Cellphones: Calling-Using-Buying-Importing-Activating-Renting

[QUOTE=Mountaineer;424449]I checked out Amazon. Under unlocked BLU phones they have 4 $30 choices w / dual sim quad band. I'm spending 3 weeks in So America (2 wks in Buenos Aires and remaining time in Lima + Mendoza). Which phone do you recommend? BLU Q53 Samba Jr, BLU T130 Deejay Lite, BLU Q61 Lindy, or BLU Q41 Charleston? Will I need to buy 3 different Sim cards in all 3 cities? Is there one Sim card good for both Peru and Argentina? Is there anything else I need to know? Where in Recoleta do you buy your Sim cards? Thanks Mountaineer.[/QUOTE]I bought a BLU T200 Deejay phone, but any unlocked, quad band will work all over the world. You need to buy a SIM card for each country, and sometimes for different area codes. For me that was not a problem since while I was in Argentina, I never left BA. Your nearest Locutorio has SIM cards and can activate your phone. They also can top up your account.

Tres3

[QUOTE=Brad Pito;424488]Didn't they also add a new code for some mobiles in BA?[/QUOTE]The only code I know of is the 15 which designates it is a cell number. No idea why as my number came with the 11 and when a chica calls or texts me the number shows 11 instead of 15. Doesn't matter if it was claro, movistar, or personal.

On later numbers some were 15.

[QUOTE=SunSeeker;424574]The only code I know of is the 15 which designates it is a cell number. No idea why as my number came with the 11 and when a chica calls or texts me the number shows 11 instead of 15. Doesn't matter if it was claro, movistar, or personal.[/QUOTE]

When I recharged my. Cell yesterday at the phone ace across the street I had to put in 11 but my number is 15 Movistar.

In capital federal 11 and 15 are interchangeable, and have been for years. When you have a BA based phone and you travel outside of Captial Federal you must use the 11 prefix to call cell phones in BA (the 15 prefix numbers won't connect at all). That is why for years now all my BA cell phone numbers start with 11, even if the chica tells me 15. That way I can call the number from anywhere in argentina without complication or having to change the number from a 15 to a 11. Kinda surpirsed you didn't know this GH, but I only figured this out years ago when I went to corrienties to fish and tried to stay in touch with my BA chicas. Hope this helps. Monger on dude. Toymann

You are all actually at least slightly incorrect. When calling from (buenos aires) cell phone to (buenos aires) cell phone the 11 prefix is all that is required. However, when calling from a Buenos Aires land line to a Buenos Aires cell phone you MUST enter 15 followed by the last eight numbers. The easiest way when using your cell phone is to the program the number +54 9 11xxxx-xxxx for a Buenos Aires cell number, +54 9 221 xxxxxxx for La Plata, etc etc. When programed into your phone in this fashion, you will be able to call the number using that phone no matter what country / province you find yourself in.

The addition of the international and coutry codes would not make sense with an argentine based cell phone such as moviestar. You wouldn't use it from another country (international) anyway. This is the cell phone thread and that is why the 15 prefix from a land line to cell is correct but not nessessarily relevant. Just for shits and giggles, what part of my post was incorrect Snake? Not sure what I missed, but have been managing my argentine cell phone in the manner described for at least 5 years now. Happy Mongering All. Toymann

ps. from a BA cell phone to Ba based cell phone, in BA, you can use either 15 or 11 prefix without complication.

[QUOTE=Toymann; 424603]The addition of the international and coutry codes would not make sense with an argentine based cell phone such as moviestar. You wouldn't use it from another country (international) anyway. This is the cell phone thread and that is why the 15 prefix from a land line to cell is correct but not nessessarily relevant. Just for shits and giggles, what part of my post was incorrect Snake? Not sure what I missed, but have been managing my argentine cell phone in the manner described for at least 5 years now. Happy Mongering All. Toymann.

