One the blog readers mentioned in a comment that she would like to know about internet connection here. Strange enough but it varies depending on the device, carrier, and place!
Ok, let's figure out where you are... If you are staying in a hotel, unfortunately you will not get a free wi-fi access. You will be charged, and most probably, a lot. So, just skip it unless you are in an emergency. I know that InterContinental Almaty and Holiday Inn Almaty (InterContinental Hotels Group) are offering free wi-fi with certain speed/traffic limits.
Let's look for other possible places to get connected and let your facebook friends know of your recent updates. First choice is finding a free wi-fi spot. Cafes, restaurants, malls, wherever you see "free wi-fi" icon. Some places have restricted access to clients only, in this case you need to request for a password. Connection is not always perfect, though.
If you are not in a hotel, but say, renting an apartment, make sure that this apartment has internet connection. It is included in the rent anyway. Megaline is a popular provider. Around 5,000 KZT (which is approx. 33 USD) monthly charges and you have 40 Gb internet for skyping, facebooking, twittering, video streaming, and whatever you need internet for. I have not used it, so I can't tell you whether the connection is good.
Option number 3, if you can't use any of the above, is visiting one of the internet clubs. There are a number of them with prices ranging from 250 to 400 KZT (1.5 to 2.5 USD per hour), you just need to find a spot saying Internet Cafe, or Internet Club, or any other weird name. Now all of them have earphones and mikes for skyping. You pay depending on number of minutes or hours you wanna spend and go ahead to use you Kbs! But, once your resources are depleted, you are cut! So if you are applying for SEVIS and want no interruptions, there is a clock icon reminding you how many minutes you've used and how many you still have. So if you time is almost up, run to the cashier and pay extra! :) Be aware of kids though in these places. Very often these internet spots have computers hooked up to internet and... yes, video games. If you get in one of those places, not even ear plugs will help cause kids scream so loud, you will not be able to work... So watch out!
Next is mobile internet. 3G. If you get a mobile phone number, you just go ahead and use internet. In some cases you need to sign up for that, which is free, and you just need to give a command (google the website of carrier). Connection is very good, but make sure that you get internet settings on your phone. I know that for Beeline you need to send "internet" to 800 and here you go, you get the settings and you save them. Otherwise, your total bill will be scary :) . I know that for K-mobile unlimited data is 60 tenge per day, or 1,800 tenge per month (USD 12 per month) for smart phones, and cheaper for other phones. High speed internet up to 100 MB per day, with slow down after.
And last but not the least is a USB. You can get a USB with internet from a mobile carrier. I know that Beeline and Kcell have those, but I am not sure of the connection and charges.
Ok, let's figure out where you are... If you are staying in a hotel, unfortunately you will not get a free wi-fi access. You will be charged, and most probably, a lot. So, just skip it unless you are in an emergency. I know that InterContinental Almaty and Holiday Inn Almaty (InterContinental Hotels Group) are offering free wi-fi with certain speed/traffic limits.
Let's look for other possible places to get connected and let your facebook friends know of your recent updates. First choice is finding a free wi-fi spot. Cafes, restaurants, malls, wherever you see "free wi-fi" icon. Some places have restricted access to clients only, in this case you need to request for a password. Connection is not always perfect, though.
If you are not in a hotel, but say, renting an apartment, make sure that this apartment has internet connection. It is included in the rent anyway. Megaline is a popular provider. Around 5,000 KZT (which is approx. 33 USD) monthly charges and you have 40 Gb internet for skyping, facebooking, twittering, video streaming, and whatever you need internet for. I have not used it, so I can't tell you whether the connection is good.
Option number 3, if you can't use any of the above, is visiting one of the internet clubs. There are a number of them with prices ranging from 250 to 400 KZT (1.5 to 2.5 USD per hour), you just need to find a spot saying Internet Cafe, or Internet Club, or any other weird name. Now all of them have earphones and mikes for skyping. You pay depending on number of minutes or hours you wanna spend and go ahead to use you Kbs! But, once your resources are depleted, you are cut! So if you are applying for SEVIS and want no interruptions, there is a clock icon reminding you how many minutes you've used and how many you still have. So if you time is almost up, run to the cashier and pay extra! :) Be aware of kids though in these places. Very often these internet spots have computers hooked up to internet and... yes, video games. If you get in one of those places, not even ear plugs will help cause kids scream so loud, you will not be able to work... So watch out!
Next is mobile internet. 3G. If you get a mobile phone number, you just go ahead and use internet. In some cases you need to sign up for that, which is free, and you just need to give a command (google the website of carrier). Connection is very good, but make sure that you get internet settings on your phone. I know that for Beeline you need to send "internet" to 800 and here you go, you get the settings and you save them. Otherwise, your total bill will be scary :) . I know that for K-mobile unlimited data is 60 tenge per day, or 1,800 tenge per month (USD 12 per month) for smart phones, and cheaper for other phones. High speed internet up to 100 MB per day, with slow down after.
And last but not the least is a USB. You can get a USB with internet from a mobile carrier. I know that Beeline and Kcell have those, but I am not sure of the connection and charges.
