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High speed internet access - without a phone line!
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A common challenge for expats living in Spain is the arranging of telephone and internet access for the home. Frequently, one hears stories of poor service and high cost when using the predominant communications provider in Spain (yes, you know who...). Further difficulties are encountered for those who live in the campo and are unable to get phone lines.
Fortunately, reliance on fixed landlines for phone and internet access could be a thing of the past now that high speed mobile internet access is available via most of the mobile phone companies.
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3G technology delivers internet access speed at 3.5Mbps (compared to 1Mbps typically provided by Telefonica’s fixed line broadband service). This level of speed is suitable for achieving very satisfactory internet and email access, as well as clear internet telephone and video calls (See our page about free phone calls for more info about internet telephony).
The solution consists of a small modem which plugs into the USB port of either a laptop or desktop computer.
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How much does it cost ?
Vodafone has several options for monthly subscription, but most people will typically go for the 39 Euro (+ iva) per month deal. The minimum contract period is 18 months.
Are there any restrictions on usage ?
The 39 Euro per month package allows for 1Gb of high speed data transfer per month, which should be more than enough for most people. If you go over this limit, your speed slows down to 128Kbps - this is very important when choosing a provider as some providers issue a charge if you go over your limit, rather than just slowing you down.
Another important issue to check for in a provider’s terms and conditions is whether or not internet telephone and video calls (otherwise known as VOIP) can be used with the service - this is available with the Vodafone package which was the main reason for choosing it over the Movistar and Orange solutions
 Why do you recommend Vodafone 3G for internet access ?
We are not resellers for Vodafone and we do not receive any commission by recommending their solution to our clients. However, from our own experience of using Vodafone 3G for home and business, we believe that it is a great solution for saving money over other telephone and internet solutions. It was our preferred choice over Orange and Movistar due to the ability for using VOIP services for programs such as Skype, Messenger and Terrasip for making telephone and video calls over the internet.
What other benefits are there ?
For laptop users, this portable solution allows you to take the internet with you wherever you go - as long as a signal exists, you can access your email, make calls, surf the net etc, from your car, from a hotel, perhaps from the beach or even a campsite.
How do I know if it will work at my location ?
This is where we can help! We will visit your home or office and carry out a signal test. If the test results show that high speed internet access is available and you decide that you would like to proceed with subscribing to the service, then we will help you to signup with Vodafone Spain. Once signed up, the modem and sim card will arrive 8 to 10 days later.
Have you encountered any problems with this solution ?
Just like mobile phones, there can be times when the signal strength has highs and lows and this can have an impact on successfully connecting to the internet. However, when a big connection is established, such as making a phone/video call or watching a video podcast, the connection has always remained consistent (even for a call of 1 hour +). The secret to gaining the best connectivity is to site the modem (and therefore your computer) near to a window in your property (i.e. as close to the outside world as possible). We have encountered customers who have located the equipment underneath the stairs in the centre of their townhouse with thick stone walls, only to find problems with connectivity more often than not - so bear this in mind and think about making use of that spare bedroom rather than the cupboard under the stairs...
In contradiction, several of our customers enjoy great 3G internet access from the campo, including the middle of olive groves!
Can it be used by more than 1 computer at the same time ?
Yes, this is possible by purchasing a special router which will allow the sharing of the USB 3G modem. Typically, this additional equipment costs under 300 Euro. Sounds like a lot of money, but it will allow you to benefit from a full wireless network at home or the office.
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