Back in September 2006 I applied for a telephone line with Telefonica. About a month later they informed me it would not be possible as there was no spare capacity. Out of the blue someone from Telefonica turned up (about November time) and said he was going to install a satellite telephone for us. But when he realised we only had two electric sockets in the house he mumbled something about not being able to do the installation and left. End February we had another visit from Telefonica and this young lad waved his mobile phone around and he said he could not pick up a signal. He said he would report back to Telefonica and inform them. Last week someone in a "suit" turned up and did exactly the same thing. Went from room to room, and outside, and said no signal. Through sign language I think I understood him to say that they were going to turn the antenna! I asked him how long this would all take and he just shrugged his shoulders.

I have no idea what Telefonica are up to and was wondering if anyone has gone through this scenario and could tell me what is actually going on. Are they going to give me a mobile telephone with the associated high costs or am I getting a mobile telephone with land line costs. With mobile phone bills about 150 euros a month I need a telephone with land line.

Help and advice would be appreciated.

have you tried calling them ? they should at least be able to tell you what they are planning to do

Yes I have - on numerous occasions. Said they did not know!

well thats strange but this is Spain I suppose

have you got the engineers telephone number who came to your house ? you could get someone who speaks Spanish to phone him direct ? (thats what I did once)

The next guy that comes, lock him in and ransome him for a phone, lol

Im sure I have read that that has happened before - but after waiting a year for a line to be installed I can quite understand why

That sounds like Telefonica

These are telefonica "radio phones" and they work like mobiles, but you get billed landline charges. We had one installed in one of the villas we were renovating. But, there must be a telefonica radio wave signal for them to install one.

What I am guessing from your post is that they thought they could get a signal, but were obviously wrong and maybe are running some tests.

Thank you for your help - it has helped me understand what I might be getting.