Originally Posted by melslove
a bit off topic but i was wondering what kind of technology they have there? Is it "dial up internet" or do they have DSL? Its quite interesting to hear about another culture, i love some of the technology we have today but at the same time, it can be a source of great stress.
Technology is fine. We've been behind the states, but are catching up. Prices are higher, but that is typically European.
There are some who have no computers or internet, and others, like us, have had DSL since it came into the area (a few years ago). Not all areas have it. But our town is thinking of getting free wireless for the center (like a public hot spot). I feel like it is so progressive! That is not the norm for here...they don't do things "for free" typically. :) I mean, you are supposed to pay for using the radio waves and watching public tv. It's on the honor system, but you are supposed to. :) --it's a monthly fee. Really weird, in my book. If they came into my house to check, how are they going to know if we watch tv or listen to the radio?
Our cell phone service was ahead of the states for a long time. Now the states is ahead of us and much cheaper as well. Very young children take phones to school, though (Kindergarteners, etc.). They are more or less a status symbol among the kids. They are very gadget-happy people. :)
The very poor almost all have a cell phone because you can get a cast off from someone else and then just pay for a number and keep it active with a couple of dollars. You don't pay to receive a phone call here, but you pay to make one (either land line or cell). Internet phone calls are different, of course, and are changing the look of that. We never used to have irritating sales pitches via the phone because it cost to make a call...people use the phone to take care of business quickly and make contact...not talk for hours and hours.