If you are considering a longer (semi-permanent) stay outside the major cities of one of the islands, check the digital capabilities as well. The exact speed can vary greatly depending on exactly where you are. By no means everything is well connected to fiber optics yet, and where you depend on masts, the range is determined by how well the signal gets through to the location where internet is desired, and under all weather conditions.
“The individual islands are now beginning to realize that high-speed Internet actually is of strategic value for school, home-work, high-end tourism and business.”
The individual islands are now beginning to realize that high-speed Internet actually is of strategic value for school, home-work, high-end tourism and business. For the latter category, most islands have agreements with Internet providers that where business activity needs high-speed Internet, they can be connected to fiber regardless of location. At this point, nevertheless, it may be some time before such a thing is actually realized. However, the intention now is to make all islands fully digital as soon as possible.
The northernmost islands of Flores and Corvo are relatively close to the southernmost sea cables that digitally connect the United States to mainland Europe. Yet for now, the islands are only connected to the Azores Fiber Optic System (AFOS). This ring links all the islands together from the main island which in turn is linked to the Columbus III – Azores/Portugal to Portugal mainland and the CAM ring that runs through Madeira.
Meanwhile, satellite Internet is emerging and also becoming an affordable option as a 2nd option, although it will take some time for this to become mainstream.
