Movistar cuts fibre optic rollout after being told to share

I wrote recently about fibre optic internet (offering speeds 33x faster than standard ADSL) being available in this area early next year. Well, a spanner has been thrown into the works after Spanish competition watchdog the CNMC ordered Movistar to share its new fibre optic network with other operators in large cities. In response Movistar says that the fibre optic network will not be profitable in some parts of Spain and has cancelled around 35% Continue reading Movistar cuts fibre optic rollout after being told to share

Exclusive: Fibre optic internet to homes arriving soon in the Levante

I tabled a question to Movistar (the old Teléfonica company) about when we as domestic users will be able to sign up to the new fibre optic internet service they’re installing in the Levante. Their answer: They will start connecting domestic users here in the first quarter of 2015. Prices will be (aprox) 29.95€ a month (plus line rental) and speeds will be 100 Mb down and 10Mb up. By way of comparision, the standard Continue reading Exclusive: Fibre optic internet to homes arriving soon in the Levante

Spain 3rd most expensive EU state for electricity and 2nd for ADSL

Spain is shamed today after the EU named it as the 3rd most expensive EU state for electricity, and 2nd most expensive for ADSL. This, despite median earnings and high unemployment putting the country into the low end of the EU development index. Brussels notes “with alarm” this is putting Spaniards into a position where basic utilities are becoming luxuries. The cheapest fixed line ADSL offer is currently €38.7 a month, and the average household Continue reading Spain 3rd most expensive EU state for electricity and 2nd for ADSL

Movistar to bring ultra high speed internet to Andalusia

Just in time for the big expat telly switch off! Movistar has announced plans to spend some 500 million euros bringing high speed data connections to Andalusia, starting very soon. The company plans to invest some 200 million in developing new high-speed fibre and 4G networks in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia. The operator has also pledged to invest a further 300 million in network maintenance and new equipment. The whole operation will see Continue reading Movistar to bring ultra high speed internet to Andalusia

The Google News tax, and how it’s failed elsewhere in Europe

So the Government’s new copyright law plans to allow news creators to charge news aggregators to use their stories. As part of the media buildup, the Government points to France or Germany, both of which have introduced similar laws recently. As I said yesterday, the new law is nonsense, pure pandering to elderly newspaper editors who don’t understand the Internet for short term political gain, and will stifle innovation whilst not touching the vast Internet giants Continue reading The Google News tax, and how it’s failed elsewhere in Europe