobile internet access in addition to free wifi from hotels, cafes, etc., for an Android tablet.

I've searched and researched (as opposed to re-searched, although I've done plenty of that too) and I'm not finding much in the way of options except for expensive mobile hotspot rental or tethering to an android phone.

Can anyone weigh in with their experiences with using an Android tablet with internet service beyond free wifi?

Would staff at a TIM store be a good resource for this question?

Thanks!

Posted by George OP

Towson

04/22/14 12:49 AM

125 posts

Thanks for your response, but I should have included in my post that my tablet is NOT cellular enabled.

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

04/22/14 02:57 AM

23245 posts

Free wifi is nearly everywhere. Every bar, cafe, etc., so you should not have much problems finding somewhere to link up. But if looking for a continuous connection then you will need a data plan. Or I may not understand the question.

Posted by njmatsuya

Tokyo, Japan

04/22/14 04:54 AM

22 posts

We'll be going there soon, and since I wanted to have Google maps available on my tablet, I ended up buying a mobile router. The plan (assuming all goes well) is that I'll buy a pre-paid SIM card when we arrive, insert it into the router, and (hopefully) internet access.

If you're interested, the model I ended up buying was the Huawei E5776s-32 (chose that one specifically for the advertised long battery life. Even if it doesn't go for a full 10hrs, if it can go for 6-8 hrs I'll be happy. It is a bit pricey, but I figure I can use it anywhere for future trips as well, so I bit the bullet..

Posted by Work2Travel

04/22/14 04:36 PM

824 posts

George,

I was visiting Florence, Verona, Venice, Vicenza and Padua last October and all the cities had free city-wide WIFI. The catch is that you had to text (SMS) the providers for an access code (also returned via SMS). My suggestion, take an unlocked GSM phone and get a cheap pay-as-you-go SIM or buy a cheap phone in-country.

Other benefits of cheap cell phones in Italy include hailing a taxi via SMS, hailing buses via SMS (Vicenza), directions, restaurant reservations.

Todd

Posted by George OP

Towson

04/23/14 06:33 PM

125 posts

Thanks, all.

@Frank - You understood the question just fine and you provided a valid answer. Ideally I am looking for a reasonably priced continuous connection that I can turn on and off as I need it.

@njmatsuya - Your mobile router approach is my favorite but, as you say, rather pricey.

@todd - Was the WiFi in Florence and Venice free, paid, or did it come with one of the passes? We plan to buy a TIM SIM for an unlocked T-Mobile phone so that could be our option for those cities.

In the end we may just go with whatever WiFi we find in our hotels and at cafes, etc.

Thanks!