BajaNomad

Cell Phone in Baja California?

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 11:41 AM

What are some good options for cell service in the TJ to Rosarito corridor?

Preferably something that allows us to call the US, but if there are other options that work better, I'm all ears. We'll consider pre-paid, plans, anything... just looking for some good options.

woody with a view - 3-19-2014 at 11:46 AM

ATT gives the best reception in baja.

BajaGeoff - 3-19-2014 at 11:57 AM

I have an Iphone with AT&T with the Viva Mexico plan added on to it. It makes it really easy to call back to the US. I believe it is an extra $10/month for the plan. Reception is typically really good....it usually switches to Telcel or Movistar when I am down there.

Udo - 3-19-2014 at 12:02 PM

I have the same plan, but in my instance, my service would not work when roaming in the Movistar areas. It only worked in the Telcel areas.
So I bought a prepaid plan with Telcel with one of their disposable phones. It's been great in the last year.
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGeoff
I have an Iphone with AT&T with the Viva Mexico plan added on to it. It makes it really easy to call back to the US. I believe it is an extra $10/month for the plan. Reception is typically really good....it usually switches to Telcel or Movistar when I am down there.

Travelinleah - 3-19-2014 at 12:12 PM

How much is the plan for Telcel, is it contract or month to month, and how much is the phone? Will it work in LA Lax, Santispac, Mulege etc?? Thanks!:D

Travelinleah - 3-19-2014 at 12:12 PM

La Paz

Udo - 3-19-2014 at 12:24 PM

Yes, so far it has worked anywhere between Cabo to Tijuana, La Paz included.
Just stop at any town in Baja. They all have a a TELCEL store. They have a large blue banner and they advertize TELCEL.
Pick any phone you want from their inventory. Pay $300 pesos, and you get the phone and about 3 hours talk time.
When your minutes run low, you can go to a TELCEL store and buy more time. You can also buy time on the web, when you set up a free account on their WWW.
Don't worry about the Spanish menu.
For Mexican phone numbers, just dial the area code and number, and you get right through.
Just go to the settings menu on the phone, and there is an option there to select your preferred language.
There is also a setting to turn off the UNONOTICIAS messages (spam) that TELCEL sends out three times a day.
The phone also works to call the US, and when in the US, you can call Mexico.

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 12:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGeoff
I have an Iphone with AT&T with the Viva Mexico plan added on to it. It makes it really easy to call back to the US. I believe it is an extra $10/month for the plan. Reception is typically really good....it usually switches to Telcel or Movistar when I am down there.


This is what we'd like, ideally... We just called AT&T and we were quoted $120 per line (we pay $80 per line right now) to add this.

Maybe we talked to the wrong person at AT&T... If it's $10, i'd gladly pay that.

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 12:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGeoff
I have an Iphone with AT&T with the Viva Mexico plan added on to it. It makes it really easy to call back to the US. I believe it is an extra $10/month for the plan. Reception is typically really good....it usually switches to Telcel or Movistar when I am down there.


Does the additional $10 a month cover your data? And how much data is included if you don't mind me asking.

Whale-ista - 3-19-2014 at 12:47 PM

If you use TMobile: they offer free international data, no additional fees for most plans.

Coverage in Baja/BCS has been good for my travelling needs so far this year.

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 12:48 PM

We use At&t currently... we're just looking for a way to keep our iPhones and not have a US phone and a Mexico phone each (for 3 of us).

Udo - 3-19-2014 at 12:51 PM

The additional service fee from AT&T, is only for the service, not your airtime minutes.
The minutes from the US to Mexico are (or were), .59c per minute. Calling within Baja was about .29c per minute. Calling the US was a little more than .59c per minute.
Don't even go there with the data plan...it's outrageous!

That is why I purchased a Mexican phone.

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 12:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
The additional service fee from AT&T, is only for the service, not your airtime minutes.
The minutes from the US to Mexico are (or were), .59c per minute. Calling within Baja was about .29c per minute. Calling the US was a little more than .59c per minute.
Don't even go there with the data plan...it's outrageous!

That is why I purchased a Mexican phone.


Disappointing...

I guess we can always just give up our phones and go Telcel.

Whale-ista - 3-19-2014 at 12:56 PM

I also use an Iphone, but w/Tmobile.

How long will you be SOB?

One option: get a monthly Tmobile acct, and swap the SIM card in your Iphone while in Baja. Benefit may depend on how much you plan to call vs. use data.

