BajaNomad

Sprint Cell Phone in Baja, any improvements?

David K - 7-6-2012 at 07:38 PM

Alas, I am on Sprint... and it has been a few years since I needed it on a trip, but I may again soon. When we cross the border, we get an automatic message announcing we are in Mexico and welcome to the service they have, dial 001 first or whatever. The phone only worked in an area with digital roaming (Tijuana and Ensenada) and never worked on the gulf side (Mexicali).

Has it gotten better, what about in Baja Sur, like La Paz?

If need be, I guess buying a phone in Mexico is an option, but it would be cool to get Baja Nomad while on the trip (where there is Internet 3G or whatever it is called. I have an Android phone.

Thanks amigos!

bigmike58 - 7-6-2012 at 07:43 PM

mine works in mulege, but it's close to $3 bucks a min. I had to call sprint intl and have it enabled (iphone).. The best deal I've found is the AT&T 450 min mex/us phone for 50 a month and the minutes rollover.

[Edited on 7-7-2012 by bigmike58]

Ken Cooke - 7-6-2012 at 09:10 PM

Send 'CG' a U2U/Email and ask him what he thinks of his service. He now has Boost Mobile (Sprint) and can share with you details about how his plan works.

ncampion - 7-6-2012 at 09:34 PM

I would bite the bullet and get a Mex. cell phone for when you're here. There's plenty of "internet cafes" around where you can pick up a WiFi signal for your Android. Just put minutes on the Mex phone while you're here and store it while you're in the US. Works for us.

David K - 7-7-2012 at 09:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ncampion
I would bite the bullet and get a Mex. cell phone for when you're here. There's plenty of "internet cafes" around where you can pick up a WiFi signal for your Android. Just put minutes on the Mex phone while you're here and store it while you're in the US. Works for us.


Thanks, I think we are heading for Gonzaga Bay the first night, and having never bought a Mexican cell phone before, would there be a place in San Felipe to get one... where (and SF Nomads chime in please)?

At the very least, will my Android work for the Internet anywhere there is a cell phone signal, or only on a wifi?

Thanks mucho... and nc, hope to see you down south!

Ateo - 7-7-2012 at 09:56 PM

From what I know, Mexico is a GSM territory.....which means AT&T rules. I've been lucky for choosing such a crappy carrier up north that actually works.....down south.

CDMA is if you're with Sprint/Nextel. They aren't as embedded in Baja...if at all.........

My friends always ask for my phone to call their wives when out at point breaks.....

But.......my neighbor works for Qualcomm and says they're making big time investments in infrastructure in Mex/Brazil over the next year.

So if you want service, don't go with Sprint. If I'm wrong, I'll admit it.

[Edited on 7-8-2012 by ateo]

Riom - 7-7-2012 at 10:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
having never bought a Mexican cell phone before, would there be a place in San Felipe to get one... where (and SF Nomads chime in please)?

At the very least, will my Android work for the Internet anywhere there is a cell phone signal, or only on a wifi?


CSI http://www.csibaja.com/ on Mar de Cortez in San Felipe have basic phones, and sim cards, and speak English. Be sure to take your passport and get them to register the sim card with the Mexican government for you.

Whether your phone will work on Telcel as well as wi-fi depends on the phone model and the radio technology in it, and whether it is carrier locked. Whether it's Android, iOS, etc makes no difference.

Generally a Sprint phone would use incompatible technology that won't work for data in Mexico, but there may be newer models that have dual technology and could work (when you get a Telcel sim card) - what make and exact model is it?

I've written a lot of articles about Mexican phones (mainly on usingTelcel for the internet) and using US phones in Mexico (especially San Felipe) at:
http://www.sanfelipelife.com/category/Phone-Internet

Rob

Marc - 7-7-2012 at 10:37 PM

Never a problem anywhere in Mexico with AT&T. Anywhere in the world for that matter. Don't know what it costs. My secretary pays the bill.

Desertbull - 7-7-2012 at 10:45 PM

I recommend a TelCel Amigo phone from the main TelCel store in San Felipe.

You no longer need to register your phone with your passport, that policy was rescinded several months ago.

A brand new phone comes with time on the phone and it costs a total of $25 dollars and if you're going to use it alot, buy additional minutes and put them on the phone while you're there.

I've had the same TelCel phone for about 6 years and although your minutes will freeze when you don't use your phone in Baja for more than 30 days once you return and put another $10 dollars on it and it's back up again.

It's the only way to go!

Mula - 7-8-2012 at 06:00 AM

I've had my Tel Cal amigo 299 peso phone for 6 years also, and love it.

David K - 7-8-2012 at 06:35 AM

Great info... Thanks Tim.

ncampion - 7-8-2012 at 06:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Desertbull
I recommend a TelCel Amigo phone from the main TelCel store in San Felipe.

You no longer need to register your phone with your passport, that policy was rescinded several months ago.

A brand new phone comes with time on the phone and it costs a total of $25 dollars and if you're going to use it alot, buy additional minutes and put them on the phone while you're there.

I've had the same TelCel phone for about 6 years and although your minutes will freeze when you don't use your phone in Baja for more than 30 days once you return and put another $10 dollars on it and it's back up again.

It's the only way to go!


I agree with Desertbull. Right now Telcel is offering $300 pesos free when you buy a new phone, so the phone is almost free. BTW last month when I got a new phone, they still asked for my passport.

mtgoat666 - 7-8-2012 at 07:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
If need be, I guess buying a phone in Mexico is an option, but it would be cool to get Baja Nomad while on the trip (where there is Internet 3G or whatever it is called. I have an Android phone.


in most cases i turn off my smart phone when i enter mexico and don't turn it on again until entering back to USA,... why would you want to ruin a vacation by turning on a telephone or computer?

p.s. i also use maps much more than GPS. call me luddite!

p.p.s. i do have a cheap mex phone that i load up with $$/minutes as needed - for the little use of phone in mexico, this seems cheapest solution compared to roaming plan, when using so few minutes in mexico

David K - 7-8-2012 at 07:37 AM

Well, I know how much fun it is to read other Nomads posting during their trips. Nothing better than the latest details as they happen or soon after. A lot of people are here on Nomad to read the latest conditions or beautiful places on the peninsula. If I don't read or post onto Nomad while on vacation, I will still have a great time... I was just trying to give something while I am there.