Questions for Coz residents : Internet costs, speed, reliability ?

[annlaur]

Hey there,
Well, after spending another awesome 2 months on the island this Spring (trip report coming "ahorita" aka "sometimes at an unforeseen date in the future" ), I am now seriously considering making THE MOVE.

Unfortunately, I can't retire yet (and won't even be able to do so "ahorita"), so I gotta work. I can pretty much do my job (copyediting and proofreading) from anywhere in the world, provided I find an employer who doesn't mind me working out of the office and have access to a very reliable and fast enough Internet connection.

What are the different available options for Internet connections on the island? How much do they cost?
I've seen people using Internet USB keys (great if I want to work from a beach bar:cool2. Are those expensive and "fast" enough?

One job I'm applying for would require me to work Mon-Fri at specific times, so I couldn't afford to be unconnected for more than an hour. Are island-wide Internet shut-offs common ? Guess I could always take the ferry and go to Playa in case of an emergency but that might turn out expensive and a PITA if it happens once a month…

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Also, is tech support available on the island for Mac users? I'm very comfortable working on my MacBook and softwares on a daily basis, but have no clue whatsoever about computer science.

 

[deborahdelamar]

You won't have super high speeds here but they are not slow as molasses, either. Plenty of folks work over the internet here.

There are two major providers: Telmex DSL via wire or fiber optic cable depending on where you're located; and Cablemas, the larger of the two cable companies.

With Telmex, which is very good in Colonia Centro, you must accept a landline phone contract in addition to internet. You can buy higher speeds, but IMO all the speeds it offers are the same, so the basic service may be all that you need. Don't buy a package with caller ID, voicemail and other enhancements; just ask for basic service. This runs around 380 pesos per month with about half of that representing the internet service. Telmex will give you a free wireless router. I don't recall paying for installation, which took several weeks. Telmex requires proof of address to open an account.

Cablemas has a website and I believe the info re cable internet is there.

A lot of residents in multiple-dwelling buildings share wifi connections with everyone contributing to the cost. You may end up in a situation like that so check before you buy your own.

There are plenty of fast, free hot spots around town, which are invaluable while you wait for your service to be installed or when you need to work away from home.

 

[cvchief]

I haven't done the speed test. (Why I haven't, I really don't know..) But I do know the uploads speeds aren't terrific on the base Telmex DSL I have. But then I have Comcast with crazy bandwidth in the US.

 

[RubberDucky]

I was there for 2 weeks in June, and one of the providers (not Cablemas) was down 99% of the time for the entire 2 weeks. It had been having problems for at least a week before I arrived. This was not a local issue on a customer's wireless router. This was a confirmed issue with the provider. I wouldn't use them if they were free. I've had issues with Cablemas as well (3 day outage a few years ago), but whoever the provider is that was down for 3+ weeks, I'd avoid them like the plague. I think it had "Prodigy" in the name? I don't remember. Prodigy Infinitum through Telmex? Terrible :/

 

[annlaur]

Thanks for the very useful info so far. Deborah, any issues with your Telmex connection?
RubberDucky's experience worries me, I could work around an occasional 3-week outage (just go stay with friends on the continent or in the US), but not if it happens regularly.

 

[RubberDucky]

I walked over to the No Name Bar and used the Internet there when I needed it once. It didn't cost anything since I brought my own laptop (I bought a drink though).

 

[deborahdelamar]

On Cozumel, no one is surprised when something doesn't work -- We're surprised when it does!

If you want TV, Cablemas would be the logical choice for internet because you can bundle the services. You need to speak with neighbors to learn which service is best in your area.

I live in the north part of downtown and Telmex's equipment here is almost brand new and service is excellent in this area.

I've had the service for 3 years. Last year, we had a 2-day outage when water invaded the in-ground cables after an extended period of rain -- it took the servicemen some time to locate, dig & repair. Over the entire period, my service has gone out for an hour or two on 2 or 3 occasions. I don't know why and it hasn't happened in recent memory.

I've never had an extended outage per RubberDucky's report. It was raining a lot in June, maybe it was a rain-related problem similar to the one we had. Or it may have been a private building problem vs. public utility problem, which may take longer to deal with. Or maybe Telmex was owed money! And yes, Prodigy & Infinitum are Telmex brands.

 

[tedgarner]

I have had very few problems with tel mex and never anything over a hour and just once or twice in 4 years.
I have the basic package and it gets the job done for me.
I have a friend that works over the internet and has no issues with tel mex I do use skype and it works fine just as long as that is all that is going on no surfing.

 

[annlaur]

Thank you ! I will do some research regarding provider and bandwidth before renting an appartment if I do get the job (fingers crossed). Would rather go with Telmex as I have no need/desire to buy a TV set. My experience using WiFi in public places (Coffee Bean, Los Otates&#8230 a few months ago has been hit and miss, not an issue as I was on vacation but not reliable enough for professional use. I don't expect things to run perfectly all the time (and IMO that's part of the appeal of living in Mexico), but I do have to meet strict deadlines.

 

[MMM]

I have my service through Cablemas and it includes the cable TV. Runs about 500 pesos/month. It is faster than my service at home and it never went down in the 5 months I was there this past winter. Their costs were similar to Telmex but what sold me with them is that after you've been with them for one year, you can temporarily suspend service when you aren't on the island and then re-activate when you are...saving mucho pesos during the spring/summer when we aren't there.