Instead of packing an umbrella when they travel, most people would buy one when they reach their destination, or borrow one from their hotel. PowerData2go, just founded in January 2016, goes further. The Singapore-based company sees an opportunity for hotels to add value beyond offering on-premise Wi-Fi by renting guests the equipment for mobile Wi-Fi services, so they can enjoy mobile Internet services without the hassle of dealing with data roaming.
PowerData2Go says it is a provider of mobile connectivity solutions exclusively for the hotel industry. In early 2016, market feasibility studies showed that 'portable 4G Wi-Fi hotspots' - basically a Mi-Fi router with a local data SIM card already installed - would be welcomed by business and leisure hotel guests. Since then, PowerData2Go has worked with hotels to offer a hotspot with a power bank to provide guests with connectivity outside of their accommodation.
Antony Ma, Founder, PowerData2go, said that data roaming can be a challenge in Asia. "Travel is now part of life for most people in developed countries. In Asia, due to regional political situation, there is no single telecom network operator that owns mobile networks in more than one country. Seamless connectivity when travelling in the region is not as easy as in the EU or the US. Data roaming charges are just too high," he explained. "I am forced to use the network offered by airports, hotels and cafes. As a security professional, using a public network or a shared network in hotels is not a secure option."
Ma said that his solution enables hotels to offer an alternative with better security, lower pricing and an enhanced user experience. "Hotel guests can count on the hotel to provide reliable and cost-effective mobile connectivity," he said.
PowerData2Go says it is a provider of mobile connectivity solutions exclusively for the hotel industry. In early 2016, market feasibility studies showed that 'portable 4G Wi-Fi hotspots' - basically a Mi-Fi router with a local data SIM card already installed - would be welcomed by business and leisure hotel guests. Since then, PowerData2Go has worked with hotels to offer a hotspot with a power bank to provide guests with connectivity outside of their accommodation.
Antony Ma, Founder, PowerData2go, said that data roaming can be a challenge in Asia. "Travel is now part of life for most people in developed countries. In Asia, due to regional political situation, there is no single telecom network operator that owns mobile networks in more than one country. Seamless connectivity when travelling in the region is not as easy as in the EU or the US. Data roaming charges are just too high," he explained. "I am forced to use the network offered by airports, hotels and cafes. As a security professional, using a public network or a shared network in hotels is not a secure option."
Ma said that his solution enables hotels to offer an alternative with better security, lower pricing and an enhanced user experience. "Hotel guests can count on the hotel to provide reliable and cost-effective mobile connectivity," he said.
While travellers can consider buying a local SIM card for the mobile connectivity, Ma says the portable Wi-Fi hotspot has the advantage of leaving the traveller’s mobile number online for essential communications such as SMS-based one-time passwords. The hotspot can also be used by multiple devices, he pointed out.
Ma agreed that roaming packages may be more cost-effective depending on where the traveller is from. "The cost is not cheap for inbound travellers from Thailand, China or even the EU," he said, adding that corporate travellers in general may also prefer the convenience of consolidated billing. "Imagine if you need to make an expense claim after you return to the office. When a hotel includes data in the room package, it saves time."
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Ma agreed that roaming packages may be more cost-effective depending on where the traveller is from. "The cost is not cheap for inbound travellers from Thailand, China or even the EU," he said, adding that corporate travellers in general may also prefer the convenience of consolidated billing. "Imagine if you need to make an expense claim after you return to the office. When a hotel includes data in the room package, it saves time."
Interested?
Request a free trial for three days in Singapore
Hashtags: #singapore, #sg, #visitsg, #visitsingapore, #travel, #wanderlust, #adventure, #explore, #Internet #wifi, #travelwifi, #mobilewifi, #powerdata2go
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