How's the Internet in Panama?
David Veilleux - Planet Telecom Panama
How is the Internet in Panama is kind of like asking 'hows the weather in the USA or Canada'?
It depends, where you live and whether you have access to 'terrestrial' cable or need to rely on wireless connectivity.
Panama has great Internet infrastructure. There are several undersea fiber optic cables connecting the country to the rest of the world.
If you live in a city or large town, service is...
How is the Internet in Panama is kind of like asking 'hows the weather in the USA or Canada'?
It depends, where you live and whether you have access to 'terrestrial' cable or need to rely on wireless connectivity.
Panama has great Internet infrastructure. There are several undersea fiber optic cables connecting the country to the rest of the world.
If you live in a city or large town, service is generally available from the phone company (Cable and Wireless) or the cable TV company (Cable Onda). Both have good infrastructure and great package prices.
If you are in the countryside, things get a bit murkier; certainly wireless connections cost more and the levels of service can vary widely.
Most providers have good quality connections but you may want to spend some time and ask some questions:
- Do you they have bilingual customer and technical support?
- Do they send you your bills electronically?
- Can you pay your bill with a credit card without having to present yourself to their offices?
- If there is a problem, what is the average response time to get service at your home?
- What is the policy for bill credits if the service goes down?
- What is their policy regarding providing you the speed that you subscribe to?
Good Internet was one of the determining factors for me moving here 6 years ago.
Posted July 29, 2013
Barbara Socarraz
I have been living in David for a month now and I have had no problem with an internet connection. You may purchase a Claro stick and for $15 a month you can have an internet hook up and you will not need WiFi or a router. The speed is slow but it is a great way to get started. I found out that I do not have access to Pandora in Panama, and I am sure there are some other little quirks, but you just work through them.
I have been living in David for a month now and I have had no problem with an internet connection. You may purchase a Claro stick and for $15 a month you can have an internet hook up and you will not need WiFi or a router. The speed is slow but it is a great way to get started. I found out that I do not have access to Pandora in Panama, and I am sure there are some other little quirks, but you just work through them.
Posted July 30, 2013
Lourdes Townshend
In addition to the other answers, I´d like to mention that Claro offers US phone lines, (through internet, but you don´t have to be on the computer at the time of the phone call, just have internet available), by which for a minimum monthly fee you have access to an international (covers several countries) and a local number. For just an extra fee, everyone can call you free of charge. We have had that system for over 2 years, and it works perfectly for us, as we have...
In addition to the other answers, I´d like to mention that Claro offers US phone lines, (through internet, but you don´t have to be on the computer at the time of the phone call, just have internet available), by which for a minimum monthly fee you have access to an international (covers several countries) and a local number. For just an extra fee, everyone can call you free of charge. We have had that system for over 2 years, and it works perfectly for us, as we have kids, and many people in the States that call us, or we call them.
Posted July 31, 2013
James David Audlin - Editores Volcán Barú
How is the internet in Panama? I live in rural Chiriquí, and my stepchildren and their families live in the city of Panamá, so I can answer the question both ways.
Here in Chiriquí, I use "Cable & Wireless" as my service provider. That company is the owner and maintainer of the internet infrastructure. I have a package deal with C&W that provides me with both internet and a home telephone, for which I pay about $25 a month, plus...
How is the internet in Panama? I live in rural Chiriquí, and my stepchildren and their families live in the city of Panamá, so I can answer the question both ways.
Here in Chiriquí, I use "Cable & Wireless" as my service provider. That company is the owner and maintainer of the internet infrastructure. I have a package deal with C&W that provides me with both internet and a home telephone, for which I pay about $25 a month, plus (nominal) surcharges and charges for long distance calls. The service is mostly dependable, though sometimes it slows down or freezes - perhaps a couple times a week, from a minute or two to a couple hours. I have the slowest speed connection available here (which is the only speed connection available here), and yet it is a surprisingly fast connection, since I have few if any problems downloading or uploading large files.
In Panamá City, my children use a company called Claro. This company is heavy on advertising and light on maintaining a high-quality system, so there are more slowdowns and outages there. Still, the service is usually pretty good.
In Panamá City, my children use a company called Claro. This company is heavy on advertising and light on maintaining a high-quality system, so there are more slowdowns and outages there. Still, the service is usually pretty good.
Posted August 6, 2013
Tim Rowley - Web-4-Panama | Marketing and Creative Agency
We use Cable and Wireless for the services to the house, and I use Claro for my smartphone. Claro were a bit cheaper but C&W had cables to where we live, and their service is fine.
We live in Las Cumbres at the north edge of Panama City. Our electricity is quite often 'knocked out' by lightning but usually comes back on within an hour. There is no internet during this time, unless you have some other way of powering a...
We use Cable and Wireless for the services to the house, and I use Claro for my smartphone. Claro were a bit cheaper but C&W had cables to where we live, and their service is fine.