Ps. From a BA cell phone to Ba based cell phone, in BA, you can use either 15 or 11 prefix without complication.[/QUOTE]Most people under 50 who travel frequently carry an unlocked iPhone (or similar) with them as their primary phone in whatever country they are in and simply swap out the microSIM. As such, having one's phone numbers programed in the fashion I described allows them to be dialed from any country. For example, dialing +541148138400 will call La Madeleine no matter where in the world you are calling from. Another example is that all my USA numbers are programed in the same manner +1xxxxxxxxxx which will allow me to dial the US number of my choice whether I am in Argentina, Brasil, China or wherever.

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz;424579]On later numbers some were 15.[/QUOTE]No, daddy, it is the other way around. Originally ALL the cell phones began with 15 but when they changed the system they also changed 15 to 11. Though in most cell to cell communications you can still use 15. It's still common for people to give their number as 15-xxxx-xxxx out of habit but always take it down as 11-xxxx-xxxx.

Storing the number in your phone as +54-911-xxxx-xxxx is the most sensible thing to do as you can then contact this phone from anywhere in the World without any bother. Notice that on your phone identifier most incoming calls will be registered as +54-911-xxxx-xxxx.

So forget the 15 and just use 11 in it's place.

Something similar happened with the land phones. Originally they had a three digit number indicating area and then a four digit number. For example, using Madelein's number 813-8400, the first three digits indicate that the phone is somewhere in the vicinity of 9 de Julio and Cordoba. Then, for some reason, they added a 4 prefix to ALL the phones. You'll notice that many will still give their land phone as four, eight thirteen, eighty four, double O.

It may be useful to know how these area codes work so as to have an idea in what area a certain land phone is when the number is unlisted. (privados, etc). If the number you are looking for isn't in the phone-book try a similar number modifying one of the last 4 digit till you find one with an address. Then you'll know the original phone you wanted to identify is somewhere in that area.

Most prefixes are 4 but now there are also some 3s and 5s (and in cell phones also a 2 or 6 is common)

[QUOTE=Aqualung;424657]Something similar happened with the land phones. Originally they had a three digit number indicating area and then a four digit number. For example, using Madelein's number 813-8400, the first three digits indicate that the phone is somewhere in the vicinity of 9 de Julio and Cordoba. Then, for some reason, they added a 4 prefix to ALL the phones. You'll notice that many will still give their land phone as four, eight thirteen, eighty four, double O.[/quote]That reason would be that they were in danger of running out of numbers. The combinations and permutations possible with a 3-digit plus 4-digit combination are really quite limited. The easy way out is to add a digit rather. However, in the all-IP world, that will be a thing of the past.

I had familiarized my self with many of the codes so that I could find that for which I sought, nearby. For example. 4806 and 4807 are around the intersection of Junin and Vincente Lopez.

[QUOTE=Aqualung;424657]No, daddy, it is the other way around.[/QUOTE]You have only lived here all your life.

Thanks for the clarification hoss. Seriously I always appreciate you setting us strait. I noticed that some time ago about the first quartet of numbers with land lines. I always wonder why they decided to complicate things with cell phones. In the states you can't distinguish a cell number from a land line from an IP phone all are area code xxx followed by xxx-xxxx.

A couple months ago, with VERY little notice, they changed the area code in Corrientes. One day my numbers worked and the next I had to change every number in my phone.

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz; 424678]You have only lived here all your life.

Thanks for the clarification hoss. Seriously I always appreciate you setting us strait. I noticed that some time ago about the first quartet of numbers with land lines. I always wonder why they decided to complicate things with cell phones. In the states you can't distinguish a cell number from a land line from an IP phone all are area code xxx followed by xxx-xxxx.

A couple months ago, with VERY little notice, they changed the area code in Corrientes. One day my numbers worked and the next I had to change every number in my phone.[/QUOTE]In the US, there are 332 million mobile phones, give or take a few, in addition to the 268 million landline phones. By using eara codes (I. E. Splitting the seven digits into three digits plus four digits) you severely limit the possible combinations of numbers that you can assign to users.

