We are moving to Granada/surroundings in October (going out to have a look at where to live exactly in September).
My main concern is in trying to find a flat that has a decent broadband connection. I’ve heard comments about how Telefonica’s website might say the area has access yet when the engineer gets to the flat, you might find only one side of the road has access.
Whilst a mobile dongle broadband might do the job, it’s not really sufficient for my work and I use up a lot of data in the process (most networks limit the amount you can use).
I doubt the agents will be able to guarantee a proper phone line broadband connection - any ideas on what to do about this?
Presumably most of Granada is ok but we were hoping to find a place with a little more room than a Granada flat because it would be bigger and cheaper just in the outskirts (monachil, La vega, etc.)

It is not that quick.  I have the fastest telefonica ADSL 10 MB and it has trouble when trying to Skype with video.  I had cable internet prior to the move to Spain, ADSL is way slower than my previous cable.  It still functions and is adequate for my work, sending files, etc… I don’t think it would handle a video conference call if you need that for your job though.

mikemonty - 30 August 2010 09:48 PM

It is not that quick.  I have the fastest telefonica ADSL 10 MB and it has trouble when trying to Skype with video.  I had cable internet prior to the move to Spain, ADSL is way slower than my previous cable.  It still functions and is adequate for my work, sending files, etc… I don’t think it would handle a video conference call if you need that for your job though.

So, it can’t be 10MB then at all?
Is that in Granada?

Telefonica used to have a system called Rural adsl for people living away from the cities; it wasn’t much better than dial up, operating at 256kbs. This was superseded a couple of years ago by a 1Mb service and last year updated again to 3Mbs. The problem is that for most villages surrounding Granada, ours included,  the local infrastructure doesn’t have the capacity to maintain this speed and the service is all over the place. We find ourselves regularly reporting faults to Telefonica re very low speeds; they initially try to blag their way out of it blaming our equipment but when you have three computers all giving the same problem then clearly the computers are not to blame. At best we can get around 2.5mbs; this normally after registering a complaint but after a couple of weeks it drops off agin to typically between 900kbs and 1.5Mbs. We are contracted to a 3mbs service, the fastest that T’fonica can offer for our area.

It is possible that within Granada itself up to 10Mbs may be available but I seriously doubt it.

You should also be aware that other companies operating ADSL supposedly in competition with T’Fonica, actually use the T’fonica infrastructure so whatever restrictions the T’fonica service is subject to also applies to the competition.

You also need to be aware that ADSL via WiFi and 3G service is very patchy due to the terrain. Our nearest TX/Rx mast is only 6kms away but shielded by a mountain so unusable.. WiFi and 3G is also extremely expensive and capped.

Telefonica really is the only game in town so to speak away from Granada centre so we are stuck with it.

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Could be a big issue then and it’s difficult to know until you’ve moved into a place whether it will work or not!
Sounds like Granada would be safest? Any ideas on what it would be like in Armilla, La Zubia, or Monachil?
What sort of price is the 3G internet? I can get around 2.5-3mbps on my current 3G card with the computer and that seems to work well so it should be enough.

Cant answer you regarding 3G because where we live its not an option! Suggest you check out the websites for the various suppliers to see whats available where and at what price.

Regarding Telefonica ADSL coverage check out this link;

https://www.movistar.es/on/pub/servicios/onTOEntrada/0,,entrada+rd_coberturas_smd+v_segmento+AHOG+v_idioma+es+menu_izq+adsl+ambitoAcceso+pub,00.html?uri=/on/io/es/pie/coberturas/consulta/internet.html

If you can input a postcode and an approximate address they should be able to display whats available in that locale.

Note that Telefonica now operates under the name Movistar. The web address is www.movistar.es

Another couple of points to consider when moving to the more rural areas around Granada is that electricity supplies can be temperamental and subject to frequent breakdown , particularly when it rains. A UPS is virtually a necessity for using a computer.

Also, rural water supplies from the taps is undrinkable and it too is liable to no-notice cut-off for anything up to 3 days.

We had a total water shut-off and intermittent electrics over the entire Christmas period.

Regarding telephones…whilst its very nice to have one of the cordless handset type of phone, they are totally useless in the event of a power cut since the base unit requires mains power. Stick to the old type; they derive their power from the phone line!

Welcome to Spain in the 21st Century!

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As an aside, does anyone offer satellite broadband through satellite dishes for TV?
I know it’s possible in a few places.
I’d rather not go down that route unless absolutely necessary as I’d only be renting a place and it’d be easier to move somewhere where installation for ADSL was easy but you never know.
How long on average would it take Telefonica to activate ADSL?

Have you tried using a satellite dish to access the internet?

Satellite dish can help but the moving part will be a bit of pain in the neck. 3G internet is definitely the answer to his problem. The connection is not fast but once connected its pretty stable.