You’ll know if you have been following us for some time that we are huge fans of our Travelwifi International Wi-Fi Hotspot. Formerly known as the Tep Hotspot, it has enabled us to stay connected around the globe, which is important when you travel a lot and work a lot.
What is it exactly? Travelwifi is a portable WiFi hotspot that allows you to access the Internet anywhere in the globe.
Travelwifi has been our hotspot of choice for over four years. We’ve had plenty of opportunities to review the product and honestly, I don’t remember how we survived without it.
We’ve been able to stay connected in places like Canada, Mexico, Europe and Ecuador, as well as Colombia. We need WiFi to work while we travel and our Teppy has it.
The International WiFi Hotspot – TEP Wireless
We were happy to accept Tep’s invitation to test their new 4G International Wi-Fi hotspot (lovingly called Teppy) since we had used their Tep 3g device for so long. The new 4G Teppy has been with us for nearly a month. We have tested it in Mexico, Jasper, Alberta as well as Central Alberta and British Columbia.
Tep’s unlimited internet is a great deal, as it never cuts off your service, no matter how much you use.
Teppy 4G’s 4G capabilities only work where 4G is available. Where 4G is not available, the Tep will grab the fastest signal, even if that is not 4G. In some countries, like Canada, the Tep does not have 4G, but that will change soon. Discover where Tep offers 4G services.
This is the non-technical answer: even if there’s no 4G service, your Tep device can still be used on other signals such as 3G.
Is the TEP 4G as fast as they claim?
Recently, we tested the Tep 4G near Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. Our tests, which lasted a week long, showed that the Tep 4g was capable of speeds of 30 Mbps. This is pretty impressive. It’s fast enough to stream videos on multiple devices and is more than sufficient for email, social media, phone calls and streaming. Tep claims that 4G speeds are likely to range between 18.6 and 20.6 Mbps. However, we found Tep 4G faster.
What exactly is 4G? The 4th generation wireless cellular technology is 4G, the successor of 3G. The 4G network is 10X faster than the 3G network, so we believe that investing in a mobile hotspot with 4G technology is a must.
What is the cost?
Renting a Tep is only $8.95 per day, and delivery is free. The prepaid envelope makes it easy to return the device. The Tep device comes with a carrying case and charging cable. A compact wall charger is also included. The Tep battery lasted about seven hours for me without having to recharge.
Tep is perfect for family vacations and short trips
The most popular Tep plan. Rent the Tep device at $8.95 a day with free delivery. You can return it by placing the device in the envelope provided at the end your trip.
Who is this for? The Tep short trip rental plan is best for those who travel only once or twice a year or are unsure if they will like a mobile hotspot.
Tep for business and frequent travelers
We use the Tep plan. We bought our Tep and take it everywhere with us. The device was $99. It included 3 days of service. Additional days cost $8 each. The Tep fits perfectly into our electronic bag and we love the fact that it doesn’t need to be returned after every trip.
The Tep for frequent travellers is a good choice if you plan to travel at least three times per year and are certain that you will use an international wifi device on a regular basis.
We leave the Tep in a safe place if the WiFi works well while we are traveling. If WiFi is not available or I cannot find a connection I connect the Tep and presto, instant WiFi. The service is pay-as-you go, so I just have to turn on the Tep and grab the WiFi signal, then I’m connected. Tep is pay-as-you go, so you won’t be charged anything if you never use it.
How does it work?
The Tep uses the data from your nearest cell signal to provide WiFi. We’ve found the Tep can often provide WiFi even when our phone isn’t getting a signal. It’s a great advantage for everyone, but it is especially useful in rural Canada, where cell phone coverage can be patchy even with major carriers.
You can connect the Tep to your computer, smartphone or tablet by using the Password (which is also the WiFi name), located on the front. There is no need for cables, setup or installation.
One Tep can be connected to up to five devices. Your data day lasts 24 hours starting from the time you connect.
Can I use the TEP with my KINDLE?
Yes! Yes!
What countries does it work in?
The Tep operates in more than 100 countries worldwide, including Canada and the USA, as well as most of Europe, Africa and Australia, New Zealand. It also works in many Caribbean and South American countries.
Who will like the TEP 4G?
All Travelers
A pocket wifi that is international is ideal for travelers. You can stay connected even if the hotel WiFi that you were promised does not work. You can avoid the hassle of having to buy an international data plan or find a local SIM card for your phone when you only need it for a few days.
Families
It’s ideal for groups and families because it allows up to five devices to connect at once. When you consider the cost per device, the Tep can be the most affordable way to share data when traveling with several people.
Business Travelers
To get their work done, business travelers require reliable WiFi. We travel a lot and we work while we are on the road, so I believe we fit into this category. The airport WiFi was not working and I spent three hours in Edmonton waiting for my shuttle to Jasper. My monthly data plan is limited to a certain number of megs, so I used the Tep for three productive hours.
RVers and Road Trippers
Camping WiFi can be sketchy. Having your own device will ensure that you are connected, even when you are out in nature. Our Tep has been used to stream Netflix on rainy camping days. I also loved having internet access on the five-hour shuttle bus from Jasper to Jasper. I was able to get a lot done and also enjoy some downtime watching YouTube videos on my tablet.
Solo travelers
The Tep was a great addition to my trip with a group of girls last year. It was great to have the Tep with me, since my Canadian phone didn’t work there. Everyone in the group also used it.
People that don’t like getting lost!
We are constantly checking Google maps and local transit maps when we travel. While on WiFi, we often preload places that we will be visiting. However, this doesn’t work when we want to do research while traveling. We can always have information at our fingertips with our Tep.
While we waited to see if our Airbnb was confirmed, and while driving there, we used our Tep. We had it with us, so the kids watched Netflix in the backseat while we drove the three hours from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando.
Tep to Pokemon Go fans!
The Tep 4g was the best thing to play Pokemon Go in the city for my kids. We all go out to catch Pokemon every so often. I bring out our Tep and connect everyone. It’s an inexpensive way to spend a few hours with the family.
Rent a WIFI Hotspot in Europe
What is the best mobile hotspot for international travels?
We haven’t tested every mobile hotspot, so we cannot say which one is the best. The Tep 4G is a great device that has worked well for us on three continents.