In Argentina (so far as I know) , telephone numbers can be 6, 7 or 8 digits long, depending upon the location of the phone line (6 in the boonies and 8 in the city, sort of). They have to add the additional digits to deal with the growth in (mostly mobile) subscribers. I think Argentina is about 140% penetrated (jejeje) with mobile phones (about 57 million) , which dwarfs the number of landlines.

[QUOTE=Wild Walleye;424695]I think Argentina is about 140% penetrated.[/QUOTE]There a few privados about which I can make this claim.

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz;424699]There a few privados about which I can make this claim.[/QUOTE]Reminds me of the cell phone scene in The Dictator.

[QUOTE=Wild Walleye; 424662]That reason would be that they were in danger of running out of numbers. The combinations and permutations possible with a 3-digit plus 4-digit combination are really quite limited. The easy way out is to add a digit rather. However, in the all-IP world, that will be a thing of the past.

I had familiarized my self with many of the codes so that I could find that for which I sought, nearby. For example. 4806 and 4807 are around the intersection of Junin and Vincente Lopez.[/QUOTE]Yes and no Walleye, I mean it makes sense what you say but that would be true if for example you started seeing repetitions of the three digit area code which never happened. Using for example Madelein's area code number 806. Adding prefix four made it 4806 and if then you start running out of numbers you add, say. 3 so you get somewhere in the city 3806 which doesn't happen. Out of the 999 possible area codes thee are still hundreds unused. When the Argie phone company was bought by the Spanish Telecom I had their middle management staying at a hotel I managed and they explained it to me once but that was in the early 90's and I can't remember what they said. I do remember it was something about fibre optics they were installing to replace the old wires hanging from posts all over the town.

Have a pre-paid phone / sim card from last year. Anyone know if it can be reactivatd or after some time goes by the line is killed and basically have to buy new sim card with different phone number?

Not really concerned about cost. Just would be convenient to keep same number.

[QUOTE=Mpexy; 424739]Have a pre-paid phone / sim card from last year. Anyone know if it can be reactivatd or after some time goes by the line is killed and basically have to buy new sim card with different phone number?

Not really concerned about cost. Just would be convenient to keep same number.[/QUOTE]Have had same number for 5 years. You loose your minutes left on the phone after you leave after 30 days BUT the number lives as long as you recharge the phone within 22 months. Hope this helps. Monger On Dude. Toymann

Thanks Toymann. Less than 17 months so hopefully just buy a recharge card from random kiosco and good to go.

Next interesting to-do will be discovering the joys of exchanging dollars at blue rates

Don't know about the phone but for mangos once whatever dollars you brought with you run out shoot me a PM and I'll help you hook up with Xoom if you're unfamiliar. Lets get together for a coffee, I would enjoy catching up.

[QUOTE=Mpexy; 424741]Thanks Toymann. Less than 17 months so hopefully just buy a recharge card from random kiosco and good to go.

Next interesting to-do will be discovering the joys of exchanging dollars at blue rates[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mpexy; 424741]Thanks Toymann. Less than 17 months so hopefully just buy a recharge card from random kiosco and good to go.

Next interesting to-do will be discovering the joys of exchanging dollars at blue rates[/QUOTE]The Pharmacity at the airport, just outside of security on the left just before you exit the terminal can charge your phone (moviestar or personel). Really easy access if ya ask me. You just give them your number, no cards required. If you arrive on a Monday you get double minutes.

I do this everytime and start texting the chicas on my taxi ride into town. Enjoy Dude. Toymann

I don't know when this started because I was gone for 4 years so you may be aware but minutes got old after 30 days now. When I got my new phone I did what I always used to do put 200 pesos on it because it's one less thing to worry about and 30 days later lost about 150 pesos worth of time.

Also gato hunter had a great idea. When you get a chicas number ask her which company she uses. That way when you get the "no tengo credito" email or FB message you can go to a kiosko and put 20 on her phone.

[QUOTE=Toymann; 424748]The Pharmacity at the airport, just outside of security on the left just before you exit the terminal can charge your phone (moviestar or personel). Really easy access if ya ask me. You just give them your number, no cards required. If you arrive on a Monday you get double minutes.

