In Praise Of 3G
January 20th, 2008 - Chris Marshall3G has pretty much passed me by until recently. When I was last working full time it wasn’t really available, and since I have been living in Spain I have had little need for it.
I do remember the costs associated with the bidding for the licenses though and recall at the time wondering how many people would use it.
Well you can add me to the list now! Not because I want to use MMS to send snaps to my mates, or download ringtones and music though. Oh no, I have a few very specific reasons for using it:
- Am fed up with the excessive costs charged in hotels and airports for pretty crappy Internet access
- The almost total lack of WiFi access in the marina
- The amount of downtime we get of the Internet thanks to Telefonica
The solution has been to invest in a USB Modem, that uses 3G to give broadband speed access to the internet. Generally we use it connected to either the MacBook Pro or Mac Book, but have used it with the iMac and Mac Pro when the Internet connection has been down in the apartment.
I have hacked the Modem so that it will accept a SIM card from any country:
- In the UK I use a T-Mobile card that costs £4 a day (24 hours) for unlimited access (subject to far use) excluding VOiP. This is a much better than the Hotel and Airport costs, and more than adequate for Sands when she is at her Mum’s and can’t borrow a neighbours WiFi
- In Dubai I just use a Pre Pay SIM card and pay per minute as it is really cheap over there
- Here in Spain we use Movistar although Vodafone offer the service as well
Installation of the USB modem is a doddle, plug and play, even on a Mac. Don’t be fooled by all the extra software you get for the MAc. Anyone that knows a Mac will know that they are way smarter than a PC. Plug it in, go to System Preferences>Network and configure the settings there!
If you sign up to a monthly contract (15€ to 30€ depending on type you want) you will either get e a free modem or a subsidised one. If you want to PAYG then the modem costs around 99€.
Connection is around 7Mbps which is basically the same as Internet access here in Almerimar.
So far have been impressed. I would though that it is only viable as a ‘back up’ option not as a full internet solution.
About Almerimar
Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar
Almerimar is a great place to live as an expat amongst the expats, or to work amongst the Spanish. There are all kinds of properties including villas, apartments and town houses for rent or sale. It is a very traditional part of Spain, with traditional Spanish foods so if you plan to travel to Spain either to look for jobs, for your company to trade with companies in Spain, or to learn Spanish and enjoy the Spanish weather then come and take a look.
If you are interested in purchasing a property in Almerimar please visit our sponsors Mediterraspain. If you have purchased a property and need it furnished please check out our Sponsors DBJ who will give you a Exclusive 5% discount with the code AL2008.
If you want to learn Spanish, get help with anything to do with the legal issues in Spain, or want WiFi access in the marina please check out our sponsor CentrePoint who will give you a 10% discount off all services with the code AL2008.
If you want an amazing activity based day out in the mountains and to learn how to ride a motorcycle off road then check out our sponsor The Long Way Round and get 5% off with the code AL2008.
If you want quality printing at affordable prices then please check out C&R Printing Services
Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.
