Tele-communications in Asia: computer, internet, fax, cell, line phones, mobiles, broadband, satellite, cable, TV, PAL, NTSC, radio, ATMs in Southeast Asia

Whether for business, pleasure, leisure or retirement, electronic and digital communications are now one of the most important aspects to consider when taking up residence in any foreign country. Increasing numbers of people globally are earning their living by doing business solely by email and internet, in preference to conventional telephone or fax.

Telephone Lines and Mobile Networks

GSM 900/1800 MHz networks and mobile phone services cover most of Asia now, due to the relative simplicity of establishing mobile networks in comparison to laying thousands of miles of cable across areas which have never had any form of communication before. This has created high consumer demand everywhere – not only in Asia. As with other digital communications such as the internet, facilities and coverage vary greatly between countries, as well as in different areas within those countries. This of course applies to the many developing countries of Asia, and companies like TIGO, part of the international Millicom group (NASDAQ: MICC) operate in Central and South America, Africa and also Asia. TIGO has cellular services in Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia.

Take Your Mobile Cellphone With You and Use Local SIMs

One of the advantages of a GSM phone is that, providing it's not 'locked' by the original provider, it can be used with a local SIM in any country in the world. This saves the considerable cost of international roaming or paying for call diversion. Unlocking a mobile phone can be done in some phone shops or you can do it yourself by entering a special code. ExpressUnlock provides unlock codes for Nokia and other popular mobile/cell phones in 2 easy steps for $4.95 by credit card. You will of course have a different phone number for each SIM you use.

Internet and VoIP (Voice over IP)

Where the internet is available, alternative services like Skype for Business (except for mainland China) have made phone calls using a PC very cheap or even free. The web is being used for ordering, payment and shipment by international logistics companies (the couriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL and TNT to name a few) who are able to deliver goods to locations all over the world.

Cable and Satellite TV in Asia and worldwide

Apart from national TV networks and services in all countries, local residents and ex-pats can now also watch television in their home tongue by cable or satellite paid services, operating by subscription in many of the region's countries.

Different TV broadcast systems are in use worldwide. Most of SE Asia uses PAL, the same as the UK and most of Europe. But Burma, Philippines and Vietnam use NTSC as does the USA, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and S Korea.

Free PC satellite TV has finally come of age. Now it's possible to watch programs from around the world right from your computer. These include news, sports, series, cartoons, movies and music from streaming radio stations or downloadable music files in mp3 and other popular formats.

PCTV is a branch of Pacific-Servers.com who have the knowledge, experience as well as the software to get your free PC satellite TV up and running smoothly. The system is so easy to use that virtually anyone with an internet connection can be watching worldwide programming within a matter of minutes.

By joining, you receive Lifetime Membership to the Free PC Satellite TV + Unlimited Movie Download Service, and it's available for a one time payment of just $22.95.

Immediately after secure payment by credit card or PayPal, you will get instant access to the easy to install software, instructions and directories of free Satellite Internet TV and Radio Stations (always up to date), and all the tools for accessing the largest download networks on the net, all for free:

• Access to thousands of channels and stations from around the world, from local and international television and radio programs, in many different languages

• Instructions on how to view them on your television set (optional)

• Instructions on how to record your favorite movies, sporting events, etc.

• Easy to understand instructions on all software supplied by PCTV

• Free bonus software titles and more – even a money-back guarantee,  all for $22.95.

Online Access, Internet Web Browsing, Email services

Google Mail is an easy way to manage email on any web-enabled phone, wherever you happen to be. If you have a free Google Account you can download the GMail Mobile application. Send and receive all your mail by first changing the POP/forwarding settings in your Google Mail account.

Internet access is still a problem in a few countries in the SE Asian region. In some, development has been slow, with poor quality services and maintenance, often due to corrupt government and business practices, for the benefit of very few (and not the end user). Affordable broadband internet is increasing in some countries.

The Philippines for example has many attractive features for foreign or expat living or business, but from what we can gather, communications and infrastructure much beyond Metro Manila are not among them.

The same can be said for Indonesia outside Jakarta or possibly Surabaya where there is a greater Indo-Chinese technology presence. In Bali outside Denpasar, internet is slow and unreliable and quite expensive. Even in the Denpasar area where most foreigners live and do business, many would say the same.

