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

[QUOTE=DonB;432261]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.[/QUOTE]If you recharge your phone from a card, you can then figure out the number afterwards by calling or texting someone.

[QUOTE=Gandolf50;432266]If you recharge your phone from a card, you can then figure out the number afterwards by calling or texting someone.[/QUOTE]It's also burried in the cellphone if you can find your way to the right place.

I spent over 40 years in telecommunications but this generation is computer oriented, they only know how to write instructions for people who don't need them.

Don.

[QUOTE=DonB;432261]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.[/QUOTE]Some unlocked phones are not compatible with certain carriers' frequencies. To be sure of having success in any given market, it is best to have a quad-band (aka "world phone") phone (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz). I think most LatAm markets operate in the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands, although 450 MHz and 700 MHz are likely to be part of the future. A few years ago, I was given a great dual-sim (in theory, I could have both my US and Argie sims in and functioning at the same time) phone. At the time, such phones were rare and expensive. I was having dinner with an associate in Paris and we were lamenting the 2-phone plight of us road warriors. I told him about the dual-sim phone that I had read about. Shortly after returning home, a package arrived with the phone in it. Unfortunately, it is a tri-band and wouldn't work with my Claro sim. At this moment, that phone is sitting about 5 feet away from me, in the box, untouched, unused.

[QUOTE=WildWalleye;432306]Some unlocked phones are not compatible with certain carriers' frequencies. To be sure of having success in any given market, it is best to have a quad-band (aka "world phone") phone (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz). I think most LatAm markets operate in the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands, although 450 MHz and 700 MHz are likely to be part of the future. A few years ago, I was given a great dual-sim (in theory, I could have both my US and Argie sims in and functioning at the same time) phone. At the time, such phones were rare and expensive. I was having dinner with an associate in Paris and we were lamenting the 2-phone plight of us road warriors. I told him about the dual-sim phone that I had read about. Shortly after returning home, a package arrived with the phone in it. Unfortunately, it is a tri-band and wouldn't work with my Claro sim. At this moment, that phone is sitting about 5 feet away from me, in the box, untouched, unused.[/QUOTE]I do have a quad band, the problem was the particular SIM. Same phone worked with one of their SIMs the previous year.

Don.

Quad freq gsm voice and quad on 2 g-slow internet BUT what is the frequency on 3 g. I could not easily find the answer. Anyone know?

I am ready to upgrade from my "no internet", but useable motorola V197's.

Considering:

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-i8160-Factory-Unlocked/dp/B007UOXRS6/ref=pd_rhf_cr_s_cp_1_3E09[/URL]

Model. 3 G Bands support.

GT-I8160. 900/2100 MHz (Digitel in Venezuela for example. Most operators in Europe use these bands).

GT-I8160 L. 850/1900 MHz (AT&T in USA, Movilnet / Movistar in Venezuela for example.

Vs older slower w / less ram which is not necessary if now using internet for more than checking email.

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Android-Quadband-Unlocked/product-reviews/B007I4GHFI/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_2?ie=UTF8&pageNumber=2&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending[/URL]

Any suggestions?

I have zero need for a hot smart phone to use during 6 to 10 weeks of international travel.

"There is only 135 MHz (Megahertz) open for mobile use in Argentina".

Not so sure about the validity of all this but it certainly sounds valid. Maybe it will help you.

[URL]http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/global-observer/why-is-argentinas-internet-so-outrageously-slow/10520[/URL]

[QUOTE=MiamiBob;432690]Quad freq gsm voice and quad on 2 g-slow internet BUT what is the frequency on 3 g. I could not easily find the answer. Anyone know?

I am ready to upgrade from my "no internet", but useable motorola V197's.

Considering:

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-i8160-Factory-Unlocked/dp/B007UOXRS6/ref=pd_rhf_cr_s_cp_1_3E09[/URL]

Model. 3 G Bands support.

GT-I8160. 900/2100 MHz (Digitel in Venezuela for example. Most operators in Europe use these bands).

GT-I8160 L. 850/1900 MHz (AT&T in USA, Movilnet / Movistar in Venezuela for example.

Vs older slower w / less ram which is not necessary if now using internet for more than checking email.

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Android-Quadband-Unlocked/product-reviews/B007I4GHFI/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_2?ie=UTF8&pageNumber=2&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending[/URL]

Any suggestions?

I have zero need for a hot smart phone to use during 6 to 10 weeks of international travel.[/QUOTE]

If you are interested primarily in using it in Argentina, there isn't much in the way of options for data service for visitors. In fact, all the reasonable options I've found were only available to users with monthly plans and my understanding is that you can't get a monthly plan without a DNI. Plus you usually have to deal with some ugliness around the APN settings even if you can find an offering as the carrier usually only will support phones that they sell. All in all, it strikes as a complicated undertaking likely with lots of little details waiting to bite you in the ass. I looked into it and concluded that WiFi on my phone was good enough for me.

Here's a post I dug up about 3 G frequencies in Argentina that discusses some of the issues.

[URL]https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3361[/URL]

[QUOTE=EasyGo;432694]If you are interested primarily in using it in Argentina, there isn't much in the way of options for data service for visitors. In fact, all the reasonable options I've found were only available to users with monthly plans and my understanding is that you can't get a monthly plan without a DNI. Plus you usually have to deal with some ugliness around the APN settings even if you can find an offering as the carrier usually only will support phones that they sell. All in all, it strikes as a complicated undertaking likely with lots of little details waiting to bite you in the ass. I looked into it and concluded that WiFi on my phone was good enough for me.

