Telephone Police reports in English

Hi everyone - been asking a few questions on EOS and Roberto and Justin have given me the following replies which I've had their permission to copy in for your benefit:

Roberto's reply:

Acapulco, 67 euros includes the line rental for telephone @ 18 euros, which unless you opt for one of the companies that have supposedly bought the line from Telefonica, and don't charge line rental, you will have to pay anyway. It also includes IVA, which you 'll have to pay (although if it's a business line, you may be able to claim back etc.) The ADSL service is about 40 euros (plus IVA), which again, you may get cheaper from another provider, but sometimes you get what you pay for. I agree, 67 euros is a lot to fork out every month, but at least I get to spend as much time as I like browsing EOS without having to go to the library!

Justin's reply

Before we got a Telefonica land line we were using a company called Iberbanda who supply wireless internet and phones.  They are cheaper than Telefonica but the ADSL speed isn't as quick.

I agree with Rob 100%, if you can stick with Telefonica.  We have heard many horror stories from people trying to contract telephone lines and ADSL through other companies.  All you need to do is call 1004 and just say "English" when the automated messages come up.

All I know is that it will be cheaper to use the local library - have we got a 'bibloteca' in Cox does anyone know?

Dil

Pasted below further info on internet access etc which EOS members have kindly sent me which may be of use to us:

"The problem we used to have with Iberbanda was that because it became so popular as more and more people moved into the area, the transmitters became overloaded and it used to grind to a halt all the time.

It's a wonder I ever got any work done in those days!!  Mind you, I was desperate back then and even a dial up would have been a god send."

And another:

"We are in the province of Almeria and we went through a company called Servcom who deal with Iberbanda (we had to get to a satellite connection as no land lines available where we currently live) the cost is €45 per month plus iva.  its called an AVIpack with a speed of 512kbps including free telephone line rental and 300 minutes of free calls within spain per month.  You do have to sign up to a contract of I think 1 year but we were told that no penalty is given if you send an email to Iberbanda to advise of cancellation request.

 We have had no problems at all with this service and find the speed fast enough for our needs.  A word of warning some companies who advertise a satellite telephone and internet charge in excess of €240 for installation and then the monthly fees starting from €40.  I know of someone who had one such company fit his connection and they are always losing the connection and say they have had a lot of attempts by hackers to get into their computer.  (I am not into computer jargon so dont knowif hacker is the right name or how they know someone is trying to get into their computer)"

and finally

I agree totally with Roberto. If Telefonica offer ADSL in your area, go for it. It is more reliable than most of the other service providers. Iberbanda, in my opinion, is the next best option if Telefonica is not possible."

Hope all this info will prevent us all from making expensive mistakes.

 

This message was last edited by SpanishTogs on 4/3/2008.

Sorry to be hogging things here again - I'll be quiet one day !

I was just reading through some old emails and came across an email from Parador sent some months ago when I first enquired about TV in Spain, and wonder whether anyone has seen the dish yet?

"Thank you for your email. There is a communal dish on you community but you still need to purchase the digibox and all the cabling and permission to connect. There is no discount with the system . You are provided with a free surge protected."

Dil

 

This message was last edited by SpanishTogs on 4/3/2008.

I've not seen the dish?  Where is it?!  it would certainly save having to erect individual ones which I'd much prefer. (Looks better for one thing...)

Donna

I'll chase up with Parador and make some more enquiries.  Will get back to EOS in due course

Dil

Hi - It's me again.   I contacted Parador re communal sat dish but I reckon they've passed it on to Grupo Mahersol as I have just receiveived this email from GM:  (NB  I presume 'there is any' is to be translated as 'there isn't a')

"There is any community satellite dish provided on the complex , normally it is something that is agreed between  the neigbourgs and pay wit the community or each one install their own satellite. You could ask the neighbourgs that are fitting satellite when you are here."

Hi All,

I spoke to our MASA rep the other day regarding the TV situation and he says much the same as your Parador/Mahersol guys.
We will have to pay for our own sat dish and connect to it to pick up whatever channels we require. He is asking about a free aerial (Terrestrial TV) as apparently this is mostly the norm on new urbanisations for the new Digital Service (albeit in Spanish - most of the programming anyway).

If we want Sky we need a very big dish (to catch some of the beam that is meant for the UK) and it is up to us to source our own Digibox decoder and pay for the connection to the dish, subscription etc.

If we want the local re-broadcast of channels including SKY, we will have to see if they can signal to us from behind the mountain in Quesada/Torrevieja??

The following service says that they can't broadcast to us (emailed and they replied no!) but I'm sure that they are not the only re-broadacst service  - this link should give you an idea:-  http://www.superbeam.tv/apartments.htm

A suggestion from the MASA rep is that we get a quotation from the a couple of the many installers for the dish/microwave installation and the wiring to each apartment as a separate entity and we know that collectively the dish cost us all X divided by the people who want it and Y per connection. This will probably be sorted out when the community organisation is set up but it will take time to do this.

What do you think?

