TELEVISION:
Televisions and DVD and video players operating on the British (PAL-I), French (SECAM) or North American (NTSC) systems won't work in Spain. You will have to purchase a machine that is set up for the Spanish system. 

Satellite TV reception is excellent, and is hugely popular in the expatriate communities as people are able to keep up with their favorite home-country programming.

TELEPHONE:
The telephone service is controlled mainly by Telefónica which owns several other companies (including Terra and Teleline).

When you initiate telephone service, expect to pay about 150 Euros to start the service.

To have a telephone installed you go to your local Telefónica office. Bring your passport or Residence Card (residencia), proof of your address and a copy of your deed (escritura) or rental contract. If you're renting and don't have a Residence Permit (residencia) you must pay a deposit of about 200 Euros.

You can save money by purchasing a phone card.  They are available at internet cafes and “locutorios,” shops that specialize in placing long distance and VOIP calls.  Be sure to read the fine print on the card, and be sure the access number is a local number, not a high-charge toll number.  Check also to be sure there is not a connection charge for each call or a daily fee that will invalidate your card within a specific time period. 

Check out http://www.clon.com/ to compare the options and costs of phone cards.

A clever way around high telephone charges is to have a friend or family member in the U.S. purchase the calling card online and forward the pin and connection information to you while you are in Spain.  Calling home now becomes less expensive. 

Skype is a brilliant method of making low cost, or free calls.  Skype-to-Skype via the computer (VOIP) is free.  Talk as long as you want.  If you have a web cam, you can see each other as you talk.  It's perfect for visiting with family at home!  Calls to landlines are less than pennies a minute and include North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, Chile, Hong Kong and other cities around the world.  http://www.skype.com/

A new feature from Skype is the Skype landline number.  A caller from your home country dials your home country Skype landline number, a call that is charged at domestic long distance rates.   Skype forwards that call to your computer abroad.  If your computer is on, you answer it.  If not, a message can be left, and when you do turn on your computer, you’ll see the message, and can return the call!  Skype charges less than $60US for an annual contract on this service.

INTERNET:
Broadband service is available in the larger cities, if not everywhere, and rates are competitive. For about $65US a month users can get a broadband connection.

WiFi:
Wifi internet connections are available in Spain, with Spanish hotels and cafes offering Wifi connections.

Spain´s main telephone company, Telefonica, is offering wifi services throughout Spain. Monthly subscriptions and prepaid “six Euro” accounts are good for about an hour of use. Coverage is still “iffy,” but Telefonica users can log on wirelessly from a variety of locations nationwide.

Free connections are harder to find, but as in other countries, wifi hotspots are popping up throughout the country.  An interesting note is regarding the Castilian town of Zamora, a medieval town that has turned its entire city-center into a wifi hotspot!  That alone makes a visit worthwhile!