Thread: Internet question

Hi I'm new to Panama. I have just rented flat yesterday, and flat doesn't have internet access, which is not very good. So my question is, how can I connect to internet my flat, what is the best operator to do so, how much is it going to cost, how long it will take to install, and what documents will i need?

P.S. I mainly use internet to make skype video calls so i need good stable connection.

Thank you.

Dima

Originally Posted by dima1

Hi I'm new to Panama. I have just rented flat yesterday, and flat doesn't have internet access, which is not very good. So my question is, how can I connect to internet my flat, what is the best operator to do so, how much is it going to cost, how long it will take to install, and what documents will i need?

Hello
Just go to Cableonda or Cable & Wireless
They have cables (DSL on TV/Internet cable network) in most buildings in the city.
Maybe ask the neighbors what they are using.
For the actual communication about price etc. you need to go to their offices.

I'm sick of Cable Onda -- I'm biting the bullet and going with PaNETma ISP in Panama - Super Fast Broadband Internet Access. Anywhere We Want. this week. I will report on the speed and quality when I put it to the test.

Originally Posted by No-Non-Sense-Matt

I'm sick of Cable Onda -- I'm biting the bullet and going with PaNETma ISP in Panama - Super Fast Broadband Internet Access. Anywhere We Want. this week. I will report on the speed and quality when I put it to the test.

My internet connection with Cable Onda wasn't functioning and it took them more than a month to fix it. Imagine staying that long without internet.
I have only heard good things about Panetma but the cost is more than double compared to Cable Onda.

I think ive been lucky so far. I have cableonda and have hardly had any downtime and whenever i had a problem the helpdesk helped me out perfectly. Besides myself i havemt heard much positive stories about cableonda yet :S

Btw i pay about $100-120 for internet, tv, and phone. Took about 2 weeks to get hooked up. They needed ID and rental agreement.

Credit card, electric bill, passport and sample of pubic hair for DNA testing - never leave home without it.

Cableonda has had about the same uptime as I had in the US (I have a private line from an electric pole in the city, not shared building) - they make a lot of billing mistakes though and are extremely nasty on top of this. For instance I signed up for a 1 year package at 130 (list price 170). One year later the list price was around 90, but they started billing 170 since that was the list price on sign-up.

Originally Posted by janl

I think ive been lucky so far. I have cableonda and have hardly had any downtime and whenever i had a problem the helpdesk helped me out perfectly. Besides myself i havemt heard much positive stories about cableonda yet :S

Btw i pay about $100-120 for internet, tv, and phone. Took about 2 weeks to get hooked up. They needed ID and rental agreement.

I have MobilNet out here in the boonies. I very rarely have problems and when I do I can call 24 hours a day and talk to someone in English - priceless (LOL).

Mary
www.whypanama.com

Have you run speed test in the evening? Speed drops by half and ping time goes to shit. I make a living online and I can't afford to lose time like that. Plus uploading videos is a nightmare.

Panetma has symmetric speeds. BTW -- I contacted Cable Y Wireless and they wanted around $500 a month for 5 mega symmetric. Panetma is a steal compared to that.

Originally Posted by janl

I think ive been lucky so far. I have cableonda and have hardly had any downtime and whenever i had a problem the helpdesk helped me out perfectly. Besides myself i havemt heard much positive stories about cableonda yet :S

Btw i pay about $100-120 for internet, tv, and phone. Took about 2 weeks to get hooked up. They needed ID and rental agreement.

The night shift is downloading hardcore porn on the DNS servers (also they operate as hub server). No quiero sabanas frias mi amor! El caribe presente la suerte para ti!

Originally Posted by No-Non-Sense-Matt

Have you run speed test in the evening? Speed drops by half and ping time goes to shit. I make a living online and I can't afford to lose time like that. Plus uploading videos is a nightmare.

Panetma has symmetric speeds. BTW -- I contacted Cable Y Wireless and they wanted around $500 a month for 5 mega symmetric. Panetma is a steal compared to that.

I've used Panetma for over a year and they are the best in Panama, provided you can get a clear signal from where you are located in the city. They are not perfect (saturday mornings have an occassional loss/slow down of internet for 15-20 minutes at a time), however, they are light years ahead of CableOnda and Cable @ Wireless. I would definitely recommend them.

PaNETma is the best internet provider I have used anywhere in terms of quality of service and support. Amazing company.

Originally Posted by No-Non-Sense-Matt

Have you run speed test in the evening? Speed drops by half and ping time goes to shit. I make a living online and I can't afford to lose time like that. Plus uploading videos is a nightmare.

Panetma has symmetric speeds. BTW -- I contacted Cable Y Wireless and they wanted around $500 a month for 5 mega symmetric. Panetma is a steal compared to that.

As i said i must be lucky. My ping is always about the same (60-70). I lose my signal sometimes for 1 or 2 minutes but thats pretty much all i can complain about.

I suggest a main provider and a backup - perhaps cellular.

Originally Posted by CyberKat17

PaNETma is the best internet provider I have used anywhere in terms of quality of service and support. Amazing company.

Terrible name for a company though.

Originally Posted by CyberKat17

PaNETma is the best internet provider I have used anywhere in terms of quality of service and support. Amazing company.

Terrible name for a company though.

Another vote for PaNETma. Been using for 18 months, 100% up time, excellent service. You get the bandwidth you pay for. They now also offer VOIP phone service.
I have no cable, period. Download my movies using isohunt and Vuze as my download torrent client. eztv.it for getting most recent shows. Boxee Box plays it all from a USB hard drive or stream direct to the Boxee unit from my netbook. Use skype for all phone.
gary

If your neighbors have wifi, share with them.