castaway$
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Location: Gold Hill, Oregon
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Moviestar phones ????
When we head out to Baja in a couple weeks were would like to have a phone that we can check NOB occaisionally, we currently have US Cellular but they
don't have service in Baja. A friend suggested a throw away Moviestar phone, is this a realistic way for us to get phone service capable of calling
home, and if so is it affordable. Any other info we might need to know would really be appreciated.
Live Indubiously!
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kiterkip
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I'm thinking the same thing as my Verizon cell has bad service, and when it does it'll super expensive. I'm told that these "burner" throw-a-way type
of phones are the way to go. But the drawback is that the local cheap calls will only be in the town you purchase it in. So, if you buy it in TJ and
plan on carrying it for your entire trip, plan for long distance charges.
At least this is what I've been told.
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toneart
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| Quote: | Originally posted by castaway$
When we head out to Baja in a couple weeks were would like to have a phone that we can check NOB occaisionally, we currently have US Cellular but they
don't have service in Baja. A friend suggested a throw away Moviestar phone, is this a realistic way for us to get phone service capable of calling
home, and if so is it affordable. Any other info we might need to know would really be appreciated. |
I always stop in Ensenada and either renew service or, if too much time has gone by since I used it last, I just buy a new phone and have them
activate it there in the Movistar store. They are located in the Walmart/Home Depot parking lot, way over on the East side. You can buy more minutes
in some mini markets.
I get good reception in Mulege, and can call the U.S. too. Not too expensive.
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DianaT
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I am not sure, but I do not think the Moviestar works out in our area---but we do have Tel Cel, unless they are the same???
Our cheap pay as you go Tel-Cel phone has been great, except for some reason, when it is used to call a land-line in Mexico, it eats up the minutes
much faster. Cell to Cell, no matter where in Mexico is not bad, and calls to the US, don't seem to consume very many minutes. The cell to Mexican
land-line seems crazy, but others have told us they find the same thing.
If you go with Tel-Cel, in the store in Encenada in the Home Depot-Wal-Mart center is very helpful and English is spoken there. Do take your
passport in for registration, and get there early.
[Edited on 11-26-2010 by DianaT]
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racheldarlin
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If you have a computer and access to the internet sign up for SYKPE. Works fine and is cheaper than cell calls.
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LaTijereta
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| Quote: | Originally posted by racheldarlin
If you have a computer and access to the internet sign up for SYKPE. Works fine and is cheaper than cell calls. |
If you have these options.. you might want to consider MagicJack for cheap service back to the States..
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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Pescador
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It all depends on where you are going to be in Baja. Moviestar has a good program, fairly cheap calls to the states, but has limited coverage. In
Mulege and Santa Rosalia it works well, but there is no signal on the other side at La Bocana, Asuncion, or Abreojos.
Skype works, sort of, but greatly depends on you speed of signal, and is almost completely unworkable with only dial-up speeds. Even with Hughes
net, there are times when it is too slow to work very well.
The other thing that works if you have access to a land line is the calling cards that can be purchased over the internet. I do almost all of my
calling to the states with a Continental calling card, but I have a land line.
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castaway$
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I don't have a computer to take other than my Android phone and since it is US cellular it won't work, however it is Wifi capable so I think it should
work wherever Wifi is available. Most of my comms will be via email and Facebook wherever I find Wifi at least thats my plan if phone will work like
that.
My mother is 80 and not in good health so I need to be able to be reached if something happens and since we are driving solo on this trip i would like
to have a phone for emergency.
sounds like Moviestar and Telcel are pretty equal and maybe it's about coverage area.
Our plan-
San Quintin
Asuncion
Mulege
Puerto Escondido
La Paz
Todos santos
Cabo
So which one would be best service wise?
[Edited on 11-26-2010 by castaway$]
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DianaT
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Do remember one thing, please if you think someone from home might call you. To call a cell phone in Mexico there is an extra number 1 that has to be
added that is not there when you call an land line.
The cell number you give them to call from the states should have before the area code and number the following
011-52-1- area code and number.
And, of course, there are several areas where you will have no cell service at all on your way to your destinations.
Have a great trip
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Bajajorge
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ATT cell phones have a plan for Mexico for about $50 a month. They give you 400 minutes a month and you can call the US from Baja just using those
minutes, no extra charge. The minutes do rollover if not used.
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El Jefe
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Telcel has better coverage than Moviestar. Costs are about the same. Also, there are more places to buy the cards to get more minutes for telcel
phones in our experience. Most markets sell them. You scratch off the number on the card and enter it into your phone after dialing *333.
My wife has a moviestar phone and I have telcel, so we have been able to compare directly.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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castaway$
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El Jefe that is the info i was looking for thanks.
Bajajorge my travelling companions usually go with us and they have AT&T however this year they can't make it, when I checked with At&T they
wanted me to sign a contract and I'm not willing todo that so they said they couldn't help me.
Live Indubiously!
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El Jefe
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You should be able to pick up a cheap telcel phone for about 39 dollars, and then add minutes whenever you run low. We usually buy cards for 100 or
200 pesos. After a period of time like a month or two your minutes don't work any more until you add more minutes.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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castaway$
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Location: Gold Hill, Oregon
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So can I get a Telcel phone in TJ or do I need find (cause I don't know where it is) the Walmart in Ensenada?
Live Indubiously!
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toneart
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I advise not to mess with TJ. Too confusing if you don't already know your way around. Better to go to Ensenada. The Walmart/HomeDepot complex is
right on the highway, on your right after you pass through downtown Ensenada. I take the highway that goes along the waterfront, past the huge Mexican
flag and tourist area. Eventually that dead ends. You will have to eventually turn left and go two blocks to the main highway and then turn right.
After that, Walmart/HomeDepot will appear soon. If you get lost, just ask somebody. It is easy to find.
Good luck!
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