BajaNomad

Cell phones

wessongroup - 10-6-2009 at 10:22 AM

I know this must have been aske a million times, but when I did a search on "cell" phones it was coming back with "excellent" like in the thread about anything with excellent in it...

Just attempted to use my cell phone, for the first time.. no coverage down in the Baja..
Emailed carrier, no response in 36 hrs. Virgin Mobile/Sprint... glad I'm not dying..

Looking for a good sustitute for now in a prepaid? or any other suggestions on good plans with good coverage down here and in the States.

Just phone no data or the rest of the addon's you can get

We have internet.. and it's doing just about everything else fine.

Thanks for any help...:):)

toneart - 10-6-2009 at 10:40 AM

I know that there are plans that exist that will give you service on both sides of the border, but they may not be prepaid services.

I have two cell phones (one for each side of the border) and really don't use either very much...just for emergencies or booking hotels and ordering propane when in Baja.

The phone I use in Baja is Movistar. It is a prepaid service.Reception is good throughout the Baja Peninsula. It really isn't very expensive. When I am in the U.S. during the summer and fall, I let the minutes expire. When I reenter, I go to the Movistar retail office in the Ensenada/Walmart/Home Depot complex. It is located east of the large parking lot of Walmart. They sell me the minutes I want and even reactivate it for me. While I am in the U.S, I take out the battery.

It is good, when caravaning with others, that each have a Mexican Cell so as to be in touch with each other. The only gap is the spot between the border and Ensenada when going south. If you have each other in sight, that is no problem.

Separate Prepaid Services

MrBillM - 10-6-2009 at 11:02 AM

I, too, use nothing but Prepaid Cellular service. I'm not aware of a prepaid service that works on both sides, but even if there was one it would probably be less cost-efficient. My U.S. prepaid service is the lowest I've ever found and it works well nationwide. Nine-Fourteen cents per minute. Minimum $10.00 monthly and excess time rolls over. Better rates than anything they sell in Prepaid at the Retail outlets.

For Mexico, I use Telcel prepaid. Good everywhere I've travelled. Don't know what the "current" rate to the U.S. is, but it has been better than the U.S. carriers in the past. Requires a 100 peso update every 60 days and time rolls over. In September, as a result of not updating my service before leaving Baja, I went over the 60 days. Especially upsetting because I had 687 pesos accumulated on the account which went to Zero.

However, there is apparently a Grace-Period. When I added a 200 peso card (actually 300 pesos of time credit), my balance was 986 Pesos.

noproblemo2 - 10-6-2009 at 11:07 AM

We use Movistar prepaid also, works on both side of the border for they few times we go north anymore...

Bajahowodd - 10-6-2009 at 12:30 PM

Tony- You're saying that you have cell service between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro? Also note wessongroup is in La Mision. That not part of the black hole you mentioned?

toneart - 10-6-2009 at 01:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Tony- You're saying that you have cell service between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro? Also note wessongroup is in La Mision. That not part of the black hole you mentioned?


Well....I don't know. I never tried it on that stretch of road. I have used it in Mulege, Santa Rosalia, Loreto, San Quintin, El Rosario and Ensenada. What you are asking may well be a gap in communication (with the phone service on that stretch of road, and from me too)..:rolleyes: The "black hole" between Tecate and Ensenada was due to my not reactivating the minutes in my Movistar phone until I reach Ensenada. I don't see why it wouldn't work in La Mission.

What I meant was that it works in Baja (Norte) and also Baja Sur.

Maybe someone else can enlighten us regarding your question?

Another thing I did not know is that, according to noproblemo2, it also works in the U.S. I just assumed it wouldn't.

Hopefully, between all of us posting our experiences, we can cobble together some useful information for Wessongroup, and we can also learn in the process. :light:

Thanks much

wessongroup - 10-6-2009 at 01:53 PM

Hey guy's, thanks much.... as always you folks come thru big time... what a service, The Baja Nomads information system

I didn't need to use it, just thought I would see if it worked... you know be preparded..and then found out no communication, if I did have an emergency.

Ahhhhhhh Gee, have to go back to Ensenada... well, was running low on Pacifico anyway... Have to say, it’s a pretty good beer (thanks to all). Going to add in a few Tecate and XX’s into the six-pack this time. And for those that care, found the Cigar shop, and a good deal on some Cuban smokes (thanks to all).

Thanks for the help, my wife gave the correct recipe for "witches brew", the one I gave yesterday as "witches brew" was of course incorrect, well what do you expect... I'm tonto what ever that means...

It's really a great soup with body and lot's of flavor on a cool day... she usally serves with fresh French Bread..

Potatoes 12 cut into “big chunks” to small will get mushy…
Large can whole tomatoes, chop, slice or squeeze with your hands
Garlic, (taste)
Whole onion chopped loosely
Vegetable bullion cube, at least 2-3
Seeded, cooked whole green chilies shredded (seeds, or no seeds, longer you cook the hotter the flavor
Seasons
Skim the top at the end
When the potatoes are done, it's time to put into a bowl and sprinkle shreaded cheese and/or cheese's on top of the serving

Then serve the “filthy beast” as my wife just added :lol::lol:

[Edited on 10-6-2009 by wessongroup]

[Edited on 10-6-2009 by wessongroup]

[Edited on 10-6-2009 by wessongroup]

noproblemo2 - 10-6-2009 at 02:59 PM

MoviStar works fine in La Mision, you can get the service in Rosarito also...

Bajahowodd - 10-6-2009 at 04:06 PM

I mentioned no cell service from El Rosario to Guerrero Negro because once South of El Rosario until perhaps half way or more between Catavina and Guerrero Negro, it is off the grid. Tony's recommendation about caravans is probably most worthwhile on this stretch of the highway.