Split - data SIM in Poland

[Asick]

Originally Posted by Przemolog

I think that the situation is getting slowly better also here. However, landlines are much more reliable in this psecific time .

Here I can't say landlines are reliable since overload is quite common during the New Year night at many landline local switches, especially old mechanical ones that still exist here. So, it depends.

Originally Posted by Przemolog

I recalled that there may be another problem - the phone cable may be permamently (i.e not via plugs) attached both to the wall and the phone itself . OTOH there may be Internet access in the hotel via the internet or WiFi, but it's still not very likely.

WiFi might be very useful but I agree it's not very likely in my case. I'm not planning to stay at 4-5 star hotels, and I don't think it's common to have WiFi spots at 3 stars in Poland, right? And the locked cable... well, a phone might have a plug of the same type for a handset or something similar, so there might be a trick etc., but I do not plan to destroy the hotel equipment with a screwdriver and a soldering iron. Hope the plugs will be where they should.

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by Asick

WiFi might be very useful but I agree it's not very likely in my case. I'm not planning to stay at 4-5 star hotels, and I don't think it's common to have WiFi spots at 3 stars in Poland, right? And the locked cable... well, a phone might have a plug of the same type for a handset or something similar, so there might be a trick etc., but I do not plan to destroy the hotel equipment with a screwdriver and a soldering iron. Hope the plugs will be where they should.

Well, as to WiFi, it might laso be possible so that you could catch a public hotspot through the window.
My brother who lives and works in Wrocław told me recently that they were waiting for a cable internet connection in their office and, until the cable would be connected, they catch the signal from a public hotspot and share it in the office network .
Destroying a hotel phone is really not a good idea . Moreover, if the hotel surcharge were about 100% or more (but I doubt it) and you have a HSCSD capable phone, you might consider using Sami Swoi HSCSD at 0.24 PLN/min (speed up to 43.2 kb/sec).

[Asick]

Originally Posted by Przemolog

they were waiting for a cable internet connection in their office and, until the cable would be connected, they catch the signal from a public hotspot and share it in the office network .

What a nice situation! Don't they often allow any connections from aside? This is strange for me, here are some home or office WiFi nets too (I see at least one except of my own at home, for example), but it's usually WEP encrypted and/or MAC address filter blocked.

Originally Posted by Przemolog

Moreover, if the hotel surcharge were about 100% or more (but I doubt it) and you have a HSCSD capable phone, you might consider using Sami Swoi HSCSD at 0.24 PLN/min (speed up to 43.2 kb/sec)

I have at least one HSCSD compatible phone , so this might be useful too. Anyway, dialup is more easy to set up etc., you just plug in your notebook and dial. Also, it's a bit more speedy if your phone line is clean enough.

By the way, it seems I'll arrive on 29th at Warszawa Centralna railway station and will have some free time there. As I can see, there's a Plus Salon Firmowy at Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79, which is in fact right opposite of the railway station. However, I see the huge Mariott/LOT skyscraper is located at this address too. Is this information correct? Have you ever been at this Salon? Where is it actually?

[Motel75]

:By the way, it seems I'll arrive on 29th at Warszawa Centralna railway station and will have some free time there.

Don't, the station is horrible and will hopefully be demolished in the next few years (although it has some fun shops in the basement). If you really have time on your hands, go to the old town (15 minutes walk) or go up the PKiN and enjoy the view.

:As I can see, there's a Plus Salon Firmowy at Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79, which is in fact right opposite of the railway station. However, I see the huge Mariott/LOT skyscraper is located at this address too.

It's in the shopping center underneath the tower. Go through the underpass from the station to get there. Should be easy.

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by Motel75

:By the way, it seems I'll arrive on 29th at Warszawa Centralna railway station and will have some free time there.

Don't, the station is horrible and will hopefully be demolished in the next few years (although it has some fun shops in the basement).

In fact, there are worse one but, at least in theory, it's the "country's main station" and should be better.

Originally Posted by Motel75

If you really have time on your hands, go to the old town (15 minutes walk)

Old Town is more than 15 minutes walk, especially with luggage.

Originally Posted by Motel75

or go up the PKiN and enjoy the view.

PKiN is Warsaw's tallest skyscraper built 1952-1955 as a "gift of the USSR for Poland". It's similar to its "brothers" in Moscow (like Lomonosov University) - I don't think it's a big attraction for a Russian . And the ticket costs 20 PLN (over 5 euro, http://www.pkin.pl/taras_widokowy/) - I think it's not worth the price unless the weather is perfect. Moreover, the day is short now...

Originally Posted by Motel75

:As I can see, there's a Plus Salon Firmowy at Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79, which is in fact right opposite of the railway station. However, I see the huge Mariott/LOT skyscraper is located at this address too.

It's in the shopping center underneath the tower. Go through the underpass from the station to get there. Should be easy.

Yes, a few minute walk. And they surely accept Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard and Maestro cards (just in case if you didn't have Polish cash yet).

[Asick]

Originally Posted by Przemolog

In fact, there are worse one but, at least in theory, it's the "country's main station" and should be better.

Why don't you like it so much? It has tracks hidden under the ground, which is not that bad itself, while other railway stations occupy much space around because of the tracks. Honestly, I almost don't remember Warszawa Centralna, but it didn't look THAT horrible for me.

Originally Posted by Przemolog

Old Town is more than 15 minutes walk, especially with luggage.

