Wifi Delivery

1. In Japan, there are almost no free Wifi environments.

It is relatively easier to access Free WiFi in the United States and other countries, at places like McDonald’s and Starbucks, but it is a bit of a pain to get one in Japan as it usually requires your device to be pre-registered for the service.

This registeration may be difficult for most foreigners.

Furthermore, the security system of a free WiFi can be unreliable.
The ID and password that you use daily to log in to your online accounts can be stolen, and you may encounter unexpected troubles. In some cases, the ID may even be used by the criminal to make you guilty of a crime that you have never done!

Many hotels also provide WiFi, but often times, it is not free mainly because hotels hold a contract with a WiFi service company to provide the WiFi for the guests.

Many countries, such as the United States, have many places with free WiFi, and are ready to welcome visitors.

Moreover, there are no free WiFi or internet in dormitories for students studying abroad in Japan. In Tokyo, internet cafes require a Japanese ID, making it even more difficult for foreigners to get internet access.

Long story short, internet access is limited not only in public areas, but also in restaurants and hotels, thus making practical uses of smart phones and laptops, like looking at maps, unavailable for travelers.

■We have Video instructions

-It is a simple video, but we hope that this will help in making traveling in Japan easier. –

GAC Pocket wifi and iPhone

GAC 02 Pocket wifi and iPad

2. About the Internet environment in Japan.

Some people consider prepaid SIM cards over tablet computers and smart phones, but prepaid SIM cards in Japan can have strict limitations.

1) Telephone call + Data Prepaid SIM.

In Japan, only Japanese citizens or legal alien residents can purchase prepaid and post paid SIM cards with a telephone call function.
Strict identification is performed for acquisition to prevent crimes using a mobile phone and travelers can only rent SIM cards with a telephone call function.

2) Data communication Prepaid SIM cards.

In Japan, prepaid SIM cards for data usage is not offered by major telecommunications companies(NTT DOCOMO, SOFTBANK, AU, E-mobile, etc), and companies that offer these services borrows a circuit from these major companies. Prepaid SIM cards for data offered by these companies are less costly.

Our company had tested these offers by purchasing it as a customer, but it turned out that it was not able to provide a service that we had been able to offer. The reason was simple. The connection speed was not reliable. While the SIM cards were being advertised as having a speed of 7Mbps, 14 Mbps, etc, the speed we actually got was around 100 to 300kbps.

This difference in speed was due to the sudden increase in demand for tablets and smartphones in Japan, causing the circuits of major telecommunication companies to do a blowout. Furthermore, because third party companies are able to get a hold of only the small circuits provided by the major companies, the original speed and efficiency of the SIM card was not unattainable.

At our company, we rent out SIM cards directly from the major companies, so this is not of a concern.

3) Universal Pocket Wifi

he signal of the WiFi can reach a range of 20m diameter from the Pocket Wifi at any time.
Moreover, because the encryption and the password of
the pocket WiFi is known only to the user, the internet can
be accessed with security.

In Japan, there are two major pocket wifi’s:
　① WIMAX
　② LTE・4G

① has a service area that is narrow and can only be used in urban areas.
② is the newest standard and has become the mainstream of major telecommunication companies.Therefore, they offer a wide coverage area and has a maximum speed of 75 MPBS.

Since LTE・4G has become the standard, We recommend considering LTE・4G if renting.

Supporting Devices:

They correspond to all Wifi connection apparatus (Smart Phone, Tablet, Laptop etc.).The apparatus of any country can easily connect with Pocket Wifi.

Connection method:

The setting method changes with the connecting apparatus.
Below is the basic flow.

① Turn on the pocket Wifi.

② Choose SSID of pocket Wifi (name of the network) .

③ Enter the password for connection. If a power supply is switched on, it will be connected immediately after the 2nd time