Internet in Ajijic, Mexico
Feb 17
2009
An Important Question from a Vidalago.com Reader:
“One question I have is that we are not totally retired yet but our business is mostly done by phone and internet – is the service there reliable enough to run a business? Will it cost us a fortune to get the type of phone service/internet service we need to have people able to call in and us call out on a regular basis (Maybe an 800 #)?”
Answer: If you are reading this right now, you are looking at our Vidalago.com website that I set up on my home-office PC here in the Lakeside Village of San Antonio Tlayacapan with local Mexico Prodigy internet service, and the site server is somewhere in California furnished by a US web hosting service. When not working feverishly at real estate, marketing and writing we watch our favorite evening shows on the 42″ flat screen TV I purchased here at Home Depot Guadalajara (tip of the hat to Stu Browne for finding that great deal!). We have a TV satellite on the roof with a PVR dual channel receiver furnished by a provider in Ajijic, and get all the same channel packages here that are available in the US along with the local New York and national news. I set up a Vonage account before we moved, which retained our local phone (703) 349-5021 and then added a toll free number after the move (866) 306-9353. That way Elliott can keep in touch with her clients 24/7 -while I make local calls to friends who are jealous that I am playing golf every morning.
Click on the picture for more info.
The service providers pictured are all located on or near the main road in Ajijic – Riberas. They provide reliable installation, and usually accept credit cards for online billing.
Here are a few examples of communications services in Mexico, based on my personal experience and information…
Desktop PC’s and laptops
Fulltime residents usually bring their computers with them when moving to Lakeside. All systems and peripherals are compatible with the DSL and cable internet services. Mexico does not run on European electrical home service, so you can just plug in your electronics and boot them up right away. Part-time residents can bring a laptop with them for the time they spend in Lakeside, getting wireless access at various points in the area. There are also several cyber cafes located in the town plaza’s, where you can get online for a few pesos an hour.
Computers and laptops are sold at retail outlets like the local Ajijic Walmart, and at electronics and department stores in Guadalajara. Telmex in Ajijic also sells PC and laptop systems. The only caveat being that hardware in Mexico uses Spanish language operating systems and keyboards; but if you need a new printer and supplies, for example, it is not a problem to add on to your existing system.
Internet Service Providers
Telmex – Provides high speed DSL on the local phone line utilizing Prodigy Infinitum. The service is very reliable, and does not interefere with your phone service. DSL modem and software is provided when you sign up for service at the Telmex office in Ajijic, where the customer service folks speak English and are happy to explain everything in detail. The monthly charge for unlimited DSL – which is on 24/7 – and local phone service is approx. 650 pesos ($42 US). For peso to dollar conversion, at current rate divide pesos by 14 per dollar.
Telecable
With this service you can opt for 9 different TV channel packages with the initial 72 channel package at 235 pesos per month ($16.78 US). The monthly subrsciber line charge is 99 pesos with automatic debit, or 199 if you go to the office and pay cash pesos. Adding internet to your cable package ranges from 149 pesos for 512kbps to 449 pesos for 6mbps. In summary, basic 72 channel cable TV plus 3mbps broadband bills at 633 pesos ($45.21 US).
Cellphones at Telcel
The modern Telcel offices with glittering arrays of the latest cell phones and accessories can be found in several locations in Lakeside as well as in the Guadalajara shopping centers. Prices for cell phones and minutes are comparable to those in the US. You can subscribe monthly or pay as you go with phone cards as well. We like the Amigo free phone to phone feature, since we use them as “intercoms” around Lakeside or if we travel. The service is excellent just about anywhere in the country, and you can make international calls on your cell too. This really comes in handy if you are meeting someone at the airport, and they can’t figure out where the Starbucks is to meet you outside the international arrivals area.
Be sure to leave a comment or more questions about Internet in Mexico or anything else you can think of….
Tags: Ajijic Real Estate Blog, Blog Lake Chapala, cell phones Ajijic Mexico, Internet in Ajijic Lake Chapala, Internet in Mexico
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