Broadband internet in the country

by Martin
(Australia)

Hello, What are the options for ADSL connection outside main cities? Eg. places like Samaipata? I remember a hostel owner in Villa Tunari had adsl, but I'm not sure if this is a rule or he was just lucky. If you have any experiences with remote locations and adsl please advice, thx.

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Broadband internet in the country

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Aug 13, 2010
 TIGO
by: Martin

BTW I've contacted TIGO asking them about their plans of development 3G network, as I believe that there is hope in this technology rather than regular cable dsl in rural ares, it's simply less expensive to upgrade local telecom tower than putting kilometers of fibreoptics in rough terrain.

I'm not sure thought if they are keen to answer to e-mail from abroad, so it would be great if someone in Bolivia could call them and ask them about their plans of extension of 3G network.

Thanks very much ;-)

Regards,
Martin
Aug 13, 2010
 Thx again
by: Martin

Thx again for your comments, I believe that topography may be a problem, and e.g. 50 or even a 100 expats or locals alike is not worth of isp investment. A big shame, I'm looking for some nice place to settle and invest, Samaipata suited me for geography and climate reasons, I prefer drier type of climate, although I love jungle environment I wouldn't like to like there.
I've researched satellite internet and it's simply a last resort solution, it's very expensive - you pay 1000-3000$ for set up and later $300+ a month for 1MBs connection that you have to SHARE with other 10-20 users! So usually you get around 150kbs download speed for 300$! Sic!
Still it will be at least a year before I'll make a move, but I don't believe that is will change anything in this matter in Samaipata.
Once again a big shame.
Jul 16, 2010
 Broadband (Banda Ancha) in Samaipata Bolivia
by: Geddy

I asked all around in Samaipata, and was told no one there has broadband. In fact the nice Dutch couple at Finca La Vispera said you can get max of 28k dial up modem connection. That's like 1995 speed! Back in Santa Cruz I talked to the TIGO people who confirmed that even though they have a cell tower there, they do not yet provide broadband over there. That seems odd to me, but I'm not a network expert.

One possibility I want to check out is receiving broadband over a satellite dish. Several of the expats in Samai have Directv from Argentina, so it would seem possible to also get broadband that way.
Geddy
Jul 06, 2010
 anyone goes to samaipata or still in santa cruz??
by: mariel

just let me know ok. im looking for a travmate
Jul 01, 2010
 Broadband internet in Samaipata
by: BoliviaBella

Hi there. We got both your posts. Sometimes they just take a little while to show up online.

Since there are various different phone companies and types of companies (cooperatives, privately owned, state owned) I consulted with Cotas in answer to your question to get a general idea to answer you.

However, for each town or city you are interested in it would be necessary to contact each phone company individually to ask.

Now that I know you are specifically interested in Samaipata only, and we already know COTAS does not cover Samaipata, I called Entel (800-10-3638) They tell me ENTEL also does not provide ADSL in Samaipata.

So I asked what would have to be done to get ADSL in Samaipata and they told me the company has to put Samaipata in their plans and for this they'd require studies, topographical studies, etc. etc. So it's apparently (at least for now) not even in the works. Which as you said, is very odd considering how popular Samaipata is as a vacation spot and it's as popular among locals as it is among foreigners.

You might find this general overview on internet services in Bolivia interesting to read (although it is 2008 and services continue to expand and increase throughout Bolivia):

http://point-topic.com/content/operatorsource/profiles2/bolivia-broadband-overview.htm
Jun 30, 2010
 Thank you for your answer!
by: Martin

Hi,

I've already answered, but my post is gone for some reason...so once again I just want to say thank you, it clarifies everything.

Kind regards,
Martin
Jun 29, 2010
 Broadband internet in the country
by: Martin

Thank you for your answer, it clears everything!
I'm surprised that Buena Vista has ADSL and Samaipata does not - as far as I remember there are plenty of expats in Samaipata.
Just to clarify: there is only one company COTAS responsible for exchange points, and all other isp are based on their infrastructure in department of Santa Cruz, is it correct?

Thank you very much for you answer and time.

Kind regards,
Martin
Jun 29, 2010
 ADSL internet in rural areas
by: Anonymous

ADSL is available is some rural areas. The phone company in Santa Cruz tells me that usually they install ADSL if a sufficient number of users request it so it isn't really a matter of how large or small the town is. For example, some large towns don't have it simply because people haven't requested it. Some very tiny communities do, because they have requested it.

It also depends on what internet company has been contacted. The problem with Bolivia is that it has a national government owned phone/internet company (ENTEL), several regional companies that are cooperatives (like COTAS in Santa Cruz and COTEL in La Paz) and other private companies that offer service nationally like TIGO so it's hard to keep track of things.

So here are some of the towns the phone company tells me DO have ADSL in the department of Santa Cruz, through COTAS:

Warnes, Montero, Mineros, Okinawa I, Buena Vista, Portachuelo, Yapacani, San Juan I, Puerto Quijarro, Puerto Suárez,

And here are some towns that DON'T have ADSL from COTAS:

Concepción, San José de Chiquitos, Samaipata Vallegrande

For other cities in Bolivia you need to contact the phone companies of each department (each state). From Australia you could try using their websites. Here are a few:

COTAS (Phone company in Santa Cruz) www.cotas.net

COTEL (Phone company in La Paz)
www.cotel.bo

ENTEL: www.entel.bo

TIGO: www.tigo.com.bo

It's a little hard to answer you without knowing exactly which towns you need information on because there is such a variety of companies and some only serve specific regions, but hopefully this is somewhat helpful.

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