The "National Travel Support" program started on October 11th, and many people are probably planning trips to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy travel at a great price.
Nowadays, the internet is essential for a comfortable trip, whether you're looking up the shops you want to visit or using the navigation function on a map app. povo2.0 is perfect for when you're traveling and tend to use up more data than usual.
This time, we will introduce why povo2.0 is recommended for travel and in what situations povo2.0 can be useful.
povo2.0 is an online-only (*1) brand provided by KDDI. It's a popular service that allows you to use your smartphone at a great price, but why is it perfect for traveling? Let's take a closer look at why.
*1: As this is an online-only plan, all procedures and support will be handled online. Please contact us via the povo2.0 app or official website.
The first reason is that by making good use of a system called "Topping," you can enjoy the internet while traveling without worrying about fees or data usage.
"Topping" refer to services such as data volume and unlimited calling that can be used with povo2.0. povo2.0 is not a monthly plan, as is common with conventional smartphone plans, where you can use up to x gigabytes for x yen per month. The basic fees is 0 yen (*2), and you can purchase the data volume and other services you need.
| Topping Name (validity) |
Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Data Top-up 1GB (7 days) |
390円/回 |
| Data Top-up 3GB (30 days) |
990円/回 |
| Data Top-up 20GB (30 days) |
2,700円/回 |
| Data Top-up 60GB (90 days) |
6,490円/回 |
| Data Top-up 150GB (180 days) |
12,980円/回 |
| Unlimited data (*3) (24 hours) |
330円/回 |
This system allows you to purchase the amount of data you need from a variety of Topping, which means you can choose Topping that best suits your travel validity and the amount of internet use you will have at your destination.
For example, if you normally use Wi-Fi at home but use a lot of data when traveling, you could use the "3GB Data Top-up (30 days) Topping" plan on a regular basis, and then purchase the "Unlimited data (*3) (24 hours) Topping" plan only for validity your trip. In this way, by purchasing only the amount of data you need each time, you can enjoy the internet comfortably without wasting money.
Reference:" Topping List" (povo)
*2: Call charges and SMS sending charges are charged separately. Certain conditions apply for continuous use over 180 days. 128kbps at 0 GB for 0 yen. If you sign up for 5 lines (*) under the same name, a contract administration fee of 3,850 yen (tax included included) per line will be charged for the 6th line and beyond.
*Includes lines that have been terminated or cancelled by our company within the past year.
*3: Communication speeds may be limited during network congestion or when using video or cloud games.
The second reason is that by using a service called "#Giga-Katsu" (*4), you can get data capacity at stores in your travel destination.
#Giga-Katsu is a service that gives you a data bonus that can be used with povo2.0 when you purchase a certain amount of products or receive a service at a participating store. For example, if you pre-register for #Giga-Katsu and spend 500 yen or more (tax included) with au PAY at a participating restaurant, you will receive a 300MB data bonus valid for three days.
If the store you visit during your trip is a participating #Giga-Katsu store, you can even get a data bonus just by enjoying the food or buying souvenirs.
*4: au PAY method of #Gigakatsu ended on June 30, 2024.
Check out the latest #Gigakatsu here.
The third reason is that if you purchase the "Unlimited data (*3) (24 hours) Topping" or "Content Topping," you can enjoy watching videos to your heart's content without worrying about data usage.
Unlimited data (*3) (24 hours) Topping is a service that allows unlimited data communication for 24 hours from the time of purchase for 330 yen (tax included). No matter how much data you use, your data capacity will not be consumed. This topping is highly recommended for situations such as "I want to use the Internet freely during a 1-night, 2-day Topping," "I want to watch videos while traveling," or "I want to provide a tethering connection to a friend."
Content Topping is a pack that allows you to use unlimited data when watching video streaming services such as "DAZN" and "smash." validity and price for each are as follows:
| Topping Name (validity) |
Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| DAZN Unlimited Pack (7 days) (*10) | 1,145円/回 |
| smash. Unlimited use pack (24 hours) (*9) | 220円/回 |
"The match I want to watch is being streamed on DAZN" or "I want to Fan activities with friends on smash. even while I'm traveling!" This is the perfect Topping for such situations.
*3: Communication speeds may be limited during network congestion or when using video or cloud games.
*9: The "smash. Unlimited Use Pack" will be discontinued as of April 30, 2024.
*10: The "DAZN Unlimited Pack (7 days)" will no longer be available as of November 30, 2024.
The fourth reason is that it eliminates the worry of not being able to connect when traveling to rural areas or deep in the mountains.
When you go somewhere you've never been before, you might worry about not having a smartphone signal. This worry can be especially prevalent when traveling to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or camping.
povo2.0 provides its services using the same radio waves as au, which offers a 4G LTE 800MHz service area with a population coverage rate of 99.9% (*5). Furthermore, because it simultaneously uses multiple frequencies, you can enjoy communication in a variety of locations, such as hiking trails, World Heritage sites, campsites, subways, and large shopping malls.
In addition, povo2.0 also supports eSIM (*6), which allows you to easily switch lines. It can also be used as a backup when you are worried about not being able to get a signal even if you normally use another carrier.
