Is there a place where I can find good, reliable broadband or high-speed internet access in Isb or Pindi? Both hubs adn I will be working during our trip, and need to be able to attend a couple of videoconferences and check in every day .
Our family has dial-up, but I know the connection can be spotty sometimes.
Thanks.
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Unless u go to some five star hotel for Internet access I doubt it that it would be available in a cafe. Micronet in ISB provides 128K DSL connection for Rs 1000 per months.
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Pindi is crap… when i was there i couldnt get fast internet. Internet there was soooo slow that a google search took 3 minutes… 
As far as i know ISB has broadband internet. Just go to the big shopping centers.
In “Gladiators” (somewhere near Jinnah Super Market or something) they had broadband internet with webcams. They also had many gaming pc’s and also airco 
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
What abt for private use. Is good net available?
speed, and how much?
2mb line for instance?
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
2MB DSL Line (its 2mb down, 1mb up) is only available as business connection, Rs 15000 per month. I have heard that Cybernet is good.
But if u are interested they are offering, 384 K (download), (64K upload) DSL for Rs 1700 per months (home use).
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Broadband connection policy is in a mess. Last time I heard Awais Leghari saying that a request has been handed over to the National Assembly to pass a certain tariff bill which will cut the broadband monthly fee by half, i.e., 500 or so. I don't know what's the latest now.
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Did anything ever happen to broaden the international internet pipes after that fiasco where the main line got cut? They were talking about another line from UAE and maybe one via India.
Without proper bandwidth to the outside world getting fast inter-country connections are not going to do much, unless you just use Pakistani servers.
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Until September last year, Pakistan had an STM4/OC12 (620 MB/s Link) connecting the whole country through SWME cable to UAE. In September they started installing the 2nd STM4 and it was completed in December 2005. In February, they linked Pakistan and India with STM6.
For those who dont know ... STM1 = 155 MB/s (also known as OC3)
There are two Satellite Links provided by PTC each 96 MB/s, (One Redundant Satellite Link available of 320 MB/s). Many multinational companies have their own satellite links.
By the End of 2006, PTCL plans to upgrade both STM4 links to OC48 (each) at least (for those who don't know OC48 = 2.5 GB /s Link).
At this moment ISPs are using TCS to save the bandwidth but believe me with 80GB HDD on a squid machine fills up in minutes and dial up browsing is like we used to have here in Europe in early 90s (like 1991 / 1992).
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Are you JOKING!!! 2 mb is what they give dial-up ISP's in Pakistan!!!! Basically for 256kbps and a limit of 1-GB, you will have to pay 1000 rupees!
If you reallly reallly need a high speed broadband connection and can pay for it and lots more, micronet, the best broadband provider in Islamabad, check their website out www.dsl.net.pk I'm sure there will be some plan for u
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
I think u didn’t read all the posts, did you ?
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
You can't get highspeed internet in Pakistan at affordable rates (except in FEW areas of khi), unless you are willing to pay more than 8,000 per month for a connection with no bandwidth caps.
Multinet and cybernet are now offerring somewhat cheaper packages, but still they have caps like 2 or 4 GB.
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Ya the bandwidth caps are totally outrageous!! Anyone know if its possible to get satellite internet? I heard its banned but Im sure there are ways around it, no one is going to go to your roof and take your satellite away, the only down side is slow upload but I dont think thats a big worry, but I heard its also pretty costly
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
satellite internet services aren't banned... many cafe and cable operators use satellite downlinks. The problem is you also can't get a satellite connection at affordable rates.. satellite-based services are usually charged by the usage volume and only the downlinks are little cheaper. 2 way connection (upload and download using satellite) are damnnnn too expensive!
I'm sure you would have heard about wateen.. its soon gonna enter in internet/broadband market with a BLAST! you can expect a good competition after wateen's launch which will result in more cheaper internet.
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
£150 a month for a 2mb line?
Thats crazy. It costs £30 here with NTL.
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
Some isps charge more than 30k PKR for a CIR 1 or 2mbs line :p i know ths situation is worst in Pak :(
Re: Internet access Islamabad/pindi
legbreakgoogly,
its 2MB SHDSL, 2mb up & 2mb down (my mistake its not normal DSL as I said earlier) ... 1:1 ratio means its a little faster than normal T1 line (T1 is 1.55 MB), so 15000 per month is kinda alright for it.
Its not like normal home use 2MB that u get in UK or Europe for 20 quid a month.