ACAP - The American and Canadian Association of Peru

Mes 2006

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May 2005

Hi-Tek Peru
Your technology connection in Lima
By F.P. Nagle

Editor's Note: This is the ACAP Newsletter's inter-active column. You can reach the interactive forum at http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Hi-Tek-Peru - where ACAP readers and others can sign up, ask questions raised by this column, post comments and suggest future column topics. It is also available for general discussion on technology issues pertinent to expatriates in Lima. Go to this web site and click on “Join this Group” to participate.

Welcome back to the third and final installation on Internet Access. So far we've covered Internet Cafés, Wi-Fi, Dial-Up “semi-free,” Dial-Up for payment, and Cell Phones as a modem. This month will complete the coverage with Telefónica and CableNet (a service of Cable Mágico) dedicated access.

In most of the previous services there was no requirement for an annualized contract. Although available for Terra Plus Anual, you could still sign up for a monthly version with no cancellation penalties. This now changes with the two dedicated services we'll be talking about this month.

Telefónica / Speedy: This Internet access service comes in a selection of speeds, and of course associated costs. It is best to use a table for your comparison:

Service	Speed	Price	Connections	Added Services
Speedy 100	Under: 128 kbps Over: 64 kbps	US $ 29.25 S/. 95.64	1	1 email account 10mb Antivirus on-line
Speedy 200	Under: 200 kbps Over: 64 kbps	US $ 34.80 S/. 113.79	1	1 email account 20mb McAfee Anti virus Content filtering 30 min Free Wi-Fi
Speedy 400	Under: 400 kbps Over: 64 kbps	US $ 44.37 S/. 145.08	More than 1	3 email accounts 25mb McAfee Anti virus Content filtering 1 license for Disney 60 min Free Wi-Fi
Speedy 600	Under: 600 kbps Over: 128 kbps	US $ 66.56 S/. 217.65	More than 1	5 email accounts 30mb McAfee Anti virus 50 mb virtual hard disk Content Filtering 90 min Free Wi-Fi
Speedy 900	Under: 900 kbps Over: 128 kbps	US $ 99.84 S/. 328.47	More than 1	5 email accounts 30mb McAfee Anti virus 50 mb virtual hard disk Content Filtering 100 min Free Wi-Fi

Some notes on the table - the prices, which I took directly from the Telefónica site are based on a conversion rate of S/. 3.27 to the dollar. The speeds that are “guaranteed” are 1/10 of the nominal speed (what does this mean? We'll explain below).

The 50mb virtual hard disk is actually storage provided by Telefónica / Speedy for you to store data on-line that is accessible when you connect to Speedy.

The number of computers you can connect can be misleading, since if you install additional equipment you can share a single Internet line with more than one computer. (Home Networking is a future topic)

As for the speeds of transfer, the lower number is actually all that is “guaranteed”, the upper number is what you may see from time to time based on how many people in your neighborhood may be using Speedy at any given time. Unless you have a “high” need for large data transfers at high speed, it doesn't make sense to purchase anything other than Speedy 100. You need to move up to Speedy 600 before you receive any better guarantee, and you're then paying twice the cost of Speedy 100. When you sign up for any Speedy service, you'll receive an account ID with Telefónica and a date when they will install the service. The price you pay will include a modem (ASDL - not the normal phone line modem you may have been used to), and a “license” for 1 computer connection (more if you purchase the higher speed/cost services). The equipment you need is a computer / laptop with an Ethernet or USB port. You also must have an “open” phone line, as opposed to some Telefónica services which are “limited.”

Advantages: Higher speed connections to the Internet. E-mail account(s) included. Anti-virus checking (on-line or PC based). You can use your phone normally while surfing the web. Dedicated connection, with less interference and higher quality transmission.

Disadvantages: Must use in one location (home/office). Annual contract with penalties if cancelled before the year is up. Potentially higher cost than dial-up if you use Internet infrequently. Because of the annual contract you must be able to sign for the service, or have someone who can.

CableNet: This last service is similar to Speedy, but it uses the cable associated with television programming to bring the internet into your home. There are no “options” for this service, the speed is 128 kbps, and the cost is US $35.30 a month with a one time installation charge of US $35.00. You MUST also be a current subscriber to Cable Mágico. Additionally, not all locations in Lima have this coverage. You should visit this link to check if this service is available in your area. (http://www.telefonica.com.pe/cablemagico/cablenet.html) From this main page, click on “Cobertura” (coverage). This service also includes a “cable modem” which connects the service to your computer. (Ethernet or USB port required)

Advantages: High speed connection. Email accounts included. Uses the cable currently installed for television to deliver an internet connection.

Disadvantages: Same as Speedy, with the addition of having to subscribe to Cable Mágico.

This covers the majority of Internet services available for use in Lima and surrounding areas. I have personally used all EXCEPT Wi-Fi, and believe that CableNet is the best as long as you have Cable Mágico and also are in their coverage area.

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