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GMT 02/07/2007 13.31
SPAIN - (top
of page) A new law entered the statute books un-opposed in Spain yesterday. It is designed to 'clean up' the Spanish property industry, curb wild development and banish corruption from local administration. It will make many contentious planning decisions, such as land re-classification from rural to urban status, more transparent by forcing local councils to identify the construction companies who benefit from these changes. (Hope they identify the corrupt officials also?) GMT 01/07/2007 13:56
SPAIN - (top
of page) The investigative visit to Spain by two MEP's with regard to the 'shady' practices in some provinces of snatching land from owners and 'giving' it to developers, has produced a damning report from the two (one British and one Polish MEP). This happened after the European Parliament received a 15,000 signature petition from the affected people in Spain. Typically, Spanish MEP's, (one from Valencia), have shrugged off the report, thinking it was a leftist plot, and saying it "undermines national competences". - Really? - what about the poor dispossessed owners of ALL nationalities? GMT 29/06/2007 12.20
SPAIN - (top
of page) It looks like Mayor Francisco Escobedo is being spotlighted for his dubious, but profitable (for him?), dealings with developers - so what's new? GMT 26/06/07 14.32 SPAIN - (top
of page) It seems that builders were allowed to build illegal properties by bribing officials in power at the time, and now owners have been told their properties will be demolished, despite the fact they bought them in good faith and even lawyers were fooled into thinking they were legal.
GMT 13/06/2007 10:30
SPAIN - (top
of page) It appears that not ALL local calls are equal under our prime telephone provider's rules and regulations. It has recently come to our notice that people using dial-up modems, rather than broadband or ADSL to access their e-mail and browse the internet, could be paying almost double what they need to, depending on which ISP company they use to dial into. For instance, most but not all numbers beginning with 901 are classed as standard local calls, rather than Internet access calls, for which the charging rate is lower. Telefonica S.A consider only numbers starting with 908 to be Internet access numbers, and they quote the cost of these to be "0.02eurocents per minute normal time*, and 0.01eurocents per minute reduced time*, and calls to 901 numbers, which are considered to be metropolitan, can cost upto double" This would be fine if it were consistent. However Telefonica would not be Telefonica, if this were so. In fact, what they appear to be doing, is trying to get users to switch to their - yes you guessed - 908 number! For instance if you use Gonuts4free on 901929200 as your dial-up internet provider, not only will you get a fast connection, but you will pay a lot less than if you use Wanadoo on 901900109, and indeed the same as Telefonicas own 908 number! Why do Wanadoo charge more? - well as they say, there is no such thing as free lunch. The only way these "FREE access" dial-up connections can remain in business is by stipulating how much Telefonica should charge per connection and then per minute each time their access number is called. They then get paid the difference between Telefonica's cost to them, and the charge to you. It would seem obvious to us that some companies are 'greedier' than others, and unfortunately, this is not evident until you get the bill, and then only if you happen to check it closely. So if you are using dial-up and it's not via Gonuts4free.com, then we advise to to scrutinise your Telefonica bills a little more closely - you may wish to change your provider?. To add insult to injury however, as well as not making these differences clear, Telefonica choose not to itemise Metropolitan numbers on your bill, (unless you shell out an extra 6 euros a month for the privilege). - Dubious? And yes, you guessed it 908
numbers (and some 901 numbers), are classed as Metropolitan
numbers, which makes it very difficult to analyze your bills accurately. -
(Plus if bills only arrive every two to three months, these excess charges can have accrued mightily before you know it!) Fortunately, like BT in the UK, Telefonica are now having to comply with European ruling and open their systems to competition who are taking over the local wires (and in many cases replacing them with fibre optics and internet speeds up to 20mbits a sec downline). Unfortunately these competitors (such as Jazztel), are not viable suppliers in all areas throughout Spain. After analysis of a recent Telefonica bill, the following companies' charges, based on similar 5 to 6+ minute duration call connections made between 12 noon and 1pm on Friday 11th May, AND after 8pm on Monday 16th May were:
* Orange was not used
during off peak or reduced rate periods, so billing figures are not
available.
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P.S - Wanadoo now belongs to Orange the mobile phone group, who have been coming in for flak on their ADSL offering in the UK!, AND FINALLY if you feel like complaining to Telefonica their Complaints FAX line number is 900 506 580 which is free in Spain - it's the only FAX that Telefonica own, and often seems to be permanently engaged so just keep trying! GMT 10/06/2007 18:15 SPAIN - (top of page) If you are moving towards retirement - read this: Recent changes to the government "old age pension" provisions could affect you. For instance if you are below retirement age and still paying contributions, you may be over paying. The qualifying period has been reduced. You may find out that you are even due a refund! Also, if you are parent who had time off work to bring up your children, you could be eligible for a reduction in the number of qualifying years, for this. And finally, - did you know that if you defer taking your pension for a year or two, the Government will pay you 10% interest for each year on your deferred pension? Check it all out here. Whilst on this site complete form CA3638 and get estimates of the above and also a pension estimate based on your contributions to date! GMT 19/05/2007 16:15 SPAIN - (top of page) If you want ADSL Broadband in Spain - read this: Jazztel are one of the many companies to offer broadband internet connection in Spain. The difference with them is they take over the line, so you don't get bills from them and Telefonica. Their current special is a 20mb broadband line with 24/7 access, all calls to Spanish mainland, and line rental for a good bit under €50 euros a month including IVA. This is a similar cost to Telefonica's 1mb offering, AND, it's not a 12 month contract. You can escape from Spain with 30 days notice. If you don't have a telephone line installed, you will need Telefonica to install one before calling Jazztel, they will then take it over and ensure you are credited for any advance rentals charged by Telefonica. (see also Tele2) Incidentally, speaking of my "favourite" (not) Spanish company Telefonica, it transpires that the European Commission, slammed a 151.8 million Euro fine on Telefonica for its “very serious” and long-lasting abuse of its dominant market position. This hefty fine is surpassed only by Microsoft’s 2004 fine – so bring it on I say. Open up the market and watch clients of Telefonica vote with their feet! GMT 12/05/2007 13:15 SPAIN - (top of page) If you use your UK mobile in Spain under roaming options - read this: Recent laws passed at the European parliament mean that from around July to August 2007, you should be able to use your UK mobile whilst 'roaming in Spain', (or the rest of Europe!), without being stung for the iniquitous charges made by many mobile companies. These can be as high as £1.50 a minute. The new charges will be governed by law, and will be as little as 0.15p a minute. This will mean that many ex-pats can save themselves having to have a Spanish mobile phone contract or Pay as You Go phone costing upto 0.50 eurocents a minute. GMT 10/05/2007 11:15 SPAIN - (top of page) If you need a fixed line Telephone - You need to read this,(update 22/07) DO NOT go to the Telefonica shop! or it will cost you upto €150, even if the lines and sockets are already in your property!
USE THEIR WEBSITE TO BOOK YOUR LINE! - Check this out:
here
Yes, if you book your basic line 'on-line' and don't
order their Domo2 phone you not only save a minimum €100 installation, but
also the on-going rental for their Domo! - (most large Spanish
supermarkets sell phones or ones from England work if you change the line
cord). Incidentally, speaking of my "favourite" (not) Spanish company Telefonica, it transpires that the European Commission, slammed a 151.8 million Euro fine on Telefonica for its “very serious” and long-lasting abuse of its dominant market position. This hefty fine is surpassed only by Microsoft’s 2004 fine – so bring it on I say. Open up the market and watch clients of Telefonica vote with their feet!
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