Technology: Phones, Internet, and
Television
Not all American electronics will work in Europe, but that
doesn’t mean you should leave them all at home when you move. Here’s an
explanation of what you need to buy new, and what will work automatically.
Electric
outlets
The shapes of electrical outlets vary throughout the world.
In the United States, the two straight aligned bars on an electrical plug are
standard, so everything you buy in a US store plugs into the wall of an
American home. In most of Europe, including Spain, the standard shape is two
ROUND aligned plugs. In order to fit an American plug into a Spanish outlet,
you need to use a small adapter which has input for the American shape plug and
output plugs to fit the Spanish outlet. These adapters are about $2 a piece,
and available at the NEX on base, so it is fine to bring all your current small
appliances: computers, printers, toasters, coffee makers, hair dryers, etc. On
base, the houses have all been outfitted with American style outlets in the
walls, and the electricity has been converted to 110 volts, so everything you
bring will work precisely as it did in the States, and you will only need the
adapters when you travel.
Off base, there is another important difference to be noted.
Not only are the shape of Spanish outlets different from American plugs, but
the electrical output is much different, too. Spain uses 220 volts of
electricity as its standard. America uses only 110. So even if you adapt the
shape of an American appliance to plug into a Spanish wall, the appliance will
still fry from the high voltage, unless you use a transformer to step down the
voltage and make it safe for your appliance. If you move into off-base housing,
you will be issued two or three transformers from the Self Help store. To use
an American appliance in a Spanish home, plug the appliance into the
transformer, and the transformer into the wall. You will probably use just 1
transformer in the kitchen, and another in the living room, so some people find
it tedious to constantly move it around and unplug everything. Some appliances
like TV’s, phone chargers, and computers automatically transition between 110
and 220 volts, but always read the back of the appliance first! If it is dual
power, it will say 110v- 240v and 50-60 Hz. Small appliances like lamps, hair
dryers, toasters, etc. usually do not transition automatically and would
require the transformer. It can sometimes be cheaper on the energy bills to
purchase Spanish small appliances (new or secondhand) and use them instead, and
resell them before you move.
Telephone
Information
In Spain, you only pay for outgoing calls and texts, not for
calls or texts received.
Spanish phones have 9-digit numbers. Most on base numbers
are listed in 7 digits. This is called a DSN. To use a Spanish phone to call a
DSN line on base, you cannot dial the 7-digit number. Instead you must dial
956-82-****. So if the extension is listed on base as 727-1111, then from a
Spanish phone you would dial 956-82-1111.
To call a base number from the United States, you will have
to first dial the international code (011), and Spain’s country code, which is
34. Therefore, if a base number is listed as 727-1111, when calling from the
United States, you would dial 011-34-956-82-1111.
The Emergency number for Fire, Ambulance, and Police in
Spain is 112. On base, you can dial 911 to receive emergency services, or
727-2911, but in town you should call 112.
For a list of Rota’s important phone numbers on base, visit the official
Phone Directory, available through CNIC Rota’s website:
installations/ns_rota/about/
installation_guide/
phone_directory.html.
This page has dialing instructions for base and from the States, and
will be updated regularly to reflect accurate extensions and names of contacts.
Cell Phones:
Most American cell phones will not
work in Europe unless they are made for international use and have an unlocked
SIM card. To get your American SIM card unlocked, talk to your phone provider
before you leave the States. Your plan usually cannot be under military
suspension when you make the unlock request. Your provider will send you a
code, and once it is verified the card will be unlocked. You will not want to
continue service with your American provider, even if they have international
coverage, due to the high cost. While Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobil might claim
they have international coverage, none of those companies have stores here to
provide long-term plans or service. It may be a good idea to get international
coverage for the first few weeks here with your current provider, but you would
not want to use that as a permanent option. Buying smart phones here can be
very expensive, but the price for unlocking them varies. It is best to bring an
unlocked smart phone, then buy a Spanish SIM card and begin a contract or a
monthly payment plan through one of several Spanish cell phone companies, such
as Movistar, Orange, or Vodaphone. (Movistar currently has the best reception
and service on base). If necessary, you
can also purchase smart phones and data devices here, as well as a Spanish SIM
card. Spanish companies do not do 2-year service plans. Instead, you get a
1-year plan and make monthly payments towards the value of the phone. There is
a phone center at the NEX where you can purchase phones, service, and cut SIM
cards. You can also go to phone stores in town.
Please note: to purchase a smart
phone here and begin a payment plan, you will need an N.I.E. number (explained
in the vehicle section) and a Spanish bank account. This will take at least two
to four weeks to get set up, so do not expect to be able to purchase a data
cell phone immediately upon arrival. If you are purchasing a prepaid instead of
a contract phone, you can do that without the N.I.E. number. You will just use
your passport or yellow TEI card issued the day you arrive on base.
If you don’t need a smart phone or
data plan, you can purchase a cheap Spanish cell phone for about 20 Euros, and
pay cash whenever you need to add minutes. This is a simple option with no
contract and minimal cost, so you can use it as much or little as you like, and
quit using it whenever you choose. You will not receive a monthly bill, and you
can top off your minutes at kiosks located at numerous stores and even gas
stations in town. Of course, it will be a very basic phone with no internet
access and probably no camera capabilities.
Your Spanish cell phone will not
work when you visit or return to the States, unless you have an American SIM
card. Some phones have slots for two SIM cards, which is a great way to
guarantee it will work in either country.
