As announced during the launch on May 21st, Transatel’s multi-local data connectivity service for laptops and tablets pursues its geographical expansion.
As of today, Transatel offers travelers local rates for data connectivity in the Netherlands, via its data SIM card available through the e-commerce website (www.transatel-datasim.com). The deal signed with local MNO (mobile network operator) KPN is the 23rd agreement since the Transatel DataSIM launch. The addition of the Netherlands to Transatel’s network completes the coverage of the entire Benelux region, which includes Belgium and Luxembourg since Q4 2014. The Transatel data SIM card now connects tablets and laptops within almost all of Western Europe, including Spain, France, Germany, and now, Benelux, at a price 50-77% lower than the Eurotariff.
Transatel’s mission: serving the international traveler
Since its inception fifteen years ago, well before the debate on the European Digital Single Market, Transatel has been dedicated to providing convincing mobile connectivity solutions for travelers. In fact, the company was the first in Europe to offer mobile telephony solutions for cross-border commuters. Today, with its data SIM, Transatel allows travelers from around the world to benefit from local rates for data in affiliated countries, and therefore provides affordable access to the internet from laptops, tablets, or mobile hotspots.
Benelux, a pioneer European territory
Benelux is a pioneer territory in its public policy against connectivity restrictions due to national borders. It is an example of what Transatel plans to achieve in over 50 countries by late Q1 20151. On April 30th, 2015, Maya Detiège, President of the Benelux Parliament, welcomed an agreement between the Belgian and Luxembourg telecom regulators (IBIPT and ILR) to introduce an anti-roaming policy in Europe to be instated well before the June 2017. Even if the state of negotiations does not yet clearly indicate it, Transatel shares the same objective and hopes that many of the annual 20 million visitors will enjoy multi-local connectivity2 starting today.
The underlying technological assets of this SIM card
Transatel’s innovative SIM card utilizes an international MNC (Mobile Network Code) to enable multi-local connectivity. It adapts to any device, laptop or tablet, and once installed, can easily be recharged with multiple prepaid bundles via the website. Particularly adapted to frequent travelers, it offers very competitive prices in a great number of countries, without swapping or re-installing cards.
More than 2 years were needed to launch Transatel DataSIM, due to specific developments in order to take advantage of the international code (MNC 901-37) and to establish roaming agreements with operators all over the world. These investments resulted in a technical and commercial platform that is perfectly scalable: it can easily be decupled in response to demand.
The consumer’s point of view
According to the latest survey conducted by the European Commission, 47% of European travelers say they never attempt to access the Internet while abroad .
Transatel DataSIM aims to change this habit: delivered directly to consumers before they depart, installed once and for all in the device of their choice, tablet or laptop, this data-only SIM card offers travelers a permanent and secure private GSM connection (3G / LTE) at a reasonable cost. It also frees travelers from exhausting searches for Wi-Fi connections, which are not only complicated to access, but unstable, and most importantly, not secure in terms of data protection.
As an example: the price for a 200MB bundle is 9 € for Belgium and Luxembourg.
For more information, please visit www.transatel-datasim.com