I do this everytime and start texting the chicas on my taxi ride into town. Enjoy Dude. Toymann[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Toymann; 424748]The Pharmacity at the airport, just outside of security on the left just before you exit the terminal can charge your phone (moviestar or personel). Really easy access if ya ask me. You just give them your number, no cards required. If you arrive on a Monday you get double minutes.

I do this everytime and start texting the chicas on my taxi ride into town. Enjoy Dude. Toymann[/QUOTE]Can you buy a sim at that Pharmacity? I have an unlocked phone but no Argentine sim.

[QUOTE=Jim Mac;424751]Can you buy a sim at that Pharmacity? I have an unlocked phone but no Argentine sim.[/QUOTE]If memory serves me correctly very close to the PharmaCity at EZE is a Personel Booth. I am sure that you can get a sim card there. I am about 80% sure about this. Maybe someone else can chime in and confirm. I have moviestar so I always go to the pharmacy to charge my argentine cell. If for some reason your flight arrives at the other terminal (without the PharmaCity) , if you take a right after you leave security there is a kiosko about 30 meters down the hallway that also sells MovieStar and Personel minutes. Hope this helps. Toymann.

Ps. The days of cards with scatch patchs seem to be mostly gone. You just give the vendor your cell number and they charge the minutes over an internet connection. You get a confirmation text message almost immediately confirming your purchase.

[QUOTE=Aqualung;424734]Yes and no Walleye, I mean it makes sense what you say but that would be true if for example you started seeing repetitions of the three digit area code which never happened. Using for example Madelein's area code number 806. Adding prefix four made it 4806 and if then you start running out of numbers you add, say. 3 so you get somewhere in the city 3806 which doesn't happen. Out of the 999 possible area codes thee are still hundreds unused. When the Argie phone company was bought by the Spanish Telecom I had their middle management staying at a hotel I managed and they explained it to me once but that was in the early 90's and I can't remember what they said. I do remember it was something about fibre optics they were installing to replace the old wires hanging from posts all over the town.[/QUOTE]Telephone companies are like giant ships, to turn them, you must plan well in advance. If they have 8 million possible numbers to hand out, they can't issue 8 million and then add an extra digit to accommodate the next customer. They have to prepare to make such moves well in advance of reaching full capacity. In Argentina, many of those moves were somewhat half-assed. The legacy landline infrastructure was not good and the legacy of industry practices was even worse.

The legacy technology issues include what the network infrastructure devices can handle (keep in mind that the landline systems were deployed long before digital referred to anything other than relative to a finger) and the numbers were relative to geography. If you gave a San Telmo number a Recoleta prefix, the system would have had difficulty accommodating that (back when many of these number changes were taking place). Even if the tech could handle all of the combinations, with the 3+4 configuration, they are tapped out at about 8 million. The fiber optic upgrades (to the core network) increase capacity of the network but wouldn't change the quantity of available numbers. However, the fiber upgrade would bring with it much more capable and flexible technology that could utilize more of the potential numbers and, of course, going mobile eliminates many of the geographic routing constraints.

Assuming that we don't use "000" there 999 possible three digit combinations. Similarly, there are 9, 999 possible combinations with four digits (again, excluding "0000"). In theory, you could use each four digit combination 999 times (once with each prefix) for 9, 989, 001 possible combinations. However, phone companies use particular methodologies for prefixes and numbers. Phone companies (for the most part) do not like to start numbers or prefixes with 0's (rules out about 1 million combos) , nor do they generally use prefixes like '911' '611' '411' and the like (minus another million-ish combinations) , in order to avoid confusion. The various government bodies (federal, provincial, municipal, etc) may have claim over a significant cache of numbers, too. They have to deal with the historical allocation of numbers, which can further reduce the number of possible combinations that they can issue for phone numbers. By adding the 8th digit, you could theoretically pick up another 70-80 million combinations. However, you would likely only realize a fraction of that, given the need to avoid the existing pool of numbers and whether everyone goes to 8 digits or if you have some with 6 some with 7 and some with 8. There are at least 68 million phones (mobile and landline) in Argentina, so without a few more tricks up their sleeves, they are going to have trouble. I believe that this is where the 11 and 15 stuff comes in, although I must admit that they confuse me with that, too.

