Going Online in Spain
The Internet options available to you in your home and on the move in Spain...
Internet
connection is usually provided via a physical telephone line, although portable
mobile options for smartphones are available. Once a telephone line is
installed, there are over 30 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offering
telephone and Internet package deals, although only six have their own viber
and ADSL infrastructure. Prices can vary and installation fees usually apply.
Fixed Broadband
For
permanent residents or long-term visitors, the best option is to sign up to one
of the unlimited high-speed broadband connection plans from one of the major
telephone companies. ADSL and cable broadband allow the user to stay connected
to the Internet 24-hours a day. Internet speed will depend on what the local
exchange system is capable of supplying. Phone and broadband Internet
connection is commonplace in large cities and highly populated regions. There
are some isolated rural areas where broadband or even landline connections are
not guaranteed due to a lack of infrastructure, however the coverage areas and
level of bandwidth continue to improve.
Movistar
is the national supplier of landline telephone, Internet and ADSL services.
Telephone and Internet services can be obtained through other providers, but
the landline is provided through Movistar. The company is an ex-state service
and still retains more than 80 percent of the market share.
The
most common and practical way to get online is via a package deal with an
Internet Service Provider. They offer deals that include phone and Internet
access at a flat fee. Be sure to check on hidden costs such as hardware
installation, taxes and other "fees" the provider adds.
Installation
of the broadband hardware may be required. Most Internet providers can send
technicians to help, but there may be a charge. High-speed access usually
involves signing a contract of one year or 18 months. If a contract is
terminated before the expiry date, a significant fee may be incurred.
Once
broadband is installed, a WiFi router can be connected, allowing for wireless
Internet usage within a building and for other computers and mobile devices to
be connected.
The
main broadband and internet service providers in Spain are:
- Movistar
- Orange
- Vodafone
- Masmovil
- Yoigo -
Movistar network for GSM and in areas without other networks
- Jazztel
- Direct Telecom (in
English)
- Pepephone
- Simyo
- Euskaltel
- Mundo-r
- Telecable
The
Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism has a policy of universal service
whereby the provision of electronic communications service is guaranteed to all
users who request it, regardless of geographical location.
Signing up to a service
In
order for non-Spanish citizens to register with an Internet service provider,
they must be over 18 years of age and have an NIE (Número de
Identidad de Extranjero). Switching to other providers is
usually only allowed if the registered name and the NIE number are the same. A
bank card and Spanish bank account details are required to complete an
application and so that debit payments can be made.
Some
Internet providers can provide service contracts in English, but can only offer
technical support and customer service in Spanish.
Dial-up Internet Access
For
those who do not want to commit to a long-term contract or do not use the
Internet on a regular basis, dial-up Internet may be available. Dial-up access
is billed per minute or on the basis of a predefined credit within a monthly
bill. As the slowest and oldest form of Internet connection, dial-up is slowly
being phased out. Dial-up uses the telephone line in accessing the Internet;
this means the telephone cannot be used simultaneously while connected.
Dial-up
is generally offered in the following ways by Internet Service Providers:
- Pay as you go
(PAYG)
- Flat rate
service (tarifa plana),
at a fixed rate per month for unlimited access
- A combination
of PAYG and flat rate – usually involving a flat fee for access off-peak
and a per-minute charge during business hours
Satellite Broadband
Satellite
Internet use is increasing. Those living in rural areas may find that satellite
broadband is their only option for Internet and telephone service. The
equipment required is a satellite dish, modem and broadband router. The
satellite dish must have a clear line of sight to the south. If renting a home
or other premises, installation of a dish is subject to the landlord’s
approval. Like regular broadband, it can be connected to the Internet at all
times while allowing phone calls. Plans usually come with monthly data upload
and download limits. Set-up and monthly service costs charged by the individual
provider are generally much higher than conventional broadband. Download speeds
can be quite fast, with speeds of around 10 Mbps, but upload speeds are much
slower and there can be a delay in the signal.
WiMax
WiMax
(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a high speed, long-range
wireless connection that is available for some areas where landlines are not
available. In order to receive this service, a small dish must be erected on
the outside of the property. The installation is similar to satellite TV,
although with much smaller equipment. For a WiMax installation to work, the
receiver must be within the direct (line of sight) path of the transmission
mast. Speeds and reliability can be affected by network traffic and
environmental factors.
Fibwi
and Iberbanda offer WiMax, and ConectaBalear provides a WiMax service
exclusively to Mallorca which covers most of the island.
- The Iberbanda
coverage map
- The ConectaBalear
coverage map
- Fibwi (Mallorca
and Ibiza)
WiFi Hotspots
Hotspots
can typically be found in coffee shops and various other public establishments.
Some will offer free WiFi (a password may be required), while other wireless
hotspots require a credit card payment through a browser before allowing access
to the Internet.
3G, 4G and 5G Mobile Broadband
3G is
primarily designed for sending and receiving small quantities of data via
mobile devices, but some find the portability and pay-as-you-go structure
useful as their primary means of connection. It may be offered by a mobile
phone provider, or as part of a home Internet bundle. Coverage depends on the
area and the network. Some providers and some tariffs do not allow VoIP data or
charge extra. VoIP allows both voice and data communications to be run over a
single network. Another option is adding a data option to a Smartphone contract
and “sharing” its 3G data connection with other Wi-Fi devices.
An
NIE is required to buy any kind of mobile phone or mobile Internet.
There
is a large 4G network available in Spain and it covers 84 percent of the
country (2020) The theoretical maximum download speed for the network is
75Mbps, but the average is between 20Mbps and 40Mbps.
Spain was one of the first countries in Europe to introduce the first commercial 5G mobile service in 2019. The network currently covers 15 major cities including Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Valencia. Once fully established 5G mobile users will experience a network 10 times faster than 4G.