*5: "Population coverage rate" is calculated based on areas where communication is possible in 50% or more of the approximately 500m blocks used in the census. Information is current as of the end of December 2020. Content is subject to change. Compatible devices are 4G LTE (800MHz) compatible.
*6: Requires an eSIM-compatible device.
The fifth reason is that you can safely have long phone calls with your family while traveling.
povo2.0 also meets the need for those who want to talk to their family on the phone while traveling with its "call Topping." Call Topping is Topping allows domestic calls to be made free for a certain amount of time or validity. It is a monthly Topping and is available in the following two types.
| Topping Name (validity) |
Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Unlimited calls of up to 5 minutes (1 month) | 550円/月 |
| Unlimited calls (1 month) | 1,650円/月 |
This is a recommended Topping for long trips or when you want to call your family to let them know how your trip is going.
Additionally, you will likely use the phone a lot while traveling to make reservations for hotels, rental cars, restaurants, and optional tours. Call Topping is also recommended for such occasions.
However, please note that there are some calls (*7) that are not covered by the unlimited calling plan, such as 0570 (Navi Dial) and satellite phones.
*7: Calls to phone numbers set by other companies starting with 0570 (Navidial, etc.) at fees, number guide (104) (number guide fee is not free, calls to fees are free), administrative 1XY service (188), # dial (quick dial), SMS transmission, calls to satellite phones (*8), and calls to phone numbers specified separately by the Company are not covered by the free calls through . (*8), calls to satellite phones (*9), and calls to phone numbers designated separately by the Company are not eligible for free calls through Topping. International calls and incoming/outgoing calls overseas are also not covered. Calling charges will be billed according to the service.
*8: Some call charges may differ, such as for calls to satellite phones. Click here for details.
As you can see, povo2.0 allows you to use the internet comfortably even while traveling without worrying about data usage. From here, we will introduce specific situations in which povo2.0 can be useful while traveling.
As it cannot be said that the COVID-19 pandemic has yet been completely eradicated, many people are likely choosing to rent a car as their means of transportation while traveling in order to avoid crowds.
Your favorite music is essential for a fun drive, isn't it? Recently, many people have been using streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Some services automatically play recommended music, which is perfect for when you can't operate your smartphone while driving.
However, if you use streaming services throughout a long drive, you may end up using up a lot of data. If you run out of data while traveling, you may not be able to use the internet comfortably once you arrive at your destination, which can be quite disappointing.
However, if you purchase the necessary data Topping in advance with povo2.0, you can use music streaming services without worrying about remaining data or fees.
Many people may think, "I'll decide on a few places to visit before I travel." However, sometimes you have to suddenly change your plans depending on the crowds and weather on the day. If you want to look up nearby tourist attractions, local specialties, restaurants, etc. while you're out and about, povo2.0 makes it easy to search.
If you purchase data Topping in advance, you won't have to search for Wi-Fi or worry about your data usage when you're out and about. Knowing that "it's okay to use a lot of data" is important for enjoying your trip to the fullest.
If you're having trouble choosing a store, it might be a good idea to search among the stores participating in #Giga-Katsu.
When you travel and see beautiful scenery, stay in a nice hotel, or enjoy delicious food, you often feel like "I want to share this experience right away!" However, uploading videos and images can actually consume a surprising amount of data.
Many people have probably experienced running out of data while using social media on the go, causing images to load slowly or taking a long time to post. By preparing the necessary Topping with povo2.0, you can be free from such stress.
Video streaming services like YouTube are useful when you're traveling to another prefecture or overseas and have long travel times. Many families who travel with children use them to keep them entertained during the journey.
However, as you know, watching videos consumes a lot of data. The longer you travel, the more anxious you become, wondering, "Will I use up my data?" or, "What if I use up my data, my speed is limited, loading slows down, and my kids get fussy?" However, if you take some precautions, such as purchasing povo2.0 's "Unlimited data (*3) (24 hours) Topping" on the day of your travel, you can enjoy as much video as you want without worry.
When traveling with close friends or family, you might plan to walk around sightseeing during the day and relax watching movies or TV dramas in the evening. Many hotels now have Wi-Fi, but you won't know how fast the connection speed is until you actually stay there.
One way to reduce your worries while traveling is to purchase "Unlimited data (*3) (24 hours)" or "content Topping" for watching videos. povo2.0 is also recommended if you want to watch videos in places where there is no Wi-Fi, such as camping.
When traveling with children or friends on a long-term trip, you may need to bring an iPad or game console with you. In such cases, the tethering function, which allows you to use your smartphone as a wireless router, is very convenient.
With povo2.0, you can use tethering without paying any additional fees or applying in advance. By combining data Topping with tethering, you can enjoy watching videos and playing games to your heart's content even when traveling, without having to worry about Wi-Fi or data usage.
So far, we've introduced why povo2.0 is recommended for travel. By making good use of povo2.0 's data Topping, you can eliminate concerns about the internet environment at your travel destination. Use this article as a reference and enjoy your trip to the fullest with povo2.0.