[QUOTE=Mpexy; 424741]Thanks Toymann. Less than 17 months so hopefully just buy a recharge card from random kiosco and good to go.

Next interesting to-do will be discovering the joys of exchanging dollars at blue rates[/QUOTE]I don't know how long a sim without credit is guaranteed to survive but only once in four years have I been able to use my sim card purchased a year earlier. (My stays are more or less 2 months. And I've been using Personal.)

Bob

[QUOTE=AllIWantIsLove; 424781]I don't know how long a sim without credit is guaranteed to survive but only once in four years have I been able to use my sim card purchased a year earlier. (My stays are more or less 2 months. And I've been using Personal.)

Bob[/QUOTE]Just checked my travel schedule the last 8 years. I got my sim card 5 years ago this past April. I travel to Argentina every March / April and September / October plus 4 other trips in this time period outside of these usual trips. Years ago I used to have Jackson keep my cell phone (and make a call or two per month) , as I believed it had to stay active during my time outside of Argentina to keep the number alive. Three years ago I asked my buddy in corrienties, who owns a kiosko, about what was nessessary to keep the sim alive. He called Moviestar and was told 22 months without use was the kill date per some argentine cell law. At that time I stopped having Jackson keep the phone. It lives to this day. Thats the facts Jack, as I know them. Monger On. Toymann.

Ps. If you leave Argentina without using all the minutes they disappear after 1 month without activity BUT the number lives. My buddy also related this info to me after his conversation with moviestar

I'll be the lab rat then. Arriving next Saturday and I'll try recharging my phone at the airport pharmacity. Will have been right on 17 months since last use. If it works, great. If not the tip about Personal booth at the airport really nice. I'll buy new sim card there.

I always waited till getting into the city and take another cab ride to one of the downtown stores to get new sim card. Pretty handy just getting it at the airport.

DR. Will pm you when I arrive. Be nice to catch up. Been splitting my time between Europe and USA and finally now coming back to bs. As.

[QUOTE=Toymann; 424782]Just checked my travel schedule the last 8 years. I got my sim card 5 years ago this past April. I travel to Argentina every March / April and September / October plus 4 other trips in this time period outside of these usual trips. Years ago I used to have Jackson keep my cell phone (and make a call or two per month) , as I believed it had to stay active during my time outside of Argentina to keep the number alive. Three years ago I asked my buddy in corrienties, who owns a kiosko, about what was nessessary to keep the sim alive. He called Moviestar and was told 22 months without use was the kill date per some argentine cell law. At that time I stopped having Jackson keep the phone. It lives to this day. Thats the facts Jack, as I know them. Monger On. Toymann.

Ps. If you leave Argentina without using all the minutes they disappear after 1 month without activity BUT the number lives. My buddy also related this info to me after his conversation with moviestar[/QUOTE]Thanks Toymann, that's interesting. If they tell me the sim is no longer usable in January I will try to argue with them and at least find out why it is no longer usable when it's been used within the past year. Of course unless I get one of the few people at Personal who speak English that could be a very difficult conversation.

It will be interesting to hear how Mpexy makes out.

Bob

[QUOTE=AllIWantIsLove; 424792]Thanks Toymann, that's interesting. If they tell me the sim is no longer usable in January I will try to argue with them and at least find out why it is no longer usable when it's been used within the past year. Of course unless I get one of the few people at Personal who speak English that could be a very difficult conversation.

It will be interesting to hear how Mpexy makes out.

