Telephone Service in Spain
Find out how to get your new home connected to the landline telephone service in Spain...
Movistar (previously
known as Telefónica) is the national supplier of landline telephone
service, cellular/mobile telephone service, Internet and ADSL. Long-distance
and Internet service may be obtained through other providers, but the basic
landline will still be provided through Movistar
- Movistar
Tel: 1004
From abroad: +34 699 991 004
Movistar contacts
Note: while
Movistar is the only provider authorised to install physical landlines, there
are many other companies that offer telephone accounts. For listings, see
the Internet,
Telephone, VOIP and WiFi category of the Angloinfo
Business Directory.
Other
phone companies include:
The
following information may be required by Movistar when contacting the call
service:
- Movistar bill
(if available) or a recent utility (electricity) bill
- NIE and
passport number
- Bank account
details
- Mobile number
of a friend or a neighbour
Bilingual
agents can be hired to assist in getting telephone and Internet service
established. The agent acts as a go-between with Movistar and provides
contracts and other information (including manuals) in English.
Getting a telephone line installed
Movistar
used to be the only company authorised to install landlines in Spain, but since
the company is no longer state owned it is not obliged to provide lines meaning
installation is subject to regional availability. Installation in remote areas,
new developments or areas that are rural, difficult-to-reach or have rough
terrain, may be subject to lengthy delays (many months).
To
obtain a new phone line, it is necessary to contact Movistar directly. The
Movistar website has a search feature that allows potential customers to check
if desired services are available in their area, though the website is in
Spanish.
Getting a telephone line connected
Before
moving into an apartment or house, verify if there is a line (the presence of
phone jacks does not mean a line is installed). Where a phone line is
functioning and "live" it is possible (and less expensive) to
transfer the account from the name of the previous occupant to the new one.
Requests
for transfers may be done online at the Movistar website and can be submitted
up to two months in advance of the changeover. Customers moving within the same
Movistar tariff zone may be able to keep their previous Movistar phone number.
- Movistar
have information
on transferring a phone line (in Spanish)
To
reconnect a phone line, contact Movistar directly by calling them or by
visiting a local Movistar shop. Cancelling a telephone line needs to be done in
writing and cancellation take 48 hours from when notification is received.
Getting a business line
Contact
Movistar directly to establish business telephone and Internet service. This
may be done via the Movistar website or local Movistar shop.
- Movistar
Tel: 900 101 010
Making phone calls
Phone
calls within Spain are usually charged by the minute, with charges dependent on
the time of day the call is made. Apply for a flat rate plan if a large number
of calls are likely to be made. Although Movistar holds a majority of the
market, there are quite a few competitors offering reduced pricing plans.
Calls
can be made using the existing phone service, pre-paid phone cards, access
codes, call-back numbers or over the Internet.
Useful telephone numbers in Spain |
|
To call out of Spain dial the exit code followed by
country code and number |
00 + |
To call into Spain dial entry code followed by
Spanish number |
34 + |
Movistar's English-speaking account
inquiry (say "English" at the prompts) |
Tel: 1004 |
Movistar's domestic
services (to reach technical support) |
Tel: 1004 |
From a mobile: Movistar's technical support and
line fault |
Tel: 1004 /
680 / 013 123 300 |
Spanish directory
enquiries |
Tel: 11822
/ 11818 |
International directory enquiries |
Tel: 11825 |
To call via an operator |
Tel: 1008 |
Billing
Movistar
bills can be received on paper by post, electronically via email or accessed at
the Movistar website. Landline Movistar bills are generally distributed every
alternate month. Payment can be made via direct debit, by cash at a local bank,
in Movistar shops and online. If payment is late or not received, Movistar may
cut off outgoing service and demand a fee in addition to outstanding bills to
re-establish normal service.
Note: In
certain areas companies provide telephone and Internet services via cable; this
is independent of Movistar.
Technical Support and Customer Services
In
the event of a problem with a landline, billing or any other issue, some
providers offer support agents and technicians via their websites where issues
can be resolved online. The following numbers may also be useful:
Movistar's English-speaking account
inquiry (say "English" at the prompts) |
Tel: 1004 |
Movistar's domestic services (to
reach technical support) |
Tel: 1004 |
From a mobile: Movistar's technical
support and line fault |
Tel: 1004 / 680 / 013 123 300 |