Getting Online: Going wireless in Kampala
As you might imagine, getting regular wireless internet access here has been challenging. There are a few Infocom Hotspots in the city (Design Agenda café at the Jubilee Insurance Building is one of the most reliable), and you can always carry your laptop into an Internet café.
One other solution is worth highlighting.
Warid, one of the 3 major wireless telecoms in Uganda provides a USB stick that has a sim card slot on it and functions as a modem. It is essentially dial-up on a USB stick. The data rates are low when compared to broadband (the company claims 256kbps) but the connection is good enough during the late evenings and other times when the network is not likely to be in heavy use.
At about about 250,000 UGX. for the modem and sim card, and another 85,000 UGX a month, this is not exactly cheap. Also the total allowance for uploading and downloading is 2GB a month. Still, it is a decent solution given the astronomical fees that the other companies charge and a fairly reliable one if you consider that the company has a network that spans nearly the entire country.
So far I can: download most small zip files easily (anything under 1MB seems ok), Chat on Skype, Use Facebook and check email. I have noticed that Ajax-heavy sites are slow to load though, but that is expected. Google provides a basic HTML version of their Gmail application so it is easy to get around that problem if you are a frequent user.
Just don't try to watch YouTube on this connection.
What has been your experience getting online in Uganda?
Reader comments
Thanks Dale. The connection is good enough for me to download Drupal zip files
Sooner than latter, we shall be able to get affordable and realiable internet services. Am sure this will happen as the competition get stiff. Its just a matter of time.
Wo! That there looks like a Macbook Pro, so I guess it'll work with Macs, that's all I need to know. You can usually find me holed up at Cafe Pap when I am in Kampala, just around the corner from Nando's. It's expensive, but reliable.
But this method seems to go wherever you are. I believe MTN also has a similar solution, although a bit more expensive than than Warid's offerings.
Good to see you back. Also, Kamoga, there will be change in this space by end of 1020. See my articles regarding broadband in East Africa. http://projectdiaspora.org/690 Google's O3b Networks and a host of undersea cable projects coming to East Africa in 2010-2011
@ TMS : I know a couple of people who use the generic USB modem that will let you use a SIM card from any network. Warid used to distribute those, but they now use the branded ones. I have yet to try mine out with a sim card from another network to see whether it is locked or not.
Really the modem is the most expensive piece of this option. Once that is settled, you can choose between any network.
On a more general note about connectivity: I hope that when EA is connected with broadband the commercial interests involved do not overlook the need for net neutrality. Without some proper oversight, it is not be a given that the prices will drop.
The Uganda Telecom - 3g Modem is doing fine with me . I'm Loving it . It goes for 250k , and Monthly 130 k Subscription . This is helping me run around and do things while i'm online . The most annoying thing in Kampala is that people don't take VISA , apart from expensive Hotels and Supermarkets and this is shit .
What kind of speeds are you getting on your UTL 3G modem? Does anyone know if other providers are offering 3G modems at better prices? The UTL modem and rates are considerably higher than MTN or Warid but if the speed is anything like broadband, then it could be worth it. But from what I can see, broadband in Uganda so far is much slower than in the developed world. Anybody know when the new services using the fibre-optic cable from Mombasa will be rolled out and what they are likely to be? I guess I want to know whether it's worth shelling out for a modem now that might soon be outmoded. Thanks for your help.
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