TVCable Internet Service
Great Internet, If You're Wired for It

TVCable internet service provides the fastest internet available in Cuenca. We'll qualify that by saying that ETAPAOnline occasionally has specials where you can double the speed to well beyond the TVCable speed, but only for six months.

TVCable's banda ancha (broadband) signal comes through the cable wiring in your house or apartment. The good news is that you can have internet service without purchasing the TVCable cable TV service.

The TVCable logo

TVCable's Speed Options

TVCable has many options, from a ridiculously slow speed up to fast enough to use Slingbox or stream movies over the internet.

With the recent competition, including Claro's introduction of wired internet, TVCable has increased their speeds substantially. The highest speed has more than doubled from February 2010, for the same price.

The options include:

• 1.1 Mbits/sec, which comes with two email addresses and can be used by up to two computers, is $19.90 a month plus tax.
• 2.1 Mb/sec (almost twice as fast), which comes with three email addresses and can be used by up to three computers, is $29.90, plus tax.
• 2.5 Mb/sec, with the same features as 2.1 Mb/sec and faster upload speed, is $39.90 not including the tax.
• 3.5 Mb/sec, with four email addresses. It can be used by up to four computers. It costs $49.90 per month, plus tax.
• 6.5 Mb/sec, with 5 email addresses. It can be used by up to 5 computers. (This one currently costs $99.90 a month plus tax.)
• 7 Mb/sec, with the same features as 5.0 Mb/sec plus a faster upload speed. It costs $114.90 per month, tax extra.

All of the above computer restrictions are due to the modem. If you attach a wireless router, you wouldn't be limited to a set number of computers.

Payment Methods

When we first signed up for TVCable internet service, we received free installation by signing up for direct debit from our bank.

At the time of this update, if you set up direct debit, your first three months have a significant discount. Before moving to our new apartment, we decided on the 5.0 Mb/sec service, and received a $30 per month discount on the first three months (including tax, that's $100.80 saved by paying by direct debit).

There are a few other payment methods, including payment at the office, payment at a bank (including online banking at some), and credit cards.

The minimum contract period is six months.

Contacting TVCable

There are several ways to contact TVCable about internet issues. In a city with so many people who speak English in addition to their Spanish, we're surprised by the number that work at TVCable who don't speak English.

• The website is www.grupotvcable.com.ec/cablemodem.
• If you're not already a client, you can call 07-2818211. Or use this TVCable sales contact form (select Cuenca as the ciudad and for Asunto, select Comprar Ahora—Buy Now). Or visit the TVCable office on Carlos Rigoberto Veintimilla at Luis M. Mora (definitely take a taxi, as it's not easy to get there on your own, unless you live in that neighborhood).
• If you're already a client, contact them using this Support form.

Summary

If you need fast internet, you have few options in Cuenca. The TVCable internet service is one of them.

As long as you keep in mind possible wiring issues, you should be able to enjoy consistent internet service for as long as you're living in Cuenca.

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