Internet cafes where you can browse the Web or check e-mail are widespread and charge less than 50 cents an hour. Internet costs have dropped, and access is improving. If you bring your laptop computer, you may wish to purchase a prepaid Internet card or subscribe to an Internet Service Provider. Using the Internet and your personal computer, you can speak to people in many parts of the world for around $.50 an hour.

There is more cell phone traffic than in any other country in the world, here, I have heard. And I believe it. The Cell phones here are inexpensive and many have them.

A cell phone from another country may not work here. Better check with list members regarding your phone if you have one.

You can ship things over or back in Balikbayan boxes, meaning "returning countrymen" boxes in Tagalog. You are only limited by size, not weight. The cost for door to door delivery is very reasonable, about $80 per box. I believe they are 21" X 20" X 16" but better check with other list members on that too. I rarely use them since I live here and rarely ship things.

DSL is not available here in Manila, Cebu and other major cities and other broad band is coming in. The present administration has a big IT program planned for the Philippines. So you staying in touch should be easier than before.

Long distance telephone calls to the States are about .45 US cents a minute.

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