Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

JanetZ

Aug 25, 2004, 9:33 PM

Post #1 of 15 (2288 views)

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DSL Service options in Ajijic

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My wife and I (I'm using her account) are about to move to Ajijic (look forward to meeting you all in person!), and are wondering about internet access there. We currently have aDSL here in the SF Bay Area, and we run mail, web and DNS servers so need a static IP address.

Looking at telmex's prodigy info, I see this is available, athough with limited options - several speeds with 3 addresses (we only need 1), and is not cheap (around 1500 pesos/month, about double the cost here). Are there any other options for DSL? Can I get a static IP address with Wireless access?

Secondly, our house in Ajijic was rented, and the tenant had Prodigy Infinitum, with "Acceso Inifitum 1000" which I gather is some kind of speed-up mechanism - anyone know what this is? The rental agency said it's $350 pesos for the Prodigy Infitum (which I think is the 250Mb aDSL, ie not that fast!), and $999 pesos/month for the Acceso 1000.

I vaguely remember hearing that Mexico was about to open up the communications market to competition.
thanks in advance
patrick

Patrick Stirling (married to Janet Zampieri!)

johanson / Moderator

Aug 25, 2004, 9:55 PM

Post #2 of 15 (2284 views)

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Re: [JanetZ] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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Patrick. I'm not sure why but your real estate agent was off by exactly 15%, s/he forgot to add IVA or sales tax! The slowest ADSL not DSL speed is 256 Kb/s and goes for $403 pesos per month. There is a 512 ADSL and a 1 Meg ADSL option; the 1 meg connection goes for $999 + 15% or $1,149 pesos per month. Remember it's ADSL and not DSL. The download speed is as advertised but the upload speed is I think 256 Kb/sec for all connections.

Also Prodigy offers a dinamic not a static IP #. The wireless option www.lagunanet.net.mx offers static IP #s Please note that Lagunanet doubled their speed, but didn't update their home page showing that change, the last time I looked. Their upload and download speed are the same.

95% of the homes in Ajijic are line of site with a fixed WiFi hot spot. Let's hope yours is.

JanetZ

Aug 26, 2004, 10:48 AM

Post #3 of 15 (2260 views)

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Re: [johanson] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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That was me actually, I didn't bother to add in the IVA.

According to Prodigy's website, they do offer static ips ("IP Fija"), you get 3 addresses, see

http://www.prodigy.com.mx/infinitum_adsl/prod_infinitum_planes.html

It's quite expensive though. One major question I have is how long does it take to get the service installed and started?

BTW, thanks for the Laguna net url, I'll contact them with my questions!

patrick

johanson / Moderator

Aug 26, 2004, 11:26 AM

Post #4 of 15 (2257 views)

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Re: [JanetZ] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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Unbelievable. $1000 pesos per month extra (+IVA) for a fixed IP # and then only for commercial accounts.. And their upload speeds aren't that great either. And look at the difference charged between a 1 meg and a 2 meg connection.

Well. what can I say? At least it's now available in Mexico. I went to the web page you mentioned and saw $1,999 to $5,999 plus IVA or in US dollars about $200 to $600 per month. Their profit margin must be really great. What do you pay up north, ($49 per month?) for a high speed internet connection with a fixed IP #? I can't remember.

Luckily there is some competition. In and near Ajijic we have www.lagunanet.net.mx . There, all broadband accounts are given fixed IP #s. For $40 US you get a 256 kb/s up and down connection, For $60 US the speed doubles.

Both ISPs can usually set you up within 5 to 10 days. That's assuming no equipment delivery problems, and availability of service to your area (Oh and sufficient bandwidth in your area to absorb another customer).

PS I am prejudiced. I have used lagunanet wireless for 3 years now, and volunteer there occasionally answering simpler service questions.