Here's a post I dug up about 3 G frequencies in Argentina that discusses some of the issues.

[URL]https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3361[/URL][/QUOTE]SilverStar Transfers and Tours offers FREE prepaid Argentine cellphone rental (refundable deposit required) with a round trip airport transfer.

Fred.

[URL]www.silverstarcar.com[/URL]

So I need an android that receives 1900 mghtz and some luck. Does anyone know an android guru in centeral BA who might get me hooked up, if my equipment is capable of doing it.

The article is very telling: no one will invest the capital to even get 3 g with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of the community.

According to data from the tech hardware manufacturer Cisco, the average mobile connection speed in 2012 in Argentine was 154 Kbps (kilobits per second).

Not worth the hassle to get 3 g that moves at an inconsistent 154 kbps ie no streaming music, many websites and.

Is this it guys: inconsistent 3 g, not worth the hassle?

[QUOTE=MiamiBob;432702]
Is this it guys: inconsistent 3 g, not worth the hassle?[/QUOTE]I reckon that's about right Bob.

You're as likely to find a wi-fi hotspot and not have to pay silly money for the flakey 3 g.

Does the 3 g service warrant the hassles and expense for an occasional visitor. I have been with personel for 10 years+, but could switch for a reason. So many people I call and text are on personel, that the discounts make sense to me.

I use pay-as-you-go Personal sim card on my unlocked iphone 4. I use 3 g all the time on it without a problem. I am not sure, what speed it gives me but I dont get frustrated when using it. I have no problems checking my emails or opening important attachments. I even travel abroad with it and continue using 3 G with no problems. I am not sure how much I spend but it hardly costs anything when using in Arg only. On int. Roaming, its expensive. More or less I spend about 400-500 pesos a month incl international roaming. I just use the phone/sim card for receiving phone calls, sending text messages and data. I hardly make any phone calls from that connection. For phone calls, I use the data connection and make calls from my US no. or via viber.

Hope this helps.

According to this page, Internet access is "from $AR1 per day" which is crazy cheap.

[URL]http://www.telestial.com/view_product.php?ID=LSIM-AR01[/URL]

That matches the Personal page which says unlimited Internet on all plans is $AR1/ day although the "Más Info" link on it doesn't work and it.

[URL]http://www.personal.com.ar/planes/tarjeta/personal_plan_plus_sin_equipo[/URL]

I'd previously seen a crazy expensive rate for Personal (tarjeta) so maybe they have gone from crazy expensive to crazy cheap.

I've used a friend's phone on Movistar a few times and the performance was more Edge than 3 G. Good enough for e-mails and messaging but browsing was painfully slow when it worked. Of course, wireless performance varies dramatically and I'm sure it's better some of the time in some places.

So it may be crap but maybe at least it's cheap! I guess I'll have to give it a try next trip although pulling an iPhone out in public is like wearing a neon "rob me" sign. A cheap Android phone might be the sensible choice.

With Personal, the 1-peso per 24 hr Internet comes activated automatically with all prepago sims. The first time you access Internet data, it charges you 1 p and starts clock. If you don't access for a period of time, you are not charged, only each 24 hr period you do.

The speed is decent, not great and sometimes slower than other days. But for normal email, I'm chat, browsing search pages, it's fine if you connect 3 g. The issue is more what kind of connection you can establish depending where you are in the city. Sometimes only edge coverage and then it's so slow only text msg works.

Used heavily an iPhone 4's for 7-months and never had issue with crime. How you act and whether you give off the demeanor and vibe of low hanging fruit are more likely triggers for robbery. Caveat though my street use of iPhone was mostly in barrios of recoleta, palermo, puerto madero, belgrano, and microcentro.

[QUOTE=EasyGo;432718]According to this page, Internet access is "from $AR1 per day" which is crazy cheap.

[URL]http://www.telestial.com/view_product.php?ID=LSIM-AR01[/URL]

That matches the Personal page which says unlimited Internet on all plans is $AR1/ day although the "Más Info" link on it doesn't work and it.

[URL]http://www.personal.com.ar/planes/tarjeta/personal_plan_plus_sin_equipo[/URL]

I'd previously seen a crazy expensive rate for Personal (tarjeta) so maybe they have gone from crazy expensive to crazy cheap.

I've used a friend's phone on Movistar a few times and the performance was more Edge than 3 G. Good enough for e-mails and messaging but browsing was painfully slow when it worked. Of course, wireless performance varies dramatically and I'm sure it's better some of the time in some places.

So it may be crap but maybe at least it's cheap! I guess I'll have to give it a try next trip although pulling an iPhone out in public is like wearing a neon "rob me" sign. A cheap Android phone might be the sensible choice.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=EasyGo;432718]...pulling an iPhone out in public is like wearing a neon "rob me" sign. A cheap Android phone might be the sensible choice.[/QUOTE]I don't think that's true any more. Get on a subte and have a look around at everyone (because EVERYONE will have their phone out and be using it for something or other). There seems to be a predominance of iPhones or Galaxy SIIs and SIIIs. Despite the sky-high prices, it's incredible the number of people that can afford them.