ADSL - Spanish Style

A report of the result of an analysis, carried out by the University of Oviedo and the University of Oxford, had revealed that the quality of ADSL broad band Internet service in Spain is below the 'acceptable standard'! It's situated in 26th place amongst the 42 countries analysed.

The study revealed that for general email, interchanging light weight files and low quality videos are okay, but the rest like watching television on the net, video calls, and projecting high quality and lengthy videos, etc. are near impossible.

I have already noticed all sorts of set backs and inexplicable malfunctions in a great variety of ways, since day one, but never realized it's as bad as what's made known now, always presuming that it's my own lack of technical knowledge and skill that was the main problem.

Yet I believe we, those of us living in Spain, are paying relatively high charges for the privilege of the broadband service. I say this because I have talked about it with people in different areas and countries. I pay 70€ monthly, and the online connection is supposed to be 24/7. In theory that is.

The fact is a different story. 3 years ago there were periods of between 20 minutes to several hours with no connection at all (once the total non-connection lasted 2 days), or sudden breakdowns with no warning to save any half done task, which, should it be an article, would mean losing it all together. Worst, if it was a finished article ready to be saved but not given the time to do so. It's much better now.

Considering there are apparently 24 million Internet users in Spain, and 1 million increase just in private homes alone compared with last year, representing 99%, and putting it in the 4th place in regard to private homes with broadband connections installed, therefore considered one of the most advanced country worldwide in this respect. The news of it having such appalling standard is truly unbelievable not to say shameful.

The Japanese are the best positioned, including surpassing the exigencies of the web standards of the future. The investigating team praised the Japanese Government in deploying optical fibre as 'source of compatibility'. What exactly that means I haven't a clue. I realize I got a lot to learn, but so does Spain. Wonder who gets it first?

Tags:ADSL,Spain

• Current Mood: Cynical