TheLaptopJunction

Network standards over the past 10 years have evolved rapidly. Specially in the wireless section with the need for higher speeds have launched several new standards in the recent years. One of the break through standards for mobile Internet in remote area's is without doubt EDGE. For instance in Oman, Internet access through the mobile data communication standard EDGE/GPRS is a big success. It allows reasonable speeds (max 29.6 kB/s) for internet browsing and e-mail. The success is based on a wide coverage of mobile cell phone networks with EDGE extension using simple USB modems with simcards.

The latest advancements are WIFI - N (short range - 31 MB/s) and WIMAX (long range - 8.75 MB/s). WIFI-N standard is just more speed within a local setting. (few hundred meters), while WIMAX is aimed at high speed wireless access in mostly urban area's (few Km's) with many subscribers. For travellers, the WIFI-N standard is interesting, however for regular surfing WIFI a/b/g standards (6.75 MB/s) are already sufficient.

Advancements in mobile cell phone technology are 3G services like UMTS (48 kB/s), HSPA (1,800/720 kB/s) and EVDO (307.2/19 kB/s). The newer (higher end) laptops have these networking cards installed. However, there is little coverage in Asian and Middle Eastern countries yet. 

Most likely, Internet cafe's for laptop travelers will become of lesser importance in the future. Mobile internet-working through GPRS/EDGE will be more accessible, specially when flat fee's for data communication are becoming the norm. However, the biggest barrier is still ease of use - connecting to the Internet through a mobile phone and laptop is still a bit of a hassle to setup the first time. Better PC based software or embedded software for mobile phones will most likely cross that barrier in the years to come.