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KnowRoaming

Toronto's KnowRoaming partners with TCL Alcatel for SIMFREE global phone

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Related Articles:

At Mobile World Congress

KnowRoaming (a Toronto based telecom company) has announced a partnership with global handset producer TCL Communications. 

“The integration of our SoftSIM in Alcatel’s Pop 4-6 4G, A2 XL, and A3 XL handsets gives Alcatel’s customers a seamless way to stay connected and use their device as if they were at home”
— Gregory Gundelfinger, CEO KnowRoaming

 

Three upcoming Alcatel handsets will have the KnowRoaming SoftSim embedded in the phones. This means users will gain access to the global KnowRoaming network (50+ countries) and benefit from reduced roaming rates.

Roam Mobility launches USA Monthly Plans

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

I've written about Roam Mobility before:

Today Roam Mobility is launching new monthly plans that include unlimited talk, text and data. It is a middle of the ground offering between their day plans and their 3-month snowbird ones.

Although these plans were originally designed for Canadian travelers heading to the USA, it is really applicable to anyone going to the US (Europe, Asia, Middle East, etc).

At launch, there are 2 monthly plans (30 day) which both include unlimited talk and text but differ in their data offering:

  • 1GB of 4G LTE for $39.95
  • 4GB of 4G LTE for $64.95

Once you consume all of your data, you get unlimited 2G data. In my testing, the TMobile LTE network is excellent but their 2G network is so so.

All you need is a non-expired Roam Mobility SIM card and then you can choose these plans on their website.

Why a Canadian should choose Roam Mobility

Telus, Rogers and Bell have all started to offer special Roaming plans ($5-7 per day) where you consume your home monthly plan when in the US. The attractiveness of this plan is the ease of use. You keep your same SIM and number. 

Most Canadians have limited data plans and the risk you run is the overage charges once you've eaten your monthly allocation. With Roam Mobility, you have to switch SIM cards but you are given ample 4G LTE and even if you do bust your cap, you get unlimited 2G connectivity. At least there won't be any $50-100 surprises at the end of the month.

What is my review of Roam Mobility

I have tested almost every conceivable USA travel solution from Roam Mobility, KnowRoaming all the way to buying local SIM cards upon landing. I have found the Roam Mobility solution to be the most robust one I have used.

KnowRoaming provides "unlimited" data for $US8 a day but it is slower 3G. Additionally during my last trip to San Francisco, I couldn't get inbound calling to work and finally gave up after 45 minutes on the phone with their support person. I didn't have my Roam SIM so I was stuck paying the Telus $7 a day fee.

So for USA only travel, I would buy a couple of Roam Mobility cards and use them.

Link to monthly plans page

Free unlimited video calling when you travel

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

In November, I wrote an article that explained the new free unlimited Whatsapp offer from KnowRoaming for travellers. 

“TL;DR: All KnowRoaming customers get free unlimited Whatsapp text, picture and voice messaging in any of the countries KR supports.”

When you consider Whatsapp is the primary communication tool for most users and that KnowRoaming has an extensive global roaming partnership network, it was a great win for their customers.

The only thing that was not free was video messaging. Video messaging was specifically excluded but this week, KnowRoaming added it to its free Whatsapp offering. So the KnowRoaming free unlimited global use offer includes all Whatsapp services:

  • Text and picture messaging
  • voice calling
  • video calling

And it is automatically available to all KnowRoaming customers. If you have KnowRoaming credit, and you should if you travel, they will refund Whatsapp usage charges every couple of hours. 

What about competitors?

I used SkyRoam many times during my global trips but stopped when I realized their account management webpage (adding credits, storing credit card information, etc) was all being transacted in a non-secure manner. Wrote about it here. Mistakes happen but the most frustrating part of the entire SkyRoam issue is that they ignored me for the longest time then promised to fix it ASAP but didn't. Obviously customer security isn't their top priority.

“The SkyRoam global WIFI Hotspot should be considered un-secure and I strongly recommend travellers find other options.”

I am waiting for the GeeFi to ship but until then, I will stop to KnowRoaming.

