The wonders of modern technology eh? Well yes I am currently listening to BBC Radio 1 as I write this post - hard to believe for some I know.
This post is about how we got the internet and how to do it especialy if your from or moving to this area. Any comments are more than welcome detailing alternative providers/reliability in service etc. Heres how we did it..
Our PC was brought to us by a very good freind (you know who you are!) after a year of "snail mail" so with equipment ready we began our internet search "IBERBANDA" is now our provider. The cost is 39 euros per month for broadband plus the tax so budget for around 45 all in. The service is overall very reliable. Our gps system depends on the connection to the dish on top of Sagra mountain so if we are experiencing bad weather the connection can be a bit hit and miss. Internet (particularly broadband) does seem to be the exception to the rule as far as "Spain is cheaper" is concerened.
Your first port of call will be the cyber cafe in Huescar or similar depending on your local town. You will then fill in a form with bank details etc and you can expect an engineer within 14 days (14 spanish days that is) They will then either mount a 14"x14" square receiver on the highest point above your cave or erect a post (30 euros extra) so that the receiver can bounce or "see" the signal source (in our case Sagra mountain) You will have to make provision for the ariel which is very similar to a tv ariel, in our case our cable came through the ceiling of our rear most bedroom, the engineer did leave leave a little disgrunted when we said we would fit/lead the cable cable ourselves - he said he hadnt done "all of his job". Leading the cable from the ceiling to the actual computer was simple, we did it ourselves only because we still had decorative issues in that room. One good point the engineer made was though was to put the internet cable through conduit like electrical wires due to yeso (plaster) slightly acidic - this we did at no extra hassle and to be safe in the long run. So connect up and wahey! online!!??? NOPE.
Older computers will need an adapter for broadband, this adapter which fits very easily into your pc (only a screwdriver needed) can be purchased for 7 euros. My tip would be to ask for one anyway on a sale or return basis just in case.
Conclusion: Our PC brought from the Uk works very very well with our internet provider, however I have heard different opinions - it depends on your area. The only problems we have have is with heavy weather which I think you have to accomodate given the technology only available to you. Contacting the company can test your patience unless you speak good Spanish, only one helpline operator speaks English and they never seem to be on their shift when you ring! (apparently) We havnt had any need to ring the helpline and have had our system now for 6 months.
Iberbanda can be contacted on: 911021000 or fax 911021444
Next up.... How to get electricity from scratch inc upgrading + installation tips + plus save 300 euros in the process
14 comments:
You little mind reader you :-)) How did you know that was going to be my next question??
I did ring Iberbanda as I said in my email, and yes you guessed it they did not ring me back. They do not have the same staff there as they do in Telefonica by any chance? If so that would explain everything....lol
Given my intended location and height I would have thought that if you can get this service where you are, then I have more than a good chance. I can see to the end of the world but I guess distance will have a bearing, I say this with confidence as I used to work for a company here in Spain, who provided a similar service. I feel another chapter in my blog taking form, let's hope it is a positive one. Thanks for the information.
Vanessa
Really enjoy your website, Mac, and look at it most days to see if there's an update. I see you're going to be talking about electricity supply and the upgrading of next time. Have you heard this one? - After calling into the electricity company in Huescar with Gayle in March to see about an upgrade, we are still waiting. On our first visit, I was told that I needed to change the electricity contract into my name. Being Spain, they couldn't do two things on the same day (!!) so we changed the details on the contract and called back the next week to ask about the upgrade! So, as nothing has yet happened I called in myself a couple of weeks ago, armed with the little Spanish I have learnt, and enquired. The assistant (who wasn't particularly pleasant)made a phone call and then informed me that you have to be living at your current address for 20 YEARS before you can apply!! Then she said perhaps we could try again in 3 or 4 years!! I even got her to write it down to make sure I'd understood her correctly. Has anyone else heard of this or is it something new? Mike is going to tackle it himself when he comes out for Christmas, but don't tell anyone!! Sally x
Me again, I meant to say when you get connected to the Internet, don't let them put the cable down your chimney!! We had a major problem when a particularly hearty log fire caused part of the cable to melt! We were without broadband for about 9 weeks but still had to pay every month, as well as paying Telefonica for dial-up!
Hi Sally, thanks again for being a frequent visitor on my blog. We do remember the saga with the internet cable and after Gayle and yourself made various trips and phonecalls to the ciber cafe in Huescar I believe you got it sorted by e-mailing iberbanda yourself? I hope this is correct as it maybe helpful for others to try the direct approach...
As for the elecricity, how odd???!!! (I have put some thoughts on the forum which may be of interest..)
EEEEEkkk the cable for the internet down the chimney. No.....not ever persih the thought they can leave my cables I will install them. Mine are going underground in a shielded conduit, then in the front of the house through the facade.
We intend to future proof the wiring etc all in one go so we know where everything is.
Electricity, sorry that has to be rollocks I have changed ours a couple of times when we have moved no problem. There are ways around this, so you do not have to go through any hassle, which I will explain to Mac when I visit. I will also write this down as I am bringing Stella with me. :-))
Well, I don't know if it was pure coincidence but, after calling several times to the Cyber Cafe in Huescar to tell them of the fault without success, I e-mailed them direct and an engineer called the next day! Sally x
are you in fuentenueva or venta mecina
sorry that seems very cryptic, never blogged before!We are moving to our cave in Fuentenueva in July and are just open to meeting folk in the area
Hi anon, which cave in Fuente Nueva have you bought?!! Is it cueva fantastica or the cave next door? or somewhere else?? If your knocking about Orce we are bound to meet at some stage...
CR
Thanks for getting back. Yes we bought Fantastica! We will certainly be in Orce at some time and would love to meet up. If you fancy coming round to our place to get in touch we will be there for good at end of July. Meanwhile keep up the good work. J&J
J&J cueva fantastica is a super cave - well done, "Molinas" house below you (with the zebra crossing) we pass everyday on the way to the village, we are just a few hundred yards away on the other side of the hamlet. Small world!
The cave is fantastic and you must come over to see what we have done inside. We would very much value some of your undoubted expertise on what we could achieve with the limited outside space we have. We do have some plans, but I'm sure you could offer advice. Are you near Cueva Cerril? Unfortunately, Ramon, who owned the Molina died in February and his wife we know is extremely ill and not living there. We don't know about the future of the mill. I spoke very briefly to a grandson who comes to feed the poor dog! We are committed to the area and are busy at the moment tying up all the ends we need to here in Accrington, Lancashire. Actually, over last few days temperatures have been higher than in Malaga!! (We also know they won't last!) Look forward to July.
Jim and Jan.
Hi guys, yes we are near cueva cerril, right on the far end of Fuente Nueva. Would love to visit the cave once you get settled in, I have seen the photos and that living room is enormous!
Did you know the cave site has a forum? its a small local community full of cave people! the guys are really friendly and willing to give advice, the link is on the front page. I bet you are itching to get here! not long until July.... Keep well, CR
Cave Blogging and listening to the BBC, CR! That's cool!
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