Internet connection at our villas
Frequently asked questions
All The Thinking Traveller's villas have some kind of Internet facility and, where possible, we try to ensure that this is a high-speed WIFI connection.
However, some rural areas and those far from the main towns and cities have not yet been connected to a high-speed network. Therefore, in some of our villas, we offer an alternative type of connection (specified in the amenities table of each individual villa page).
Please note that although we work very hard to provide reliable internet service at our villas, these services are potentially erratic and can fail due to network failures completely out of our control. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for the loss of connection due to such network failures.
Most common connection types
Fibre
Fibre-optic internet, commonly called "fibre", is the fastest and most reliable connection type currently available. It is a broadband connection that can reach speeds of up to 940 Megabits per second (Mbps). In addition, fibre-optic cables are not as susceptible to severe weather conditions as other types of traditional cables, which helps minimize outages. However, its installing process is labour-intensive and, therefore, it is not currently present in every destination, especially in rural areas with fewer dwellings.
ADSL and VDSL Broadband
ADSL and VDSL are connections that work through the copper wires of existing phone lines. In the UK, ADSL is most commonly referred to as broadband. It is suitable for most surfing requirements, as it is very reliable, although it is more intended for downloading data rather than uploading it. VDSL offers a higher speed than ADSL connections, as it encompasses fibre components, allowing an even better user experience.
Generally, an ADSL or VDSL line is only available within two miles of a telephone exchange, so in rural or more remote areas it is usually not available. Overall, ADSL is more widely and easily available than VDSL.
An ADSL or VDSL Internet connection in a villa can then be distributed using a Wi-Fi router, allowing a wireless connection with one or more devices, or by a cable, which can be plugged into most laptops.
4G/5G WIFI Internet routers
4G and 5G internet connections are provided by a small router unit that uses the 4G or 5G mobile network, similar to that used by many mobile phones. The unit receives the signal and retransmits it wirelessly making it possible for devices to connect at the same time. 4G routers can offer a high-speed connection, allowing you to comfortably navigate the net. Depending on the composition of the environment, these routers normally have a wireless signal transmission distance of 20-30 meters.
5G adds another layer to the 4G network to increase reliability and internet speed, reaching an average of 100Mps. When using 5G, you are actually connecting to both the 4G and 5G parts of the network at the same time, therefore getting the combined power of all that 4G and 5G capacity.
Even though 4G and 5G routers offer high-speed connections, their range highly depends on house characteristics. The signal may also be affected by weather conditions (i.e. strong winds or storms), and the overall strength depends entirely on the service provider's presence in the area. We cannot accept responsibility for slow or absent signals.
3G WIFI Internet routers
3G WIFI routers, similar to the 4G and 5G ones, use the mobile network to get you connected to the internet. However, unlike the 4G/5G ones, 3G WIFI is provided for basic Internet browsing and checking of email only. Guests are requested not to download large files such as films or make Skype video calls, as most units have a maximum monthly data usage of 10Gb. 3G Wi-Fi units work best in the immediate area around them (i.e. they won't create a Wi-Fi environment throughout the entire villa) and so the best connection will be within close range of the unit, usually in the same room.
NB If a fast, constant and reliable Internet connection is vital for you (i.e. you expect to be working a lot during your holiday), please specify this to your Villa Specialist. It may be better to rent a villa with a normal ADSL/VDSL connection or Fibre.
WiMAX / Satellite connections
WiMAX and satellite Internet connections have performance levels similar to cabled ADSL high-speed Internet connections. Wi-Fi access within the property is provided by a special modem router. WiMAX and Satellite connections are present in our villas when there is no normal cabled broadband infrastructure in the area (still quite common in more remote areas). However, these kinds of connections may be affected by atmospheric conditions, so we cannot guarantee that the signal will be as constant as cabled connections. The connection speed of this type of connection in Greek villas is a little slower and comes with a limit of Mbps, so guests are requested not to download large files, stream films or use Skype to make calls.
Connecting to the Internet abroad using your smartphone or tablet (roaming)
If you are travelling from the UK and wish to use your smartphone or tablet while on holiday, check with your individual provider to see if you are able to “roam like you’re at home”, using your data, minutes and text allowance free of charge, or if there are any charges or restrictions in place. Most UK phone providers should be able to offer convenient packages to navigate online when in the EU.If you are travelling from outside the EU and the UKand wish to use your smartphone or tablet while on holiday, here are a few tips for cutting down on foreign data-roaming charges:The first thing to do is to check with your provider to see if there are any special deals available (there's usually something on offer). You should also ensure your phone is unlocked (you can ask your operator to do this) if you wish to buy a foreign SIM card while you're away.
If there are no suitable deals available from your operator (and your phone/tablet has been unlocked), we recommend you buy a local prepaid data SIM card (details of where and how can be found in your Villa Guide). It might also be useful to bring a cheap handset, put your UK SIM into the cheap handset and the local data SIM into your smartphone so that any data you access will be charged at the local rate. If you do buy a local SIM, most smartphones can then be used to provide a Wi-Fi hotspot, providing data access for up to five devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Finally, when abroad, switch off “data roaming”, thus avoiding charges when your phone attempts to connect to the internet.
