Introduction
I recently traveled to Greenland, and one of the things I had to figure out before the trip was how to stay connected.
I normally use the Austrian mobile provider HoT when traveling around Europe. However, Greenland is outside the EU, so it was not covered by my usual roaming plan. International roaming services offered by Japanese mobile providers, such as Rakuten Mobile, also did not support Greenland, meaning I needed to arrange my own mobile connection.
For this trip, I decided to use Airalo, an international eSIM service. After actually using it in Greenland, I found the setup relatively straightforward and had no major problems connecting to the internet. In this article, I’ll share how I set it up, how well it worked, and a few things to keep in mind.
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あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
What Is Airalo?
Airalo is an international eSIM service that offers mobile data plans in more than 200 countries and regions. Instead of purchasing and replacing a physical SIM card, you can simply install an eSIM on your smartphone and use mobile data while traveling.
Airalo offers different plans depending on the destination, data allowance, and validity period. For example, when I checked the options for Greenland, there was a plan offering:
- 1 GB for 3 days: €6.50
For a short trip, being able to purchase only the amount of data you need can be more affordable than international roaming. You also don’t have to spend time looking for and purchasing a local SIM card after arriving.
This can be especially useful when traveling to destinations where your regular mobile provider or roaming service does not offer coverage.
My Experience Using Airalo in Greenland
First, I created an account on the Airalo website. I then selected my destination, Greenland, and purchased the plan I wanted.
After completing the purchase, I received an email containing instructions for installing the eSIM.
Install the eSIM Before You Leave
The most important thing I would recommend is to install the eSIM while you still have a reliable internet connection.
You might think, “I’ll just set it up after I arrive.” However, if there is no free Wi-Fi at the airport or your connection is unavailable, you may not be able to access the information needed to install the eSIM. That could leave you without any way to get online.
I completed the setup before leaving, while I still had a stable internet connection, so I had no problems getting connected after arriving in Greenland.
How to Install the Airalo eSIM
After purchasing the eSIM, you can follow the installation guide provided in the confirmation email. In my case, I used the QR code included in the guide to install the eSIM on my smartphone.
After installation, the eSIM appeared on my phone under the name “Webbing.”
The final step was to set the APN to:
wbdata
After that, everything was ready to go.
Once I entered the covered area, the eSIM automatically connected to a local mobile network, and I was able to use the internet without any additional complicated setup.
How Was the Connection Quality?
I was also satisfied with the connection quality during my trip.
Airalo does not operate its own cellular towers. Instead, it uses the networks of local mobile operators. In my case, the eSIM connected to the network of Tusass, Greenland’s largest telecommunications provider, formerly known as TELE-POST.
The connection speed seemed comparable to what I would expect from a local SIM. I was able to comfortably use Google Maps for navigation, browse the web, check social media, and use messaging apps.
I rarely noticed any problems with connection speed during the trip, so overall I felt comfortable relying on Airalo for my mobile data.
Things to Keep in Mind When Using Airalo
One thing to be aware of is that Airalo does not automatically renew your plan by default when you run out of data or your plan expires.
This is useful because it helps prevent unexpected charges. However, if your accommodation does not have Wi-Fi, you could find yourself without an internet connection once your plan expires, making it difficult to purchase a new plan.
Airalo also offers an Auto Top-up option. While this can be convenient, remember to check your settings after your trip. If you forget to disable automatic top-ups, your plan may be renewed repeatedly depending on the settings and conditions of the plan.
To avoid problems, I recommend:
- Purchasing additional data when you have access to Wi-Fi
- If you use Auto Top-up, checking and disabling the setting after your trip
Keeping these points in mind should make your trip much less stressful.
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Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
Conclusion
This was my first time using Airalo, and I found the setup relatively easy. More importantly, it worked reliably during my trip to Greenland.
Airalo can be particularly useful in destinations where mobile providers and their international roaming services do not offer coverage. For a short trip, the cost can also be relatively reasonable compared with traditional international roaming.
If you’re planning an international trip, especially to a destination where staying connected may be difficult, it’s worth checking Airalo’s coverage and available plans before you leave.
Installing the eSIM before departure is especially important. Once you arrive, having everything already set up means you can connect to the local network right away and start using the internet without having to search for Wi-Fi first.
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