Mobile internet?
Aug 9, 2006 · phil_ballard · 10 replies · 4017 views
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Anybody have any advice to give about the internet in rural regions? We're currently seeking a property in rural Extremadura, and it's unlikely to have a phone line. What is available via mobile or satellite solutions? Anyone have any experience?
Thanks in anticipation
Oct 24, 2006 · SpainExpat member
This is a common question at the moment, there is a new product being tested in Malaga at the moment for high speed wireless internet called wimax, however it is a little way off. The 3G cards from (dare I say it) MoviStar and Vodafone are very good but still not as hot as a true line.
I have posted it before cause I think it is a wicked idea and helped me with my awful line at home www.onspeedspain.com crunches the data down so it travels up and down faster meaning that you can have a slow connection that seems to run a lot faster than it is because it only sends the data that is needed.
Hope this helps?
Steve
www.easy-info.net
Oct 24, 2006 · phil_ballard
> The 3G cards from (dare I say it) MoviStar and Vodafone are very good but still not as hot as a true line
Any idea about 3G coverage? Especially outside of the major towns?
The compression service sounds quite interesting, but does it work with the above cards?
Thanks for the input
Oct 24, 2006 · SpainExpat member
That is a tough one cause all the coverage maps only tell you the GSM coverage. I found this site
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_es.shtml which has information on the strength of coverage which should be able to help. How far outside major towns are you?
The www.onspeedspain.com service seems to work on all devices, ADSL, Mobile phones, PDA's so no reason at all it wouldn't work with these cards, basically any line up to 2MB it will improve.
Cheers
Steve
www.easy-info.net
Oct 24, 2006 · phil_ballard
We're trying to buy in a town called Alange, about 20km from M?rida.
Thanks for that GSM site, useful info - what a shame they don't do coverage maps for 3G! (Though I haven't found anyone that does)
Oct 24, 2006 · SpainExpat member
That is because if they give us a map we have something to hold against them when it doesn't work :-)
Have you looked into satalite providers for internet? I am not that clued up on them but I hear good things from those who have used them.
Cheers
Steve
www.easy-info.net
Oct 24, 2006 · phil_ballard
Yes, I know of a few people that have (or have had) them. The purchase/setup costs are high, I'm not sure about the current running costs; maybe it'll come to that, I hope not ...
Oct 24, 2006 · SpainExpat member
The www.onspeedspain.com makes a 56k connection seem like around 512k because of the way it removes the parts of the packets that are not needed.
I got it for a 512 connection and it makes it more like 2mb. Might be worth giving the 15 day trial a go before you sign up for an expensive satalite or office rental?
Steve
www.easy-info.net
Oct 24, 2006 · phil_ballard
Yes, I no doubt shall as soon as I'm in Spain - next few months I hope
Thanks for the info Steve
I'll report here what I find out!
Oct 24, 2006 · SpainExpat member
No problem Phil.
Good luck with the move it is well worth it been here for 18 months and was the best move I ever made.
Cheers
Steve
www.easy-info.net