WOW internet?
Aug 13th 2013, 3:12 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 97
WOW internet?
Hi,
We are currently struggling to find long term rental in the East Algarve for a 6 month period.
One of our problems is that we must have the internet for work, and so this limits us greatly.
We have found something called WOW internet.
Is this something that as foreigners we could sign up to? If so how, or maybe we could go through someone. Even happy to pay for the full contract up front if it secured it at decent speed.
What is their coverage like?
This might solve our problems and mean that we could look for any property if we could get one of these and simply plug it in.
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Ian
We are currently struggling to find long term rental in the East Algarve for a 6 month period.
One of our problems is that we must have the internet for work, and so this limits us greatly.
We have found something called WOW internet.
Is this something that as foreigners we could sign up to? If so how, or maybe we could go through someone. Even happy to pay for the full contract up front if it secured it at decent speed.
What is their coverage like?
This might solve our problems and mean that we could look for any property if we could get one of these and simply plug it in.
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Ian
Aug 13th 2013, 3:37 pm
#2
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,724
Re: WOW internet?
You can buy a PAYG dongle that will give you mobile internet at any phone shop, there are a number of networks and deals available.
Aug 13th 2013, 3:42 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 97
Re: WOW internet?
We will be there for 6 months and will require connection on multiple devices in the property, so mobile internet whilst good for out and about is not really what we need for a fast connection at home.
Aug 13th 2013, 4:01 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: central Portugal
Posts: 4,111
Re: WOW internet?
If you're more bothered about speed and reliability than anything else you should consider Bentley Walker Tooway. http://www.bentley-walker.com/tooway/
Aug 13th 2013, 11:12 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 102
Re: WOW internet?
Hi,
We are currently struggling to find long term rental in the East Algarve for a 6 month period.
One of our problems is that we must have the internet for work, and so this limits us greatly.
We have found something called WOW internet.
Is this something that as foreigners we could sign up to? If so how, or maybe we could go through someone. Even happy to pay for the full contract up front if it secured it at decent speed.
What is their coverage like?
Have you managed to find somewhere yet? If not please get back to me as we have a small farmhouse/villa that should be ready in September.
This might solve our problems and mean that we could look for any property if we could get one of these and simply plug it in.
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Ian
We are currently struggling to find long term rental in the East Algarve for a 6 month period.
One of our problems is that we must have the internet for work, and so this limits us greatly.
We have found something called WOW internet.
Is this something that as foreigners we could sign up to? If so how, or maybe we could go through someone. Even happy to pay for the full contract up front if it secured it at decent speed.
What is their coverage like?
Have you managed to find somewhere yet? If not please get back to me as we have a small farmhouse/villa that should be ready in September.
This might solve our problems and mean that we could look for any property if we could get one of these and simply plug it in.
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Ian
Aug 14th 2013, 8:26 am
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 97
Re: WOW internet?
If you're more bothered about speed and reliability than anything else you should consider Bentley Walker Tooway. http://www.bentley-walker.com/tooway/
I would have thought that in today's age, getting a property with internet would be pretty simple. After all surely it would be attractive to most guests who are looking to even rent for a week.
Unless internet is rare in the south of Spain/Portugal - something I find hard to believe.
Aug 14th 2013, 8:38 am
#7
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,724
Re: WOW internet?
Internet usuage is very wide spread in Portugal and particularly in the Algarve but mainly via phone lines or cable.
Speeds are "low " by UK standards. Unless you can find a property supported by the fibre optic network.
Rental properties may not have phone or cable installed as many guests will use the local free wi fi network or use a dongle.
If you need a reliable and fast connection then one of the Sat networks may be the way forward.
I am sure that some property owners would be happy for you to pay for equipment and then use it once you have left.
Speeds are "low " by UK standards. Unless you can find a property supported by the fibre optic network.
Rental properties may not have phone or cable installed as many guests will use the local free wi fi network or use a dongle.
If you need a reliable and fast connection then one of the Sat networks may be the way forward.
I am sure that some property owners would be happy for you to pay for equipment and then use it once you have left.
Aug 16th 2013, 5:46 pm
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2012
Location: Viana do Castelo
Posts: 1,385
Re: WOW internet?
I think you are confused. My buddy has a W tattoo on each buttock and when he bends down we all see WoW.
Last edited by Ukkram; Aug 16th 2013 at 6:00 pm.
Aug 18th 2013, 4:32 pm
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1
Re: WOW internet?
Ian
Wow internet details can be found here:
www.wow.pt
It is essentially a 4G mobile telephone connection offered by Optimus (EE have a similar offering in the UK). If you log on to the site you can check the coverage by entering in your postcode. I suspect though that it will not be able to tell you if there is likely to be a particular problem with the mobile signal in your house. I would recommend that you discuss what their return policy would be if the signal is very bad.
I personally think its a good package, particularly as its unlimited data. A lot of the 4G packages have restrictions.
