OK, I know it's been discussed many times but I really can't find an answer to this one.

Friends have just moved into a house just outside of town. They desperately need internet as husband works away and needs to be in contact with the family.

• They might be able to get a fixed line but could only get 1Mb ADSL
• They have tried their local WiFi provider but they tried a 10m pole on top of the house and still got no signal
• Mobile dongle is the next suggestion but will they fall foul of the download limit when using Skype 3 or 4 times per week?

How expensive is satellite ADSL?

If they sign up for a subscription TV service, can they provide ADSL somehow?

Are there any other options?

A contract (NOT prepaid) mobile dongle should be OK as far as download limit goes but it is best to check for quality first if you can. We checked by speed and reliability testing data on a smartphone before committing to a data only dongle - Orange works well for us. A prepaid (pay as you go) SIM will almost certainly give download limit problems.

We have friends on a Tooway satellite link and it is fine. There are many Tooway re-sellers all of who charge similar prices and there are various download volume and speed options. You can normally opt to buy or rent the equipment. Google 'satellite broadband in Spain' should do it. I would do it for you but my prepaid mobile limit for the day has just run out and I'm restricted to an unreliable 64kbps.

You need to move down the valley a little

http://hercom.es/

Satellite necessarily has a long delay time not suitable for telephony.

Is there a WIMAX or 4G provider in your area?

Yes but the WiMAX company could not get a sustained signal at 8m above the house. Any further up and it would be dangerous they said.

I think MiFi might be the best option from someone like Orange. The only issue is to find someone with an Orange data contract to try the signal etc.

Thanks.

Thanks for this, you've saved me making yet another topic . .

Regs

Simon

All you need is someone with a smartphone. You can tether a laptop to it and do a speed test and do a bit of surfing to test reliability.

... actually it's much more than that.

• I have a smartphone but it's not with Orange.
• I don't have a data contract - I just connect using WiFi

But I understand what you're saying - just have to find someone that meets the criteria.

Yes but mobile networks have delays that make internet telephony frustrating, and some block VoIP and Skype.

We have Orange and Carrefour prepagado (Carrefour is on the Orange network) and there is no delay and no VOIP restriction.

It is far from perfect however - mostly down to cost and ridiculously low download volume limits. Both of these problems would be mitigated by having a contract however.

For us it is only a temporary solution.

Try http://www.valesat.net/ based in Canals

Thanks Dave. I called them and they said 'yep, not a problem'. Called today to confirm a site visit and was told they don't cover Ontinyent! Typical Spain - left hand right hand syndrome!


Can't find a Tooway supplier nor a supplier of Airmax. Seems there is no way to get Internet in Ontinyent if you are not in sight of a WiMAX mast. Even Movistar/Telefonica won't help as the 'exchange is full'.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a second-rate country when it comes to the Internet (unless you live in a large city).

Since I found that Telefonica had no wires in the brand new box outside our gate and no intention of pulling them through anytime soon I have called Spain a Fourth World Country in some things it is world class and class leading but in other it is like being in Central Africa. A class of its own.

The Tooway equipment is designed for self installation so you should only need to get it sent to you. Friends who live close by in Southern Spain have this equipment and it was installed for them. Might be worth enquiring.

http://www.avonlinebroadband.co.uk/a...band-coverage/

I see they recommend Avanti rather than Tooway for Spain. I don't know anything about them.

Many thanks.