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.