# Roaming International Internet Access **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2005, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013 "2005-01-10T07:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/1 "2005-01-10T07:23:49Z")
I’m going on a long business trip visiting a number of places but particular Hong Kong, Norway and the UK. I have trouble coping with the idea of being out of the internet waters for that long. I suspect I’d flop around frantically for a while, then go glassy eyed and die. What are the options for getting internet connectivity across the above countries, presumably through some sort of international internet service provider (though I’m open to suggestions)? I’ve had a quick google, but many of the services seem a bit on the dodgy side, they want to download diallers, they seem very expensive, they want big up front deposits, and they seem to cover every obscure country in the world (which might push up their overheads) when I only need three countries. I’m sure I can put up with mere diallup for a few weeks (I may get a constricted feeling in my chest but I should be able to cope). But what other options might there be? Any way to get broadband on a roaming basis? Perhaps wireless? Expense is not a big issue (business trip) but quality and reliability are. Though there are limits: I may have difficulty explaining to my partners just exactly why it is that a direct satellite feed straight to my suitcase with the dish antenna on top is strictly necessary. I wasn’t sure whether to put this into GQ or IMHO. It’s sort of an opinion thing, but at the same time, I’m looking at what telecommuniciations options are out there, and I thought that might suit the GQ regulars better. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/2 "2005-01-10T07:30:59Z")
Would it be practical to use interntet cafes? If you’re spending less than a month in each country, those interminable AOL discs might come in handy. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/3 "2005-01-10T08:12:11Z")
Last resort, TD. I’ll be working flat out all day, and what I want to do is be able to get onto the net and sort things out from my hotel room in the evenings while I’m eating dinner or whatever. The last thing I want to do is have to go out and find an internet cafe every whistlestop I’m at. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@Tom\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_P)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/4 "2005-01-10T08:18:48Z")
Most hotels in Norway has Internet access for their guests. In addition, there is probably an Internet cafe nearby, at least in the cities. If you are in a city, there could also be Wireless connectivity, usually at a price. (_Statoil_ has wireless connectivity at almost all their gas stations for a small fee). There are no large international ISPs in Norway, most of the companies are Norwegian-only. ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/5 "2005-01-10T08:19:33Z")
How about a laptop and a Starbucks? I’m in somewhat the same position and that is what I plan on doing. Regards Testy ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/6 "2005-01-10T12:36:10Z")
There are loads of wireless hotspots in London, some subscription and some pay-as-you-go. There may even be some free ones around. And if you use a gizmo [like this](http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/6447/) you can find the signals without your laptop turned on. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/7 "2005-01-10T13:01:54Z")
Telstra do global roaming with 40,000 world wide dial ups billed to a Telstra account. [Here](http://www.bigpond.com/internet-plans/additional/dupforbb/GRIC/default.asp) is their stuff. Other ISPs provide the same service. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roaming-international-internet-access/284013/8 "2005-01-10T13:14:04Z")
[Here](http://www1.gric.com/network/isp_locator.html) is the list of global roaming (GRIC) providers.