I will only comment on the internet services I'm familiar with, and television. We have Cable Onda (national cable TV service with Spanish language channels + Fox news) for internet. Since arriving at our current residence the speed has improved, and may be higher or lower than other areas. But it has always been adequate for email, online searches and TV services. Currently we have about 20MB download. Probably max. speed for the area. Up to 50 MB (maybe more by now) in Panama City area, I've been told. Outlying areas are not generally served by the cable, and the only alternative is Planet Telecom (land lines & satellite??). It is very expensive (been told $100 + by those required to use due to location) and slow, about 3-4MB speed. Assuming one locates where there is adequate internet service available, there are options for television beyond Cable Onda. The USTV Now network, operating out of Harrisburg, PA area, have an American TV internet offering of about 28 channels. 6 basic channels are available for FREE with your sign up (to be able to log in and use). The monthly charge is $29 per month for the full channel offering, and there is an option for a DVR service as well. They also have a trial subscription of $19 per month for the full channel service for the first 3 months. See ustvnow.com for details. You must be 'outside' the US to qualify for the service. Additionally there are other options dependent upon family 'connections' for other US viewing access. A VPN (virtual private network) is a required connection which can make it 'appear' you are somewhere you are not. My current service can put me in 9 US locations, and 20+ foreign countries. An online search for VPN's will find options. By using a VPN, with the explosion of 'On Demand' services being offered by US cable companies (Comcast/Xfinity, Frontier Communications, and the like as well as several networks) it is possible to log into family subscriptions and view On Demand and Live programming. 'Chiriqui Chatter' (authored by Don Ray, US Embassy warden in David, Panama) has had recent articles about his use of KODI and TVMC for other on demand programming. Other info: Panama computers are Spanish language.....few exceptions....maybe special orders. Television sets are compatible with US specs, or US manufactured. There are places, more where more populated, where devices can be purchased and serviced/repaired. Many cell phones are US compatible, changeable sims. Pre-paid or subscription accounts are available, and internet data plans are also available from several companies.....Mas Movil, Digicel, Claro, Movistar are the major companies nationwide.
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