Global WiFi Hotspot Device

Product Description

Save a bundle on roaming fees while you travel around the world by staying connected using the global WiFi hotspot device. It requires no embedded SIM card, simply switch it on and enjoy surfing the web in over a hundred different countries at discou

Top Reviews

3.5 stars. When it works, it's great, but has some way to go.
by KiyoKola (4 out of 5 stars)
July 1, 2016

I just used this unit in several cities in Italy, in conjunction with another Skyroam unit we purchased a year ago (from past experience, my family needs two units e.g. when kids want to do different things).

Here's my experience:
1) 4G coverage. 4G is the primary reason I purchased this unit instead of another Skyroam. When it worked during our trip, it's really nice. I used SpeedTest to measure and saw about 10Mbps down, and 3Mbps up. However, the 4G coverage was really spotty:
* Rome: Flip-flopping between 3G and 4G
* Florence: Mostly 3G with occasional 4G. 3G only in the Tuscan towns outside of Florence
* Venice: Mostly 3G. Sometimes downgraded to 2G and the device was mostly not usable.
* London (transit in Heathrow): Mostly 4G.

In general, the coverage was better outdoor, and was really bad indoor e.g. in a restaurant or shop.
2) Battery life. Excellent. When I used it just as a hotspot, it could last the whole day (about 12 hours of pretty active usage e.g. Google Maps - Skyroam on the other hand would need a battery pack). When I used it to also charge our phone towards end of day, it would still last (it got down to last bar when I charged it at night). Charging was relatively fast considering that it's also a battery pack.
3) Metering (bandwidth accounting). This is the area I had the biggest issue. I ran into the same issue several others here reported -- the metering was overly aggressive. The first time it hit me was when about 300MB of data was gone in an hour. I re-checked our iPhones and made sure everything I could think of was turned off (AppStore background refresh, iTunes sync, iCloud sync). I then purchased another 1GB pack. 0.9GB again was consumed the next day. I then literally stared at the screen when it had 130MB left, and it's down to 0MB in less than 5 mins when neither my wife nor me were doing anything. For comparison, when we used SkyRoam that offers unlimited data on 24-hour basis, we hardly used more than 100MB for the whole day. I suspect that there's some bugs in how GlocalMe meters the usage.
4) Weight. It's not light but it's not too bad, considering that it's also a battery pack (think of it as removing the need to carry yet another battery pack).
5) Start-up time. I noticed that when the 4G connection was readily available, the start-up time was fast. But in most cases, it took a very long time to start the device. It's usually stuck in "logging in" (the last phase of starting up). In comparison, Skyroam start-up time was so much faster (even though it's quite slow). I suspect there's some bugs here. To get around this, I usually had to start it while still in hotel room before heading out (I relied on Google Maps a lot).
6) Ease-of-use. Mixed. On one hand, it's nice that the device has touch screen and can work in conjunction with the App. But in general, the user interface needs serious upgrade. The most frustrating thing is that the messages on the screen are clearly not written by/for native speakers (my guess is that they use automated translation), and they tend to confuse the users. For example, "Account is unusual and has quit code: 8", and "Your account has been in arrearage" (I figured out that the latter means that your account has 0 balance and it's time to top up again). The other frustrating thing is that I couldn't figure out how to add credit directly from the device. It seemed like this could only be done on the App with a connection (so make sure you top up enough credit e.g. in hotel). One more thing we learned -- the balance on screen does not reflect the actual balance you have after top-up. You just have to "trust" that the device will rollover to use the new data package once the current one is exhausted.

All in all, I would rate this 3.5 stars. I really want to love this device. It's nice when it works, but it still has some way to go. I hope that the company takes note and incorporates feedbacks from users. The good thing is that most of the issues seem to be software-related, and I hope improvements will come in the software updates soon.
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My test showed that Glocalme depleted at almost 5X the actual usage
by Leslie C. Hand (2 out of 5 stars)
July 5, 2016

I bought it, connected my laptop just for 30 seconds to simply do the following:
1) connect to a search site
2) type in the word "testing" just to see how fast the results would come back.

It was fast.

I immediately disconnected my laptop. A few minutes later looked at the display which had the original 110.00MG of data they give you available.

It now showed 104.34 MB.

About 2 minutes later as I was writing this and was disconnected from their network, I checked the display again and it now showed that it had reduced to a balance of 104.26 left. Still NOT connected, it kept reducing until it stopped at 104.24MB balance. I double checked to make sure nothing is connected but as long as the device is on it bleeds data for a while even after you disconnect.

