internet access in Portugal with a "pen" ??

otoomet · 11-01-2009, 04:37 AM

Dear all,

my father is moving to Algarve, PT, for some time. He want to be able to access internet, unfortunately, no one he has been in contact with can really explain how to do it. The answers look like the ISP offers a "pen" wich allows internet access. Pens are compatible with PC, some with Mac as well. Here is the quote in portugues if anyone can understand it better:

Code:

A pen é compatível com todos computadores excepto com o Mac da Apple.
Se o computador do Senhor for um Mac também existe pen’s compatíveis (sapo adsl) que eu comprei uma para um cliente meu e é compatível com PC e Mac.
Se for possível fornecer a informação do tipo de computador que o senhor tem, quando forem á PT comprar será mais fácil verificar se realmente serve.

Does anyone have a clue what is the "pen"? Is it compatible with linux (his laptop has a recent ubuntu)? What are the common ways to access internet in PT?

Thx in advance,
Ott

b0uncer · 11-01-2009, 01:03 PM

(sorry, mislead!)

I'd bet it means just an ordinary gprs or 3G (hsdpa) wireless internet dongle, a modem into which you put a cellphone SIM into (preferably a contract where there's a cheap-ish data plan instead of the crazy rates of ordinary cellular plans) and use that to connect the computer to the internet. One such modem that is sure to work with Ubuntu (recent versions make your life easier) is Nokia's CS-15, from which I have personal experience. The downside is that you can't plug an external antennae into it, so if you're in a very tight place and would need one, it might not be so good..but if you don't need that, it's excellent.

EricTRA · 11-01-2009, 01:12 PM

Hello,

Basically the add is saying that you can access the internet using a pen, which is an USB modem. The pen is compatible with all computers EXCEPT Mac from Apple (exepto means except). There are however other compatible pens for Mac but the one PT gives you is not.

If your father is staying for some time and will reside at the same address, then it's better to contact PT (Portugal Telecom) and have an ADSL at home. I'm sure if he shops around a bit that he'll encounter other providers, like Vodafone too. The Vodafone provider would be quite interesting too since they (at least in Spain, but I believe also in Portugal) have this offer for new customers to have internet (ADSL) and telephone for 30 € per month. Including in that price the customer gets a 'pen' which allows you to have internet access when outside of your home on a laptop for example for 1 € per day extra.

Kind regards,

Eric

EricTRA · 11-01-2009, 01:13 PM

Here you can find some more information about internet providers in Portugal.

Kind regards,

Eric