Broadband/WiFi

[Aldo]

Can anyone help with best way to have Internet in villa?

Who is best person to use and help with set up please

I have been told it takes months!

[maccasa]

last time I checked TMN were offering 25Mb Broadband + Phone for $14.99/mth and connection was free if you had an existing PT line. If you haven't, that's where the time and problems started!

[EMM]

Unless you want to use a mobile network you will need an existing phone line or cable connection your property.
If you have these then it should only take as long as it takes you to set things up.
If a new property you will need the relevant certificate from your builder.

[djprescott]

Does that apply EMM if you have never used your phone line? I guess you are referring to the physically having the connection in the building.

[EMM]

Yes both PT and Cabo wanted to see the certificate before starting work.

[Laneside]

Just a comment that might be of interest to people who don't want to commit to a wired connection.

I'm not trawling for business (although it will probably appear that way) but I do sell various wifi products and will be out in Carvoeiro next week. I market a router that uses 3g BUT it is far superior to a standard 3g router or dongle or mifi and can download at up to 21mbps and seeks out other mobile masts for the best signal, not necessarily the closest.
It takes any sim, uk or overseas. Obviously it all boils down to getting a good data allowance for the least amount of money but in the uk it appeals to holiday home owners, motorhome and caravan owners, building sites etc, and it works in vehicles off a 'lighter' socket so it's good if you are on the move and want good internet when parked.

Although I've had a quick look I don't really know what's available in Portugal but in the UK people who want flexibility use a £15.00 pay as you go sim from 3Network or £12.00 sim from GiffGaff (there are others doing similar),they both give unlimited data for 30 days and then either top up or discard and buy a new one as and when needed. 3Network don't have a 'fair usage' policy not sure about GiffGaff

A final word to illustrate why it's good and why it's far superior to a mifi or dongle. I live in the back of beyond in North Yorkshire, my home broadband from BT comes through a copper cable and gives me a barely acceptable download of 1.5 to 2mbps, wherever I stand in the house I can't get a 3g signal on a phone or dongle from any of the four uk mobile networks. With the described router I can get 5mbps at home and where I usually work in the bright light of smoggy Middlesbrough around 12mbps.

If you want info I'm out on Friday 23rd, I'll be initially trying a 5euro top up on a sim from Vectone that gives 5gb of data which isn't a bad allowance for the money and checking out the other options.

[Aldo]

The villa had a PT line but we have not had it connected since we bought it 4 years ago, I gather that would be easy enough to reconnect?

[maccasa]

Yes Aldo - the basis is do you the "approved" datacom panel inside the house. Its a panel containing all the phone, data and TV/satellite connections for each room. If the house was built after ~ 2008 then it was a building requirement to have this fitted along with the necessary phone and data plugs in all of the main rooms and bedrooms. If you have them you will be ok - they should have been tested by the building inspector and you will have this on your habitation certificate.