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

Mongers,

Here is the low down on Argentine cellphones: When dialing from a landline to a cellphone, the prefix "15" must be used in front of the 8 digit number. When dialing from a cellphone to another cellphone, the prefix "011" can be used, which is the city code for Buenos Aires and its environs. The advantage to using "011" in lieu of "15" is that incoming cellphone calls will show up with the "011" prefix and NOT the "15" prefix, meaning numbers stored in your cellphone's contacts with the "15" prefix will NOT show up when receiving a call from that number. As such, cellphone numbers should always be stored in your cellphone contacts using the "011" prefix.

When calling a cellphone from outside Argentina, the prefix "911" must be used after the country code (54) and before the 8 digit phone number.

Suerte,

Rock Harders

Thanks for keeping it real.

This post was more informative than any political talk I have ever heard.

I knew about the 11 and 15 but never figured it out.

Cheers!

GH

[QUOTE=Rock Harders]Mongers-

Here is the low down on Argentine cellphones: When dialing from a landline to a cellphone, the prefix "15" must be used in front of the 8 digit number. When dialing from a cellphone to another cellphone, the prefix "011" can be used, which is the city code for Buenos Aires and its environs. The advantage to using "011" in lieu of "15" is that incoming cellphone calls will show up with the "011" prefix and NOT the "15" prefix, meaning numbers stored in your cellphone's contacts with the "15" prefix will NOT show up when receiving a call from that number. As such, cellphone numbers should always be stored in your cellphone contacts using the "011" prefix.

When calling a cellphone from outside Argentina, the prefix "911" must be used after the country code (54) and before the 8 digit phone number.

Suerte,

Rock Harders[/QUOTE]Thanks RH.

Highly appreciate it.

Thanks again.

[QUOTE=Gato Hunter]You need to bring GSM phones. In the US that's T mobile and ATT. Verizon is CDMA. I don't believe there are any CDMA carriers in Argentina.[/QUOTE]In addition, you will want to make sure that the GSM phones work within the frequency bands that are used in Argentina, which are 850MHz and 1900MHz. A quad band phone (also works on 900MHz and 1800MHz, usually) will be your best bet to insure interoperability with one of the carriers in Bs As. If the phone is unlocked, you should be able to pop in a local sim card and have service.

If you have not unlocked the phone, make sure to do so in the country where you got it so that the phone can communicate with the network (to which it is locked) during the unlocking process.

I have used many different phones in Bs As, the only one that would not work is a tri-band phone that does not work on 850MHz.

If you have an extra "cool" unlocked phone (the more current and hip the better) that will work in Bs As, you may want to consider giving it to your favorita, since gadgets like that are pretty pricey in Bs As.

[QUOTE=Wild Walleye]In addition, you will want to make sure that the GSM phones work within the frequency bands that are used in Argentina, which are 850MHz and 1900MHz. A quad band phone (also works on 900MHz and 1800MHz, usually) will be your best bet to insure interoperability with one of the carriers in Bs As. If the phone is unlocked, you should be able to pop in a local sim card and have service.

If you have not unlocked the phone, make sure to do so in the country where you got it so that the phone can communicate with the network (to which it is locked) during the unlocking process.

I have used many different phones in Bs As, the only one that would not work is a tri-band phone that does not work on 850MHz.

If you have an extra "cool" unlocked phone (the more current and hip the better) that will work in Bs As, you may want to consider giving it to your favorita, since gadgets like that are pretty pricey in Bs As.[/QUOTE]As you say, extra cool phones are quite pricey, and for this reason a tempting target for light fingered ladrones. Maybe better to bring a cheap unlocked tri-band phone and buy a pay-as-you go sim card as soon as you arrive. Its probably worth it, even if you are only here for a week. Because making voice calls in Argentina is relatively expensive, chicas tend to prefer text messaging - also more discrete and convenient for both parties when setting up dates. If you switch the phone over to the Spanish language option, it makes sending T9 predictive texts in Spanish a whole lot easier.

