|
Some of us in Messinia are lucky enough to have broadband, which we access through ADSL and a modem or perhaps live in a wifi hotspot. However, many are not so fortunate and still have to rely on dial up, which can be frustrating, especially if you have been used to faster internet connections, expensive (if you use it a lot) and time consuming. Rumours abound that broadband access is becoming more widespread or that it will be coming soon (where have we heard that before?!), but just how far spread in Messinia is it?
We thought we would undertake a mini survey of broadband access in Messinia. Although we realise that our sample will be small (hopefully all 50 plus MaM members!) we hope that it will give some indication of just where you can get broadband currently.
Please let us know the following, by adding your comments below:
1. Where is your property?
2. Do you have broadband?
3. If so, how do you access broadband (ADSL & modem/wifi hotspot?)
4. Who is your broadband provider and how much per month does it cost you?
5. Are there any hot deals available that you would like to share with MaM members?
6. Have you any information about how broadband is being rolled out in the area?
Readers have left 16 comments. No.1 ADSL - a sore point!
There seems to be access to ADSL from Kalamata all the way through Messini, Petalidi, Chrani and down the coast to Koroni - with the exception of those of us who are routed through the Xarakopio exchange (numbers begining 4XXXX. The wonderful OTE have been promising conversion at this exchange for at least twelve months to my knowledge and have yet to complete. This is extremely frustrating especially since if you live either side of this exchange you can access ADSL. In terms of provider I would reccommend 'Forthnet' - enquire at the Gonet shop on Aristomenos (?) St in Kalamata. They are very helpful and Forthnet is a very reliable service at very competetive prices. For example, am currently paying €55 for six months for ISDN for unlimited use (apart from the connection fee to my friends at OTE of course!) Check their English web site - forthnet.gr You shouldn't have got me started on this David - it's a very sore point...!! No.2 It was me!
Sorry grumpyhippy - mea culpa. You can blame me for raising your blood pressure  No.3 Where is it wifi?
Where are the Wifi hotspots? The only one I know of is in Methoni, where you are encouraged to have a coffee while you surf. I've not used the service yet so would like to know what each venue offers! No.4 Wifi
Think there is also a wifi hotspot in Finikounda - haven't used it but am sure have seen posters advertising it in one or two places in the town. No.5 Hotspots
Pylos, Finikounda have hotspots provided by the Internet shop in Pylos(behind the paltiea, up the hill on the way to the church). They were pricing connections quite high at €5 per hour and I'm not sure of the exact area of coverage but if you have a laptop you may get some benefit.
Methoni has a few I believe, provided by a couple of the cafes/bars where you can browse as long as your drinking, which in Greece could easily be all day long on one cup.
Otherwise you'll need to go to Kalamata I think.
As an alternative, I'd be quite happy to download larger files for you if you can provide the CDs/DVDs (I'm in Longa).
A little tip for those of you still on a dialup connection (ISDN included), get yourself a good Download Manager that will allow you to resume an existing download if you get cut off or only want to spend a hour online each time for example.
Internet Download Manager comes highly recommended. No.6 by the way
Those of you who are lucky enough to have broadband, there is an excellent free website that you can download television shows and more from for the coming winter months.
http://joox.net
they provide access to
Animation
Bollywood films
Cartoons
Comedy (Stand up/Sketches)
Documentaries
Foreign movies with subtitles
Foreign or dubbed movies
Movies
Music
Sport
TV shows
Enjoy
Marc No.7 broadband
I am pleased to say that at Megali Mandinia, Kalamata and Pethalidi people can get broadband wi-fi from a company called i-surf in Kalamata,who will be going further afield as time goes on. I can give further info for anyone who is interested.I will try the t.v. as we don't have a dish. thanks. No.8 The broadband saga
Hi, we live in Pedino, Tseria, above Kardamili. We would dearly love broadband connection but have been told we're unlikely to get it in the foreseeable future. There is broadband in Kardamili however. And there are several cafes with hotspots. The best seems to be at Anna's on the high street. No.9 Not-so-Broadband
Hi We live on the outskirts of Methoni and have had HOL ADSL-provided broadband for a year or so. It costs 25 Euros a month and we are looking to change (since the introductory offer of 18 Euros expired!!). We are limited to 1MB download speed which is fine for everyday purposes but much too slow, of course, for viewing TV on line.
We have been told that HOL has the government contract to install a new highspeed network (after the original contract with OTE failed) in this area, but the "best guess" as to when this might be available is 12 months - and don't hold your breath on that one!! No.10 ms
No broadband here in the wilds of Chrisokelaria. Although it is available in Harakopia and Koroni. Perhaps the goats and donkeys ere happy with dial up. Personally I'm fed up with it.
Lizzie's GOM {grumpy old man) No.11 m
whoops did i say bband available in harakopio i meant finikounda No.12 Oops!
Thanks for clarifying that Keith - I thought a miracle had happened!  No.13 'fat' chance I think
I live in Mathia which is a bit too high up I think! Have ISDN which is I suppose something ... When I asked at OTE about BB they laughed  not sure whether it was at my Greek or at the question! No.14 Check out Pylos
The guy in the internat shop in Pylos told me that he is trying to sort out an antenna to be put up on the roof of Assimikies garage in Methoni. When quizzed on the details he stated that a wireless DSL modem..(which I use here in Bermuda)..will be the prefered method..maybe worth asking again. When we move over I am going to need an internet connection.
Maybe if enough people show interest he might sort it.
I heard a very good description of Greek motivation. 'In Greece they have a word for tomorrow, Avrio, which lacks the sense of urgency conveyed by Manyana!!!.True that. No.15 Koroni hotspot
There is free internet access in one of the harbour cafes in Koroni. We use Cosmote "Internet to go" on the outskirts of Vasilitsi and find that most of the time this works really well and is better and faster than forthnet. If interested ask in a Germanos store. There is no broadband here and we have been informed it will take about 2 years to install. No.16 Broadband via Sat
Has any body got info for broadband via there satellate dish, as this would be a way of getting round OTE and what kind of cost it would invole, ie is a cheaper way to get broadband. |
