akmaxx
Nomad
Posts: 334
Registered: 10-29-2008
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Will an unlocked Iphone work in Loreto?
If I have an unlocked 3GS Iphone, can I put a pre-paid SIM card in it from Telcel or Movistar. Anybody doing this now?
Thanks in advance.
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TheColoradoDude
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-10-2009
Location: Colorado/San Carlos, Sonora
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Mood: Paz, Amor, y Tacos de Pescado
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I am interested in finding out how it worked?
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grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TheColoradoDude
I am interested in finding out how it worked? |
So am I. If you try this please post the answer for all of us iphone users. I did find out that if you use your iphone to surf the internet, check
email etc. using your wifi (where wifi is available) that there is no crazy, expensive roaming charges. I was told this by the att rep. that I called
just before entering Mexico in July.
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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TheColoradoDude
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-10-2009
Location: Colorado/San Carlos, Sonora
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Mood: Paz, Amor, y Tacos de Pescado
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I was trying to use the skype app while connecting to wi fi in Ensenada but I was having some problems. Pretty much my error. I will have to
research it more and try it out when I am back that way later this year.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/iphone/
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mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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Not sure if this link is of any interest, however, it seems related.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ATampT-to-expand-Internet-apf-...
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by akmaxx
If I have an unlocked 3GS Iphone, can I put a pre-paid SIM card in it from Telcel or Movistar. Anybody doing this now?
Thanks in advance. |
the answer is YES the Telcel sim cards will work
but a word of advice for the iphone's internet, you can buy prepaid internet time but it is very costly, if you want calling only you will need to
disable your phone's internet capabilities or else you will pay anyway (data). do this by tying in
www.iphonenodata.com
you can re-enable it when you want internet again
I have this configured on my iPhone and only tap into wifi networks that are free of charge.
to check if data on the cell system is being used on your iphone do this:
go to "settings
then go to "general"
go to "Usage" and scroll to the bottom where it says "Tethereing Data"
you can "reset Statistics" to zero before you put the new sim into use so that you can monitor your total usage including the data that gest charged
by the cell network (data used on a wifi does not appear as it does not get billed by the network)
I have to travel to USA in a few weeks,
can I buy a prepaid SIM for my unlocked iPhone in Seattle?
[Edited on 10-7-2009 by flyfishinPam]
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Yes, lots of those around.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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There was a story in today's paper about a guy who got charged over $500 for roaming. He had his I-phone with him in Europe. He turned the phone on to
take a picture. He didn't make a call. He didn't use the internet. However, AT&T's explanation was that a bunch of Apple updates automatically
loaded when he turned on the phone. So the idea of disabling internet is very important. This must happen all the time. The AT&T rep offered to
remove the charges for a service fee of $60.
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Fonsecn
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 3-31-2011
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I did find out that if you use your iphone to surf the internet, check email etc. using your wifi (where wifi is available) that there is no crazy,
expensive roaming charges. I was told this by the att rep. that I called just before entering Mexico in July.
[Edited on 4-1-2011 by Fonsecn]
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1603
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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On a trip to Baja last year I failed to disable data roaming on my i-phone and paid over $500 for all of the junk e-mail that flooded my phone when I
turned it on in a cell coverage area. This year I disabled data roaming and had the Skype app. loaded and it didn't cost anymore from AT&T and
very little on numerous calls I made using Skype. Of course you need WiFi coverage to use Skype but that coverage is very good in Baja.
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latina
Nomad
Posts: 210
Registered: 3-19-2011
Location: La Paz
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I can use my unlocked iphone4 in La Paz, so presumably you could in Loreto too. It works on the 3G network in La Paz and switches to Edge when I am
in Cabo San Lucas. I bought the microsim card at Movistar in order to get a phone #(a challenge) and buy prepaid amounts as I need them. Using the
internet is a lot cheaper than in B.C. They often have promotions, for example 15 days for 150 pesos which includes unlimited internet and the bonus
is that it was 15 x 24 hours of use not 15 consecutive days. Can't beat that!
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goldhuntress
Senior Nomad
Posts: 663
Registered: 1-28-2010
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I use Skype for calls and Textfree for texting and the Facebook app to keep in touch with friends while I'm in Baja. All work well. Sometimes it takes
a few extra seconds for Skype to hook up. I put my phone on airplane mode the whole time in Baja to avoid the voicemail charges which are at least $1
per even if you don't listen to them, something to do with it being visual voicemail. When back over the border, airplane mode off, all the voicemails
come though and I deal with them then. Anyone important to me knows to email me.
Does the phone need to be unlocked for a Telcel sim card?
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wiltonh
Nomad
Posts: 306
Registered: 2-2-2007
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Yes the phone must be unlocked to use Telcel. I took my unlocked iPhone with me to Baja this year and decided to purchase a Sim card. My first
attempt was just over the border. I found that yes they would sell me a sim card but you need to purchase the card near the location you plan to use
it. A card purchased up North will be charged roaming fees if you use it in La Paz. The fees are something like 1 dollar per minute.
We then purchased one down south and found that since I was not a Mexican Citizen they had to fax my passport to the government. This was required to
activate the phone By the time this was done they had faxed it 4 times. It took something like 4 hours to activate the phone on the Telcel network.
It did work okay but I did not use data of any type due to the high costs. We had local wifi where we were staying so the phone got used way more on
wifi than for doing voice calls. Local calling is cheap but once you call the US it is about 1 dollar per minute.
A woman we knew had a medical problem and had to be taken to the hospital. We used the phone to communicate with relatives and friends that were also
in Baja.
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