Hi, I'm Stephen!

Wi-Max in the flesh

The best option for broadband in Hong Kong is what is commonly referred to as “fixed mobile broadband”.  Basicly, its a wireless router with a USB WiMax dongle stuck in the top as an antenna.  

It takes about 30 seconds to set-up and costs about 20 bucks a month for consistent 7.2mbps broadband (down).  It would be tempting to take around with you everywhere in the city, but the first time you turn it on it triangulates its position and after that if you move it more than a few dozen yards it stops working.

If there weren’t a small “void” sticker I’d be tempted to pop out the dongle and stick it in my MacBook Pro.

Its a Huawei router, with the same terrible firmware UI that I came to hate in my Virgin Mobile Wi-Fi router.

Workspace in any City, Instantly—Free (sort of)

I’m willing to bet that you’ve never even heard of Regus.  That’s forgivable, they’re not the most exciting company in the world, but,they do offer a pretty interesting service. I hesitate to even tell anyone about this for fear that my quite place of work will be over-run with losers like myself.  Regus Businessworld Free internet, coffee and a quiet desk in every major city in the world all for the low low price of $4 and change a month.

I was introduced to Regus when Trip-it offered to throw in a Regus Gold Card for free if i signed up for Trip-it Pro.  I was already thinking about dropping the discounted 54 bucks so I could organize my awards accounts with the travel itinerary iPhone app that I was already addicted to.  Then they were throwing in this Regus thing.  All i could find out about it was that the Gold Card would afford me entrance into any of there 1100 business lounges world wide where i would find free wifi, and free coffee/tea services.  I was confused, but I signed up anyway.  For the first few weeks I kept seeing that Regus had offices around me in Atlanta, New Orleans and Austin while i was traveling in the USA but i didn’t try one out.  Then, upon arrival in Hong Kong I was desperate for some internet so i wandered into the Business Lounge in the IFC Hong Kong Central.  It was amazing.  I was ushered to a “think pod” (imagine a self contained office with a phone, desk, and chair the size of a business class seat) where i was offered a cup of coffee and the wifi password.  Fantastic.

It’s not very well described/reviewed online so I didn’t really understand it until i experienced it. But after my hanging out in my pod for a few hours and sipping on free espresso I felt like a moron for dropping all that cash at Starbucks for coffee that i didn’t really want so i could get online for 40 minutes.

Since my first visit to the IFC Regus in Hong Kong a few weeks ago, I’ve been in dozens of Regus office’s.  Most major cities have more than a few locations.  Sometimes I’ll work in then morning at one office then grab lunch and head over to another office for the afternoon.  They request that you don’t use the business lounge as your main office, but if you bounce around enough I doubt they’d notice.  The amenities do vary some what.  The business Pods aren’t in every location, sometimes you have to make due with a pub table or an arm chair—but is still free Wi-Fi and free coffee.  The office staff are on hand to help you print things, make copies ship stuff.  It feels a little bit like Mad Men.  Those services cost extra but I’ve found them to be comparable to FedEx Office Well worth the $4 bucks and change a month.  

In my experience, the first time you show up you get the best treatment.  If you show up for a few days in a row the “can i get you a cup of coffee Mr. Wakeling?” seem to come much less frequently.

The Regus offices are always in prime real estate and often have stunning city views.  The downside is that everyone else in the office is in professional dress so you feel the need to tidy up a bit before you head in.  I’ve been a comfortable fixture wearing jeans and a collard shirt for the last few weeks in the dress-to-the-nines locals of Hong Kong and Urban Australia.

If you go to Regus.com, and get a Gold Card (the level you need to access their “business lounges”) it will cost you a bit more than $4 dollars a month, but, still probably worth it if you travel a lot.  Now, this is where this deal gets a little dark.  When you sign up for Trip-It Pro, you get one month free, so you can cancel before they charge your credit card.  Though, your Regus membership is issued immediately, and as far as i can tell, if you were to cancel, I think you could basically get these great amenities for free.

All in all, if you get around more than a few times a year.  Its def. worth it.