Planet Telecom in Panama

Planet Telecom overcomes Panamanian infrastructure difficulty

Planet Telecom’s predilection for surmounting problems in communications’ delivery was proven once again this fall in Central America.

Opening the company‘s newest branch this year, in La Concepcion, Panama, CEO Dave Veilleux commissioned the building of an office only to learn on completion that, while the telephone connections, as configured in blueprints had been installed, the lines themselves  would be delayed for at least one year! The wait could be as long as three as there is not presently enough demand for service in the area where the new workplace is; a twist not forecasted by the telephone company. While we at Planet Telecom are renowned for our ability to work handily in remote, infrastructure-challenged  locations, our bare requirements for work do require a broadband connection and telephone. With a broadband connection we can supply our own Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP phone.

After calling on a Panamanian internet company for a solution, Dave was told he would need to install a 45’ tower for thousands of dollars with no guarantee of service—or even service at all.

“Our resolute CEO then noticed phone lines about 70 meters away going into a residential home,” Sandra McNally, Director of Marketing, said. “Dave knocked on the neighbor’s door, next to her open-air beauty salon, and asked if he could order internet for her residence and then install equipment for a wireless signal to shoot across to the new office.”

Local handyman Walter, assisted with the installation.

This still did not address the lack of telephone service. Although Dave got the wireless  signal at his work station, he couldn’t obtain a wireless bridge easily (Panama City is a six-hour drive away and delivery/mail  is spotty at best).  

“So,  Dave, being the rather clever guy he is, installed an internet sharing connection on his laptop and then connected his IP phone to his laptop,” Sandra said from Western Canadian headquarters in Edmonton, Canada.

Dave’s innovative thinking saved Planet Telecom the cost and eyesore to the rain forest landscape of building a 45’ tower; another example of how we creatively solve problems and effect cost savings we then pass on to our clients.