Networking preparation - the plan to connect

To connect to mobile internet networks in Asia and the Middle East, you're basically done with a GPRS/EDGE phone and a WIFI a/b/g/n network card. Iran and Nepal already have been experimenting with WIMAX but that's basically aimed at residents and local businesses. For wireless network detection it's ideal to have a mobile / cell phone with build in WIFI detector for at least a/b/g networks. Nokia N95 has this facility including GPS.

Before entering any new country, it's pays of to have a look at the local Internet provider scene. Gather info about the following issue's;

  • mobile & fixed line internet players (the internet market)
  • GSM prepay cards & data rates - specially flat fee rates
  • Requirements for registration for foreigners
  • Places where prepay cards are sold
  • GPRS/EDGE settings for a mobile phone
  • WIFI hotspots and payment schemes
  • Phone numbers of the helpdesk (fixed line and mobile)

Have a look at internet filtering also. Countries like Iran, UAE, Oman have Internet filters and might have blocked that one website crucial to your travels. Sometimes VPN subscriptions can work around the filtering, however it's fairly easy to block VPN server IP's too.

Pakistan, India and Nepal have open Internet Gateways. Restrictions can also be set due to UN sanctions. For instance in Iran the Google Earth website only shows a text with UN restrictions. However the Google Earth software does work in Iran, but can't be downloaded from the website.



A list of local GPRS/EDGE Internet providers in Asia and the Middle-East

  • Iran - Irancell
  • Pakistan - Ufone, Mobilink
  • India - Airtel (flat-fee)
  • Nepal - Nero mobile (flat-fee)
  • UAE - Etisalat - Du
  • Oman - Oman Mobile, Nawras (flat-fee)