Internet Access Providers Traveling Meta-List

This page contains pointers to sites that will help you find Internet access while traveling. You should also check the sites that list providers for the regions you will be visiting.

Contents of this site:

1. Index of the Internet Access Provider Meta-List
   USA × Canada × Other Countries / Worldwide × Traveling × Free Access
2. How to Use this Meta-List
3. How to Choose an Internet Access Provider
4. Other Resources for Finding Internet Access Providers
5. Information for Internet Access Providers (Including how to become a provider)
6. Shortcut to finding a provider
7. I need your help

Information on Internet Access While Traveling

Whether it is due to a single long trip or regular short trips, many people have a need to read their e-mail while away from home. Various solutions are available depending on the circumstances.

Some suggestions:

• If a single provider serves all of the areas you will be traveling, just connect to that provider for your mail. Some providers have access numbers in many areas, while others have toll-free access that can be used from anywhere for an hourly surcharge. If your only concern is inside the United States, see my list of nationwide providers, but be aware that "nationwide" doesn't always mean 100% coverage.
• See the lists below for information on roaming networks some Internet providers join.
• Web mail services can be read from anywhere you can connect to the Internet.
• Some POP mail accounts are designed to be read only when connected to the Internet provider offering the account, but other accounts can be read from anywhere by providing a username and password.
• If you purchase web-hosting services separate from Internet access, most service plans include multiple POP mail accounts that can be read from any computer. Use any provider or Internet cafe you want to connect to the Internet and pull down your mail.
• Mail services exist which will forward to many addresses. You can use a service like this to direct your mail to several places. For example, send mail to your home (as an archive) and a separate account you can read while traveling.
• Most e-mail reading programs will allow you to set the displayed From address to any address, not just the account you are sending from. Consider your options when sending paper mail when on vacation -- you could write either your traveling address or your home address on the envelope. The same approach can be taken with most e-mail programs.
• You can control where your messages are stored using your e-mail reader. When reading from a POP mailbox most e-mail readers will let you select whether the mail is removed from the server or saved on the server. You could leave your mail on the system when reading from some locations, and remove it from other systems. You need to be careful both about saving and deleting: If your settings are incorrect a mail you want to save is deleted there is no way to get it back, and if you save to much your mail may become slow to read and you can exceed the storage limit of your account.
• Most mail senders provide the option of using a "Bcc" (blind carbon-copy) header that allows a copy of the message to be sent without naming the bcc recipient in the header of the message sent. The bcc field can be used to keep a copy of the mail you send when you aren't at your home base.
• Some mail programs will allow you to set up "stationary" that specify how the message looks. For example, you could create stationary with various sender addresses and various bcc fields.
• When you get an account for Internet access you should read the mailbox that comes with the account, even if you use another account for all your mail. Some mail will end up at that account including replies to messages you accidentally send to the wrong address and messages from your provider about the account.
• If you will be carrying a laptop to many locations, ensure the contents of the laptop are backed up -- laptops do break and can be stolen. Consider finding ways to backup or synchronize the laptop contents in the middle of long trips.

Lists of resources for Internet Access While Traveling

Roadnews.com: Mobile Internet Access

Articles about international Internet access while travelling. The Roadnews.com site has other useful news and resources for the computer-carrying international traveler. [Visited 23 August 2002. No modification date noted.]

GRIC Internet Roaming Phonebook

A list of providers giving customers access to Global Reach Internet Connection (GRIC). [Visited 23 August 2002. No modification date noted.]

MaGlobe Locations

A list of access codes for the MaGlobe Worldwide Internet Access. MaGlobe provides prepaid Internet access in about fifty countries. [Visited 23 August 2002. No modification date noted.]

iPass Access Points

A list of providers giving customers access to iPass Global Internet Roaming. [Visited 23 August 2002. No modification date noted.]

Net2Roam

Pre-paid Internet access that works in 150 countries. [Visited 23 August 2002. No modification date noted.]

Yahoo > Regional

Yahoo has Internet Cafe lists for some regions under the regional category of ... > Business and Shopping > Shopping and Services > Communication and Information Management > Internet and World Wide Web > Internet Cafes. [Visited 23 August 2002. No modification date noted.]

Did I miss a list?

what else I should add to this site. Send any corrections, complaints, commendations, condemnations, coordinates of new lists, or comments on how to improve this site to .

This page is maintained by B.J. Herbison. See the Herbison Consulting index. Copyright © 1995-2009 by B.J. Herbison. Last modified 09:18 Saturday 28 March 2009.