Regular readers will know we are involved with Friends of Mazarron Animals, a registered Spanish charity that will help any animal in need. Generally we foster at least one dog whilst it is on its way to a new permanent home, but have not had any for about a month. We did ‘inherit’ two dogs making our permanent residents four in number, so once they are all fully settled together I expect we will take one foster that is in need.
Writing this in mid-May to meet publishers/printers deadlines, the weather seems to have broken from a fairly wet cool spring into almost full summer with temperatures up to 37ºC forecast! We even had to break out into shorts overnight! The warm sunshine is probably one of the major reasons us Brits come to Spain, so roll it on.
I have had my 2nd COVID vaccination and Trevor is waiting for his imminent first. Vaccination is the only way out of this situation and to get back to some form of ‘normality’, so please everyone get yours when called – it is not only about you, but about us all going forward.
TV NEWS
Most problem contacts over the last week were associated with the weather comment above. Satellite signals are heading into their summer levels – as happens every year – when they get significantly lower. All satellite users will get some reduction in service, but the smaller 1.35m offset dishes will lose some channels and as dishes get bigger the problems will be less noticeable, but will be there. Many channels on the 1.90m prime focus dishes will be on the edge of good reception and some cloud or turbulence in the atmosphere can bring a channel failure at times. There is no ‘magic’ answer – we cannot ‘adjust’ the dish to bring channels back – there is just not enough signal. Solutions are to wait until autumn when we expect the stronger signals to return, get a bigger dish, (not recommended as the UK satellite system has a limited life in Spain), or go to internet TV which can have its own issues if not installed properly.
Internet TV depends on two factors working well; the internet supply and the TV system used.
Internet supply is getting better, with many locations having fibre available and technology all-round getting so much better. Fibre is the future and if you get offered it we would recommend taking it. Many of our clients have said that they live remotely and have no chance of fibre, but that is not necessarily the case. Almost all our clients in cities and towns have fibre available and many of our remote clients, including ourselves, have found it available. I have to say that 2 months ago I did not dream of getting fibre at home, but filled in the online application with Movistar (who are doing most of the remote areas) and an engineer came the next day, said yes and installed 300mbs fibre the following day!
Movistar have NO installation charge and usually have a good plan to entice you in – we got fibre with inclusive telephone (and all Spanish calls) for 19.95€ per month for 6 months then the regular reasonable price. If you can’t get fibre yet then most of the ‘over the air’ operators have improved systems available – ask your ISP.
Elon Musk has launched his satellite internet in Spain – aimed at VERY rural locations – however installation is 499€ and monthly 99€. Not sure how many takers he will get, but if you have found that fabulous rural home but no internet, this is an option. He is installing a string of low-orbit satellites (a rocket launched the other day had 10(!) satellites on board). Internet, Sat Nav and a world wide mobile phone system are in his sights, but like the Tesla car, nothing from Elon comes cheap.
Having got your decent internet you will then need a good IPTV system – well we believe ours is one of the best, so why not have a free no-obligation demonstration and a one week free trial so that you can assess the system for yourself.
That’s it for June – another edition in July 2021.
Rainbow Satellites SL – the company for all your TV needs in the Murcia region of Spain.
Contact for free friendly advice on any TV issue:
Emailrainbowsats@gmail.com
Tel (0034) 686 358 475
www.rainbowsats.org
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