psyflyjohn
San Diego, CA
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Joined: 10/31/2003
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We use Tracfones in the U.S. exclusively, with good results. Is there the equivalent in Mexico? We will be traveling there for several months, and would like a temporary cell phone for calling back to the U.S. and around the country. When done with it, we can just stow it away.
I have satellite internet - Dial-up speed at broadband prices...
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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From what I read on Tracfone's website, they do not offer roaming.
In Mexico the choices are Movistar, Telcel, Iusacel. They all offer different plans and also offer prepay service that you can purchase at any convenience store (without cards), ATM and many other supermarkets and businesses.
We have used prepay for years. I now have so much time on my phone from the company doubling the amount I buy that I have a month to use it up, so I am calling family in the U.S. and Europe on my celphone.
What I have found is that the Skype quality is just as good if not better but you need a strong internet signal.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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Howard T
Honolulu, HI; on the road, exploring
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Joined: 07/24/2003
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I recommend skype also. Used it last winter and it was great and cheap. We were able to find wifi signal when we needed to make calls with little trouble. We were in Baja for a month then at Puerto Penasco.
Lei & Howard
Hale Huaka'i
"The Traveling House"
2004 Keystone Cougar 29RLS
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi 5.7
1999 Honda Shadow ACE 750
Where's Lei & Howard?
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barry&vanda
Vancouver BC or Baja
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Joined: 01/21/2002
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Skype won't work decently on a satellite connection, unfortunately. We know from experience.
We bought Motorola Telcels last winter for 150 Pesos, including 100 pesos airtime. Cheap like Borscht!
PS: Hi, Howard!
Honk at any silver Dodge Ram & Crossterrain toyhauler on Baja. It's gotta be us - 'specially if it says Baja and Back #1.
05 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel 4 by w/10,000 lb winch
09 TF34MK Crossterrain toyhauler
12' Portabote w/Yammy O/B.
08 Honda Rancher ES
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Pacific John
Central Coast, CA
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Joined: 09/04/2005
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Oddly, Tracfone is owned by Carlos Slim. Too bad his new unlimited minutes Wallyphone isn't designed to roam sob - it's not GSM, but Verizon's CDMA, meaning it can't use Movistar or Telcel towers even if it tried.
Seeya Founder
smartcar dinghy
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Pacific John wrote:Oddly, Tracfone is owned by Carlos Slim. Too bad his new unlimited minutes Wallyphone isn't designed to roam sob - it's not GSM, but Verizon's CDMA, meaning it can't use Movistar or Telcel towers even if it tried.
Now that is interesting. That guy knows how to make a buck. He is literally everywhere.
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Canadian Rainbirds
Vancouver Island (Winter: Mainland Mexico)
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Joined: 02/06/2008
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Cell phones in Mexico are, especially as Christmas approaches, quite cheap if you just want a no-frills pay and talk. Look for a Telcel or Movistar kiosk and see what there is.
I use a quad band unlocked cell phone from home and just buy a chip where ever I am--Canada, US, Mexico, UK, Europe ... Then you keep your address book! Though long distance calls can be expensive.
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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So speaking of cell phones. When we get across the line in a few weeks we want to "rechaare" our movistar with minutes. From what I aid understand there is a new procedure for activating cell phones in aid of the struggle against criminal orgaizations. Does anyone know the procedure I will have to do in order to reactivate our phone?
Thanks in advance.
J and A
Come visit us at our website and share in our great fulltime RV Adventure.
2003 Fleetwood Revolution 40C
Retired Canadian Air Force Technicians
Vernon,B.C,Canada.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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John & Angela wrote:So speaking of cell phones. When we get across the line in a few weeks we want to "rechaare" our movistar with minutes. From what I aid understand there is a new procedure for activating cell phones in aid of the struggle against criminal orgaizations. Does anyone know the procedure I will have to do in order to reactivate our phone?
Thanks in advance.
J and A
Log on to the webpage for your cell service. To create a user and password you will be required to register your phone.
You can also do it in person in any service center and there is a way to do it on your cellphone via text message. I think Jonna posted that information awhile back.
I just did the website register a week ago. Easy, fast and painless.
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gatorcq
Apache Junction, Az
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Joined: 03/15/2004
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Good Sam RV Club
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AT&T now has a Viva Mexico, that can be added to your family plan. This will work in US and Mexico using your existing minutes.
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/viva-mexico.jsp?locale=en_US
Hope the link work if not copy and paste
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/viva-mexico.jsp?locale=en_US
Dale
Dale, Susan, KoKo & Della - DaGirls Rv
Alfa SeYa 2003, Cat 3126E 330Hp, HHR TOAD -
Roadmaster and Air Brake System
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