Land Lines:
If you move into base housing, you
can use any brand of landline phone. The base Movistar representative will
enable the jacks in your home, and each house comes with a pre-assigned 7-digit
DSN number. You can plug in any phone that you already own, and use it as your
land line. For a flat monthly fee, those who live on base can dial other base
DSN lines, as well as Spanish landlines and cell phones. To call a cell phone
from the land line, you have to dial 18- first.
Off base, you will have to discuss
land line options with your landlord. Some people find it easier to just use
cell phones, but of course you can use the land line in your rented apartment
or house and pay the monthly bill.
International Calls:
Because of the high expense to call
the United States and other countries from a Spanish phone, most people use
either Vonage or Magic Jack to have an American phone number that can be used
to dial or receive calls. Family in the States can dial the number for the same
rates as they would be charged for any other American number. Vonage charges a
flat monthly fee, and incoming calls are free. Magic Jack charges an annual fee
of about $30. Vonage boxes will only be shipped to American addresses, so if
you plan to use their service, you must order it before you move to Spain.
Magic Jack is sold in the States or at the NEX on base, for about $60.
You can also use programs like Skype
or Facetime to make free phone or video calls through a computer or Apple
device. The person you are trying to reach must also have the program
installed.
Internet
Whether you live on or off base, you
can use a Movistar modem for Internet access. These can be obtained through the
NCTAMS office on base, and set up for a standard installation rate. The flat
monthly rate is paid to the base phone office, and includes an equipment rental
fee that cannot be avoided, even if you use your own router. The internet
speeds are average, and adequate for most downloads and streaming shows.
In town, some areas have the option
for faster Internet speeds with providers like Ono, Vodaphone, Orange, Axartel,
or Gartel. Monthly fees will be charged based on speed. You can shop around for
the provider that serves your area and suits your needs.
The only drawback is that a Spanish
modem (on or off base) provides a Spanish IP address. If you subscribe to
American companies such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu+, your access to
their sites will be blocked when you sign on with a computer using a Spanish IP
address. The way around this is to use a VPN-blocking program such as Strong
VPN, UNblockus.com, or Hola. These programs allow you to turn your Spanish VPN
address off, and temporarily use an American IP address for any computer,
laptop, PlayStation, Xbox, Wii, etc. They all have slightly different abilities
and costs, so choose one that will work for you. Some companies require you to
buy a particular modem, others will work with an American modem you bring with
you or purchase here at the NEX. Be advised that there are many illegal ways to
change your VPN for free, but if you want to do it legally you should pay an
annual fee for the service.
When ordering products online from
American companies, you must first check if they will ship to FPO/AE addresses.
Many companies like Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Target do, but have restrictions on
product size or weight that can go through the USPS. Sometimes, if the FPO
option does not appear in the drop down menu, you can select New York as the
state, then write FPO/AE as the city. Military mail was formerly routed through
New York, though it has recently been diverted to Chicago. It is recommended to
contact the provider directly and confirm shipping possibilities if FPO is not
an option.
Television
To watch TV
shows online, you will need to change your IP address, or get a VPN blocker, as
described on the previous page. If you have an Apple TV, you can change the IP
address on the TV and then just purchase the shows you want. Another option is
to purchase a Slingbox, which must be set up to a cable box in the United
States (usually at a relative’s house). It costs $250 for the equipment and
set-up, but after that usage is free and you can watch American shows as they
come out.
If
you live in town, some houses are already equipped to receive Spanish cable TV
services, which will provide about 100 channels at no cost. (Additional premium
channels are available for monthly fees).
Most shows, of course, are in Spanish, with the BBC and maybe one other
channel playing shows in English. If the shows are movies or news originally broadcast
in English, than many TV’s can convert to the original language. But the
cartoons and Spanish shows are a great way for families to learn the language.
Also, you have to purchase a cable converter box for about $100 so that your
American TV can receive the Spanish signal, or use a European or multi-system
television. You may also pick up a converter box in the base self-help store to
allow you to view AFN, (American Forces Network), in your off-base home. The
housing office has a list of people who can install it for you. You pay an installation
fee of about $100, which includes the satellite dish and the set up. The box
can be used for the duration of your stay, so you can view the 12 AFN channels,
which are all broadcast in English. Most American TV’s can be used off base, as
long as they are able to convert to the 220-volt power in Spanish plugs.
On
base, the AFN cable is available for free, and all houses are wired to
automatically receive only the American AFN signals. Base housing is pre-wired
to receive AFN without a cable box, so a TV cable plugged into the wall will
automatically pick up the AFN signal.
There are no DVR options. You can request an antenna to receive Spanish
TV signals, but you will need a converter box or a European TV to actually play
the channels.
The American Forces Network (AFN) is American programming
that is available worldwide for troops who are deployed to the Middle East, or
stationed in Europe, Asia, or the Pacific. The good part is that you can watch
TV in English, and for free, while you are stationed here. The drawback is that
there are only a few channels. There is one news channel, which cycles all the
major news shows-CNN, Fox News, NBC, etc. for one hour at a time. There is a
movie channel, a family channel, and one called AFN Pacific which is time
adjusted for people on the opposite side of the globe. There is at least one
sports channel that plays some games live, and replays others, depending on the
time difference. (To watch the Superbowl, for example, you can either stay up
all night, or watch the replay the next day.) The top-rated American shows are
played on a regular schedule, usually the day after they air in America, but
many people use other services to view their favorite shows online. In general,
the programming is designed to be popular for young men. One interesting aspect
of AFN is that it is a non-profit government program, so there are no
commercials. The commercial breaks are replaced with military infomercials.
AFN also
operates a radio station that provides English programming and hit American
songs 24 hours per day. Currently, their frequency is FM 102.5.
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