The summer vacation period from July to August is the busiest season for travel, with people moving around for domestic trips, visiting family, summer festivals, and music festivals. Amidst this, many people face communication troubles such as "weak signal" or "Wi-Fi not working" at their travel destinations or when visiting family.

The background to this is not only the concentration of travel and visits during the summer but also the deep integration of services that "rely on communication" into daily life, such as map searches, cashless payments, digital tickets, and ride-hailing apps. The more "connection is taken for granted," the greater the impact when it fails.

Therefore, in collaboration with WiFiGO!, a pocket Wi-Fi rental service provider, we conducted a "Survey on Communication Troubles During Domestic Travel and Visits Home" targeting 500 men and women aged 20 to 59 nationwide.

This survey comprehensively reveals the reality of summer outings and communication environments, covering summer plans, past communication trouble experiences, difficult situations and their solutions, and whether pre-trip communication measures were taken.

<Regarding the Use of Articles, etc.>

When quoting or reprinting the content of this release, please take the following actions:

- Clearly state the source as "Joint Survey by WiFiGO! and Plus-t Inc."

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- Include a link to the relevant article (https://wifigo.jp/magazine/wifi-report-4/)

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on Communication Troubles During Domestic Travel and Visits Home

Survey Method: Internet Questionnaire

Survey Period: June 4, 2026 - June 11, 2026

Target Audience: Men and women aged 20-59 nationwide

Valid Responses: 500 cases

Questionnaire Content

Question 1: Do you have plans to go out somewhere this summer (July-August 2026)?

Question 2: Have you experienced communication difficulties during past summer vacations (travel, visits home, outings)?

Question 3: In what specific situations did you experience communication difficulties?

Question 4: How did you deal with communication difficulties when they occurred?

Question 5: Do you plan to take communication measures (preparations) for your outings and visits home this summer?

Question 6: Please share any thoughts or experiences regarding summer vacation communication troubles or communication measures.

*Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding to the second decimal place.

*For questions with multiple answers, the total may exceed 100%.

Summer Plans Centered on "Domestic Travel" and "Visiting Home," with "Local Outings" Being Mainstream

When asked about plans for this summer (July-August), "Going on domestic trips" was the most common at 36.6%, followed by "Visiting parents' or relatives' homes" at 28.6%, and "Attending domestic events/festivals" at 15.0%.

[Plans for This Summer (July-August)]

- Going on domestic trips: 36.6%

- Visiting parents' or relatives' homes: 28.6%

- Attending domestic events/festivals: 15.0%

- Going on overseas trips: 6.4%

- Other (no plans, etc.): 27.8%

Meanwhile, the free-response category "Other" was mostly filled with responses like "no plans" or "not going out." This suggests that a certain number of people are opting to avoid long-distance travel due to the extreme heat and rising prices. Nevertheless, with domestic travel and visits home combined, many people are expected to spend their summer "somewhere different from usual," and communication environments at their destinations are likely to affect their comfort.

Beware of Complacency: "It's Usually Fine" - About 1 in 4 Stumble at Their Destination

When asked if they had experienced communication difficulties during past summer vacations (travel, visits home, outings), 5.8% said "frequently," and 21.0% said "a few times," totaling 26.8%. This means about 1 in 4 people have experienced communication troubles.

[Experience of Communication Difficulties During Past Summer Vacations]

- Frequently: 5.8%

- A few times: 21.0%

- Never: 73.2%

While "Never" was the majority at 73.2%, this is likely a reflection of fewer communication issues in their usual living environments. Weaknesses in communication tend to surface when the environment changes, such as at travel destinations or when visiting family. The feeling that "it's usually fine" might be causing people to postpone pre-trip preparations.

"It Works If You Stay There" - A Misconception? Most Common Problem is "Hotel Wi-Fi"

When asked about specific situations by the 134 respondents who answered "frequently" or "a few times" to experiencing communication difficulties, "Weak signal or no signal at the accommodation" was the most common at 44.0%. This was followed by "Connection drops while traveling (Shinkansen, highways, etc.)" at 31.3% and "Difficulty connecting at a relative's home (mountainous areas, rural areas)" at 30.6%.

