OK, if you are reading this, you are probably already connected to the net. But just in case...here's a guide.

The internet in Spain got off to a slow start due to the high cost of local calls and the relative lack of computers, although there has been a spectacular increase in its usage due mainly to lower prices for both calls and computers, and Spain now takes the internet seriously. Around 23 percent of households are online, a huge increase from 0.7 percent in 1996.

However, Spain still lags behind in the ratings against most EU countries, particularly where ADSL is concerned. High connection and monthly charges for ADSL mean only around 3 percent of households have broad band technology, although this figure is increasing.

Competition for clients is fierce and there has been a prolific growth in servers (servidores) recently with many offering free internet. There are also many other companies who charge an annual amount for internet and e-mail services. You should compare prices, particularly as the Internet service provided free by some companies can be extremely slow and/or clogged up with their publicity, making access difficult and expensive in telephone charges.

Connecting to the internet costs the same as local calls, although most companies offer discount services, which generally allow you to buy a fixed number of access hours per month at a discount. Telefónica’s Bononet offers either 10 or 50 hours a month for use during peak daytime hours (8am to 8pm Mon-Fri) or night (10pm to 8am Mon-Fri and at weekends). The 50-hour, daytime bono costs EUR 45.98 per month (10 hours EUR 12.62), a large saving on normal call rates, and the 50-hour night-time bono EUR 18.03 per month (10 hours EUR 5.11). Telefónica also offers the possibility of combining local and Internet call charges under the Bono Ciudad Plus service where you purchase 600-minutes a month for EUR 8.41. Other companies offer similar discounts and rates.

The service must be contracted before the month begins and continues until you cancel it. Different provinces have different starting dates, e.g. in Malaga the Bononet month runs from the 10th to the 9th. Any unused hours in a month aren’t refundable and if you go over your contracted number of hours the excess time is charged at the normal rate (not for nothing is Telefónica one of Spain’s most profitable companies!).

Broadband internet (ADSL) is now available in most of Spain’s urban areas, although you should check with your telephone company that the service is available. Rural areas are less well-served and some more remote areas don’t have ADSL facilities at all.

Advantages of ADSL include fast internet access and the possibility of being able to access your phone line at the same time as the internet. However, monthly charges are high and unless you use the Internet for several hours daily, it’s probably cheaper to use the conventional Internet connection with a discount service such as Bononet. Competition for ADSL clients is fierce, although the initial charge and monthly rate are vary little from one company to another.

Occasional promotions offer good deals such as the modem or initial charge free. Telefónica currently charges EUR 76.90 for a USB Modem and EUR 126.90 for a Router (allowing more than one computer to connect to the ADSL line). Initial connection charges are EUR 38.10 and there’s a monthly fee of EUR 39.07.

This article is an extract from Living and Working in Spain, by David Hampshire. Published by Surival Books.