Increased number of returnable installation locations in Hokkaido, further improved convenience with 24-hour availability
Telecom Square Co., Ltd., which provides cross-border solutions for mobile communications on a global scale, offers a self-service Wi-Fi router where you can easily rent a mobile Wi-Fi router without contact for 840 yen per day (tax included, unlimited/Japan plan). We are pleased to announce that the Fi rental "WiFiBOX" will be newly installed in the 1st floor lobby of Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo, and the service will start from 10:00 on Friday, December 15, 2023. This is the first Wi-Fi box installed in a hotel facility in the Sapporo area, and the second in Japan following the Keio Plaza Hotel (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), allowing 24-hour pick-up and return.
"WiFiBOX" is a new Wi-Fi rental service released by our company on April 1, 2022, and is a sharing-type service that allows you to reserve, receive, and start using immediately without making a reservation in advance (patent pending) . The Japan domestic plan allows unlimited usage for 840 yen (tax included) per day, and the device also has a charging cable stored in it and a mobile battery function, allowing you to charge your smartphone. The service design was highly praised for its multifaceted effects, including responding to non-face-to-face needs during the coronavirus pandemic, eliminating cumbersome procedures and waiting in queues for users, reducing operating costs, and securing surplus space for installation. We received the 2022 Good Design Award.
Currently, we provide services at five major airports in Japan, including Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and Kansai International Airport, as well as at five locations in Hokkaido: New Chitose Airport for international and domestic flights, Asahikawa Airport, and Hakodate Airport for domestic and international flights. It is widely used both domestically and internationally.
This time, with the aim of meeting the usage needs of foreign tourists visiting Japan, domestic business and sightseeing, and the shortage of gigabytes at the end of the month, the facility will be installed in the 1st floor lobby of Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo for the first time in Sapporo city. The service will start from 10:00 on Friday, December 15th. Since it is located in the lobby, it can be used 24 hours a day, even by people other than hotel guests.
As a result, WiFi BOX will be installed in a total of 57 facilities and 64 locations. We will continue to expand our services domestically, including in Sapporo, and aim to improve convenience for even more customers.
- Installation background
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo opened in 1982 as a landmark in Sapporo, and this year marks 41 years since its opening. The hotel is located approximately 5 minutes' walk from JR Sapporo Station and 7 minutes' walk from Subway Sapporo Station, and there is also a shuttle bus from the hotel to New Chitose Airport, making it a major station for sightseeing in Sapporo. Located in a location with easy access to the airport. In addition, in the "Jalan Awards 2022" (Jalan OF THE YEAR Great Accommodation Award – Hokkaido area 301 rooms or more category) on Japan's largest travel reservation site "Jalan", we won 1st place in the breakfast category, overall category, and customer service. This facility is highly popular among users and won second place in its category.
WiFiBOX currently provides service at five locations in the Hokkaido area: New Chitose Airport for international and domestic flights, Asahikawa Airport, and Hakodate Airport for domestic and international flights, but this will be the first time it has been installed in Sapporo. By installing it at Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo, it will not only be available 24 hours a day in the city, but also provide a temporary communication environment for business people and tourists visiting Sapporo, and allow overseas travelers to pick it up before arriving at the airport. We decided to install this system because we believe that it will further improve convenience by increasing the number of pick-up locations, such as at the airport.
*Source: Jalan Award 2022 Hokkaido https://www.jalan.net/theme/award/hokkaido/
- Installation overview
Location: Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo 1st floor lobby
Kita 5-jo Nishi 7-2-1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Usage fee: 840 yen per day in Japan (tax included, unlimited usage)
*We also have plans for 500MB/440 yen (tax included) and 1GB/660 yen (tax included) per day.
Pick-up/return time: 24 hours (even people other than hotel guests can use it)
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo website: https://www.keioplaza-sapporo.co.jp/
- Features and usage of “WiFiBOX”
■Need it now! In such cases, you can rent it immediately without making a reservation (*1). Reservation, pick-up, and return: All steps are surprisingly easy.
You can return the item at a different location than the pick-up location as long as there is a WiFi BOX rental machine installed. Our service design was highly evaluated and received the 2022 Good Design Award.
*1: Advance reservations are also possible, but please be sure to check inventory on-site before withdrawing.
■Two-in-one device: Wi-Fi and mobile battery
In addition to the USB cable for charging the main unit, there are 3 types of built-in cables for charging smartphones. Can also be used as a mobile battery.
■Official website: https://wifibox.telecomsquare.co.jp/
- Example of using “WiFiBOX” in Japan
Wi-Fi rental has a strong image of being rented when traveling overseas, but it can also be used temporarily in Japan in many situations, such as for business, sightseeing, places with poor Wi-Fi environment, or when there is a shortage of gigabytes at the end of the month. there is.
① Inside a moving train
Even when traveling on business or traveling, you can use the stable communication environment of WiFiBOX to work on your PC and watch videos stress-free.
② Business
Free Wi-Fi can be used in a safe and secure environment when you are concerned about security, such as when you work at a cafe for a short while while traveling.
③ Sightseeing
Nowadays, traveling requires a smartphone.
Collect information and send and receive photos and videos without worrying about communication traffic. Furthermore, the battery function allows you to charge your smartphone perfectly.
④ Giga shortage at the end of the month
Nowadays, with the spread of cheap smartphones, are you suffering from a shortage of gigabyte at the end of the month by reducing the number of gigabytes in your monthly contract? I want to borrow it only when I run out! You can use it at such times.
⑤ In case of trouble such as communication failure
Large-scale communication failures are often talked about. The need to obtain a "sub-line" is increasing, but we recommend renting Wi-Fi if you need it temporarily or in an emergency.
⑥ When moving
Having an internet environment is essential at home, but if you move, you may be temporarily unable to use it due to your contract. In such cases, you can use WiFiBOX on a daily basis without worrying about communication traffic.
It is also expected to be used in a variety of other situations, such as securing a communication environment during hospitalization.
■Reference: Estimated traffic volume when using major chat tools and video sites for 1 hour (according to our research)
| tool | Communication amount per hour |
| Zoom | Approximately 500MB |
| Microsoft | Approximately 1.3GB |
| Skype | Approximately 290MB |
| Google meets | Approximately 820MB |
| Youtube(HD) | Approximately 1GB |
| Netflix(HD) | Approximately 3GB |
| Amazon prime(HD) | Approximately 1.8GB |
| LINE (video call) | Approximately 310MB |
| LINE (voice call) | Approximately 20MB |
Additionally, with 1GB, you can send LINE's "Talk" approximately 330,000 times, "Send Stamps" approximately 140,000 times, standard definition images approximately 8,800 times, and 30 second videos approximately 166 times.
- company overview
Telecom Square Co., Ltd. has been a pioneer in mobile communication services for 30 years, providing peace of mind, convenience, and fun while traveling to people traveling around the world. A company that continues to take on challenges and provide "new value" that makes travel more free and enriching, such as communication services such as Wi-Fi router rental and prepaid SIM sales, and a shared bike service in Honolulu, Hawaii. is.
Company name: Telecom Square Co., Ltd.
Representative: Representative Director Yuji Yoshitake
Head Office: 7th floor, Sanbancho Tokyu Building, 8-1 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075
Founded: 1992 (1992)
Employees: 125 (as of January 1, 2023)
Business details: Mobile service communication business (provision of international mobile communication equipment such as Wi-Fi router rental and prepaid SIM card sales), travel-related business (official agency for the shared bike service "Biki" in Honolulu, Hawaii) , management of owned media such as overseas travel information)