Category Archives: Stop Press

Fibre finally coming to VdT

December 7, 2023

Lazer Telecom has been busy installing a microwave-based high-speed internet service in VdT throughout the year. Now, after having received such a strong response to that “AirFibre” offering, starting in mid-or-late January 2024 they will begin Phase 1 of installing actual fibre-optic cable internet service to individual homes across Vale da Telha. This fibre-optic service will provide fast connection speeds (minimum 250 mbs) with plans beginning at around €40/mo with long term contracts. A €500 installation fee may be charged for “no contract” accounts. Also, about €10/mo can be saved by providing your own router as opposed to renting the one from Lazer.

Fábio Domingues, one of two Lazer sales representatives who has been part of the VdT AirFibre rollout, explained that they already had to bring high capacity fibre into the neighborhood in order to provide bandwidth for their microwave antenna atop the water tower. Once they saw such a strong response to their AirFibre (microwave) offering, and with that big data pipeline already here, they decided to “up their game” — they began making plans to switch over to a cable-based delivery system instead of the microwave dishes.

It took some time to get approval from the Câmara. One stumbling block was that Lazer could not use the cement utility poles owned by EDP. In the end, Lazer agreed to use the existing network of wooden poles used by other telecom companies.

The first phase of the fibre rollout will target homes that are already subscribed to the AirFibre service (also adjacent homes who wish to sign up.) There are also a number of homes who had wanted AirFibre but did not have the required direct-line-of-sight to the water tower. Those will also get first priority.

“Our intention is to be ready to go ahead with the changeovers / new clients (next to changeovers) and people that cannot be connected to our AirFibre system in the middle / end of January,” said Domingues. “After this step we will go ahead with brand new connections in VdT. Arrifana and Espartal will be connected after that phase.”

Inquires can be made via their coverage map/order form where you can also view pricing levels.

Christmas Charity Book to raise money for the Bombeiros

December 5, 2023

More than fifty contributors from over ten different nationalities aged between six and ninety have collaborated in this project: sharing poems, personal accounts, photos, pictures, puzzles and quizzes in a fascinating selection of ‘memories’ concerning people’s appreciation of Portugal.

Many of these contributors live locally and the result of their good will and impressive work is this wonderful, colour book.

The purpose of the project is two-fold: firstly to show our ‘expat gratitude’ to our Portuguese hosts and secondly to thank the Bombeiros for their constant, heroic work. All profits from the sale of the book will go to the Aljezur Bombeiros and advance orders are now being taken. It makes the ideal Christmas present and costs only 10 euros!

The book is currently with the printers and should be with us within the next week. Anyone who wants to reserve one or more copies needs to act fast as well over a quarter of the copies has already been sold within the first day of marketing and stock is limited to two hundred.

Please send an email to twyld59@gmail.com to reserve your book(s) or ask for more information.

Collection for Christmas Day Food Box

December 5, 2023

Fonte do Vale have agreed that they are happy to have a non perishable food and goods collection box in their vestibule for any one who would like to donate. Starting from Tuesday 5th December until 19th December anyone can pop in and leave a donation. These will be collected on a regular basis and passed onto St Paul’s Charity in Aljezur for distribution to local households in need.

Please support our food drive. Holiday canned food drive

There are lots of people less fortunate than ourselves. Christmas is a special time and the Amovate have – as in the previous 2 years – donated to St. Paul’s, this year to the tune of €1,000.

Thanks to all the Membership for supporting Amovate through the year and a Merry Christmas to you all.

Volunteer Administrator Needed

November 15, 2023

Amovate is looking for an administrator to deal with General Administration and to answer emails as well as taking notes at the committee meetings.

It is not a paid position. In general the work will take about 2 to 3 hours a week maximum.

If you are interested or would like to chat with a Committee person please email info@amovate.com

200 Members

November 12, 2023

Amovate has been growing! Thanks to an influx of new residents into the area, along with the super convenience of online payment, our membership numbers have been on the rise. Today we reached a new membership milestone — 200 members are now current on their annual dues.

Of course, we have many more people living in Vale da Telha, Vales, Paisagem Oceano, Picão, Arrifana, Monte Clérigo, or Espartal. If you are one of those and have not yet joined, please consider doing so now. Or if you joined once, but it has been more than 12 months since then, please renew. You can do either using the same easy online form. Membership is €10 per year per individual living in your household. Members get a discount at certain Amovate sponsoring businesses.