TMobile also offers family plans for additional lines at low cost, month to month, no contracts.

rts551 - 3-19-2014 at 12:59 PM

T-Mobile only works where there is Movistar coverage. For example. no longer works in Punta Abreojos or La Bocana...but is fine in Vizcaino.

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 01:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
I also use an Iphone, but w/Tmobile.

How long will you be SOB?

One option: get a monthly Tmobile acct, and swap the SIM card in your Iphone while in Baja. Benefit may depend on how much you plan to call vs. use data.

TMobile also offers family plans for additional lines at low cost, month to month, no contracts.


We're packing up the family and heading down south permanently on May 1st. We'll still be back in the states visiting semi-regularly, but most of our calling, Facebooking, Angry Birds playing, etc. will be done from Mexico.

Udo - 3-19-2014 at 01:14 PM

Warning on the AT&T data in Mexico...

I have seen and heard of bills being in the $1000, dollar range for data usage.

honda1013 - 3-19-2014 at 01:24 PM

A better option is to have tmobile, you get FREE rext messages to us and internet while roaming on movistar and uisacell, $0.20 a minute to receive or make calls. Witb internet it is 2g but it at least connects you to fb, email, news, google maps.:yes:

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 01:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by honda1013
A better option is to have tmobile, you get FREE rext messages to us and internet while roaming on movistar and uisacell, $0.20 a minute to receive or make calls. Witb internet it is 2g but it at least connects you to fb, email, news, google maps.:yes:


That's not a bad option. Thanks.

honda1013 - 3-19-2014 at 01:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by phoenix2121
Quote:
Originally posted by honda1013
A better option is to have tmobile, you get FREE rext messages to us and internet while roaming on movistar and uisacell, $0.20 a minute to receive or make calls. Witb internet it is 2g but it at least connects you to fb, email, news, google maps.:yes:


That's not a bad option. Thanks.

http://www.mexicocellular.com/us_phones.shtml Here is a website which may help you out more.Remember t mobile has free wifi calling a plus

[Edited on 3-19-2014 by honda1013]

chavycha - 3-19-2014 at 01:58 PM

www.mexicosimcard.com worked great for us.

order, receive, and swap the sim card into your phone. have service anywhere in mexico there's telcel coverage.

no subscription to a US provider's plan required, and since your US sim is out of your phone, no way you can get dinged for roaming data.

rts551 - 3-19-2014 at 01:59 PM

http://www.cellularmaps.com/mx_net_compare.shtml

This should give you good information on cell coverage of various types.

Whale-ista - 3-19-2014 at 02:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
T-Mobile only works where there is Movistar coverage. For example. no longer works in Punta Abreojos or La Bocana...but is fine in Vizcaino.


That's news to me- I've used my TMobile with TelCel in some areas, or at least TelCel displays on the phone. It seems to work with both TelCel and MoviStar coverage areas, but...I'm only down there a few times/month.

dasubergeek - 3-19-2014 at 02:37 PM

You can't swap another SIM, whether American or Mexican, into your AT&T iPhone until AT&T unlocks your iPhone; you'll need to have finished your contract with them (and be on month-to-month) in order for them to do that.

I have a cheap smartphone I bought at Sanborns in Tijuana. It cost about $90, it's a Samsung, runs Android, and it allows me to FB and tweet and all that happy horsecrap. I originally started with the cheap 301-peso throwaway Nokia dumbphone that was mentioned upthread, and just had the SIM moved into the smartphone when I bought it. No contract, no nothing.

The easiest way to put money on your prepaid account is to go into any 7-Eleven, Oxxo, or grocery store; just tell them you want a 'recarga', how much you want (50 pesos, 100, etc.), and then they'll ask for your number. It recharges instantly. If you want data, you just send a text to 5050 with what you want and it deducts from your account.

I use my Telcel all over. The only place I've ever had a problem has been in the Sierra Norte between Orizaba and Oaxaca.

rts551 - 3-19-2014 at 03:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
T-Mobile only works where there is Movistar coverage. For example. no longer works in Punta Abreojos or La Bocana...but is fine in Vizcaino.


That's news to me- I've used my TMobile with TelCel in some areas, or at least TelCel displays on the phone. It seems to work with both TelCel and MoviStar coverage areas, but...I'm only down there a few times/month.


