Travellers who need internet access on the road typically have two choices: either limit their use to the confines of hotel or café wifi—which can be pricey—or subscribe to long-term and expensive broadband data card services. New York-based RovAir now offers a third option with its day-pass wireless mobile broadband service.
Founded last fall, RovAir provides wireless mobile broadband aircards, data cards and evdo cards for internet access without an extended contract. To do that, the company itself maintains the necessary long-term subscriptions for data services with Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. It then offers those services in a day-pass format for those who need short-term but continuous access on the road. Coverage extends anywhere the provider's cellular range goes, which can be searched on RovAir's site. RovAir will ship the data card to the consumer express or by courier, and also provide return packaging. Costs depend on the number of days of use, beginning at USD 5.95 per day. There is a three-day minimum.
Until wireless access is universally available and universally free, there will clearly be demand for a variety of plans like RovAir's. More choice is always a good thing—who will bring it to mobile warriors in the rest of the world?
Website: www.rovair.com
Contact: sales@rovair.com
Spotted by: Bjarke Svendsen
Great idea and I'm signing up today. Thanks for the great post.
Wondering if the wireless providers would be upset by a consolidator-type enterprise gaming their system/plans?
Oh well, I'm giving it a shot.
with vodafone in UK you can buy a USB stick which gives you instant access to broadband.
@ Harriet: I think the point is that this is cheap and you're not bound to one network provider. The Vodafone USB modem, for example, costs 99 pounds + 20 pounds for a month's usage if you buy the prepaid version. For (travelling) people who only need access for a day or two, that's pretty costly. So it really doesn't compare with what this company is offering.
I'm not sure I understand. Is this a business opportunity or is this just available to buyers?
I had a better experience in Italy with www.saveonroaming.net : I paid 9 Euros for 50 hrs UMTS, without data limit + the SIM-Card price.
And every time I go to Italy, I just plug my UMTS Modem and that's it!