BajaNomad - Cell Phones in Mexico

Cell Phones in Mexico

tmtuttle - 10-12-2017 at 07:35 AM

I'll be leaving Idaho (USA) in a few weeks for two to three months in Baja. I spent a month in the Todos Santos area last year and just paid for the international plan from our US carrier (Verizon) but my wife told me it was pretty expensive so we're looking for other options.

One of the locals told us it might be cheaper to buy a phone once in Todos Santos and then just add minutes as I need them. Anyone else do this? Best plans and rates?

Thanks,

Tim

[Edited on 10-12-2017 by tmtuttle]

pauldavidmena - 10-12-2017 at 08:39 AM

If you're going to Todos Santos again, I can tell you that both Telcel and Movistar have service there, with Telcel having better coverage - at least when I was last there in January. Before switching to Google's ProjectFi network, which has fairly seamless coverage in Mexico, I bought a Telcel SIM card for my unlocked HTC One phone and it worked well. I'm not sure that's an option for you and your phone, so a cheap phone with a pay-as-you-go plan might suit your needs best.

Paco Facullo - 10-12-2017 at 08:45 AM

Not sure which plan you have with Verizon but you may want to give them a call and see what they have to offer, if you haven't done so already.

I have AT&T and with my unlimited plan all I had to do is add Mexico at NO COST.

Just returned from Panama and they have a $10 a day to have my same service in any international country. You get charged only for the days you use .

Alan - 10-12-2017 at 09:57 AM

I used to have a separate phone with an Amigo Plan with Telcel that I just charged with prepaid minutes when my NOB provider was Verizon. I have since switched to AT&T and have full access in Mexico and Canada. (Canada was included free of charge but I learned after the fact I needed to notify them I would be in Canada, not an issue with Mexico). Now when in La Paz my phone shows AT&T Mx as the provider and my coverage has been every bit as good as Telcel. Probably same towers. And I don't have to carry 2 phones anymore

Lee - 10-12-2017 at 11:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Alan

Now when in La Paz my phone shows AT&T Mx as the provider and my coverage has been every bit as good as Telcel. Probably same towers. And I don't have to carry 2 phones anymore

I'm with Alan. AT&T is great for calling from MX to the US, US to MX, and within MX. Don't know what MX plan a friend (Canadian) had last year but he had problems reaching me on my AT&T phone (with his MX phone).

So, for those in Baja with a MX phone, I"ll have a Telcel phone this year, again.

AT&T plan (for me) is unlimited in US, MX and Canada, including texting.

A MX phone with MX coverage might cost for long distance to the US.

AguaDulce - 10-12-2017 at 11:50 AM

Verizon has a Mexico plan . $5 a day if you use it. I was in Central mexico last year, worked great. been to baja 4 times this year. Where there is service it works fine.

BajaBreak - 10-12-2017 at 11:55 AM

Yeah on the AT&T phone. I have great service everywhere on an unlimited plan, and with a Microsoft phone that has internet sharing with unlimited data plan that cost $30 to add, so I have a wifi hotspot anywhere, except maybe a few remote places.

Definitely look into AT&T. Seems like most people I know with local phones or other carriers using their phones in MX always have problems. Maybe get a MX AT&T phone and add time (I think you can pay for unlimited service for a week or month at a time) and keep it for future trips and add time once you are back down.

surabi - 10-12-2017 at 06:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AguaDulce

Verizon has a Mexico plan . $5 a day if you use it. I was in Central mexico last year, worked great. been to baja 4 times this year. Where there is service it works fine.