Furthermore, "Unable to connect due to congestion at event/festival venues" (29.1%) and "Lost signal at tourist spots" (28.4%) followed, indicating that communication troubles occur in a wide range of summer activities, including accommodations, travel, sightseeing, and events. The summer season, with many events like fireworks displays and festivals attracting large crowds, likely contributes to temporary network congestion.

[Specific Situations of Communication Difficulties]

- Weak signal or no signal at the accommodation: 44.0%

- Difficulty connecting at a relative's home (mountainous areas, rural areas): 30.6%

- Lost signal at tourist spots: 28.4%

- Unable to connect due to congestion at event/festival venues: 29.1%

- Connection drops while traveling (Shinkansen, highways, etc.): 31.3%

- Home Wi-Fi becomes slow due to simultaneous use by family members: 11.2%

- Other: 1.5%

Specifically regarding accommodation Wi-Fi, comments such as "I thought there was Wi-Fi, but there wasn't" and "The free Wi-Fi sign was there, but I couldn't connect" were observed, highlighting the unreliability of communication environments at travel destinations. Discovering this after check-in can lead to prolonged inconvenience without alternative solutions.

"Gave Up and Didn't Use" - 43.3%, Overlooked Summer Opportunity Loss

When asked about how they dealt with communication difficulties, the most common response was "Gave up and didn't use" at 43.3%. This was followed by "Moved to a different location" at 31.3% and "Switched to mobile data" at 25.4%.

[How Communication Difficulties Were Handled]

- Gave up and didn't use: 43.3%

- Moved to a different location: 31.3%

- Switched to mobile data: 25.4%

- Used public Wi-Fi: 11.9%

- Rented a pocket Wi-Fi or similar device: 11.2%

- Other: 0.8%

On the other hand, "Rented a pocket Wi-Fi or similar device" was only 11.2%, suggesting that while it's an effective solution, it's not yet widely known. The fact that "Gave up and didn't use" was the most common response cannot be overlooked.

In an era where maps, payments, and communication are internet-dependent, "giving up due to no connection" can easily lead to lost opportunities, such as getting lost, facing payment difficulties, or being unable to contact family, thereby reducing overall travel satisfaction.

Over 70% "Do Nothing," Yet Some "Feel the Need"

When asked about plans for communication measures (preparations) for summer outings and visits home, the vast majority, 73.4%, responded "Do nothing in particular."

Notably, 12.6% fall into the category of "Feel the need but haven't done anything." Combined with "Considering it" (10.2%) and "Already prepared" (3.8%), about 1 in 4 people are aware of the need for some form of preparation.

[Plans for Communication Measures (Preparations) This Summer]

- Already prepared: 3.8%

- Considering it: 10.2%

- Feel the need but haven't done anything: 12.6%

- Do nothing in particular: 73.4%

The reasons behind feeling the need but not taking action likely include psychological barriers such as "not knowing what to prepare" or "the process seems troublesome." Short-term, easy-to-use communication solutions could be an option for these "unprepared" individuals.

"Summer Connection Issues" in Free Responses Concentrated in Accommodations, Mountainous Areas, During Travel, and Crowded Places

Finally, when asked for thoughts and experiences regarding summer vacation communication troubles and measures, many specific episodes were received, which could be broadly categorized.

The following is an analysis based on actual responses:

● Most Common: "Accommodation Wi-Fi Cannot Be Relied On"

The most frequent comments concerned the communication environment at accommodations, such as hotels and relatives' homes.

[Actual Response Examples]

"I was troubled because I assumed the ryokan I stayed at before had Wi-Fi, but it didn't." "The Wi-Fi at accommodations is often weak and inconvenient." "The Wi-Fi at the inn wasn't free, which was a problem." "The signal is bad at my husband's parents' house, and I can't use the internet."

