Option 1 is to use GPRS/EDGE.

What is GPRS?

General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) is a packet-based wireless communication service that promises data transfer rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users. The higher data rates will allow users to take part in video conferences and interact with multimedia Web sites and similar applications using mobile handheld devices as well as notebook computers. GPRS is based on Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication and complements existing services such as the Short Message Service (SMS).

Up to now this has been an expensive option even if you can get hold of the necessary equipment.

What do I need?

Essentially for a laptop you need a PCMCIA mobile connect card that slots into your laptop or a standard USB connection. You also need a SIM card that is used to connect to the mobile phone network and � the important thing � this SIM card has to be configured correctly for the system to work AND be cheap to use (charges star at 50 satang per minute). Be warned � configured incorrectly you can find yourself with large monthly bills, as the default setting tends to charge you for the amount of data you transfer over the internet, and not the time you spend actually connected! You then �top up� the SIM card is just the same way as a �pay as you go� mobile phone.

Alternatively you can sign a monthly contract for about B 1,000 a month for unlimited use and connect time.

Where can I get it from, and how much will it cost to get me online?

This service is available from a few providers here in Thailand, and prices vary widely. Some providers (HUTCH, for example) allow you to connect your PC to your mobile phone, and then use that as a way to connect to the internet. However using a supplier such as Hutch ties you in to their network, whereas if your purchase a GPRS card with a removable SIM you can choose your network and indeed it will work anywhere in the world. The start up fee for this starts at around B 6,000 if you can find a special offer which is available from time to time.

Most providers offer the PCMCIA cards as outlined above from around B 10,000 to as much as B 15,000 depending upon provider and the amount of data you wish to transfer each month, whilst a USB type of GPRS card start at around B 6,000 although we recommend one that comes in at around B 8,400 fully installed and working.

Now, there is an �add on� to the basic GPRS service which is called EDGE. EDGE allows connections of up to 220Kps and so is considerably faster than standard GPRS, BUT it is only available in the major built up areas (Centre of Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc).

An EDGE enables unit will set you back at least B 14,900 including fitting but many people find the extra speed worth it, and if you have an EDGE enabled unit when you leave an EDGE area it performs exactly the same as a standard GPRS card, ensuring that you have true mobility coupled with getting the fastest possible access available via the mobile phone system.

OPTION 2 � Wi-Fi Hot spots

This is where the confusion can start!� Wi-Fi is a system used to connect to the internet that does not require any wires, but that is where its similarity to GPRS ends. Whilst GPRS works anywhere there is a mobile phone signal, Wi-Fi only works if you are within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot, and that is the major limiting factor, and typically you have to be within 50 meters or so of the hotspot (although there are exceptions).� Also you cannot dynamically move between overlapping hotspots; you have to disconnect from one and connect to the next one, unlike the GPRS system that is based on mobile phone technology. The plus side is that the connection speed is comparable to ADSL and