$5/day is super expensive compared to buying a cheapo Mex. cellphone and getting the Telcel Sin Limites pay-as-you-go package. 100 pesos gives you 21 days of unlimited texting and calling anywhere in Mexico, US and Canada. Plus 300mb of data and 1000mb whatsapp, facebook and twitter.

woody with a view - 10-12-2017 at 06:56 PM

ATT

bill erhardt - 10-12-2017 at 06:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena

If you're going to Todos Santos again, I can tell you that both Telcel and Movistar have service there, with Telcel having better coverage - at least when I was last there in January. Before switching to Google's ProjectFi network, which has fairly seamless coverage in Mexico, I bought a Telcel SIM card for my unlocked HTC One phone and it worked well. I'm not sure that's an option for you and your phone, so a cheap phone with a pay-as-you-go plan might suit your needs best.

I was not familiar with Projectfi before seeing your post. After reading a bit about it the only question I have is 'why doesn't everybody use it?'. Is there a downside?

wiltonh - 10-13-2017 at 02:09 PM

T-Moble has an unlimited every thing plan for both Canada and Mexico which has no extra charges. The cool thing is that they just added a 55+ plan that is $60 per month for 2 phones.

The problem with Projectfi is that it requires a Google phone to use it. Does not work on any other companies cell phone.

surabi - 10-13-2017 at 02:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wiltonh

T-Moble has an unlimited every thing plan for both Canada and Mexico which has no extra charges. The cool thing is that they just added a 55+ plan that is $60 per month for 2 phones.

The problem with Projectfi is that it requires a Google phone to use it. Does not work on any other companies cell phone.

At $30/month per phone that is still over 4 times more expensive than the Sin Limites package I posted above.

Cell Data

unbob - 10-13-2017 at 03:15 PM

Almost no mention here re cellular data service and rates.

I'm currently on T-Mo Simple Choice North America plan (no longer offered) with 10gb LTE data monthly. However, beginning Nov 12th, 2017 that will be reduced to up to 5GB of 4G LTE data in Mexico and Canada. After that 5GB of usage, customers will have unlimited data at 128Kbps.

https://www.tmonews.com/2017/10/t-mobile-mobile-without-bord...

I'm looking for at least 10gb of 3G data service in Baja for a reasonable price. Any recommendations?

wiltonh - 10-13-2017 at 03:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Quote: Originally posted by wiltonh

At $30/month per phone that is still over 4 times more expensive than the Sin Limites package I posted above.

wiltonh - 10-13-2017 at 03:49 PM

I have used the Sin Limites package in the past. It is a good plan but it shuts off after about 30 days when you come back to the states. It also has very limited data. If all the internet you use is whatsapp, facebook and twitter it is a good deal. If you use Netflix or one of the other video services it does not do well at all. I use a little less than 2GB of data per month not counting video streaming. I do that on WiFi so who knows how many Gigs I use.

If you have an unlocked phone, and want the cheapest plan for a little email, talk and text then Sin Limites is a very good way to go. You do have to go to a Telcel store and get a Sim. Make sure it works on data before you leave the store. I know a number of people who had to make a second trip just because they did not check to see that the data worked. My friend went through 3 sim cards before he got one that fully worked on an iPhone 6S.

The T-Mobile plan requires no extra changes. When you cross the border, you get a text saying that your phone works in Mexico exactly like it does in the US. It runs on the Telcel network so you get the best coverage. I have another sim that works on MovieStar and it works well in big cities but not at all on the beach where we usually camp. At $30 a month per line, it is a screaming deal, if you compare it to Verizon or AT&T for an unlimited plan that runs in the US as well as Mexico and Canada.

55steve - 10-13-2017 at 04:58 PM

I fish in Mexico semi-often and my T-Mobile phone sends me a text that essentially says you are now in mexico....have a good time!

[Edited on 10-13-2017 by 55steve]

wiltonh - 10-13-2017 at 06:07 PM

It looks like T-Mobile just changed their plans to limit LTE Data to 5GB in Mexico and Canada. You then slow down to 128K or 256K depending on the plan that you have.

I wondered when they would find that this plan was too good to be true.