The inconvenience of not being able to rely on accommodation Wi-Fi, with comments like "I thought it was there, but it wasn't" or "The sign was there, but I couldn't connect," was prominent.

● Connection Drops in "Mountainous/Rural Areas" and "During Travel"

The next most common comments related to geography and travel.

[Actual Response Examples]

"There's still no signal in my parents' rural home, which is a problem." "I'm almost completely out of range in mountainous areas." "I can't connect on the Shinkansen." "My phone becomes slow every time we go through a tunnel."

"Out of range" issues related to travel and geography, such as mountainous areas when visiting family or on the Shinkansen and in tunnels, were repeatedly mentioned.

● Difficulty Connecting in "Crowded Places"

Many comments were also received about situations where many people gather, such as at summer festivals, live venues, and tourist spots.

[Actual Response Examples]

"I couldn't connect at the fireworks display." "Connectivity became poor at the Comiket venue." "My smartphone doesn't connect when I go to very crowded places." "It's difficult to connect at live event venues."

Temporary speed reductions due to congestion are a "no connection" issue unique to the summer season with its many events.

● Some People Already "Self-Protecting"

On the other hand, a certain number of people were observed to be taking their own measures.

[Actual Response Examples]

"I carry a pocket Wi-Fi to prepare." "Since there was no Wi-Fi at my parents' house, I bought and installed a router." "My parents' home isn't equipped for internet, so I plan to rent a pocket Wi-Fi." "I contracted for home Wi-Fi for a few months at my parents' house."

This suggests a difference in summer outing experiences between those who take precautions and those who do not.

[Summary] The Era of "Connection is a Given" - Summer Preparations Determine the Experience

This survey revealed that about 1 in 4 people experience communication troubles during summer outings and visits home. These situations are not limited to specific locations but span a wide range of scenes, including Wi-Fi at accommodations, during travel on Shinkansen or in tunnels, in mountainous or rural areas, and at summer festivals and live venues. Despite this, the most common way of dealing with difficulties was "Gave up and didn't use" (43.3%), and only a small fraction plan to take communication measures in advance.

The underlying reason is the shift in communication from something "convenient to have" to an "essential infrastructure." Many activities when going out, such as map searches and navigation, cashless payments, digital tickets, and contacting family and friends, now rely on smartphones and connectivity. Therefore, when a "no connection" situation occurs, it can lead not just to inconvenience but also to a standstill in activities, such as getting lost, facing payment issues, or having plans disrupted.

The existence of a segment that "feels the need but hasn't done anything" reflects the reality that many people are vaguely aware of the risks but postpone taking action.

Summer, in particular, is a season prone to communication troubles due to concentrated travel and visits, as well as congestion at events and tourist spots. However, many of these troubles can be avoided with a little confirmation before departure. Over-reliance on accommodation Wi-Fi and the presence or absence of one's own communication method can significantly impact the summer outing experience.

<Regarding the Use of Articles, etc.>

When quoting or reprinting the content of this release, please take the following actions: - Clearly state the source as "Joint Survey by WiFiGO! and Plus-t Inc."

- Include a link to the Wi-Fi rental service (https://wifigo.jp/)

- Include a link to the relevant article (https://wifigo.jp/magazine/wifi-report-4/)

[About Cross Data Inc.]

Cross Data Inc. operates "WiFiGO!," a pocket Wi-Fi rental service that provides a secure and comfortable communication environment even overseas.

Location: Shinjuku Aun Bldg. 5F, 3-35-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 Phone Number: 03-6709-9395 URL: https://wifigo.jp/

Business Activities: Pocket Wi-Fi rental service

[About Plus-t Inc.]

Plus-t Inc. supports companies in expanding their recognition through web production, web marketing, and survey-based PR.

Head Office Location: axis Minami-Azabu 2F, 2-2-25 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047

Phone Number: 03-5439-5825 URL: https://www.plus-t.co.jp/ Business Activities: Web Production / Web Marketing / Survey-based PR

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey
  • Organizations: WiFiGO!