Broadband strength for streaming tv

[shaz1967]

I know this subject may have been covered before but there have been no recent reports. I am wondering if there are any broadband suppliers that can supply a decent strength broadband with a good continuity of signal as it seems that a lot of them have problems with the continuity of the signal & suffers regular breaks in the signal as i want to stream UK tv. I am told that a lot of the problem is the lack of fibre optic cables in the Carvoeiro & that most of the internet in the Carvoeiro is the old standard cables.

[roy4eyes]

We use Cabovisão and have very few problems and good speeds.

[DVBRO]

I know this subject may have been covered before but there have been no recent reports. I am wondering if there are any broadband suppliers that can supply a decent strength broadband with a good continuity of signal as it seems that a lot of them have problems with the continuity of the signal & suffers regular breaks in the signal as i want to stream UK tv. I am told that a lot of the problem is the lack of fibre optic cables in the Carvoeiro & that most of the internet in the Carvoeiro is the old standard cables.

It is very dependant on where you are located. I live 1km from Carvoeiro and the Bars get excellent speed. However not one of the suppliers could give me more than 1.5 Mgbs download. I can assure you, I have tried every one of them.
Eventually after a year of shouting I now manage around 20 Mgbs with Nos, 4 g picking up the signal from Silves.
However, this will drop drastically as soon as the Tourists arrive.
I really don't think that these communication companies are really bothered, as long as they try and take your money.
DO NOT accept what they tell you you can get. Make sure you have a good get out clause.

[shaz1967]

Hello, I live in the Monte Servo area of Carvoeiro. I am currently with Meo & I am paying for 12mb but I doubt that I get that speed & it always seems to drop the signal.

[DVBRO]

Hello, I live in the Monte Servo area of Carvoeiro. I am currently with Meo & I am paying for 12mb but I doubt that I get that speed & it always seems to drop the signal.

Do a daily speed test, at different times, I use Ookla, then if you are not getting the speed they promised, go fight your case.

[pickwick]

Shaz

Call MEO customer service on 16209 and they can look for issues on your line. They can "clean up" the line and test the speed. You may even be advised to do away with the spitter box you plug into the wall and that you plug the router and phone into. If you have IPTV go into the settings and increase the buffer number to about half way along the scale (this should stop the short freezing periods and pixelating).

You can test your speed using this website http://www.speedtest.net/. As a rule you need at least 4Mbps for HD IPTV and if others in the house are browsing/downloading you may need even more!

Pickwick

[shaz1967]

Shaz

Call MEO customer service on 16209 and they can look for issues on your line. They can "clean up" the line and test the speed. You may even be advised to do away with the spitter box you plug into the wall and that you plug the router and phone into. If you have IPTV go into the settings and increase the buffer number to about half way along the scale (this should stop the short freezing periods and pixelating).

You can test your speed using this website http://www.speedtest.net/. As a rule you need at least 4Mbps for HD IPTV and if others in the house are browsing/downloading you may need even more!

Pickwick

Thank you

[maccasa]

Vodafone do a 20Mps dongle for ~ €33 - This gives me at best a 12mps, but usually at least 8 and that has been sufficient to get streaming tv during the summer months (tvpc, Tellypass etc) - you can use up to 5 units at once so my grandchildren stream from their ipads at the same time. We are in the lee of Solferias so its not the best signal - if I stand at the end of my pool its up to 16! The rental cost is 25.99/mth but you only have to pay for when u are there and using it.

[DVBRO]

Vodafone do a 20Mps dongle for ~ €33 - This gives me at best a 12mps, but usually at least 8 and that has been sufficient to get streaming tv during the summer months (tvpc, Tellypass etc) - you can use up to 5 units at once so my grandchildren stream from their ipads at the same time. We are in the lee of Solferias so its not the best signal - if I stand at the end of my pool its up to 16! The rental cost is 25.99/mth but you only have to pay for when u are there and using it.

Yep tried that as well. Limited to 15 mgb download per month. Ended up with two of them! 15 mgb only lasted me a week, Tv, Internet, Kids etc. Quite useful for mobility, but mega expensive, plus a two year contract! Max download speed from Villa, 6 Mgbs day, 2mgbs evening!

[maccasa]

Something wrong there - I get unlimited downloads! you sure you haven't got an old type one - I bought mine mid last year from the Vodafone shop in Algarve retail park. I can leave it on 24hrs/day using it for TV and broadband for pc.

[pickwick]

Downloads

All mobile internet services in Portugal are limited - if you have a dongle that is giving unlimited downloads there is something wrong - so keep quiet! MEO and others I am sure provide unlimited downloads on fixed line contracts (subject to fair use policy) as long as you pay by D/D. Vodafone mobile offer 30GB for 30€ valid for 30 days or 30 hours for 30€ valid for 90 days but do not offer unlimited unless you have a fixed line service on contract.

Pickwick

[Farol]

Just a thought. I use a Vodafone dongle & hub but found that where I sited it in my house made a big difference. When it was sited downstairs in the lounge I got poor speeds and a lot of buffering. However, when I moved it upstairs all my problems went away and there was no problem receiving the wi-fi signal throughout the house. It's worth trying to move the dongle to a different location if you are having a problem.

[DVBRO]

Just a thought. I use a Vodafone dongle & hub but found that where I sited it in my house made a big difference. When it was sited downstairs in the lounge I got poor speeds and a lot of buffering. However, when I moved it upstairs all my problems went away and there was no problem receiving the wi-fi signal throughout the house. It's worth trying to move the dongle to a different location if you are having a problem.

Wait till the Millions of Tourists arrive all wanting to use the Internet! You will have to put your Dongle even closer.
I am at a complete loss that not one of the Internet providers has understood that most visitors have access to the Internet via their Phones, Tablets etc, yet they have done absolutely nothing to support this demand. We are promised every year that they are improving speeds and connection but nothing materializes!
Please let us know what speed and access you are achieving in August .

[maccasa]

I will be in CVO tonight and will check my Vodafone Mifi terms etc.

[maccasa]

I checked my Vodafone system - giving 8-12mps. I Can stream tvpc and filmon (via chromcast) without problems. I also checked the download limit - nowhere in my agreement does it say it is limited and I got the same answer at the shop when I renewed my monthly subscription. I had "cancelled" my service in early Jan until end Feb and renewed at same rate.

I used to use tellypass but they no longer give BBC or iplayer channels. So if you want to get Iplayer you need to use the uk web site and mask your ip address so it doesn't show you are abroad.