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

[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.

I use unlocked Iphone 4, with no issues in BA on local sim cards with 3 g / data.

I'm planning to turn up with the smartphone I use routinely in England; which I fear will cost a few pounds a megabyte for 3 G, and a pound or so a minute for phone calls.

Is using an iphone going to be like walking around with a Rolex, constantly worried about theft, or are they now as ubiquitous in be. A. As in London?

Is wifi ubiquitous enough that I can avoid using 3 G data?

Is it possible to buy a low-end PAYG stupidphone for a trivial price, or do you have to be a resident for that?

[QUOTE=PurpleThomas;432256]I'm planning to turn up with the smartphone I use routinely in England; which I fear will cost a few pounds a megabyte for 3 G, and a pound or so a minute for phone calls.

Is using an iphone going to be like walking around with a Rolex, constantly worried about theft, or are they now as ubiquitous in be. A. As in London?

Is wifi ubiquitous enough that I can avoid using 3 G data?

Is it possible to buy a low-end PAYG stupidphone for a trivial price, or do you have to be a resident for that?[/QUOTE]All I need is basic phone service. I have an unlocked GSM that I buy a SIM card for when I arrive.

It is not a big deal but how long is that chip active?

Maybe I don't need to buy a new one every year but just add time to the one I have.

Don.

[QUOTE=DonB;432258]All I need is basic phone service. I have an unlocked GSM that I buy a SIM card for when I arrive.

It is not a big deal but how long is that chip active?

Maybe I don't need to buy a new one every year but just add time to the one I have.

Don.[/QUOTE]If you have a prepago SIM card from a prior trip, I can attest to at least 17 months for Personal and its still good to add credits when you come back. Any old credits will be gone but chip and number is still good.

Others have reported Moviestar works similarly, and seems the Argie word of mouth that something like a bit under two years is credible as de facto telco standard here for keeping chip active.

Forgot exact number of months the sim stays good for, but if you search this thread back to something like July to August 2012, you'll find the quoted age. Best I recall it was a bit under two years. For sure mine was dormant for 17 months between my last trip and world just fine once added new credits.

[QUOTE=Mpexy;432260]If you have a prepago SIM card from a prior trip, I can attest to at least 17 months for Personal and its still good to add credits when you come back. Any old credits will be gone but chip and number is still good.

Others have reported Moviestar works similarly, and seems the Argie word of mouth that something like a bit under two years is credible as de facto telco standard here for keeping chip active.

Forgot exact number of months the sim stays good for, but if you search this thread back to something like July to August 2012, you'll find the quoted age. Best i recall it was a bit under two years. For sure mine was dormant for 17 months between my last trip and world just fine once added new credits[/QUOTE]I had a problem with Personal last year. I bought a SIM and it didn't work. They would not give a refund, claimed I did not have an unlocked phone. This was BS, must have been a defective or incompatable chip. I had used Personal on other occasions with same phone. Went to Claro, bought SIM, no problems. Now if I can just rember what my phone number is. I went through the receipts file for last year, for some reason no Claro receipt.

Don.