[Edited on 10-14-2017 by wiltonh]

[Edited on 10-14-2017 by wiltonh]

SFandH - 10-13-2017 at 06:49 PM

Here's a 2 page Bajanomad thread from last year about the same topic.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=82086

[Edited on 10-14-2017 by SFandH]

aguachico - 10-13-2017 at 06:51 PM

there are very few barriers between the US and Mexico for data and voice. It's normally best to stay with your courier, add a Mexico plan and understand your usage.

Setup alerts for your data usage, use wifi whenever possible.

!!! disable data networking when you do not need it !!! Ask your courier how to toggle data on and off if you are not sure how.

Smartphones are great at wasting your data limit downloading adn uploading crap unnecessarily

SFandH - 10-13-2017 at 07:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wiltonh

It looks like T-Mobile just changed their plans to limit LTE Data to 5GB in Mexico and Canada. You then slow down to 128K or 256K depending on the plan that you have.

I wondered when they would find that this plan was too good to be true.

Published today:

"T-Mobile Limiting High-Speed Data in Canada, Mexico to 5GB"

https://www.pcmag.com/news/356769/t-mobile-limiting-high-spe...

jaymtb - 10-15-2017 at 12:19 PM

Hi Tim,
I use Consumer Cellular in US, which uses full ATT network in US, on a GSM phone- an Ebay Samsung S-5 Active 16 gig. Best to get a guaranteed new phone-not refurb-tched, or they may have replaced the screen without resealing it, = no waterproof. I test it on receipt under warranty, but keep it dry if possible, and use an Aquapac case when out kayaking.
When I cross into Mexico , I just pull out the Consumer Cellular Sim card and stick in the Telcel sim card with its mex cell #, and stop by an OXXO store to top up minutes and data.
Since the phone is really an old ATT model, you may have to re do the APN settings for data and text w/ Consumer Cell or other carrier, on coming back to US. Also disable ATT and Samsung junk apps.
Redo of APN takes 5 min and easy with a printout of the settings.
This way I have same good phone with all apps, contacts, data, ample memory, decent camera etc. Most people say that the Telcel network works best in the boonies- I agree.
I have done the same thing with this phone recently cycling around Spain, with a Spain Sim and phone #.

Note that Verizon US uses CDMA vs GSM technology and is not that compatible with rest of the world using GSM technology. I've never had Verizon, but those who do say it is more limited in Mexico. Maybe OK for short stay. With CDMA you probably cannot swap Sim cards, as far as I've heard- but no personal experience. I like having a Mexican number so people can call you easily with calling your US #.

Good advice above re disabling data when not needed.

One will also learn that Pandora and some other services don't work in Mexico, unless you use a VPN app to fool Pandora or other service that you are where the server you selected in the VPN app is located.

Cheers,
Jay

Sweetwater - 10-18-2017 at 11:26 AM

As streaming services go, many are US based and limited to US usage. Does anyone use Amazon to stream movies or music in Baja?

BajaMama - 10-20-2017 at 07:08 AM

I have five lines (family) on AT&T with 20 whatevers of data which entitles me Mexico and Canada free of charge. Unlimited talk and data in Mexico (as long as we don't go over the 20....). Phone works great (iPhone 7) as long as there is service available. There is even LTE in come places and data works great with that. Obviously NO service when in middle of nowhere. But near populated areas, works great. We even get sporadic service in Punta Chivato. Cost for five lines: $210/month, so about $42 per line.

Mendodoc - 12-22-2017 at 09:04 PM

Just got a notice from T Mobile that "I have used more than 50% of my recent data while in roaming mode" and they "suggested" that I start using Wi-fi signals instead of tethering my phone as a hot spot. And if I didn't I risked having my service canceled....
When I called them and explained that the Wi-fi near my Casa was too weak to get a reliable signal the techie suggested I download "T Mobile Digits"from the Google Play site, unlock my phone, and get a Mexican SIM card. Then the Digits app would somehow be able to "see" my new SIM card and use it as something like a VPN which would let me keep my 5 gig limit, but NOT have it counted against data roaming since the Mexican SIM card would then be handling all data as "local". Has anyone else tried this yet?