We live in Las Cumbres at the north edge of Panama City. Our electricity is quite often 'knocked out' by lightning but usually comes back on within an hour. There is no internet during this time, unless you have some other way of powering a modem, and our telephones are out of service also, because we use the cable-less phones around the house that need a powered base module.
This week was a rare exception - the internet was 'down' from Friday lunchtime until sometime on Monday. I had to go and do my work somewhere else. This is the only time in our year and a half at this house.
You can subscribe to different bandwidths with them. C&W Domestic Internet prices - Aug 2013:
- 1 Mb unlimited $ 9.99 / mo
- 2 Mb unlimited $ 15.95 / mo
- 3 Mb unlimited $ 16.95 / mo
- 4 Mb unlimited $ 24.95 / mo
- 5 Mb unlimited $ 29.95 / mo
All the Best
Tim
Posted August 7, 2013
Keila Mulero - Savvy Link
Internet in Panama... FREE Wifi zones?
You may find public areas with free wifi called “Internet para Todos” some areas with better reception (signal) than others. You can visit wifi spots, restaurants or fast food such as Athanasio (in Via Porras), Mc Donald’s (everywhere), Dunkin Dunnuts (calle 50), NY Bagels (El Cangrejo) for FREE wifi. Malls in Panama do NOT offer wifi.
Internet in Panama... FREE Wifi zones?
You may find public areas with free wifi called “Internet para Todos” some areas with better reception (signal) than others. You can visit wifi spots, restaurants or fast food such as Athanasio (in Via Porras), Mc Donald’s (everywhere), Dunkin Dunnuts (calle 50), NY Bagels (El Cangrejo) for FREE wifi. Malls in Panama do NOT offer wifi.
Posted March 12, 2014
Randy Hilarski - High Impact Media Group Panama
As an owner of an online company, internet access is of extreme importance. If you are looking for a premium provider I recommend Panetma, but they are rather expensive. We use Cable and Wireless and it works relatively well. Our only complaint is that the upload speed is poor.
I do recommend that you always keep a mobile phone that can act as a WIFI Hotspot. This makes it capable for my wife and I to work from all over the country. Recently I was working while...
As an owner of an online company, internet access is of extreme importance. If you are looking for a premium provider I recommend Panetma, but they are rather expensive. We use Cable and Wireless and it works relatively well. Our only complaint is that the upload speed is poor.
I do recommend that you always keep a mobile phone that can act as a WIFI Hotspot. This makes it capable for my wife and I to work from all over the country. Recently I was working while enjoying the beach at Santa Clara.
Posted April 21, 2014
Terry Bradford
The internet service in Panama City, where we live, is great. We have Wi-Fi throughout the house. There is internet connection everywhere you go in Panama City. Everyone is connected to the Internet on either their computers, laptops, or their cell phones. There are televisions and Internet in every business office, doctor’s office, restaurants, and anywhere else. If someone does not have a computer, they can go to an Internet café and it costs US $1 or $2 per hour. Panama...
The internet service in Panama City, where we live, is great. We have Wi-Fi throughout the house. There is internet connection everywhere you go in Panama City. Everyone is connected to the Internet on either their computers, laptops, or their cell phones. There are televisions and Internet in every business office, doctor’s office, restaurants, and anywhere else. If someone does not have a computer, they can go to an Internet café and it costs US $1 or $2 per hour. Panama is Internet.
Posted October 11, 2014
Nelson Vega
The price of Internet connection in Panama depends on the broadband speed. The price can go from US $20 for low-speed connections and up to $40 to $60 for high-speed Internet. 3 mbps would be the middle and if you want more than 3 mbps, you will pay from $40 to $60 per month.
The Internet companies here in Panama also sell landline phone and cable services. They usually offer service packages. If you buy all three or even just two services...
The price of Internet connection in Panama depends on the broadband speed. The price can go from US $20 for low-speed connections and up to $40 to $60 for high-speed Internet. 3 mbps would be the middle and if you want more than 3 mbps, you will pay from $40 to $60 per month.
The Internet companies here in Panama also sell landline phone and cable services. They usually offer service packages. If you buy all three or even just two services in a package, they reduce the price compared to buying the services separately or they will give you more channels on your cable subscription.
I know some people who pay $100 per month for the three services together. I personally pay $63 per month and that includes my landline phone, cable, and internet. I get a lot of cable channels but the Internet is a bit unstable in my area.
Posted October 22, 2014
Esteban Guerra
Internet service in Panama is quite nice. There are not a lot of restrictions by the government on Internet use, so you can access the Internet anywhere. There are certain areas where there is Wi-Fi and that is quite useful for people. Every mall in Panama City has free Wi-Fi. You can also go to some cafes, buy coffee, and use their Wi-Fi on your smart phone or your laptop.
Internet connection in Panama is very reliable and the speed is good, too. I have...
