Thinking of living in Kuta, Lombok. What's the internet like there?

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raqueltara
raqueltara

Hello!

In 6 weeks I am going to try out ex-pat living in Lombok - I've briefly visited the place before and think it has what I need. I considered Bali but it just seems to fast for me with too many distractions. I figure that if I want to be distracted - I can easily go there, or the Gillis to visit. I'll be on a social visa with a view to KITAS through study at a partner uni of my Australian university (I study too - online) in Mataram next year if I decide Indonesia where I want to be long term (ie 2-3 years).

A bit about me.

I'm a 32 year old female freelance writer, student and accredited yoga teacher. I have done a fair bit of travelling for both work and play and have been to Lombok a couple of times before before en route to the Gillis. I want to get back into surfing (I've been based in Melbourne the past 6 years) while I write and study. I have a writing grant to live on, it's not much but I don't need much. I want to become a decent enough surfer to keep up with my sister's husband when I visit Australia or when he visits me. So I want to live on or near a decent beach so I can surf every day.

That said, apart from surf beaches I'll need a decent internet connection. What's that like in Kuta? Will I be up for much? It is quite a priority. I used a net cafe in Sengiggi 4 years ago and nearly feel asleep waiting for each page to open. That may have had more to do with the hardware... In any case, because I will need decent internet for my practical livelihood, it's a major determining factor in where I decide to live. The other thing I was consiering was just getting an IPAD. With an IPAD I just need a decent mobile phone plan I am told. I'm green on information about IPADS so if anyone knows if that is a better way to go than relying on internet plans, please do tell. I am told cell phone plans are quite inexpensive in Indonesia. I want to find a place to base myself for at least 3 months.

Any advice appreciated.

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emma33
emma33

hi there, I'd suggest asking this question on the indonesian thread of TT, I think you'll get some good responses there.

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misterfitch
misterfitch

Here is a link to the right spot to put your post

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chezal
chezal

Ask on http://lomboklovers.freeforums.org/
The woman who runs the forum (Gemma) will be able to answer your question as she lives and runs a business from Kuta, Lombok.

Edit: See you've found it already.

Edited by: chezal

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stru
stru

I always recommend getting yourself mobile Internet. It works very well in Bali. I haven't tried in Lombok. It is usually faster than what you get in the cafes. There is cafes with descent comnection, but I always seems to end ending up in a cafe where some has decided to upload their entire holiday photo collection blocking the line.

What I really like is the freedom it gives you. You can write from any place you like - the beach, small locale places without Internet, etc.

There is a guide here: http://www.vilondo.com/blog/2011/07/how-to-get-internet-in-bali/

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marit15
marit15

There's a fast internetconnection at Cafe7 (next to the Spot Bungalows).
You can even Skype there.

But if you want to use internet extensively for three months, it might be better to get your own internetconnection.

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mimpimanis
mimpimanis

The fastest internet is through a local guy here in Kuta.... he has hi speed wifi which he supplies to a lot of the businesses including us. It is down from time to time but it is much faster than any of the USB offerings. I didnt have to sign up for a minimum period so it might be ok for you but you will have to purchase the equipment approx 1 juta, worth it for the faster connection in MO.

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