[QUOTE=Lysander]As you say, extra cool phones are quite pricey, and for this reason a tempting target for light fingered ladrones.[/QUOTE]Very wise advice. A fancy phone will attract the type of attention you are not looking for. Sold a smart phone to a local friend and he was flashing it around, "Gone In 60 Seconds."

[QUOTE=Beezer]I was going to bring down a couple of unlocked phones.

Will LG phones work in BsA?

I know Motorolas are good.

Which brand is best?

Beezer[/QUOTE]I had a friend bring my wife an LG KG990 from the States a couple of months ago and it works fine.

As always, keeping a low profile can help avoid certain problems. For example, if you have a very cool phone (iphone, etc) do not leave it sitting on the restaurant table especially when sitting outside.

The phones I use locally, are pretty mundane (no need for 3G or connectivity) and small, whereas my work phones are high-end smart phones. When I go 'out,' I just take the local phone. If it gets lost or stole, it is no big loss.

Bit of a surprise.

[url]http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/technology/companies/07phone.html[/url]

I made my annual pilgrimage to the Personal office on Callao today to get my cellphone working here and the experience was better than usual. First of all there was practically no line. I don't know if that was luck or if they have improved their process. Then I was concerned about not having my passport with me. But when they understood that I had used their service last year they were able to find my passport number in their system and that was good enough.

Then I had a short wait for the guy who does the real work and he spoke passable English. My chip from last year no longer was valid so he gave me, no charge, a new chip - and made it be the same number as I had last year. He told me the number would be in service within 24 hours. Based on past experience that is optimistic. I wanted to buy time but he said that I could not buy time until the number was in service. That hasn't been the case in the past but in the past I was buying a new number. Maybe it is different when a previously used number is being rehabilitated.

Bob

I'd like to rent a phone for about 2 weeks during an upcoming trip. Though I'm sure there is information posted I did not see it in the last 40 posts going back to September. I'd probably start at Movistar on Corrientes, but maybe there's an easier method? What is the best way? I have a DNI.

I don't need anything special, just something that works.

Thanks,

Moore

[QUOTE=Moore]I'd like to rent a phone for about 2 weeks during an upcoming trip. Though I'm sure there is information posted I did not see it in the last 40 posts going back to September. I'd probably start at Movistar on Corrientes, but maybe there's an easier method? What is the best way? I have a DNI.

I don't need anything special, just something that works.

Thanks,

Moore[/QUOTE]You can buy a used one in Once for 30 pesos and a chip is 15 pesos. Why rent?

Argento

[QUOTE=Argento]You can buy a used one in Once for 30 pesos and a chip is 15 pesos. Why rent?

Argento[/QUOTE]I didn't know that, never had to get a short term phone before.

If it's that simple and that cheap, I'll do it.

[QUOTE=Argento]You can buy a used one in Once for 30 pesos and a chip is 15 pesos. Why rent?

Argento[/QUOTE]Investigation after investigation and reporting by reporters has shown over and over again that the majority of these telephones are stolen. Some people have been harmed physically and others killed while being robbed of their telephones. I don't remember exactly but I believe a cellular phone is stolen every ten seconds in city of Buenos Aires. These phones are sold for a few pesos to these shops who in turn sell them to up-standing Argentine citizens who complain of the lack of security in the city of Buenos Aires.

[QUOTE=Moore]I'd like to rent a phone for about 2 weeks during an upcoming trip. Though I'm sure there is information posted I did not see it in the last 40 posts going back to September. I'd probably start at Movistar on Corrientes, but maybe there's an easier method? What is the best way? I have a DNI.

I don't need anything special, just something that works.

Thanks,

Moore[/QUOTE]In the tunnel (north) between Carlos Peligrini and Cerrito, running under 9 de julio, you will find a small shop selling you pre-activated (new) chips for 10 pesos. He sells Personal and Movistar for sure, I would expect him to sell Claro as well. Bring your phone with you and you can try on the spot if the chip will work in your phone.