Bob[/QUOTE]Just keep in mind I can only speak to my experience with MovieStar. For five years now my number is unchanged. Just ask my Chicas! LOL. I would suggest if you have any concerns that you initially charge 20 pesos only. You'll know right away if the number works as you get the verifivation text message. Good luck in January Bob. Monger On Dude. Toymann

ps. I am also quite curious about the 22 month rule I was told by my buddy who was in conatct with the Movoestar folks. Assuming that Mplexy is MovieStar his 17 month absense will test the validity of this information. I can only speak unequivalently regarding a 6-7 month inactive period. Been good for over 5 years now.

I've had the same Claro number for a little over five years (30 plus rountrips, during that period). I would always have an extra AR$20 tarjeta and AR$100 (or so) cash in tucked into my passport, so that I could zip through the airport and get straight into the remis, without diddling around at the airport and without speaking English beyond the remis kiosko. It is amazing how fast I can get through EZE (I don't check bags, if at all possible). I've probably gone from the plane to the car in around 15 minutes. However, I haven't been in town in a while and I am curious as to whether or not my Claro sim will come back to life.

[QUOTE=Toymann; 424794]Just keep in mind I can only speak to my experience with MovieStar. For five years now my number is unchanged. Just ask my Chicas! LOL. I would suggest if you have any concerns that you initially charge 20 pesos only. You'll know right away if the number works as you get the verifivation text message. Good luck in January Bob. Monger On Dude. Toymann.

Ps. I am also quite curious about the 22 month rule I was told by my buddy who was in conatct with the Movoestar folks. Assuming that Mplexy is MovieStar his 17 month absense will test the validity of this information. I can only speak unequivalently regarding a 6-7 month inactive period. Been good for over 5 years now.[/QUOTE]Landed yesterday and today was able to recharge my Personal cell no problem. Which I last used just under 17 months ago. Great tip Toymann. Looks like Personal must follow same rule your Moviestar buddy said they do.

As expected, credit balance had expired but was able to walk into kiosco and add credits. Tested with 20 pesos and went through with confirmation text back to my phone in 2-3min.

Was going to try recharging at airport but huge flight delays had me way late and tired so just headed into city and hit Newport for a wrong head thinking mistake move, then sleep.

So can't quite say 100% sim card is good for 22months but since mine went 17 months, I'd say 99% sure that claim seems right. Awesome to know, make my return trips lot easier. I used to just throw away my phones after each trip.

[QUOTE=Mpexy; 425160]Landed yesterday and today was able to recharge my Personal cell no problem. Which I last used just under 17 months ago. Great tip Toymann. Looks like Personal must follow same rule your Moviestar buddy said they do.

As expected, credit balance had expired but was able to walk into kiosco and add credits. Tested with 20 pesos and went through with confirmation text back to my phone in 2-3min.

Was going to try recharging at airport but huge flight delays had me way late and tired so just headed into city and hit Newport for a wrong head thinking mistake move, then sleep.

So can't quite say 100% sim card is good for 22months but since mine went 17 months, I'd say 99% sure that claim seems right. Awesome to know, make my return trips lot easier. I used to just throw away my phones after each trip.[/QUOTE]It never hurts to have real folks in Argentina to defer to on issues such as these. I have posted this information at least twice on this thread in the past years since I stopped letting El Jeffe keep my phone, and that's been at least 4 years ago. You are now the gold standard as I have never gone more than 6 months without activity on my phone. Monger on Dude. Toymann

[QUOTE=AllIWantIsLove; 424781]I don't know how long a sim without credit is guaranteed to survive but only once in four years have I been able to use my sim card purchased a year earlier. (My stays are more or less 2 months. And I've been using Personal.)

Bob[/QUOTE]Very curious information Bob, considering that Mplexy is using Personal like you. My corrienties buddy, years ago, indicated that this was some sort of requirement that all carriers had to comply with. My moviestar has always worked and now we hear that personal also is good to go. Wonder why you have had problems? Monger on All. Toymann

My ancient cell with ancient sim is still cranking away. Use my newer top of the line 4 g verizon cell for wifi-can send photos, watch the news, read a book or newpaper just fine. No gatita would ever want to steal my old trusty motorola v197 which has a good radio, great battery life and english / spanish word completion with the accents and tildas.

