Annapurna and wireless access points

[jamied]

Just curious for those that might carry personal wireless devices (ipod touch etc) what if any wireless access points you've found while on the Annapurna trek. seems like Jomson would be one location?

Not that I condone the carrying of technology (after all thats why I go on these treks), curiosity is getting the better of me.

[yakshaver]

In mid 2007 Jomsom or any other AC village did not posess wireless stuff.

Jomsom had an interent "caffe" with very slow connection. VERY VERY SLOW.

In Manang, our hotel owner had his private computer. No other public stuff was available, but we were there "outside the main trekking seasons". From what I hear, Manang has a couple of interent places, similar to Jomsom.

[Oli]

As well as being slow, internet access is expensive, if there are any wireless networks then they'll most probably be encrypted. I don't know whether any wifi services would be made available to trekkers - it'd make it rather more difficult for them to charge for access. Updating the encryption key every few minutes to ensure trekkers only get access for as long as they pay would be awkward and inconvenient.

I am fairly certain that they have a wireless network in Namche, but I don't know the level of encryption they use. If it's just WEP then it would be possible to crack the code with a few minutes work using suitable tools, but if they have WPA2 and you are using an iTouch then you have no chance.

You might get wireless internet over GPRS, but the roaming service will be expensive and I hate to think what the cost would be.

[jamied]

cool, thanks for the info. that's what I was guessing to begin with.