Comments on: Finding good internet in a third world wonderland http://lake-atitlan.com/writings/2008/01/08/finding-good-internet-in-a-third-world-wonderland/ Stories and writings around and about Lake Atitlan in Guatemala Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:11:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Jopa http://lake-atitlan.com/writings/2008/01/08/finding-good-internet-in-a-third-world-wonderland/#comment-482 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:47:03 +0000 http://lake-atitlan.com/writings/2008/01/08/finding-good-internet-in-a-third-world-wonderland/#comment-482 Yea, nobody I know here on Lake Atitlan is using or has mentioned anyone using the tigo cellular connection. Though I know the cell towers are supporting cellular phones all over the lake. There are fiber-optic lines to a few towns on the lake. The main problem here is the rate at which information flows there could be several other options available here and nobody would know. The people selling the services that exist are not going to tell you. Guate rules are regarding broadcast frequencies, wattage, etc probably don't exist, and if they do they are definitely not going to be enforced unless you ask them too and then its unlikely. The cops are all too busy chasing girls and trying to make a buck. Good luck, on your quest to get connected, feel free to ask more questions... Peace, Jopa ~~~~~` Yea, nobody I know here on Lake Atitlan is using or has mentioned anyone using the tigo cellular connection. Though I know the cell towers are supporting cellular phones all over the lake.

There are fiber-optic lines to a few towns on the lake. The main problem here is the rate at which information flows there could be several other options available here and nobody would know. The people selling the services that exist are not going to tell you.

Guate rules are regarding broadcast frequencies, wattage, etc probably don’t exist, and if they do they are definitely not going to be enforced unless you ask them too and then its unlikely. The cops are all too busy chasing girls and trying to make a buck.

Good luck, on your quest to get connected, feel free to ask more questions…

Peace,
Jopa
~~~~~`

]]> by: CL http://lake-atitlan.com/writings/2008/01/08/finding-good-internet-in-a-third-world-wonderland/#comment-481 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:33:58 +0000 http://lake-atitlan.com/writings/2008/01/08/finding-good-internet-in-a-third-world-wonderland/#comment-481 Hi, TIGO cellular claims to serve the Lake Atitlan area (based on their coverage map) and offers an unlimited-usage Internet plan for U$35. I am guessing by its not being mentioned here that it is either painfully slow or not available at all. http://www.tigo.com.gt/cobertura_gsm.php One area-contact told me that TIGO's maps claim quite a bit more coverage than exists. Considering the terrain, their claims seemed to require a lot more infrastructure than could be logically supported by their customer-base. He added that he has not heard of TIGO being used for Internet around the lake yet, though I am surprised they would not have a tower that is line-of-sight to Pana. Another site mentioned fiber-optic in Pana: http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index.cfm?frmid=217&forumid=0&dbname=ee&tpcid=3331126&shared=N (down a couple messages the fiber-optic option is mentioned in a reply) If this is actually present, 802.11 nets would be quite easy and inexpensive to setup from the fiber-connection with some homemade directional antennas and Wireless Routers. I'm not sure what the Guate rules are regarding broadcast frequencies, wattage, etc, though. Hi,

TIGO cellular claims to serve the Lake Atitlan area (based on their coverage map) and offers an unlimited-usage Internet plan for U$35. I am guessing by its not being mentioned here that it is either painfully slow or not available at all.

http://www.tigo.com.gt/cobertura_gsm.php

One area-contact told me that TIGO’s maps claim quite a bit more coverage than exists. Considering the terrain, their claims seemed to require a lot more infrastructure than could be logically supported by their customer-base. He added that he has not heard of TIGO being used for Internet around the lake yet, though I am surprised they would not have a tower that is line-of-sight to Pana.

Another site mentioned fiber-optic in Pana:

http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index.cfm?frmid=217&forumid=0&dbname=ee&tpcid=3331126&shared=N
(down a couple messages the fiber-optic option is mentioned in a reply)

If this is actually present, 802.11 nets would be quite easy and inexpensive to setup from the fiber-connection with some homemade directional antennas and Wireless Routers. I’m not sure what the Guate rules are regarding broadcast frequencies, wattage, etc, though.

]]> by: Jopa http://lake-atitlan.com/writings/2008/01/08/finding-good-internet-in-a-third-world-wonderland/#comment-407 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:37:31 +0000 http://lake-atitlan.com/writings/2008/01/08/finding-good-internet-in-a-third-world-wonderland/#comment-407 Ok, heres the update. I ended up going with the Cable Internet Company, which is the second fastest Internet in town. So far so good I have around 128K Internet speed upload and download. Sooo... I guess it is possible to work in a third world paradise, now I just have to make myself work. Ok, heres the update. I ended up going with the Cable Internet Company, which is the second fastest Internet in town. So far so good I have around 128K Internet speed upload and download. Sooo… I guess it is possible to work in a third world paradise, now I just have to make myself work.

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