Hello Everyone: I want to share my experiences, which are ongoing, regarding getting utilities to my new apartment here in Porto.
Previously, in Lisbon, I had purchased a phone card which just happened to be with NOS. I had a few issues with it, getting topped up with time, etc. in which my data would not work. It finally took a trip to the iStore (Apple affiliate) to get it fixed. In the mean time, NOS assigned me a second phone number which I like better because I can remember it!
I applied to have my apartment installed with Internet, Television and landline in addition to a permanent mobile contract. However, they called me, (Thank goodness I was with my real estate agent who speaks Portuguese!) because they wanted to install a satellite dish. My apartment is in a new, cable ready building. He told them NO DISH!
Next day, I went to NOS store to figure it out and why my mobile was also not working again only to be told by a very rude woman that I have no contract, no data, goodbye. She did say I can keep my number once I figure out who can use available wiring.
Taken aback, but not deterred, I went across the street to MEO where the reception I received was quite different. They do have access to my building, and quickly set me up with Internet, mobile phone, Television, landline AND a 32" television for 50 euro per month. He explained they could make the installation Friday, June 4. Surprise, a woman I met while in the office called me speaking English, no less to tell me they had a cancellation and could have technicians out at 5pm the same day!
I went to my apartment at 5. Technicians arrived at 5:30 and now I have Internet, etc. and a working mobile phone! YAY!
Electricity was set up by my real estate agent and was installed Monday, 31 May. MEO however, also wanted to be my electricity provider so I agreed to that. The one concern is my real estate agent is afraid there may be a penalty for breaking my previous electricity contract. I called my MEO agent and he assured me there would be no problem. Still not quite sure, I translated a few section of my old contract and it "appears" that I had a 14 day grace period. Still not sure about this.
Porto water is municipal and is where I should have started on Monday. It is a bureaucracy and once set up online, I still had to go in person, whereupon they told me 5-7 days! If it were not for the water situation, I would already be moved in, but now I wait in my rented room for the Aguas do Porto snails to finally decide when I can have an appointment for water to be turned on.
I will update this once I have water.