Apparently up until a year ago, T-mobile had roaming arrangments with both. Now only Movistar. We bought the pay as you go Tecel phones (very cheap anyway) because our T-Mobile quit working. After explaining where it worked and where it did not, some smart technician (in Mexico) gave us the answer. yes it does work where the coverage is the same...only quits when Movistar coverage stops....as can be seen in the maps.

phoenix2121 - 3-19-2014 at 03:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chavycha
www.mexicosimcard.com worked great for us.

order, receive, and swap the sim card into your phone. have service anywhere in mexico there's telcel coverage.

no subscription to a US provider's plan required, and since your US sim is out of your phone, no way you can get dinged for roaming data.


How does this work? Do you pay for pre-paid minutes/data on the new sim?

pacsur - 3-19-2014 at 04:04 PM

I had the reverse problem when I visited the states, I have found for anywhere between $60-80 bucks you can buy a factory unlocked iPhone 3GS on eBay. Its a great smartphone, you can use magic jack with wifi or if jailbroken you can use it with data. They might be a few years old with some wear, but you can pop in a gsm sim worldwide and it will work. I use prepaid tmobile when I go to the San Diego and it's working by the time I leave the terminal.

DaGreen - 3-19-2014 at 06:18 PM

I bought my throw away cell phone at the OXXO for $300 pesos and just add minutes as needed.

elgatoloco - 3-19-2014 at 09:45 PM

I use AT&T iPhone in Baja when traveling for the day or a week. Keeps me in touch with the home office. They think I'm still stateside. Living in baja is a different matter. $30.00 gets you 120mb data and any overage they automatically charge another $30.00 for 120 more. $60.00 gets 300mb. That charge is for a month. You can go to AT&T .com and estimate your usage. An email with no attachment is 20kb. When I am somewhere with wi-fi I get email for nada. Last year I went down and forgot to restart plan and they did it for me retro after I racked up a whopper of a bill. Next week I am going down and plan to add ipad to my plan too.

For me it's a necessity and a bargain at any price. :saint:

wiltonh - 3-19-2014 at 10:47 PM

We have AT&T iPhones that are unlocked. We purchased a Telcel Sim with a pay as you go Amigo plan. If you put 200 pesos on the phone per month, calls to the US and Canada are about 16 to 17 cents per minute. If you put on less than 200 pesos per month it is way more expensive.

If you plan to visit a big city the 3G data is quite fast. In rural ares it is very slow. Telcel has a nice way of doing data. You just put money on your account and it can be used for voice or data.

You text a code to 5050 that says how much data you want to purchase. Here is a copy of the chart that lists the costs. They have 3 sets of plans. High, Medium and low. All prices in the chart are listed in pesos.

Add data by sending the appropriate key by Text to 5050.


High Usage
-------------------------
Validity MB / GB Price Key
1 hr. 100 MB$ 12.00 alto1h
1 day 150 MB$ 49.00 HIGH1
2 days 300 MB$ 79.00 alto2
7 days 1 GB$ 169.00 alto7
15 days 1.5 GB$ 249.00 alto15
30 days 3 GB$ 399.00 alto30

Medium Usage Plan
-----------------------------
Validity MB / GB Price Key
1 hr. 30 MB $9.00 medio1h
1 day 50 MB $29.00 East1
2 days 100 MB $59.00 medium2
7 days 400 MB $99.00 medio7
15 days 1 GB $229.00 medio15
30 days 2 GB $339.00 medio30

Low Usage Plan
______________
Validity MB/GB Price Key
1 Hr 10MB $5.00 bajo1h
1Day 30MB $19.00 low1
2Days 50MB $39.00 low.2
7Days 200MB $59.00 bajo7
15Days 600MB $199.00 bajo15
30Days 1GB $299.00 bajo30

I used an app called Data Man on my phone to monitor my data usage. You put in the start and end date and how much data you have purchased. It gives you a display that shows how much you have used and predicts whether you are going to run out before the time runs out. Going over is expensive.

When I am not using data, I shut off Cell Data or put it in airplane mode so it cannot connect.

We currently use T-Mobile in the States but the place where we camp is right on the edge of the MovieStar area. There is one hill in the camp and if you stand near the top, T-Mobile will work. Telcel works most everywhere.

I normally put on 200 pesos every month and if I do not use it up with voice, the remainder can be used for data.

Every time you put money on your phone, Telcel gives you some amount of Regolo minutes. These can be used for local calls only.

If you want to know how much money is left in your account, you can enter *133# and it will give you your Amigo amount and then your Regolo amount.

If you are going to be out of Mexico for more than 3 month and you want to keep you phone number, you need to put $10 on the account every 3 months.
This can be done on the Telcel web site by giving them your credit card information. If that bothers you, there is a company called PinZoo that will let you add money to your account. You need a credit card with them also.