(This post was edited by johanson on Aug 26, 2004, 11:51 AM)

JanetZ

Aug 26, 2004, 11:42 AM

Post #5 of 15 (2250 views)

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Re: [johanson] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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I thought it seemed a bit dear! Sounds like Lagunanet is the way to go. I've already emailed them asking how long it'll take to set up and whether they have line of sight to our house (fingers crossed!). We're right in the village on calle Idependencia.

I use LanMinds (lmi.net) as my ISP here in the USA, they charge USD $75 per month for 384/768 aDSL with one static IP address. Last time I checked, this was a little on the high side, but close to the going rate.

johanson / Moderator

Aug 26, 2004, 10:04 PM

Post #6 of 15 (2225 views)

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Re: [JanetZ] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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Did marisol@laguna.com.mx respond to you with the information you needed? If not you should try support@laguna.com.mx

olalla

Aug 31, 2004, 12:30 PM

Post #7 of 15 (2188 views)

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Re: [johanson] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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Is DSL service available everywhere in the Lakeside area. If not, can you give me an idea of where it either is or isn't available. That will affect where I rent or buy. Also what is the difference between DSL and ADSL?

johanson / Moderator

Aug 31, 2004, 1:39 PM

Post #8 of 15 (2186 views)

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Re: [olalla] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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No, DSL is not available everywhere. One must not be more than 3 Km away (wire distance) from a Telmex switching station (I think that's what it's called). There is one in Ajijic, in San Juan Cosala (spelling), and I understand in Chapala and possibly already or soon in San Antonio. Check at your local telmex office, they have coverage maps There are a lot of areas lakeside where ADSL is not available

Another alternative is Laguna wireless. As stated above they don't cover every spot either.

But either one sure is better than a dial-up connection.

(This post was edited by johanson on Aug 31, 2004, 2:28 PM)

Rolly

Aug 31, 2004, 2:17 PM

Post #9 of 15 (2181 views)

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Re: [johanson] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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Hi Pete,

I think you meant to say one must be NO MORE THAN 3 Km away...

Rolly Pirate

johanson / Moderator

Aug 31, 2004, 2:30 PM

Post #10 of 15 (2179 views)

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Re: [Rolly] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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Sorry about that. Thanks Rolly. I edited my post to say not more than 3 Km away

olalla

Sep 1, 2004, 11:36 AM

Post #11 of 15 (2144 views)

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Re: [johanson] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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What is the difference between DSL and ADSL?

johanson / Moderator

Sep 1, 2004, 12:42 PM

Post #12 of 15 (2140 views)

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Re: [olalla] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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When you have a question like this and don't want to wait for one of us to show off how much we know or don't know, use your favorite search engine and ask the same question. If you were to go to Google's Search page and enter

"What is ADSL?" with the quote marks, you would get

(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) -- A method for moving data over regular phone lines
The definition would go on to explain the Asymmetric referred to the fact that the upload speed is different, usually much lower than the advertised or download speed.

This is a wonderful tool that us older folks didn't get to learn when we were in grade school. That sounds rude and I don't mean it that way.

olalla

Sep 1, 2004, 12:47 PM

Post #13 of 15 (2137 views)

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Re: [johanson] DSL Service options in Ajijic

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You're right. I google just about everything. I goofed in not doing that for DSL and ADSL. I'll try to do better. And thank you for being so helpful on all the technical stuff.

NEOhio

Sep 1, 2004, 1:05 PM

Post #14 of 15 (2134 views)

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Re: New google use...

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Pete, thanks for showing that google. I google a lot of info, but never knew I could get a dictionary/encylopedia type of answer. I always just read thru the info that came up and found it that way. Anita

(This post was edited by NEOhio on Sep 1, 2004, 1:06 PM)

johanson / Moderator

Sep 1, 2004, 1:26 PM

Post #15 of 15 (2131 views)

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Re: [NEOhio] New google use...

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It's shocking how much we have to learn. It's humbling how much more those pre-teens know about computers than we do.

There is so much more you can do with Google. I highly recommend that you go to Google's home page and start reading about all of the other tools they offer us, only some of which I know.

(This post was edited by johanson on Sep 1, 2004, 1:29 PM)