The KnowRoaming issues

KnowRoaming works very well when enabled but enabling it isn't easy and reliable. You need an unlocked phone and I have had issues where the app couldn't connect to the internet in the remote location and thus wouldn't let me enable the KnowRoaming sticker. 

Then once you activate the plan, you have to install the KnowRoaming profile which means you can't VPN when using KnowRoaming. This VPN limitation is a major problem when using public wifi. 

The third issue is related to speed. All KnowRoaming connections are 3G even if the partner network and your smartphone support LTE. I was told this is being looked at but I haven't been given any promises or dates.

Conclusion

After everything is said and done, KnowRoaming is (in my mind) the best solution for global roaming on the cheap today. I am anxious to test the new crop of global roaming hotspots that will hit the market early 2017. 

KnowRoaming really needs to spend the time and money to completely rework its app and to make the enable/disable process easier. 

The hidden danger of using the SkyRoam global WIFI Hotspot

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

November 25 2016 update at the end of the article. TL;DR the service is still vulnerable.

Since I traveled a lot in the past, I am always looking for new tech to make travel simpler,. easier or more enjoyable. Since smartphones are indispensable travel tools, I was very excited when SkyRoam was released and wrote several articles about it. 

But as a security guy, there is a hidden danger that I wanted to share with my audience. The danger is present even before you take your first trip and is related to how to you add day-passes to your account.

When you visit their portal, you are greeted with this login page

Notice that the page you are on is not encrypted

This means that anyone can easily intercept your username/password as you type it in. 

The page does not even temporarily switch to encrypted during the login. Everything stays plain text. This  is completely unacceptable on a modern web where WIFI attacks are easy and fast. Certificates to encrypt the connection are cheap and readily available (even free with services like LetsEncrypt) . So companies have no excuse not to encrypt the connection: its either incompetence or a complete disregard for the security of their users (in my opinion). 

I recommend you go in and delete your default payment info on file. To  do this, click on the Account tab and then choose payment options and delete it.

I have daypasses which I will consume but wont add any more due to their lax stance regarding security, particularly the security of my credit card and login information. Even the credit card entry page is not protected.

This is pretty bad and I'm not sure how Visa and Mastercard aren't intervening. To be transparent, I have tweeted this issue multiple times over the last 3 months. When I didn't receive a response, I called their helpdesk 3 weeks ago and told the agent to open a ticket. When I did not receive a confirmation email (about a ticket being opened), I opened another ticket myself with a screenshot and clear description a week ago. I never received a response and the issue was never fixed.

Look for alternatives

I am anxiously waiting for the arrival of the GeeFi global hotspot which is expected to provide LTE service for $9.99 with unlimited bandwidth. Based on everything I have read, I am relatively sure GeeFi will take better security precautions and will be a better custodian for my confidential information. 

November 25 2016 UPDATE

Some people messaged me that the site was protected so let me check

The login page is still unencrypted

Main account page still unencryped

When you visit the page to add a credit card, they show a lock logo while its loading 

but that entire page is unencrypted

Even though someone from SkyRoam promised the issue would be resolved (9 days ago), it is still unprotected and I therefore I would still urge caution.

ZIPSIM is a US prepaid SIM card for travel and EDC

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

I have written about the virtues of RoamMobility countless times (here, here, here, here, here). I have written about them because roaming fees are the scourge of travelers. Regardless of what roaming plan your carrier offers, you will likely be limited to slow speed, data caps or other conditions which mean you have to think twice very time you pickup your phone. RoamMobility was a nice easy solution that offered an affordable way to get virtually unconstrained normal use.

Then came with their travel SIM sticker, which offers good global pricing and coverage but costs more if you travel to the US. 

RoamMobility and KnowRoaming are excellent for travelers to the US but require some planning:

  • RoamMobility - You have to buy the SIM, activate it and load it with your preferred plan specifying your travel dates and times. I once made a mistake and started the plan too soon and there was no way (according to support) to fix it once an order is placed online. Did I mention SIM cards expire if not used for 6 months? Plus you have to manually configure your smartphones data connection.
  • KnowRoaming - KnowRoaming requires that you purchase their kit and install their sticker on your SIM. Then using their app  you register the virtual SIM and load money into your account. Then once you travel and arrive in your destination, you open the app and it configures your phone for local use.

