Smartphone and pocket WiFi rental service Tep has launched, claiming to save consumers up to 90 percent on their mobile phone roaming charges and WiFi usage.
The service has been launched this week across 16 countries in Europe, to coincide with the summer holiday season.
The service involves renting a small Tep WiFi device which can be plugged directly into a user’s phone, acting as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, charged at local, rather than international, prices.
Alternatively, they can rent a Tep smartphone, providing access to the same service.
Powered by 3G networks with instant access to Facebook, Twitter and Skype, the service has been launched to provide an alternative to potentially expensive roaming and data download charges from mobile operators, which can cost the same as a flight.
Charging local prices, the devices are rented via Tep’s website and can be delivered direct to the customers home or hotel, or picked up at the airport. Customers return the rented phone by post, using a prepaid envelope, and all personal data is erased from the device
“At long last there is an alternative to the extortionately expensive mobile phone roaming charges and the hassle of finding WiFi internet connections abroad,” said Tep founder Tomas Mendoza. “No longer will travellers across Europe be held hostage by mobile phone operators making excessive profits out of the simple need of travellers to use their phones and stay connected.
“Travellers want to use their smartphones to find restaurants and information about places to visit. Many simply want to keep in touch and share their experiences with friends and family at home via Facebook or other social media, but are being charged more than the cost of their flight to do so,” he continued.
“Renting a Tep smartphone or pocket WiFi device will be become as commonplace as booking a hire car or a flight. It’s simple, convenient and can save hundreds if not thousands of pounds.
“With the number of broadband enabled mobile phone hitting the one billion mark this year, and with 70 percent of all consumer devices connected to the internet by 2014, Tep is providing a service that will allow consumers to get the most out of these devices, rather than being prevented from using them by profit-hungry operators,” Mendoza said.
TEP Partners include:
• British Airways: currently offering the Executive club members a unique discount.
• Visit Britain: selling the product via their online shop
• SIXT rent a car – http://www.sixtblog.co.uk/category/mobile-technology/
• The Agency Group – offer the service to all bands they bring to Europe
http://www.tepwireless.com