Off subject a little I know, but has anyone got anymore photos as we won't be out till June to complete and wouldn't mind seeing some more of the pool grounds etc.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

James & Jo.

hi all.

we recieve 27 spanish tv channels just now and 11 music channels with the community areil that is installed at the pool,i have my tv etc all set up.just plug into your ariel sockets in house to get these.

you need your various boxes to get anything else.was watching all these channels the 10 days i was over and completed in april.

back over 2 weeks tommorrow for full 2 weeks holdays.just sold my motorcycle last week(gsxr1000) and bought a brand new cruiser to take over to the house later in the year to keep nigel company(no34) with his harley.hope to meet everyone soon.(you wont be disappointed the place is   amazing.

cheers for now

billy(28)

Hi, Billy,

Thanks for the info. and the bike sounds great!  Have a wonderful time out there.  Say hello to Dil and Alan, and Nige and Jo, and we're really envious! 

Donna and Andy

hi donna /andy.

enjoyed meeting up few weeks back hope its not too long till we all see each other again(prob sept?) think we feel better knowing we have our homes now.

take care

billy

Hi everyone..

So glad to see some chat going on. We are finally on the move..going over a week on Saturday. I can't wait to see things all finished.  It will just be unreal.

Both Masa and the solicitors..are moving at speed.  Although no confirmation yet..,that the Apt is finished. But they are working hard at arranging all the docs.. to allow us to complete if at all possible. Our 2 daughters and son will be with us. So we are really excited for them to see our lovely home in spain.

Had a Text message from Dil and Alan last night. (Spanishtogs) and They arrived safely..and were enjoying a quality 3 course chinese meal..at a knock down bargain price.  The apt should be theirs now..and their furniture should be arriving tomorrow..With Pete sorting lights for them.

I would like to wish Stuart and his family best wishes as well..  If I remember correctly they  are due to go over later this week to complete.

It is wonderful to see all the homes taking shape..as our EOS families move in. We look forward to being able to join the community very soon..

Best wishes to All,

Carol & Danny No 50

Ps..special Thanks to Donna and Andy..  Danny couldn't wait for Spain....he used your special corkscrew last night..to open his bottle of wine.  He was Very pleased ..as his was broken..and he said it worked a treat..  Cheers...

Dear Carol and Danny,

So glad you're enjoying the corkscrew!  It'll be a real celebration when we share a bottle of Rioja together.  We're really pleased that things are happening quickly for you, now, and feel sure that everything will be as it should be in the house.  We found the builders  to be both efficient and friendly.  I'm sure that this forum has added to the "family feel" of our little community- thank you for your regular contributions.  Have a wonderful, wonderful time out there.  We look at our photos and look forward to being there again...  Take care,  Donna and Andy x

Hi all,

I've been a little quiet lately, last couple of weeks have been hectic at home. Thanks to Billy for the information regarding the tv, if I am reading it correctly we don't need a dish which is great news to me. My daughters will be happy that there are music channels but are any of the 27 tv channels available broadcast in English, not that I care too much, I shall be enjoying the sun, wine and company.  Our agents sent a tv technician to the area the other day and told us that a digital signal is available in the area. Apparently the cost of the telephone installation from Telefonica is free at the moment with a monthly charge of approx 45 euro per month, dont know if this includes broadband though, anyone else know, or maybe the answer is somewhere else on the forum.

At the moment I am looking at my office window into a gloomy and foggy Aberdeen with fuel shortages on the horizon. We just can't wait to get back to Mirador in July and meet all our neighbours. It was great having met Donna & Andy, Nigel & Jo and Billy on our last trip, enjoyed the company and the wine and we cant wait to put faces to the rest of  the community.

Hope everything is coming together for all of you waiting for completion, it is a bit of a nervy time, but believe me none of you will be sorry once you have your keys.

Adios amigos

Ian

Ian, it's good to hear from you, and thank you for the info. about 'phone signals, etc.  Do you or anyone know if the BBC news channel is one of the channels available from the Spanish system.? Andy said that he's read somewhere that the Beeb are working on getting iPlayer available worldwide, which would be useful.  I'm not a telly-addict at all, but I'm not sure I can be quickly or easily weaned off the News and Dr Who!!!  We've had two and a half afternoons of sun in a drizzly week, and I'm trying hard not to imagine the scene in sun-soaked Cox with the neighbours old and new out on their balconies...!  Seriously, though, it's great that the completions are continuing to happen, and I do hope they are as problem-free as ours was.  I had an idea the other day- when we're all in, we could pool all our allen keys, and make a wonderful sculpture out of them.  What do you think?!

Very best wishes to Jill and the girls,

Donna

Hi everyone..just one week and we are finally off..and I cannot wait.

We have had a bit of a disappointment..Masa have phoned to say that the kitchen sink..and extra wardrobe..have still not been fitted to our Apt. So they will not agree to it being finished.. It seems we will not complete this visit.  As there is no time now to negotiate. They have suggested using power of attorney. As it is unlikely  we can return before August. Which is upsetting..as we gave plenty of notice. And certainly wanted to sign in person..Our apt was actually 90% complete when we purchased it in Nov.

We have been sending paperwork back & forth for two weeks in preparation...and transferred the funds..so everything else is in order.  It is just our luck.

Carol & Danny