Well, how do you call it? Let me recollect... Przechowanie bagazy? I believe it should be at the station. Anyway, I visited Warszawa 4 or 5 times in 90s so I actually know how to go to the Old Town and for how long. I guess Old Town is a good idea waiting for a connection to the Krakow express, I'll have 4-5 free hours there.

Originally Posted by Przemolog

PKiN is Warsaw's tallest skyscraper built 1952-1955 as a "gift of the USSR for Poland". It's similar to its "brothers" in Moscow (like Lomonosov University) - I don't think it's a big attraction for a Russian .

Yeah, it's that old 'Stalinist' architecture that I'm used to. We have no such buildings in St.Petersburg (just some lower and 'normal' Stalinist buildings), but Moscow has enough. Have Poles ever considered the idea of demolishing this building?

Originally Posted by Przemolog

Yes, a few minute walk. And they surely accept Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard and Maestro cards (just in case if you didn't have Polish cash yet).

Oh, VISA/MC is a great idea, I prefer it over cash. Nevertheless, I believe a KANTOR will be near too.

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by Asick

Why don't you like it so much? It has tracks hidden under the ground, which is not that bad itself, while other railway stations occupy much space around because of the tracks. Honestly, I almost don't remember Warszawa Centralna, but it didn't look THAT horrible for me.

It's not about the station itself but rather about the people you can meet there: thefts, beggars, homeless, drug-addicts etc. . And the station has too few tickets offices open during peak hours.

Originally Posted by Asick

Well, how do you call it? Let me recollect... Przechowanie bagazy? I believe it should be at the station.

Almost correct - "Przechowalnia bagażu" . It's possible that it's also "labeled" in English, Russian and some other languages... AFAIK it's located in the northern corridor parallel to the tracks, one level over the platforms. This corridor has exits to the fancy-shaped "Złote Tarasy" building (under construction), it's just the opposite side of the station than that facing the Marriott Hotel. Left-luggage rooms are both coin-paid self-service lockers and "human-powered" facility .

Originally Posted by Asick

Anyway, I visited Warszawa 4 or 5 times in 90s so I actually know how to go to the Old Town and for how long. I guess Old Town is a good idea waiting for a connection to the Krakow express, I'll have 4-5 free hours there.

Hmm, what time do you arrive so that you have to wait so long? Between 6:05 and 20:05 express/Intercity trains to Kraków leave every hour (or every two hours at worst)...

Originally Posted by Asick

Have Poles ever considered the idea of demolishing this building?

Of course, but not seriously, I think . It would be not only the (very high) cost of demolishing itself, but also of transferring really non-stalinist institutions and businnesses located there.

Originally Posted by Asick

Oh, VISA/MC is a great idea, I prefer it over cash. Nevertheless, I believe a KANTOR will be near too.

Sure, no problem, as well as many ATMs ("Bankomat").

[Motel75]

Old Town is more than 15 minutes walk, especially with luggage.

True, but you can lock away the luggage as described (instructions in Russian as well). While the Old Town is itself more than 15 minutes away, the "interesting bit" of Warsaw surrounding the Old Town is less than 15 min away (Marszalkowska, Nowy Swiat, Krakowskie Przedmiescie, etc.). Anyway, if we said "Go to the Old Town, it's only a 25 minute walk" he might stay in the station after all...

PKiN is Warsaw's tallest skyscraper built 1952-1955 as a "gift of the USSR for Poland". It's similar to its "brothers" in Moscow (like Lomonosov University) - I don't think it's a big attraction for a Russian .

And, as often said, it's got a great view, because it's the one place in Warsaw where you can't see PKiN! But you're right about the price being too high.

But back to mobile phones and Wa-wa Centralna. There are several little shops in the lower level, particularly on the north-east side of the station, that sell SIM cards and the like. I don't think there's really anything there that Asick might need after the visit to the Plus store, but if anyone wants to collect all the prepaid SIMs in a hurry, that would be a place to start...

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by Motel75

And, as often said, it's got a great view, because it's the one place in Warsaw where you can't see PKiN! But you're right about the price being too high.

This price is so high also because it usually includes entrance to some exhibitions in PKiN.

Originally Posted by Motel75

But back to mobile phones and Wa-wa Centralna. There are several little shops in the lower level, particularly on the north-east side of the station, that sell SIM cards and the like. I don't think there's really anything there that Asick might need after the visit to the Plus store, but if anyone wants to collect all the prepaid SIMs in a hurry, that would be a place to start...

Basically you're right but I'm not sure whether such shops sell just iPlus simdata SIMs. Those SIMs are very specific after all

Some other addresses of Plus dealers close to the station:

Vobis Digital
Al. Jerozolimskie/Al. Jana Pawła II paw. nr 61
I don't know the exact location but it must somewhere near the station.
Al. Jana Pawła II is a wide street with the viaduct over Al. Jerozolimskie near Warszawa Centralna and Marriott.

Vobis Digital Sienna 39, near the chracteric Intercontinental Hotel
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterContinental_Warszawa

Inter Consult S.A. al. Jana Pawła II 11 (corner of Sienna).
Go towards the group of skyscrapers.

mPunkt Polska S.A. al. Jerozolimskie 11/19 (opposite Smyk department store, go east towards this palm on the de Gaulle roundabout http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sztuczn...7a_w_Warszawie)

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by Asick

What a nice situation! Don't they often allow any connections from aside? This is strange for me, here are some home or office WiFi nets too (I see at least one except of my own at home, for example), but it's usually WEP encrypted and/or MAC address filter blocked.

It's just a free public hotspot for tourists so that they could use their laptops, palmtops ot wifi phones