vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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ATT cell coverage/tower sharing question
For a couple of reasons I'm more concerned than usual about cell communications on our upcoming trip. It'll just be a few weeks after cancer surgery,
and ATT recently bought out the cell company I've been using and I'm wondering what you folks know about the degree of ATT coverage I might expect
along the way. Are there any bargains on pre-paid Mexican cell phones? Any need?
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Sunman
Nomad
Posts: 400
Registered: 6-22-2007
Location: Oxnard
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Worked fine for me in September, good coverage most everywhere.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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my att switches to telcel network RIGHT at the border. have coverage in every town and its about $.80/minute to "roam" on the telcel network. fine
with me as i only use it to "check in" on the way home.
edit: congrats on being "free"!
[Edited on 12-5-2008 by woody in ob]
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elizabeth
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-30-2004
Location: Loreto, BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody in ob
my att switches to telcel network RIGHT at the border. have coverage in every town and its about $.80/minute to "roam" on the telcel network. fine
with me as i only use it to "check in" on the way home.
edit: congrats on being "free"!
[Edited on 12-5-2008 by woody in ob] |
Mine (ATT/Telcel) is .59 a minute...Mexico only.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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I've had Cingular (now AT&T) and since the switch there has been no changes in my service, and yes it roams on Tel Cel. We have been as far as
Bahia Asuncion with no problems but are San Felipe area regulars.
Make sure you call AT&T and tell them you need roaming for Mexico to be sure.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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elizabeth
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-30-2004
Location: Loreto, BCS
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I should have added what Bajawarrior said...you need to activate your phone for Mexico coverage. Here's the plan I have. I copied and pasted from
the ATT site:
AT&T Mexico $4.99 per month
With AT&T Mexico, get competitive rates that allow you to stay in touch, no matter where in Mexico you call or go.*
Call 1-800-331-0500 to sign up now.
59¢ per minute while roaming in Mexico
9¢ per minute when calling from the U.S. to a Mexican wireline
25¢ per minute when calling from the U.S. to a Mexican wireless device
*Outside this destination, standard rates apply.
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Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by vgabndo... about the degree of ATT coverage I might expect along the way. Are there any bargains on pre-paid Mexican
cell phones? Any need? |
Assuming you have roaming enabled (if you need to - do check), you'll get slightly more coverage with AT&T (or T-Mobile) than either Mexican
network directly. This is because AT&T will roam on the towers of either Telcel and Movistar, whichever is within range, although it can be
expensive.
The only real reason to get a local pre-paid phone would be to reduce costs.
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Sur2baja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 54
Registered: 10-8-2006
Location: Fallbrook, CA/Nuevo Mazatlan
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I finally have something to brag about. I did one smart thing years ago and signed up for the coveted "North America Share Plan" with Cingular.
Baja to the USA and USA to Baja is no extra charge.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Sur2baja
I finally have something to brag about. I did one smart thing years ago and signed up for the coveted "North America Share Plan" with Cingular.
Baja to the USA and USA to Baja is no extra charge.
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I have that too, 550 minutes anytime plus rollover minutes (not that I can use them) for about $62 a month, never giving it up if I can help it!
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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Mood: Bajatastic
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FYI - You can always drive to within a block or two of the border an park if you are on AT&T. Well.. at least this works for me in Mexicali.
Otherwise, your on Tel Cel like others have said.
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Frank
Senior Nomad
Posts: 861
Registered: 6-5-2005
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Is it time to leave yet?
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Ive had roaming charges in the US running near the border because TelCel's coverage "drifts" into the US. Make sure you look at your phone to who your
connected to.
Cingular/AT&T worked for us all the way down to Cabo in the larger towns.
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