Wilton

JZ - 3-20-2014 at 08:00 AM

Can't belief all the people still using iPhones. From a technology standpoint they are 2 years behind Samsung and also have those tiny screens and the terrible keyboard.

Udo - 3-20-2014 at 08:22 AM

I'll try that when I go to the Ensenada beer fest this weekend.
BUT...

The sim card from the inexpensive phone is about 30% larger than the standard sized sim card that get used in the smart phones. Hopefully they'll let me open the box to try the sim card.
Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
I have a cheap smartphone I bought at Sanborns in Tijuana. It cost about $90, it's a Samsung, runs Android, and it allows me to FB and tweet and all that happy horsecrap. I originally started with the cheap 301-peso throwaway Nokia dumbphone that was mentioned upthread, and just had the SIM moved into the smartphone when I bought it. No contract, no nothing.

wiltonh - 3-20-2014 at 09:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
Can't belief all the people still using iPhones. From a technology standpoint they are 2 years behind Samsung and also have those tiny screens and the terrible keyboard.


Samsung uses Android on their smart phones and for my use it has several bugs that make it much more difficult for me in Mexico on slow data connections. I have both Apple and Android devices and use them every day.

The networking on Android has issues. I have security cameras at my home in the states. I connect to them through a VPN. The built in Android VPN does not allow you to store your credentials so you have to go look them up and enter them every time. Much easier to us an Apple phone for that.

The second issue relates to how Wifi is handled. The camp Wifi where we stay, stores username, password and Mac address so that only one machine can log onto an account at a time. If the Android device is turned on but not connected to the network, it gives its mac address to the Wifi server. This locks out all other devices. A strange problem but it makes my Apple devices work much better than my Android devices in Mexico.

Wilton

JZ - 3-20-2014 at 09:22 AM

Sounds like a corner case. Overall iPhones are complete garbage compared to Androids.

Apple laptops and tablets are market leading and I have both. But the iPhone is just getting chit kicked to the curb by Android and Samsung. The iPhone is living off its reputation from circa 2008.

chavycha - 3-20-2014 at 03:43 PM

Correct. They charge a slight markup over what they cost in Mexico, but the card gets shipped to your US address so you have it before you leave. They will make sure you have the right chip size for your phone, too.

You'll need an unlocked phone which works on GSM to use either TelCel or Movistar SIM cards. The phone must be unlocked, no matter what vendor you purchase the SIM card from.

We used my Verizon Razr Maxx HD (unlocked by default; most Verizon phones aren't), and my girlfriend's cheapo Pantech AT&T GoPhone. We had to search a bit online to find an unlock code for the Pantech but it was free and works great here.
Quote:
Originally posted by phoenix2121
Quote:
Originally posted by chavycha
www.mexicosimcard.com worked great for us.

order, receive, and swap the sim card into your phone. have service anywhere in mexico there's telcel coverage.

no subscription to a US provider's plan required, and since your US sim is out of your phone, no way you can get dinged for roaming data.


How does this work? Do you pay for pre-paid minutes/data on the new sim?


[Edited on 3-20-2014 by chavycha]

phoenix2121 - 3-20-2014 at 09:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wiltonh
If you put 200 pesos on the phone per month, calls to the US and Canada are about 16 to 17 cents per minute.
Wilton


This sounds like a great idea. Out of curiosity, do you know what calls run within Mexico? Mexico to Mexico calls...

phoenix2121 - 3-20-2014 at 09:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
Sounds like a corner case. Overall iPhones are complete garbage compared to Androids.

Apple laptops and tablets are market leading and I have both. But the iPhone is just getting chit kicked to the curb by Android and Samsung. The iPhone is living off its reputation from circa 2008.


I can't speak from others, but the part that Android owners hate (the closed ecosystem) is actually the biggest perk for me. In general I hate that Android devices are typically all on different versions of the OS (some providers are slower to update than others), as well as the open marketplace leading to some pretty shoddy apps and performance issues.

It's give an take. There certainly isn't a perfect option, and I have a Galaxy S4 for work that I think is a pretty solid phone. I just prefer the iPhone for ease of use, polish, and the well designed UI/UX that it offers.

Even the better Android phones (or the new Windows phones - which are far better than Android IMO) lack the overall polish of an iPhone. They just feel better and more intuitive to the user.

Just my 2 centavos (or is it 24 centavos w/ exchange rate?)...

