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Pocket wifi on the CF

SantiagoCruzB

Active Member
Donating Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Oct 4 to Nov 5 2023 Camino Frances
Hi all,
Does anybody have any recent experience with using a pocket wifi on the CF?
For context, I have to stay connected 24/7 to parties in Asia while walking the CF.
1: Can I get a pocket wifi at the Madrid airport when I land and return it when I depart?
2: How much does it cost?
3: How good is the reception especially in the smaller towns?
I'm walking from Oct to Nov.
All inputs will be appreciated. Thanks and God bless!
B
 
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trecile said:
Why not just get a Spanish sim card (or e-sim) for your phone?
Click to expand...
When I'm traveling, I like to have a different device providing WiFi because it allows me to have my phone on airplane mode and save battery

Also, some people might have their phones locked (?) to a specific cellphone provider and can't use other sim cards (I used to have that problem)
 
Yes, it is called a Smartphone with a Spanish SIM.
 
This is probably a really dumb question...

But if your phone in on airplane mode, surely it doesn't connect to to the wifi hub you carry?

Or are you also connecting other devices?
 
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Bradypus said:
With my Android phone switching to airplane mode cuts off all transmission and reception. But I can then turn WiFi back on while in airplane mode without the mobile network connection.
Click to expand...
Absolutely the same for me too in terms of a Wi-Fi at say a bar or hotel. No idea re the devices being talked about here!
 
Bradypus said:
With my Android phone switching to airplane mode cuts off all transmission and reception. But I can then turn WiFi back on while in airplane mode without the mobile network connection.
Click to expand...
Isn't that the same as just turning off mobile data?
 
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Hi there

I do the same as you when travelling in Asia: put my phone in airplane more and use a pocket Wi-Fi rented from the airport (Tokyo is specially easy on that regard).

However, I have not seen anything similar to the Picket Wi-Fi rental being offered in Madrid Barajas (my last visit was April last year) or Barcelona (2019). I have relied on Wi-Fi from my accommodations.

If you need 24/7 connection, I'd suggest getting the mini router in your country and the Sim in Spain as ivar suggested above.

Robo said:
Isn't that the same as just turning off mobile data?
Click to expand...
Putting in airplane mode and turning wifi on will also avoid your phone of reaching any towers, so it doesn't call/receive and doesn't activate roaming charges.
 
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Bradypus said:
With my Android phone switching to airplane mode cuts off all transmission and reception. But I can then turn WiFi back on while in airplane mode without the mobile network connection.
Click to expand...
That is what I had to do previously. I recently noticed that my Pixel phone, an Android, keeps wifi on if it was on when I turn on airplane mode. This might not be stock Android though as Google provides monthly upgrades to its Pixel line.

Also be careful with the SIM card or eSIM that you get as some have limits on the amount of data you can hotspot with wifi.
 
Hi Ivar
I have a Sim router that I use at home, especially when there are others streaming and I need to work. My only concern is that if you have your Android in Airplane mode and have a Sim router, you are paying for two sims, however, I think the safety aspect overrides that.
 
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Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Thanks Anamya. This info is most useful.
 
SantiagoCruzB said:
For context, I have to stay connected 24/7 to parties in Asia while walking the CF.
Click to expand...
There are places on Camino Francés without cell service, but not many. There was a cell tower in tiny little Villamayor de Monjardín.

But if you can’t tolerate even fifteen minutes disconnected, consider a device using satellites. I had a deLorme/Garmin “Explorer” which allowed me to do text messages, e-mail, or an emergency “help” with latitude/longitude from anywhere via Iridium. That was only twelve US dollars a month. For a higher price, I could have bought and used a satellite voice phone. (MUCH higher).
 
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Bradypus said:
With my Android phone switching to airplane mode cuts off all transmission and reception. But I can then turn WiFi back on while in airplane mode without the mobile network connection.
Click to expand...

I replied with the following back in post #13 saying that getting into airplane mode kept wifi active if it already was. Recently I noticed that this changed again and airplane mode once again deactivates wifi.
Rick of Rick and Peg said:
That is what I had to do previously. I recently noticed that my Pixel phone, an Android, keeps wifi on if it was on when I turn on airplane mode. This might not be stock Android though as Google provides monthly upgrades to its Pixel line.
Click to expand...
 
When I was in Spain this year I took my own pocket WiFi and put an ordinary Vodafone mobile phone SIM in it. It was very good and mobile data is cheap.
 
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