Computers and Internet in Ukraine

[LTB]

I would like to help my Ukrainian fiancee obtain a computer and Internet access (from her appt) in Kiev. I am wondering if it is better to purchase a computer and send it, risking an undetermined import duty, or to have her purchase one there. If she should buy there, can anyone recommend where to go, where there are some decent brands available?

Second, she has a telephone, what can I expect to pay to set up a dial-up internet account? Are they reliable? And are there any wireless options in Kiev?

Thanks to all for your info.

Lance

[jj]

... in response to Computers and Internet in Ukraine, posted by LTB on Oct 26, 2001

Computers are cheaper to buy in Ukraine then to send. Unless you can take it with you.  In wich case buy a laptop.

Internet access via internet card is around 27UAH for 10 Hours.  Adamant is one I found good.  There are others.  You need to also know that some exhanges can not use higher speed then 21Kbps.  Depends on the number.  Can you provide first 4 numbers..

[LTB]

... in response to Re: Computers and Internet in Ukraine, posted by jj on Oct 27, 2001

Yes, the first four digits are 4101. She also has a cellular phone, and I wonder if the internet is accessible through that system.

When you discuss "internet cards" what are you refering to? Is it not possible to subscribe to an ISP on a monthly basis?

Thanks,
Lance

[R Danneskjold]

... in response to Computers and Internet in Ukraine, posted by LTB on Oct 26, 2001


I have to agree with Dan about the importance of setting up a computer with mail connection in FSU so your wife can stay in touch with her family after she has arrived in your home country. Most of these women have very strong ties to their families back home and miss them dearly.

Before marrying my Ukraine wife Lena last year, I prepared a long list of things that would ease her transition to a foreign country. On top of the list was a computer with mail connection at her parents home. This turned out to be quite difficult as the phone connection to their home was in very bad condition. In the end I had to bribe / pay the public and a private phone company a total of US$ 300 to have new wiring all the way from their home to a reasonably working central. As her father is a devoted "computer freak" he was of great help in setting up an Internet connection for the used Pentium 200 computer I gave them. Along with the computer, I gave them my old digital camera and taught them how to use it and compress the pictures for mailing. As for Lena I made sure she took along two Cyrillic / English keyboards to use here, one for her office and one for her home computer and then I learned her how to use my new digital camera along with photo software for making nice pictures for mail and print.

Of all the precautions taken before our marriage this has been the most successful. Today almost a year and half later my wife and her family are still mailing, and or exchanging pictures every, yes every day. As you would guess it has been worth the investment many times over.

And yes, for those who might remember me, we are very happy together and the problems I anticipated never surfaced. Lena already speaks, writes, reads and understands Norwegian perfectly, although with an accent. She has her own car, is working part time in the same profession (bookkeeping) she mastered in Ukraine while updating her education to Norwegian level and at the same time continuing her Norwegian language education on advanced level two times a week in the evenings. She feels perfectly at home here and is now able to handle her daily life without asking me for help anymore.

Well I could go on and on, but I’m running out of time.

A piece of Norwegian wood for what it might be worth.

Jan

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Computers and Internet in Ukraine, posted by R Danneskjold on Oct 27, 2001

And it's wonderful to learn that all is well with you and Lena!

Drop back in from time to time. We could use some more of that "Norwegian wood" you so graciously share with us --smile--.

- Dan

[Dan]

... in response to Computers and Internet in Ukraine, posted by LTB on Oct 26, 2001

Hi Lance,

It just so happens that I have a couple of laptops sitting in Kyiv just waiting for someone to need them for e-mail. I *think* this will be a more cost-effective option for you because of all the hassles and fees associated with getting the dad-gum things into Ukraine. I have had these specially configured and tested to that they have a basic set of tools, including translation tools, so that guys can:

a) correspond with their ladies - whether or not the lady speaks English (using computer-based translation tools - perfectly acceptable BTW) - and thereby bypassing the costs of using an agency or other source to perform translations for you.

b) provide the lady's family with a convenient means of communication with her when she comes to the US. For Olya and I, this has proven absolutely invaluable and I believe it is this daily contact with home that has enabled her to ease the transition to living in America.

Anyway, I just got this idea a few weeks ago and have been working out the details - so I'd prefer to discuss any further details via e-mail.

A few ideas about ISP's in Kyiv:

* Depending on where she lives and the exchange (first 3 numbers of her telephone number), the quality of service can range from pretty good to absolutely abominable. Best service is in downtown and to numbers with a 228 or 229 exchange. This is a new digital Siemens switch and the HQ for IPTELEKOM are tied into that same switch.

* I use LuckyNet - one of the oldest and most widely-used ISP's in Ukraine. They have given me good service in downtown Kyiv - though the outer districts suffer.

* If you want ONLY e-mail and NOT full internet access, the rates are VERY reasonable. In fact, I recall there are pre-paid cards you can buy through Lucky Net and maybe UkrPack that allow only access for e-mail. Olya's service in Kremenchug (NOT Kyiv) cost us less than $10 per month and it allowed us daily (sometimes more than once daily) contact by e-mail.

* Wireless options?? Maybe - but it would be probably be associated with GSM cellphone services and not at all inexpensive. I *did* hear recently about a new satellite service for internet, but again, the cost is quite high.

I hope this helps.

Please contact me off-line if you want to pursue the option of buying one of those laptops.

- Dan