I own 3 of them--all purchased on ebay for us$25 or less

I have had Claro for the last year and have a buddy add credits to my phone before I return. The kiosks merely need the number and carrier and my old Motorola Razr V3 works good enough for me to talk and text. My mini computer is for emails and the internet. I am going to try my luck with a Kindle Fire this trip as well at a BsAs hot Spot. Will post if it works.

MB

I read back to 2010, and this is what I gleamed. Basically, I can get a cheap prepaid phone upon arrival from Movistar or Personel for calls and text, got that much. I see there is 3g data available for navigation and such, but I obviously need a smart phone, does it absolutely need to be unlocked? I've never dealt with an unlocked phone before. I'm not worried about getting robbed, is there any smart phone I could purchase here used on ebay that I should lean towards?

[QUOTE=Davenyc;430574]I read back to 2010, and this is what I gleamed. Basically, I can get a cheap prepaid phone upon arrival from Movistar or Personel for calls and text, got that much. I see there is 3g data available for navigation and such, but I obviously need a smart phone, does it absolutely need to be unlocked? I've never dealt with an unlocked phone before. I'm not worried about getting robbed, is there any smart phone I could purchase here used on ebay that I should lean towards?[/QUOTE]No idea about cheap cell phones to buy but it DEFINITELY has to be UNLOCKED or it won't accept a different chip. Depending on your cell phone, you may be able to get it unlocked.

[QUOTE=Davenyc;430574]I read back to 2010, and this is what I gleamed. Basically, I can get a cheap prepaid phone upon arrival from Movistar or Personel for calls and text, got that much. I see there is 3g data available for navigation and such, but I obviously need a smart phone, does it absolutely need to be unlocked? I've never dealt with an unlocked phone before. I'm not worried about getting robbed is there any smart phone I could purchase here used on ebay that I should lean towards?[/QUOTE]Insure the unlocked phone is "GSM" and takes a standard size SIM card to keep it simple. Am partial to the iPhone and the 3rd generation phone is what I use, standard SIM. A factory unlocked iphone (3rd generation) goes for about $125. 00 on Craigslist. I stick with the factory unlock because all my apps and stuff are downloadable at no charge on my 3rd generation iPhone.

I have one as well, if you get one make sure the modem firmware is 06. 15. 00 if not you will have to hack that as well to use AR sim chips. To find out select Settings- General- About then look towards the bottom. Mine started life as a normal Iphone and I had to Jailbreak- unlock- update the modem firmware to get it to accept any simcard. Unlocking and jailbreaking are not that hard, the last step has a significant failure rate and if it does you will brick the device. That's why I suggest checking it before buying it.

[url]http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-update-iphone-3gs-3g-baseband-to-06.15.00-with-redsn0w-0.9.6b5-for-ios-4.2.1-unlock/[/url]

Thanks guys. IPhone 3gs seems like a solid choice. Checked on ebay, it can be factory unlocked without jailbreaking for $3! I'll probably jailbreak and unlock it for practice and fun, since I have time anyway. Of course, this all depends on bootrom and such.

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz; 430582]I have one as well, if you get one make sure the modem firmware is 06. 15. 00 if not you will have to hack that as well to use AR sim chips. To find out select Settings- General- About then look towards the bottom. Mine started life as a normal Iphone and I had to Jailbreak- unlock- update the modem firmware to get it to accept any simcard. Unlocking and jailbreaking are not that hard, the last step has a significant failure rate and if it does you will brick the device. That's why I suggest checking it before buying it.

[url]http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-update-iphone-3gs-3g-baseband-to-06.15.00-with-redsn0w-0.9.6b5-for-ios-4.2.1-unlock/[/url][/QUOTE]I was researching, but redsn0w doesn't appear to work untethered past 5. 1.1, is yours tethered? Arg sim won't work on 5. 1.1? Not trying to make this a technical thread LOL but might be useful to others.