Becoming an Expat in Spain: Volume 16
TV and Broadband for expats in Spain
There are many companies throughout Spain offering:
TV services
Landline telephone
Internet
And
Mobile phone packages
So do your homework and shop around and as always, look for referrals from happy existing customers as these are always best.
Landline telephone
If your property previously had a working phone then see if you can establish if it still works and potentially, who provided this facility for the previous owner.
If it is a new build, then you will need a line installed.
Movistar tend to dominate the market in regard to landline installation, however, that will not necessarily mean that you also have to choose them for ongoing services after your line is installed.
Installing a new line usually takes a number of weeks so you should initiate the process as soon as possible.
If your property already has a working connection, then you can easily transfer the existing account into your name – most providers have good English-speaking representatives.
If you are renting, you will need to establish what services are included within your rental contract.
Remember you will need the following to start a new contract for any service:
Passport
Proof of address
NIE number
Bank details
Mobile phone contact number
Internet
Internet connections are generally very good in Spain and again it is best to go with a locally recommended company.
When getting referrals though, obtain them from folk who have similar usage patterns to yourself. A provider or package for someone that only uses social media may not be the best for you if you have children or download a lot of movies for example.
TV
Generally, homes in Spain receive TV channels through a standard terrestrial network.
Additional TV packages that include Netflix and Sky Sports for example are usually sourced through your internet provider, so you will usually be best selecting the best priced package on offer from them that includes your personal channel preferences.