Welcome ZipSIM to the world

Otono, the company behind RoamMobility USA, RoamMobility Canada also created ReadySIM. ReadySIM was a burner style SIM card and wireless service that only required a ZIP code for activation (any US zip code). 

According to the company, ReadySIM was an instant hit with travellers and large corporations. Why wouldn't it be. You can purchase a stack of them in varying configurations and activate them only when needed. (Good for travelers or EDC practitioners). 

To keep up with demand, Otono partnered with a global electronics distributor and rebranded ReadySIM to ZipSIM. 

“Our approach to cellular plans has always been innovative and progressive, and this rebrand highlights those characteristics within ZIP SIM. Our customers and partners all love our patented self-activating SIM cards and we’ve brought that front-and-center with this rebrand.”
— Oren Chervinsky, VP Global Sales & Marketing for Otono

So ZipSim is also a good choice for US citizens looking for a quick and easy burner service that doesn't collect personal information (such as name, address and credit card information). Remeber that your smartphone itself leaves a breadcrumb of information so you'll want to be careful there.

“we will continue to put customer privacy at the core of our business while being 100% compliant with government regulations for the wireless industry”
— Oren Chervinsky, VP Global Sales & Marketing for Otono

American lawmakers would like to pass laws forcing carriers to identify buyers of "burner" prepaid services but these laws haven't passed yet. Additionally I reached out to the company asking about their customer data protection rules and how/when they turn over data to law enforcement but I have not received a response yet. Will update this post when a response is received.

The technical stuff

Like RoamMobility, the ZipSIM service runs on-top of the T-Mobile network. The network has dramatically improved over the last 2 years and call drops and slow data are things of the past. I have tested T-Mobile service (in the last 3 months) in Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Chicago) and service has been exceptional.

Additionally you need an unlocked smartphone to use ZipSim (or any other carrier's SIM) but your phone's should always be unlocked. Most carriers will do it for customers in good standing for a nominal fee.

Comparing ZipSIM and RoamMobility

How does the little brother compare to its older sibling? ZipSim is more expensive for less data:

  • ZIPSIM - A 7 day ZipSim card costs $US25 and includes 500MB of data, unlimited US talk, unlimited global text & voicemail
  • RoamMobility - A similar 7 day plan costs $CAD34.65 (~$US26) and comes with unlimited US/Canada talk, unlimited global text, voicemail, 3.5GB of LTE data.

There is one other important distinction. With RoamMobility, if you consume all of your allotted LTE data, you continue to get unlimited data at 2G speeds while on ZipSim you are cut-off. 2G isn't great but it is fast enough to send emails, text messages and use asymmetric instant messaging (Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, etc).

ZipSIM Pricing

  • 7 Day Talk+Text+Data with 500MB 4G LTE — $25
  • 14 Day Talk+Text+Data with 1GB 4G LTE — $35
  • 21 Day Talk+Text+Data with 1.5GB 4G LTE — $45
  • 30 Day Talk+Text+Data with 2GB 4G LTE — $55
  • Data-only 500MB 4G LTE — $15
  • Data-only 1GB 4G LTE — $25
  • Data-only 2GB 4G LTE — $40

Includes nationwide calling anytime. Text includes incoming and outgoing text to over 200 countries. Talk+Text+Data plans include voicemail, call waiting, and call display. 4G LTE data is unthrottled and includes hotspot tethering with other devices. All prices in US dollars.

Conclusion

If you are an EDC prepper, this is a good solution to keep a secondary, instant activation, no registration SIM card ready.

If you are an infrequent traveler to the USA and have modest data requirements, this is definitely and easy solution.

If you have spontaneous last minute travel to the US, this is a good solution.

If you don't need the privacy of ZipSim and have planned trips to the USA, I still believe RoamMobility is the best option. Better pricing and more flexibility. As I write this, they have a promo on their SIM cards and offer international shipping.