BajaNomad

Cell phone in Baja?

eguillermo - 12-13-2015 at 03:31 PM

Anyone have advice on a cheap option for cell phone usage in Baja?

I'm concerned that if I buy some international package from AT&T, it will end up not even working in Baja.

Aren't there cheap movistar or telcel phones you can buy in Mexico with prepaid minutes? I'd just be using it to contact a buddy on the road in Baja.

Thanks for any advice or ideas :)

AKgringo - 12-13-2015 at 03:54 PM

I use an ATT Go-phone with a US number that gives me service in Mexico, and Canada. I don't text much, or use my phone for data, so I chose a straight pre pay plan that costs 10 cents/min US, and 25 cents/min in Mexico.

It is mainly for emergency calls and to let my US contacts reach me if necessary. They don't have to dial any international numbers to reach me, just the us area code and number.

Edit; I paid $28 dollars for the phone in Anchorage, and I have to add $25 dollars or more every 90 days to keep it active. They offer other options as well, if you need more data, or want a monthly plan.

[Edited on 12-13-2015 by AKgringo]

JZ - 12-13-2015 at 04:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo  
Anyone have advice on a cheap option for cell phone usage in Baja?

I'm concerned that if I buy some international package from AT&T, it will end up not even working in Baja.

Aren't there cheap movistar or telcel phones you can buy in Mexico with prepaid minutes? I'd just be using it to contact a buddy on the road in Baja.

Thanks for any advice or ideas :)


AT&T works GREAT in Mexico from a coverage stand point.

In response to T-Mobile they just added free roaming to Mexico: https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/international/mexico-roami...

Unlimited calling and text when in Mexico. 1G data usage. $20 per Gig after that.

We just went down and got all 5 of our lines setup. Kids could use their smartphones pretty much at will.


[Edited on 12-14-2015 by JZ]

Marc - 12-14-2015 at 07:16 AM

I am with AT&T world wide roam. Go anywhere. Mexico, China, V.Nam, Burma, S Dakota.

eguillermo - 12-14-2015 at 08:43 AM

Thanks everyone! It sounds like my AT&T should work, even if I don't add a package (and I hope to not be calling very very much).

This coverage map doesn't look promising though; if that's the real deal, I don't think I'd be able to make the calls I need:

http://www.nextel.com.mx/legales/cobertura-nextel.html#fragm...

Do y'all ATT users get better coverage than that?

cliffh - 12-14-2015 at 09:03 AM

telecell works great all over Baja and inexpensive, pay as you go.

JZ - 12-14-2015 at 09:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo  
Thanks everyone! It sounds like my AT&T should work, even if I don't add a package (and I hope to not be calling very very much).

This coverage map doesn't look promising though; if that's the real deal, I don't think I'd be able to make the calls I need:

http://www.nextel.com.mx/legales/cobertura-nextel.html#fragm...

Do y'all ATT users get better coverage than that?


If you are on the Mobile Share plan you don't need to add a package anymore (i.e. buy data in increments).

Just call them to enable free roaming. Unlimited calls and texts and 1G of data free. That would have cost like $500+ in the past.

AT&T roams with Telcel. You aren't going to beat that.


[Edited on 12-14-2015 by JZ]

TMW - 12-14-2015 at 09:10 AM

I have T Mobile and it works near every city in Baja except San Ignacio and LA Bay. I can see a signal in SG but can't use it. LA Bay doesn't have cell service as far as I know, maybe soon. I think AT&T has better service but I'm happy with T Mobile. I buy a $100 card about every 9 months for my $20 cheap phone.

JZ - 12-14-2015 at 09:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
I have T Mobile and it works near every city in Baja except San Ignacio and LA Bay. I can see a signal in SG but can't use it. LA Bay doesn't have cell service as far as I know, maybe soon. I think AT&T has better service but I'm happy with T Mobile. I buy a $100 card about every 9 months for my $20 cheap phone.


T-Mobile just launched a North America plan.

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-23332

23S52N - 12-14-2015 at 01:26 PM

I just put my movistar mini sim card in place of Canadian tel co card and buy more minutes when I cross into Mexico. Just have to buy a cheap unlock code for your phone first.

Regards,

Keith

rts551 - 12-14-2015 at 01:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
I have T Mobile and it works near every city in Baja except San Ignacio and LA Bay. I can see a signal in SG but can't use it. LA Bay doesn't have cell service as far as I know, maybe soon. I think AT&T has better service but I'm happy with T Mobile. I buy a $100 card about every 9 months for my $20 cheap phone.


You have to change roaming from Movistar to Telcel. You are seeing the Telcel signal.

dasubergeek - 12-18-2015 at 11:11 AM

Go to Sanborns in Tijuana and buy a cheap phone and a Telcel prepaid ("Amigo") plan. You'll have to show your passport and you'll be given a 664 area code number unless you request one differently.

It's much cheaper than roaming on AT&T, and the coverage is great. When you want data you send a text message (I've posted the codes elsewhere on the site, will look later) and it subtracts from your saldo. When your balance gets low, you walk into absolutely any 7-Eleven or Oxxo or even most abarrotes and just give them your phone number and how many pesos you want to top up with.

BigBearRider - 12-18-2015 at 11:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by dasubergeek  

When you want data you send a text message (I've posted the codes elsewhere on the site, will look later) and it subtracts from your saldo.


I never knew this. Is this why my e-mail is very spotty? When I dial *133#, it shows my account balance. If it says $0 data, does that mean I don't get e-mail? (I do anyway, but it is unreliable.)

BigBearRider - 12-18-2015 at 11:23 AM

I found this list of codes on Telcel's website:

http://www.internet.telcel.com/paquetes.html#tab1