[Daniels]

How is the Internet in Russia? Do places have pre pay cards, or do they want cash? What/who did you rent/buy your satellite phone from?

[LindaBel]

We accessed the internet using computers in the hotel business center (we stayed at the Moscow and Radisson in St. Petersburg, Marriott in Moscow). The rates weren't too bad, and get put on your room tab. Our phone rental was from planetfone - the rental rate wasn't bad. Airtime was pricey but it was worth it to be able to get incoming calls. For outgoing calls a prepaid phone card will cost a lot less.

[schphoner]

We brought our laptop and accessed directly through the hotel phone...it was 50 cents a minute in region. Moscow rates were outrageous so we didn't bother. We also were able to get on the internet at the post office in region. It was right next to our hotel and really cheap. Something like 13 rubels for 15 minutes.
We didn't get a Sat phone since calling from the hotel was reasonable...we could receive and place calls. Again, we didn't bother calling from Moscow since it was very pricey. We spent all but two days of our 2 1/2 week trip in region so this all worked out well for us.

Hope this helps.

[zaftra]

are also internet cafes throughout russia.