Singapore, considering its reputation for efficiency, is not as 'internet-friendly'  as one might expect, apart from at Changi Airport and the more expensive hotels. There are not that many internet shops. Home connections are available for residents. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is much the same. Several Southeast Asian countries manufacture a whole range of electrical and electronic equipment and communications systems, but most of it is exported to the USA and Europe. Local residential requirements for internet communication are still low it seems.

Thailand on the other hand, has the best and most accessible communications in the region. There is good reason, but looking back, the country paid a high price for it. Much of the development in this sector was driven by Thai political and business corruption, mainly in the form of deposed and now-in-exile under threat of arrest former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his cronies. The vast family-owned telecommunications empire Shin Corporation was sold a couple of years ago to Singapore in a $2 billion tax-free deal which eventually caused his personal downfall. But the result is excellent phone and internet services in Thailand! Affordable to most – even for poor Isaan farmers.

Lao PDR's main towns and cities have benefited through joint ventures between Thai, Chinese, Korean and Australian private enterprise and the Lao Government. Lao Telecom, ETL and Tigo and ETL are the main Lao mobile phone operators, offer web browsing and email using 3G and GPRS/EDGE technology, direct from a suitable mobile phone or by using the mobile as a PC or laptop modem via wireless connection such as infra-red and Bluetooth or using a USB cable. Data transfer charges are reasonable at about $0.10 per Mb. WiFi broadband, dialup and ADSL connections are also available in hotels and homes.

In Vientiane, near the Mekong River and Nongkhai, Thai operators like AIS, True and DTAC are within cell phone range, so Thai SIMs can also be used for phone and internet access in parts of Laos.

Learn more about internet and other telecommunications in the Lao PDR.

Netbooks, notebooks and laptops for travellers

A netbook is a portable computer positioned between a smart mobile phone or PDA and a notebook computer. It is smaller and lighter than a notebook, but has similar features, but because it is designed primarily for internet access it requires less power and is therefore cheaper, around $350 or £250. Netbooks are possibly the ideal portable device for a global traveler whose internet access is of primary concern. Smartphones have their place, but small screens and tiny keyboards are frustrating to use. A netbook is light to carry and connects quickly to the internet for surfing, email or web page updates.

One popular example is the Acer Aspire One D150 netbook (inc. XP Home). A version will soon be available in the US and UK with a built in 3G modem. This takes a standard mobile phone SIM card for 3G and GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks (available with a local phone number for a few dollars in many different countries), enabling internet connection through the mobile network. This enables far wider coverage than LAN or WiFi hotspot connections, although you do pay the phone network for data transfer. However, for browsing the web, managing email and blog updates it's ideal. See full spec at Amazon.

Many developing countries (especially those relying on tourist dollars) are expanding their 3G cellphone networks as there are far more mobile and PDA users than laptop or PC owners.

By the way, if you have memory or file copy protection problems when upgrading a TransFlash or MicroSD card in your mobile phone or camera, then visit our MicroSD page. We may just have a solution for you. You can also download some cool games direct to your phone too.

Trade Forex direct from your mobile phone in Asia

ForexWebTrader.com has both PC and mobile phone-based platforms that enable you to open and manage a live trading account using a credit card for funding, starting with $25. No software download required. Just go to the website and login.

From any internet or mobile phone connection you can open and close positions for over 40 currency pairs, set stops, see and customise charts, get live news updates and analysis – all with a few clicks. Learn more on our Forex pages.

Banking in SE Asia

We have a comprehensive page on this topic, as well as a separate one for Lao Banking, but banking services in the SE Asian region are generally good and improving. ATMs are appearing everywhere. In Cambodia they even spew out US dollars! Online banking is established in varying degrees in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines - maybe elsewhere, but not yet in Lao.

Regarding banking, it's less than two years since Vientiane got its first ATM cash dispensers from two local banks. JDB has a dozen or so ATMs around the city accepting VISA and MasterCard. The government-owned BCEL bank has machines outside their branches only in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Pakse in the South. See Lao Banking page for further details. 
 

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