Im going to test it out a bit longer, but I think almost 6 MB of data to look up the word "testing" on a search engine with NO images other than the one the search engine puts at the top of their page, is a bit scary. To be honest, I don't believe it. So I did the exact same test on another hotspot that I purchased thru Amazon. Same laptop, looked up the same thing the exact same way. It was much faster (but the Glocalme was acceptably fast as well, just not as fast)

Doing exactly the same thing online, I used 1.2 MB. So thats very concerning... Glocalme depleted at almost 5X the actual usage....
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DONT BUY THIS DEVICE - BLEEDS DATA BAD!
by David Marlowe (1 out of 5 stars)
February 10, 2016

I'm planning a trip to Europe in April and I thought this would be the ideal item I could use on the trip, so I bought it. During my trial period, I bought 2 - 1 G Data packages, and within a week, the entire data was gone, even though I had only surfed the web and not uploaded or downloaded any photos or movies. I contacted Help Desk 4 times and they could not resolve the problem, except to tell me I needed to change the time on the device to China time. Go figure? The fact remains that I turned the device off overnight and part of next day day, and during that time, the system showed I had used up the remaining 472.69 GB of data I had remaining when I turned the device off. I suspected there was very bad data bleed after the device quickly used up the 1st 1-GB data package so begin taking time lapsed photos of the device showing the data remaining on the device, alongside my computer's date and time to document usage, etc. I made sure that all other devices I have could not connect to it and that there were no auto updates running in the background of my devices. Still it bleeds my data. So, BANG, overnight while the device is OFF, I lose 472.69 MB of data. THIS THING BLEEDS DATA BAD - I DON'T RECOMMEND BUYING IT. The website indicates that a person can rent the device per day with unlimited data usage, which might be okay. I liked the device overall, it's feel, it's style, even the quickenss of the help desk service (although it was of little benefit in my situation), but I CANNOT keep pouring out $29.95 dollars every other day for data, especially my data that is mysteriously bled away. This is not an inexpensive alternative to American phone company data plans while overseas. When I turned the device totally off on Monday night, I expected to see at lest 400MB or so left when I turned the device on. Oh no, it wouldn't work and just kept saying my account was in arrears and I used up all my data. I'm sending this thing back!
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Switching on and creating account used up the free 100 MB....
by K T (1 out of 5 stars)
March 27, 2016

This device looks beautiful, a little thicker verson of iPhone, sort of clean look. I was trying to set up the account, and while doing so for 10 min it used up the free 100MB! It's still not able to connect to my cell phone in the meantime. I decided to return this device, as this can be nothing but frustrated.
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DATA USAGE NOT TRANSPARENT 1 GB FALLS FAST TO 100MB FOR JUST MSG
by Vic Lim (1 out of 5 stars)
May 26, 2016

It is very convenient to use this BUT if you have issues the customer service will not reply. Data usage is not transparent. My first top up of EURO 50 lasted me 3 months. Mostly massaging and sometimes on a very low data usage game. I used up all my data due to my own carelessness as I forgot to log off when I reach my hotel room and proceeded to do more high data usage stuff on my laptop while the GlocalMe was still log on. My fault. I then went on to top my credit up again for package 1 GB and Euro 50 again. While I was in New York my remaining volume was 800++ MB ... and I traveled to Frankfurt ... it fell to 700MB ... I made a few msgs send a google location and looked at my low data game. I switch it off with 700 MB remaining. Imagine my horror when I opened my Glocalme a few days later in Kuala Lumpur and I have only 100MB of data left. Data don't disappear like this and I wrote to service@ucloudlink.com but no reply. Its very strange that 1 GB gets used up for some msgs and a low data game so quickly. And if it correct usage ... Euro50 for such 1 GB usage is not worth it. I wrote to them and NO answers so I have no choice but to write a negative comment. DO NOT BUY UNLESS DATA USAGE IS ACCOUNTED FOR BY GLOCALME. Currently they are NOT transparent on data usage.
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Beware of devices shipped to the US using Chinese as the device language!
by stan (3 out of 5 stars)
April 12, 2018

The device sent to me is using Chinese as a language! I cannot find anyway to change the language though I could be missing it as I don't read Chinese. The box and instructions are in English but the device is not. I called the number on the instructions, in China, and got a Chinese language recording that eventually hung up on me. Give me a break!

OK, after the first review, the vendor got in touch and advised how to switch language so I am keeping the unit. Still would be nice to have better tech support instructions included with device and not list a support telephone number with a Chinese only voice recording.
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Love it
by Sandra Avila (5 out of 5 stars)
August 21, 2017

Excellent product, easy to use, very helpful and multipurpose (if you count that it is also a battery charger). It got me out of trouble, so all I can say is that it is a great tool and I have enjoyed it
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I have this device that on paper looks amazing and I just cannot get it to work
by mjwdj (3 out of 5 stars)
December 4, 2016

I was so excited about this product when I ordered it. I travel abroad quite a lot and always have issues with sim cards, calling rates, and so on. I read about this product it sounded promising. Unfortunately, I cannot get it to work. I follow the instructions on the manual, download the software, activate the device, register, etc. and nothing happens whatever phone I use it with or even if I reinstall it. I also didn't realize you have to top up the account which is a pain when you either don't have access to the internet or don't trust the hotel or Starbucks internet connection. In other words, I have this device that on paper looks amazing and I just cannot get it to work. I gave it 3 stars (even though I doesn't work for me) because it might just be me not pressing the right buttons and a lack of technological insight. But it could be more user friendly I think. So for now, I am still using my collection of international sim cards while traveling, but hopefully some day I will get this to work.
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If you need wifi wherever you go, this may be the ticket
by M. Dodel (5 out of 5 stars)
May 30, 2016

