Cardon Man
Super Nomad
Posts: 1319
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
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Mood: !Al Chingaso!
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Blackberry device etc. in Baja?
A question for those in the know...
I spend a fair bit of time at a remote spot in Baja that does indeed get pretty good cell reception. I'd like to be able to send/check email from this
location. I don't know much about these wireless hand held devices like Blackberry.
Can i buy the device in the States and buy a monthly plan in Baja where I live?
Is Blackberry the way to go? I know there are other such devices as well.
Any and all information would be much appreciated.
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bajabound
Junior Nomad
Posts: 26
Registered: 9-14-2002
Location: San Francisco, CA
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Blackberry
I have a Blackberry with T-mobile as the service provider.
I have personally used my device while on a trip from Cabo San lucas out to the East Cape up to El Cardonal and it worked well in most places even
when I was off shore fishing. The problem is the cost. When in Baja T-Mobile charges about $1.50 per minute, 35 cents sending text messages, 5 cents
to receive text and a few dollars per MB of download which includes e-mail and internet access on top of the normal monthly cost. So it's costly to
use. T-mobile has an international coverage map on their website.
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Hello Cardon Man,
I have a Blackberry with service from Nextel/Sprint. It works on both sides of the border, including two way radio, texting and email. Coverage is
spotty south of Ensenada, so it really depends on where you will be and the signal there. Overall I have been pretty happy with the service. Lately
the phone has been quirky, but it is three years old and I have a tendency to be rough on my cel phones.
I am not sure if we have a special plan for Baja or not....it has been a while since we got the phones. You might try calling a Nextel store for
current information.
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
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Pretty much the same for Cingular.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
Posts: 1319
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
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Mood: !Al Chingaso!
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Telcel
Thanks all for your replies. Does anyone know if Telcel offers a Mexico monthly plan that might be more afforable than the ones already mentioned?
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MexicoGringoGuy
Nomad
Posts: 159
Registered: 6-20-2008
Location: Tijuana, Centro/Rio
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Mexican Carriers
Yes, Both Telcel and Movistar have such plans
Telcel Data Plans
Movistar Blackberry Plan
I have has friends with the Movistar blackberry before.. BUT keep in mind that Telcel is theexclusive carrier for the Iphone in mexico
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cardon Man
Thanks all for your replies. Does anyone know if Telcel offers a Mexico monthly plan that might be more afforable than the ones already mentioned?
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Telcel and movistar provide services in Baja California. Also, you may use some USA providers who piggyback on these networks which can be expensive.
Contracts are available, you can check on line at, be patient the sites are not designed to serve users around the world.
http://www.telcel.com
http://www.movistar.com
Though most information is provided in spanish you can poke around, call for info and request an english speaker, you can configure your phone for
english menus etc... The rates are much better than "amigo" plans which charge top rate pay as go per call.
It is probably best to make a estimation of your services needed, where you expect to call, e.g. Mexico, USA, Iraq etc... ;-0 investigate and then go
directly to an office near your destination to sign up so you have a local representative to help. Just keep in mind most people who work in telcel
offices have little understanding of services and rates because they are usually young girls in a new job, they do not pay in practice and do not use
their phone for email and browsing typically.
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
Posts: 1319
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
Member Is Offline
Mood: !Al Chingaso!
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Thanks again. Very helpful info.!
I do know this...Movistar is no good for the area I'd be using the device. Telcel only.
So, let me ask this...I hear so much buzz about iphone. Anyone out there using one down here in Baja?
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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I have a monthly plan with telcel using a blackberry in Loreto. the blackberry service is $328 pesos per month for unlimitedf navigation on the
handheld but not when using as a modem to connect with a computer. the unlimited date plan to use the blackberry like a modem is $503/month that's
what I use. I cancelled my blackberry service because I get over 100 e-mails a day and it was too anoying listening to the notifier contstanly. I
cannot access e-mail on my handleld directly even using gmail mobile but I can when tethering it to my mac via bluetooth. the plan intenso is
$328/month with 300 local calls included and internationial calls are very reasonable.
only tough thing is paying the bill with telcel...its due on the 29th of the month and they figure out what is owed each month on the 11th but if you
don't pay by the 12th they shut you off! its very annoying. i'd use another carrier other than telcel if I had a choice but i don't. currently I'm
waiting to order an iPhone but I'm going to wait until the 3G technology is available in Loreto first. the iPhone was made available in Mexico on the
14th of July.
Pam
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18416
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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My blackberry is AT&T. I do not have voice roaming in Mexico, so voice service does not work. But my e-mail service works fine, and I send and
receive e-mail messages from just about anywhere with mobile coverage, and no charges ever show up on by bill. So far has worked well everywhere
between TJ and Mulege. But I figure some day mex service providers will wise up and cut me off from my free loading 
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
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I use a Blackberry through Verizon in La Paz and it works great! Boss welcomed me back from vacation. Was very tempted not to tell him I was still
in LP. I can't remember the specifics but they have an International plan so the cost has been reasonable.
In Memory of E-57
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy amable
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Same answer on my ATT Blackberry!
| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
My blackberry is AT&T. I do not have voice roaming in Mexico, so voice service does not work. But my e-mail service works fine, and I send and
receive e-mail messages from just about anywhere with mobile coverage, and no charges ever show up on by bill. So far has worked well everywhere
between TJ and Mulege. But I figure some day mex service providers will wise up and cut me off from my free loading |
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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iPhone was just released here, maybe a week ago? Don't think the "reviews" are in yet.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3509
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Wife has AT&T blackberry coverage in Todos and Pescadero -- no problems.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by flyfishinPam
I have a monthly plan with telcel using a blackberry in Loreto. the blackberry service is $328 pesos per month for unlimitedf navigation on the
handheld but not when using as a modem to connect with a computer. the unlimited date plan to use the blackberry like a modem is $503/month that's
what I use. I cancelled my blackberry service because I get over 100 e-mails a day and it was too anoying listening to the notifier contstanly. I
cannot access e-mail on my handleld directly even using gmail mobile but I can when tethering it to my mac via bluetooth. the plan intenso is
$328/month with 300 local calls included and internationial calls are very reasonable.
only tough thing is paying the bill with telcel...its due on the 29th of the month and they figure out what is owed each month on the 11th but if you
don't pay by the 12th they shut you off! its very annoying. i'd use another carrier other than telcel if I had a choice but i don't. currently I'm
waiting to order an iPhone but I'm going to wait until the 3G technology is available in Loreto first. the iPhone was made available in Mexico on the
14th of July.
Pam |
Pam...I have asked this question before, and you may not have seen it. I have had Verizon's DSL for a couple years. It operates through a express card
port on my computer. You stick this cell phone in the port, but it has no voice capability. My question is have you seen anything like it, in the
Telcel store in Loreto?
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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