OK, I basically need some help with a little problem thats been bugging me recently.
Basically, around this time next year, I'm off to Malaysia for a month (probably longer) with my girlfriend to go visit her mothers side of the family.
Now the majority of the day I'll be busy with things (time with her family, visiting local areas and sites...typical holiday stuff), but ideally I'd like to spend an hour or two each evening checking sales etc. but this is where I start to get confused.

Here are a few ideas I have (preferred choice at number 1 spot):
1. Mobile Broadband - I'll need to invest in a laptop, and take out some sort of mobile broadband, can anyone tell me if this will work abroad? Extra costs? Coverage?
2. Internet cafe - Find a local internet cafe, but this may prove a problem as I dont know the distance between my girlfriends malaysian home, and the nearest internet cafe (more details below)
3. Hire a monkey to take care of my sales back in England (not too keen on this idea, as I dont know anyone who could do this for me)
4. Take a months break or so from business altogether - what would the implications be here? More stress than its worth?

The problem is that my girlfriends house in Malaysia is deep(ish) in the Sarawak jungle. The house and area is lovely, but she doesnt have internet in her house (no need for it), and I dont know whether the area would get coverage - any way for me to find this out?
Also, I dont really want to spend evenings finding internet cafes and then travelling to and from there (not sure the girlfriend would be too happy...)

We initially plan to stay for a month for now, but the chances of us staying longer is quite high seeing as no tickets have been booked yet. Ideally I wouldnt like to 'drop everything' for the month (or more), so if anyone can help me with choosing the best course of action, or think there is a bitter solution please do contribute
Much appreciated!

Hello.

Personally if it was me I would get a netbook or such, these are cheaper versions of laptops but with small memory capacity/processors in order to basically surf the net.
I would recommend the netbook below: (Costs around £200-300)
http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs

Additional Information on Mobile Broadband Abroad:
How can I access broadband internet abroad?

• Mobile Broadband brings broadband speeds to your laptop, PC or Mac via a USB dongle/modem. The dongle or modem connects your computer to the internet via 3G and is on offer from 3, Orange and Vodafone.

Essentially, mobile broadband is accessible anywhere that the mobile operator offering it (ie Vodafone, 3 or Orange) has mobile phone coverage, hence mobile broadband can be used in the UK as well as in selected countries overseas.

• Wireless broadband is another option in an increasing number of destinations with wi-fi hotspots popping up in many hotels, coffee shops and public areas. If your laptop is wireless-enabled you can access wi-fi very easily in many European cities.
• Internet cafes. Cheap and cheerful though they might be, internet cafes do not offer the "anytime-anywhere" flexibility often sought by heavy-use business and personal users.

What are the charges involved?

• Mobile broadband charges vary depending on which broadband provider you are with. The charges are detailed below:

3 mobile broadband overseas charges

• EU: £3 per Mb
• Rest of world: £6 per Mb

Note: you can use 3 mobile broadband in countries including Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy and Sweden. To do this you pay just 10p per Mb you use within your monthly allowance and £2 per Mb you use more than your inclusive allowance.
Vodafone mobile broadband overseas charges

• EU: £9.99 per 50Mb
• Rest of world: £4.99 per Mb

T-Mobile mobile broadband overseas charges

• EU: £1.50 per Mb
• Rest of world: £7.50 per Mb

Orange mobile broadband overseas charges

• EU: £4.11 per Mb
• Rest of world: £6.46 per Mb
• Internet cafe and wi-fi charges vary too, in some places wi-fi access is free (such as coffee shops and some hotels), in others, access for internet cafes and wi-fi access can cost up to £10 an hour.

Tips for accessing broadband on holiday:

• Check whether your mobile broadband provider can offer you broadband coverage in the country you’re going to.
• If they can, mobile broadband is likely to be the most cost-effective, reliable and efficient option for you.
• It is worth researching your options before you travel to make sure that you make the most of your trip and are not left out on a limb or with excessive usage charges.
• If you are going on a low-budget holiday or are worried about the security of your laptop on your travels, internet cafes may be your best option. They tend to be extremely cheap and suit those who only need to access the internet intermittedly.

Kind Regards
Tom

I'm sort of in the same position, although I am not going abroad. With the volume of orders, PMs and emails I have daily I am reluctant to be gone for more than 8 hours or so.

So, I've just bought an Acer Netbook and will buy a modem for use with my wireless provider.

What I have noticed and want to mention is that there are all sorts of data "plans" as there are for phones and it seems that while a free or low cost of the modem is a deal, there is a 1 or 2 year commitment, so it looks like I'll buy the modem outright and just go month to month on the data transfer.

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Dont go on holiday.

The easy solution would be to get an internet access service via satellite or VSAT. VSAT or Very Small Aperture Terminal has the advantage of delivering communication anywhere irregardless of the topography and location of the area. As long as it is covered with-in the foot prints of the satellite transponder. A big disadvantage with VSAT Link is its bandwidth limitation, service quality and cost of service. Further, it's not as reliable as a fixed line (cable) and terrestrial wireless broadband radios.

Another viable option would be to get your backhaul internet access from the nearest internet service provider. Perhaps, the nearest is from a city several miles away from your village. Certainly, a developed town or city near the area were you are going must have telephone and internet service. Your goal now is how to bring telephone and internet communication to the village. Aim also for the telephone service. You have the advantage of local calling at no extra long-distance charges if you can get local dial tone from the said telephone local exchange.


A business venture must be on the cards, and you dont even know it, as im sure your girlfriends house isnt the only one in a remote position. Sell Sell Sell, Close Close Close.

I couldn't get 3 mobile broadband in Cornwall, so I highly doubt you'll get it in the Sarawak Jungle.

Thanks for all the help guys!
My girlfriends out there now for a few more weeks, so I'll ask her to do some researching for me.

Theres a few good ideas here for me to look into! THANKS!