Communications and Business Continuity Planning on the Camino

[whariwharangi]

There have been a number of people who have posted on this forum because their loved one has not been in contact for some period of time.

First off - you need to have a communication plan. How often will you call home? What network will you use - phone - email - etc? When will there be an alarm raised and with whom? This plan needs to be fully agreed upon by both ends - 'yeah, yeah, mom' - doesn't cut it.

We have seen people who have traced bank account activity - so have account numbers to go to the bank with.

Have a copy of the passport - showing the id number and the photo- this will be important if a passport is lost.

A lot of the camino is in rural Spain. There is not cell phone coverage along much of the route, though there is in most communities on the way.

Here is some information about existing phone and cellular service. If anyone has further information - such as internet cafes or wifi availability - please weigh in.

How to use a public telephone in Spain
http://seriouslyspain.com/how-to-use-a-public-telephone-in-spain

Telefonica
http://www.telefonica.com/en/home/jsp/home.jsp

Cell wikia Coverage in Spain
http://cell.wikia.com/wiki/Coverage_in_Spain

Vodaphone
http://www.sensorly.com/map/2G-3G/ES/Spain/Vodafone/gsm_21401 - |coverage

Movistar
http://www.sensorly.com/map/2G-3G/ES/Spain/Movistar/gsm_21405 - |coverage

Orange
http://www.sensorly.com/map/2G-3G/ES/Spain/Orange/gsm_21403 - |coverage

World Coverage GSM
http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html

 

[Waka]

There have been a number of people who have posted on this forum because their loved one has not been in contact for some period of time.

First off - you need to have a communication plan. How often will you call home? What network will you use - phone - email - etc? When will there be an alarm raised and with whom? This plan needs to be fully agreed upon by both ends - 'yeah, yeah, mom' - doesn't cut it.

We have seen people who have traced bank account activity - so have account numbers to go to the bank with.

Have a copy of the passport - showing the id number and the photo- this will be important if a passport is lost.

A lot of the camino is in rural Spain. There is not cell phone coverage along much of the route, though there is in most communities on the way.

Here is some information about existing phone and cellular service. If anyone has further information - such as internet cafes or wifi availability - please weigh in.

How to use a public telephone in Spain
http://seriouslyspain.com/how-to-use-a-public-telephone-in-spain

Telefonica
http://www.telefonica.com/en/home/jsp/home.jsp

Cell wikia Coverage in Spain
http://cell.wikia.com/wiki/Coverage_in_Spain

Vodaphone
http://www.sensorly.com/map/2G-3G/ES/Spain/Vodafone/gsm_21401 - |coverage

Movistar
http://www.sensorly.com/map/2G-3G/ES/Spain/Movistar/gsm_21405 - |coverage

Orange
http://www.sensorly.com/map/2G-3G/ES/Spain/Orange/gsm_21403 - |coverage

World Coverage GSM
http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html

With the concerns of late I think this is a very important post, not having done the camino before this information is invaluable, thank you so much for posting. I know from reading threads that some pilgrims feel that all electronics should be left behind, but with todays weirdo's around and friends and family wanting to be in touch, I think some form of communication is a requirement.
I know my other half will want me to be in regular contact during my journey, quite rightly so.

I'm fortunate that from the UK my provider (Vodaphone) has very good coverage in Spain, and to use my iPhone there is relatively cheap compared with other pilgrims from further afield.

I will certainly take the advice given in this post and so should everyone else.

If as a newby I've steeped over the line then I apologies in advance.