I bought this to make sure I had Internet access while traveling in Germany. It arrived 2 days before I was to leave which gave me a chance to try it out. They give you 110MB of data (that is upload/download cellular data) to get it setup and use before you have to have either a pre-paid package or an account balance to pay for use as you go. I bought the 29.90€ 1GB Worldwide package to use in over 100 countries including my destination Germany. The data in this package is good for one year. Most of the other packages were for Hong Kong and China. Looking now they have added less expensive packages for other areas, including Europe but these are only valid for 30 days of use. But for a limited trip these would be more economical. There is also a year long package that gives you 2GB of data a month for 335€ for the entire year but it is limited to use in 58 countries. Not sure what happens if you use up all 2GB before the end of the month, but there is an option to topup data by paying for it in advance at .05€ per MB. I only used about half my package data (plus the 110MB from the included data) so I didn't run out to see if it just stops working or works at a slow speed. My guess is it just stops unless you have paid for an additional package or have pre-paid for pay-as-you-go data.

The device looks like a hefty sized iPod with a 3.5 inch screen and even has Apple like + - buttons on the side for volume control. I assume that is just for any warning beeps, but I never heard any sound from my G2 the couple of weeks I have been playing with it. The G2 runs Android operating system but has no apps or functionality other than as a cellular wifi hotspot. The heft is from the 6000 mAh battery which supposedly can last up to 15 hours of use as a hotspot. A bit heavy but still can be carried in a pocket though it will bulge. There is also a USB port on the bottom so you can connect and charge a portable device. The G2 itself has a microUSB port for its own charge cable and a covered area with 2 slots for microSIM cards. On boot up the screen shows the auto log in, then how much data is left on the current package. A SIM Manager screen allows you to choose among the included GlocalMe virtual SIM (which you use for your purchased package) or 2 optional SIMs. Additional information screens show you connected devices (it supports up to 5 devices), a blacklist for devices you mark as not allowed,

Setup was pretty easy. Had to download the GlocalMe app for my phone (both android and IOS supported) then setup an account using the app and connect the G2 unit to the account by using the phone app and the units QR code. Then the GlocalMe G2 quickly connected to 4G here in my home in the US and showed the amount of initial data as 110MB. I updated to the most current firmware. Nice that they allow you to connect to your own WiFi to do this so you are not wasting allotted data to do this. To connect a device you connect your device to the GlocalMe_xxxxxx SSID listed under Networks and enter the WPA2 encryption password if you leave that enabled. Since you are paying a lot for this data I have no idea why you wouldn't password protect it to keep out strangers, but the option is there. Thankfully WPA2 is the default. According to the website support page to change the SSID or the password you can connect to the G2 from a web browser, but I wasn't able to do this getting a "Document not found" error. You can change the SSID or the password directly on the device itself and also choose either WPA PSK, WPA2 PSK or no password security. Under Advanced settings you can change the radio channel (1 thru 11), wireless mode (b,g,n or all) and whether to broadcast the SSID. Language options are limited to English, Japanese IME and Chinese.

I did contact GlocalMe support once to ask them why the device wasn't using my package that it listed but instead kept using the original free data. They said it would use the package data when the free data was used up. So if you have multiple packages it will use up the current one before switching to the next one appropriate for wherever you are located. The support contact was actually very prompt in responding to me within a day.

When I got to Germany there was now less priority for me to get a local cellular topup card for my phone which has a German Vodafone SIM. I wasn't sure how wifi would work in the hostel and hotel I was staying in during my visit. As it turned out the hostel charged for wifi access by the hour so while I stayed there I relied on the GlocalMe G2 for Internet but at the hotel I used their free wifi and turned off the G2. The GlocalMe G2 worked fine as long as I could get a good cellular signal. I didn't think to test the speed, but on the tiny bar indicator at the top it showed 4G when I was either in my room or in a part of the lobby near a window. Otherwise it displayed E which I assume was lesser speed Edge. Documentation also states 3G speed but I don't recall seeing that. So as not to waste data on the G2 turn off notifications and any updates for your phone/tablet or laptop. And don't leave apps running in the background that might use data. Otherwise you will watch the data remaining counter continue to decrease even when you are not doing anything.

Finally, besides support for 4G data speed, one of the reasons I bought the G2 versus the less expensive G1 was that it can take up to two micro SIM cards from other providers to also provide cellular data. So you are not locked into buying packages from GlocalMe, you can use whatever provider you want that supports a GSM/LTE device. I'm planning to add this to my ATT plan and keep it in my car. Yes I could use tethering from my phone since both will use the same data pool, but this gives me an additional option.
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GlocalMe G2
by Barry Stgeorge (5 out of 5 stars)
August 15, 2019

Used it twice in the Philippines, Korea & Taipei and here in the USA. Worked great in cities and not bad in some remote islands. have had a few blackouts but overall great item & service. definitely recommend & purchase again.

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