One of the things about which I am most pleased is the fact the Internet service provided by Antel is getting much better. The bandwidth has increased, while the prices remain the same.
Last year, in a desperate search to get sufficient bandwidth we bought an expensive router that would aggregate Internet bandwidth from two sources. We connected an ADSL line from Antel and a microwave link from TelMex. The Antel line cost about $84 per month, and the TelMex link cost $850 per month (that was because we bought “guaranteed” bandwidth). I must tell you, that the TelMex service was HORRIBLE! Despite the “guarantee” there were many times when my total bandwidth was less than 128K, even when no one else was in the building. We called to complain almost daily, but with no effect.
However one year and US$10,000 later we are free from TelMex.
We have replaced the TelMex link with a second bigger ADSL line. And we have upgraded the first ADSL line as well. Now our total Internet Bill is about $400 a month, and we have more bandwidth all the time.
Perhaps the best news is that Antel has committed a significant investment to build a huge new fibre optic pipeline that will connect to the Internet backbone through Brazil–this will effectively obviate Argentina’s policy of choking off Internet access in Uruguay by limiting the bandwidth they allow us to buy from them.
My next adventure is the new G3 wireless modem for my laptop. I will be testing that out in the next week or so and will let you know. I am guardedly optimistic.
Life in Uruguay is good, and the technology is getting better!
Southron,
I know you’re running a business and need to scale your internet service accordingly.
Would an individual have to spend that kind of money for adequate ADSL service in their home?
>>Depending upon your definition, you can get adequate ADSL service for between $30 and $85 per month, depending upon your bandwidth needs.
David Finzer
– The Southron
Left by futurexpat on March 1st, 2008
ANTEL ADSL Fees:
DOWNLOAD UPLOAD PRICE IN USD
384 128 29
768 128 44
1536 128 63
2304 192 96
3072 256 237
Left by Javier on March 4th, 2008
I got the G3 modem from CTI on Thursday evening. Installed it Friday evening. Went without problems. Tested it: on the top of San Antonio (Piriapolis), in the town of Piriapolis, in the town of Maldonado and lastly, here in my house in Pocitos. Signal strength was 5 bars in all places. Works just fine.
Left by Urufish on March 5th, 2008
Hi Southron,
My wife and will be in Uruguay at the end of the month for an exploratory trip. Based on the success of the trip we will be moving there late this year. We both have business that will require use of VOIP. We’d also like to have reasonable bandwidth for video conferencing, but that’s less a business concern and more a personal wish. The question that I had for you was the speed that you are achieving with your G3 wireless card for both Up/Down? Do you know of rental services for wireless cards for our upcoming visit? I know that SIMs are available for phone service. As for the ADSL we’ll probably pick one of the top two tiers of service. If stable, this should hopefully carry VOIP data successfully. Have you had the opportunity to use VOIP with your service? Thanks.
>>I am just starting to test the G3 modem, and will report on it in a few weeks.
–The Southron
Left by blanasa on March 6th, 2008