CortezBlue - 3-21-2014 at 09:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by phoenix2121
What are some good options for cell service in the TJ to Rosarito corridor?

Preferably something that allows us to call the US, but if there are other options that work better, I'm all ears. We'll consider pre-paid, plans, anything... just looking for some good options.


I am in the same mode. We currently have ATT with the Viva Mexico plan, but my bills are WAY to expensive. I am seriously looking into Tmobile. It appears they provide a $.20 per min rate to dial in and out of Mexico and they provide free texting and some slow data speeds free.

Udo - 3-21-2014 at 04:45 PM

I am not too positive, but from my usage of my cheepo phone, seems to be about 2-3 pesos per minute. To call the US is more, and to roam from the US to Mexico is even more yet, but I have not kept track of that, because most of the time I use a Magic Jack.
Quote:
Originally posted by phoenix2121
Quote:
Originally posted by wiltonh
If you put 200 pesos on the phone per month, calls to the US and Canada are about 16 to 17 cents per minute.
Wilton


This sounds like a great idea. Out of curiosity, do you know what calls run within Mexico? Mexico to Mexico calls...

Nye - 3-23-2014 at 12:21 AM

UDO u crack me up, like u know the answers 2 everything-and your"youth is wasted on the young"sounds like someone who wished they did things different,Ive read tour postings and sir you give bad advice so plz just think b4 you post. Just saying the true bro n u kno it take care.

dasubergeek - 3-23-2014 at 02:26 PM

All calls on Telcel prepaid are the same price, whether they're to another Telcel, another cell, a fixed line in Mexico, or a fixed line in the US or Canada. The base rate is $3.98 m.n. per minute. If you recharge $50 m.n. every 30 days, your per-minute cost drops to $2.98 m.n. With $150 m.n. recharge in 30 days, it's $1.98 m.n. per minute, and with $200 m.n. recharge every 30 days, it is $0.98 m.n. per minute.

You get three (Mexican only) numbers to call for free, regardless of level.

To recap in USD:

Base per-minute is $0.30 dlls.
Recharge $3.79 dlls., rate is $0.23 dlls.
Recharge $11.36 dlls., rate is $0.15 dlls.
Recharge $15.15 dlls., rate is $0.08 dlls.

Source: http://www.telcel.com/portal/personas/amigo/detalles/recarga...

phoenix2121 - 3-23-2014 at 03:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
All calls on Telcel prepaid are the same price, whether they're to another Telcel, another cell, a fixed line in Mexico, or a fixed line in the US or Canada. The base rate is $3.98 m.n. per minute. If you recharge $50 m.n. every 30 days, your per-minute cost drops to $2.98 m.n. With $150 m.n. recharge in 30 days, it's $1.98 m.n. per minute, and with $200 m.n. recharge every 30 days, it is $0.98 m.n. per minute.

You get three (Mexican only) numbers to call for free, regardless of level.

To recap in USD:

Base per-minute is $0.30 dlls.
Recharge $3.79 dlls., rate is $0.23 dlls.
Recharge $11.36 dlls., rate is $0.15 dlls.
Recharge $15.15 dlls., rate is $0.08 dlls.

Source: http://www.telcel.com/portal/personas/amigo/detalles/recarga...


This sounds great! Wonder if my unlocked (formerly At&t) iphone can just use the Telcel sim and take advantage of this deal.

TLBaja79 - 3-23-2014 at 08:48 PM

I just got a regular ATT GoPhone off the shelf at Target and it worked great everywhere down in Baja from the border to Loreto. Obviously it didn't work way out on the road, away from town. But worked pretty good overall.
Paid approx .25 for texts or per minute of talk.

dasubergeek - 3-24-2014 at 10:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by phoenix2121

This sounds great! Wonder if my unlocked (formerly At&t) iphone can just use the Telcel sim and take advantage of this deal.


Be careful of the SIM card size. iPhones take different size SIMs depending on model, two of which are smaller than a regular SIM. iPhone 3 and 3GS takes a regular SIM, iPhone 4 and 4S takes a micro-SIM, and iPhone 5, 5C and 5S take a nano-SIM, which is so small my meaty man hands can't do it.

You should be able to go to a Telcel company store and get a nano-SIM with a pre-pay plan on it, but it may take some convincing and also some time... they used to have to call Mexico City for authorization, don't know if that's still true. Bring a paper clip or a straightpin, you'll need it to eject the SIM tray on any of them. The ejector hole is on the right side on 4 and 5, top edge on 3.