Signed up for terra.es today at one of the Telefonica stores.

At least I think I did. It's a little confusing... We went first to the one in Sol and they wanted an NIE number; they sent us to the one on Calle Mayor that is very close to Plaza Mayor, since they can deal with Passport numbers.

Since I don't have a bank account yet, I have to go to a "ventanilla" to pay (that is go into any bank and pay the total owed to get the phone line installed). The lady said that I would be sent something in the mail that I could take to the bank to pay. She said it would take 10 days to install the line and then another week or so to get the DSL set up. They'll call us before they come so that we can be sure to be home.

I decided to go with the 256 router option to start out, since I can upgrade it later if I need to.

Will report back later on how long this all actually takes and ends up costing...

Quick update on this...

I got my router-modem yesterday. I think I ended up getting a Telefonica plan instead of Terra. Not sure how that all worked out, as it was called "terra" in the Telefonica store.

About a week and a half after our fixed line got installed--and with no advance notice--a guy rang my door and said he was from telefonica. He handed me a box and asked me to I sign for it and then he started to leave. I asked him if anything needed to be set up and he said "no, it's self-explanatory."

Of course the instructions were far from self-explanatory, because they kept referring to information in a letter (carta) that I never received in the mail. Also, there was a video, but without a TV, that doesn't do a whole lot of good.

Even though I've done this countless times in the US, it took a long time for me to figure it all out, but buried in the manual, there is a number you can call that will give you all of your login details (which presumably would have come in the "carta"). It's a recorded message that sounds like Castillian spanish spoken through some crazy voice modulator. I had to listen to it at least 20 times to get it right!

So after some trial and error with the various configurations (there's a CD that does the configuring), I got it running. The modem and router are combined in one device, unlike what you'll find in the US. The wireless modem (kit adsl router modem inalambrico) includes four ethernet ports, so you can swing either way--wired or wireless--very cool.

And best of all, I got my voice over IP phone to work. That is, a phone that gives me a US number, but rings here in Spain. I can call the US using a US number and folk in the US can call me using a US number. If anyone wants more info on this, private mail me, because it seems to good to publicize on a forum!

P.S. I should mention that I have yet to pay a cent for the telephone, installation or ADSL. Because I didn't have a bank account when I signed up, I was supposed to receive something in the mail that I could take to a bank (ventanilla) and pay. Still waiting on it...

Hope I'm posting in the right place (though I know I'm not in Madrid ) My RDSI card has broken, so obviously I am changing to ADSL and have been to telefonica's site. I am confused as to the difference between their ADSL and their Mini ADSL packages? Can someone explain them to me please?

hey sue.

from what i can tell, the "Dúo ADSL 24h Básico + Llamadas Nacionales" has no limit on data you download from the www and e-mail

quote:

Navegar a gran velocidad ADSL en Internet (1 Mbps/300 Kbps) sin restricciones horarias ni de descargas

while the "Dúo ADSL Mini + Llamadas Nacionales" limits you to a 1gb download quota...

quote:

Internet a alta velocidad, permitiendo descargar hasta 1 GB de información de la red.

you can upload all you want to the internet with both.

1gb is 1,000 mb and while it is a lot of data, that is not much if someone is downloading image files, videos, etc...

if you just use the internet for chatting, basic web browsing and such, it is probably enough.

for my needs, i would go for the normal (not mini) one since it only costs 6 euros a month more and has no limit on data downloaded.

also, the mini offer says you pay 24 euros a month for the first 6 months. odds are it is a promo and the monthly cost goes up a few euros per month after the 6th month but the "ver precios" link on the page is "conveniently" broken (opens a blank page)

so, you would probably only save a few euros per month with the mini and would be limited to the gig of download.

saludos,
jer...

Thanks jer I'll go with the "normal" than rather than the Mini. I think when I looked the Mini went up to 34€ after six months, so only 5€ cheaper that the other. How exciting! can you imagine what I will do when I get off this dialup

Actually, probably nothing but at least I would be able to if I wanted to!!!

A big smile, cos.......I now have ADSL connected!!! Not bad for telefonica, order went in on 18th Feb and they have been trying to find the house to deliver the stuff since 6th March Anyhoo, I met a man on a roundabout (seemed the quickest way in the end!!) and tonight have been hooked up!!!!

Oops!! Edited a bit later I meant I collected the Kit from a man on a roundabout and...... oh heck, I'll just leave it as it says, it sounds better

Has anyone managed to get speeds of 5mb or higher yet?

I am on 1mb but when we move into our house I would love to apply for 20mb connection. However, I don't know anyone who has a connection faster than 2mb in Madrid.

Any updates would be fantastic.

Thanks

the 20mb is a load of crap, you will never come even close.

just stick to a 1-4mb connection, it will get you the same speed in the end.

saludos,
jer...

I am still having major problems with Jazztel.

I decided to migrate my phone line and get the 20 meg ADSL deal they were offering back in December.

My neighborhood became eligible in February and I put my order in on the 3rd.

Finally ater millions of phone calls to their customer service department I was told that on June 28th my service would be interrupted for about 4 hours in the evening and then everything would be fine.

Then on the morning of the 28th my voice line went dead and I am still waiting to see what will happen next.

Not only did they not forward me to the 20 megs they left me without my phone line.

Go Jazztel!!!

Ouch. From all our dealings with jazzHELL this is why didn't go for the 20 meg deal. 4 hours with a couple of 00 on the end. Good luck