3G (UMTS) Internet Connection via a Simyo SIM Card in Spain

So, this is my most recent "IT experiment": for years, I've been wondering how to have a decent (acceptably fast) internet conenction in my parents' house in Spain. Obviously, you can get DSL and stuff there too. However, as the house is occupied only during 2-3 months per year there would be too much of stand-by costs involved. Finally, I've found a non-expensive way to achieve what I've been looking for. This blog describes what I have installed in case someone else is interested and wants to do the same or something similar.

Here are the "ingredients", i.e. the equipment, I've used:

• a T-Mobile webnwalk Box IV - approx. €133
  • This is a LAN / WLAN router
  • It connects to the internet via 3G (UMTS) or GPRS (in case that the 3G signal is too weak) by using a SIM card.
  • Not so important but useful: a normal, analog fixed-line phone can be plugged in too so that you can use the phone + router as a normal phone.
• a prepaid SIM card from Simyo Spain
  • Simyo currently offers 100 MB/day for €1 or 500 MB/month for €5.
  • Beware that things become more expensive once you pass the 500 MB/month threshold.
  • If the signal allows the connection is 3G.

So what do you need to know in order to configure the 3G router:

• APN: gprs-service.com
• phone number: *99#
• Leave name and password blank
• As the PPP authentification method use CHAP. Please note that this is not the default but this is essential. Otherwise it won't work with Simyo in Spain. It is different with Simyo in Germany.
• Here is good description (in Spanish) on how to connect to the internet via Simyo.

Ok. I hope this works for you. Let me know if you have any comments or advice on how to improve this setup.