I see it comes with a Alcatel Y800 wifi router. This is pretty basic but should do if you just want to surf the internet from a few devices.
Mike
Wow internet details can be found here:
www.wow.pt
It is essentially a 4G mobile telephone connection offered by Optimus (EE have a similar offering in the UK). If you log on to the site you can check the coverage by entering in your postcode. I suspect though that it will not be able to tell you if there is likely to be a particular problem with the mobile signal in your house. I would recommend that you discuss what their return policy would be if the signal is very bad.
I personally think its a good package, particularly as its unlimited data. A lot of the 4G packages have restrictions.
I see it comes with a Alcatel Y800 wifi router. This is pretty basic but should do if you just want to surf the internet from a few devices.
Mike
Aug 19th 2013, 1:13 pm
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 0
Re: WOW internet?
Absolutely check the returns policy, especially with a 4G product. My new neighbour here in East Algarve bought a 4G product for the TNM network after a demo in Forum Algarve. It didn't work when he got home and after some time on the phone to their support centre it transpired that the 4G signal is not good enough, despite what the salesperson said. A postcode check on their website confirmed this fact.
He got a full refund and bought this http://www.vodafone.pt/main/Particul...bile_wi-fi.htm
on the Vodafone 3G network and he gets over 10MBps download
plus there are some decent tariffs at first glance.
I've been stuck on 3.6MBps through my SAPO landline for years.
Good luck
He got a full refund and bought this http://www.vodafone.pt/main/Particul...bile_wi-fi.htm
on the Vodafone 3G network and he gets over 10MBps download
plus there are some decent tariffs at first glance.I've been stuck on 3.6MBps through my SAPO landline for years.
Good luck
Last edited by scrubbedexpat008; Aug 19th 2013 at 1:16 pm.
Aug 30th 2013, 1:39 pm
#11
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 14,930
Re: WOW internet?
Absolutely check the returns policy, especially with a 4G product. My new neighbour here in East Algarve bought a 4G product for the TNM network after a demo in Forum Algarve. It didn't work when he got home and after some time on the phone to their support centre it transpired that the 4G signal is not good enough, despite what the salesperson said. A postcode check on their website confirmed this fact.
He got a full refund and bought this http://www.vodafone.pt/main/Particul...bile_wi-fi.htm
on the Vodafone 3G network and he gets over 10MBps download plus there are some decent tariffs at first glance.
I've been stuck on 3.6MBps through my SAPO landline for years.
Good luck
He got a full refund and bought this http://www.vodafone.pt/main/Particul...bile_wi-fi.htm
on the Vodafone 3G network and he gets over 10MBps download
plus there are some decent tariffs at first glance.I've been stuck on 3.6MBps through my SAPO landline for years.
Good luck
This is a Huawei MiFI pebble. You can but one of these unlocked to any provider from Amazon in the UK (TP-Link and Huawei are popular.... I have the TP-Link one). Then get yourself a mobile internet SIM in Portugal - whichever company/option offers you the best cost/functionality, put it in the MiFi and it will support up to 10 devices ..... smartphone, tablet, laptop, anything that can pick up a WiFi signal.......
Sep 1st 2013, 8:31 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 218
Re: WOW internet?
Be aware of this, which I have discovered to my cost.
Companies advertise plans as 'trafego ilimitado' (unlimited downloads) when the reality is that after 15GB a month your speed slows to the point where it's touch and go whether you can even send an e-mail. This condition does not even appear in the formal contract you sign.
There seems to be no equivalent of the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK which might stop them blatantly misleading consumers. Caveat emptor.
Companies advertise plans as 'trafego ilimitado' (unlimited downloads) when the reality is that after 15GB a month your speed slows to the point where it's touch and go whether you can even send an e-mail. This condition does not even appear in the formal contract you sign.
There seems to be no equivalent of the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK which might stop them blatantly misleading consumers. Caveat emptor.
Sep 1st 2013, 8:41 pm
#13
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,203
Re: WOW internet?
Thanks - did look at them - not sure an owner would want me erecting a satellite on their property - but it is an option
I would have thought that in today's age, getting a property with internet would be pretty simple. After all surely it would be attractive to most guests who are looking to even rent for a week.
Unless internet is rare in the south of Spain/Portugal - something I find hard to believe.
I would have thought that in today's age, getting a property with internet would be pretty simple. After all surely it would be attractive to most guests who are looking to even rent for a week.
Unless internet is rare in the south of Spain/Portugal - something I find hard to believe.
Sep 1st 2013, 8:45 pm
#14
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 14,930
Re: WOW internet?
I guess such behaviousr might be a reason to use the MiFi route and various SIMS - but I guess PAYG will invariably end up being more expensive.
Sep 1st 2013, 8:51 pm
#15
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 14,930
Re: WOW internet?
Wired broadband at my place in the Alentejo was over 6Mbps, just too expensive when I'm not there all the time.