Internet service in Panama is quite nice. There are not a lot of restrictions by the government on Internet use, so you can access the Internet anywhere. There are certain areas where there is Wi-Fi and that is quite useful for people. Every mall in Panama City has free Wi-Fi. You can also go to some cafes, buy coffee, and use their Wi-Fi on your smart phone or your laptop.
Internet connection in Panama is very reliable and the speed is good, too. I have been here for six months now and so far, our Internet connection has not gone down yet.
Posted November 7, 2014
Gonzalo de la Guardia - Panasurance
Internet service in Panama is fantastic. It is one of the Internet hubs of the world.
We have around five different cable lines going through Panama. These are lines coming from South America, US, Europe, etc. Everything goes through Panama so we have excellent internet connectivity.
The cost for internet service is around US $30 for 5 mbps per month, so it is affordable.
Internet service in Panama is fantastic. It is one of the Internet hubs of the world.
We have around five different cable lines going through Panama. These are lines coming from South America, US, Europe, etc. Everything goes through Panama so we have excellent internet connectivity.
The cost for internet service is around US $30 for 5 mbps per month, so it is affordable.
Posted November 18, 2014
Diana Chacon
The Internet is not so good in Panama. It goes out from time to time and I think this is because the infrastructure is not well done. There are times when you won’t get Wi-Fi and the connection is really slow. When we go home and everyone in the house is connected to the Wi-Fi at the same time, it is very slow. Usually from 6 PM to 10 PM, it is ridiculously slow and it is terrible. This doesn’t only happen in my apartment. I’ve experienced it everywhere I go...
The Internet is not so good in Panama. It goes out from time to time and I think this is because the infrastructure is not well done. There are times when you won’t get Wi-Fi and the connection is really slow. When we go home and everyone in the house is connected to the Wi-Fi at the same time, it is very slow. Usually from 6 PM to 10 PM, it is ridiculously slow and it is terrible. This doesn’t only happen in my apartment. I’ve experienced it everywhere I go here in Panama City.
Coming from New York, I am used to really fast internet connection and when I came to Panama City, it was the hardest thing to deal with, especially because I am a designer, so I need the Internet a lot. I used to call the internet provider’s care line, but all they could say was that it appears ok on their end, and that there is nothing they can do. They would tell me to pay more and I said, “Why would I pay more when I am already paying a lot?” They were offering me the business package, but I refused. I don’t need internet for my business; I need it for my house.
Then, I went to school and I was learning marketing on the Internet. There were only ten people in the class. I was surprised that there were only ten of us, so I asked why there’s not a lot of people in the class. And he said, it’s because of the Internet. They cannot afford to have a big class because if a lot of people use the Internet at the same time, we won’t be able to do anything. He was telling me how it was hard for him to offer his class and not be able to actually teach. He told me that Panama does not have the best infrastructure for the Internet and that is causing this slow connection.
Posted December 1, 2014
Bill Hamilton - Bill Hamilton
The Internet in Panama, it is very, very good, about five mega downloads and about 420 mega uploads. Cable is very, very cheap. With the telephone and everything – for the hotel we ran with nine bedrooms, it was US $80 a month. That’s the cost for both the telephone and the Internet.
The Internet in Panama, it is very, very good, about five mega downloads and about 420 mega uploads. Cable is very, very cheap. With the telephone and everything – for the hotel we ran with nine bedrooms, it was US $80 a month. That’s the cost for both the telephone and the Internet.
Posted February 1, 2015
Daryl Ries - Keller Williams Panama, associate
As far as most people are concerned you cannot be anywhere where there is no Wi-Fi. When I went to Havana it was shocking to see that very few even had cellphones, but that is changing. The world in which we live is all about connectivity. Buyers and renters demand Wi-Fi and generally there is satisfactory service here in Panama, on the coast at Coronado. Having a power outage affects the Internet. Yes, brownouts happen from time to time but if...
As far as most people are concerned you cannot be anywhere where there is no Wi-Fi. When I went to Havana it was shocking to see that very few even had cellphones, but that is changing. The world in which we live is all about connectivity. Buyers and renters demand Wi-Fi and generally there is satisfactory service here in Panama, on the coast at Coronado. Having a power outage affects the Internet. Yes, brownouts happen from time to time but if you’re in a condo building, a generator quickly gets the juice back on. I have been in situations where the electricity was out for a few hours. You may experience brownouts here in Panama several times in a year but on the Pacific Coast these are brief. The cause of the outage here is overload. On the coast the weekends and holidays are full up for summer in Panama, which is between December and May.
(Condo in Coronado, Panama, pictured.)
Posted November 27, 2016
David Btesh - Pacific Realty / Pacific Developers
I suggest you contact InterFast - a local internet fibre internet provider. Beatriz +507-6065-1914
You will be happy with the results.
I suggest you contact InterFast - a local internet fibre internet provider. Beatriz +507-6065-1914
You will be happy with the results.
Posted May 22, 2018