I thought those portable wifi hotspots were a total scam until I got stuck in a Chiang Mai cafe with no signal for a full day.

My local SIM card died and my $35 GlocalMe device saved a client call, so has anyone found a better backup plan for internet in Southeast Asia?

4 comments

4 Comments

jade_jenkins2mo ago

Honestly, that sounds like a nightmare. Tbh I just keep a second local SIM as my backup now.

piper7791mo ago

And there I was thinking my phone was suddenly allergic to rice paddies.

grays132mo ago

Keeping a second local SIM is a huge hassle though. You have to find a store, show your passport, and hope it works. My portable hotspot just connects right away, no extra setup.

lily1672mo ago

Portable hotspots are great until you hit a country with weird data rules. I got stuck in one place where my fancy global hotspot was basically a brick because it blocked certain networks. A local SIM from the airport kiosk just worked, even if it took ten minutes to buy. Sometimes the low-tech solution is the one that actually connects.