Even where there is Wi-Fi, it can be poor quality, hard to set up, or only allow a guest to connect one device (perhaps the most stupid restriction I've encountered recently). Forget watching a movie on that brand-new iPad bought in the Duty Free.
The situation in the US is rather better, with mid-market hotels often throwing in Wi-Fi, or offering it as a sensibly-priced add on ($10 for 24 hours of Wi-Fi and domestic calls is common). But here, it is hardly surprising that business travellers simply switch roaming on, on their smart phones and hope for the best. It is not cheap, but it works most of the time.
Meanwhile the savvy traveller, and those who pay their own roaming bills, will search online for places to stay that don't treat being able to communicate, or work, as a luxury.
