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

[QUOTE=DonB;433442]I charged my cell phone using last years Claro SIM card but either the wrong number was imputed or the number was no longer valid as I have emergency service only. Back to square one.

Don B.[/QUOTE]They will let you know right away if the number was bad. You must be doing something wrong. Whats so hard about writing down your phone number, plus "Claro" on a piece of paper and giving it to any place that does a virtual recharge? Then all you need to tell them is how much you want to add. Or you can write down the amount in pesos also.

[QUOTE=DonB;433442]I charged my cell phone using last years Claro SIM card but either the wrong number was imputed or the number was no longer valid as I have emergency service only. Back to square one.

Don B.[/QUOTE]If the last time you put credit on it was a year ago you might be screwed, the number might be dead.

I bought an iPhone but need to get an IMEI unlock. I checked with Verizon (who the phone is unlocked to) and the tech there checked out the phone and told me that any person with an active Verizon account older than 90 days in good standing can get this phone unlocked with a phone call. There is no charge involved. I would rather have Verizon do it than take my chances on some internet deal.

Can anybody help a brother out?

[QUOTE=Gandolf50;433444]They will let you know right away if the number was bad. You must be doing something wrong. Whats so hard about writing down your phone number, plus "Claro" on a piece of paper and giving it to any place that does a virtual recharge? Then all you need to tell them is how much you want to add. Or you can write down the amount in pesos also.[/QUOTE]Gee, that's what I did.

Don B.

[QUOTE=DonB;433451]Gee, that's what I did.

Don B.[/QUOTE]Then maybe your number expired as pointed out by others. Go buy a new chip for 10 pesos and it usually comes with some credit.

[QUOTE=DonB;433442]I charged my cell phone using last years Claro SIM card but either the wrong number was imputed or the number was no longer valid as I have emergency service only. Back to square one.

Don B.[/QUOTE]If the SIM card is valid but no credit to make outgoing calls, at least the carrier's name shows up on the phone and be able to receive incoming calls. You should be able to buy more credit to it.

If the SIM card is no longer valid, the phone will show emergency service only. Time to get a new SIM card.

[QUOTE=Sportsman;433459]If the SIM card is valid but no credit to make outgoing calls, at least the carrier's name shows up on the phone and be able to receive incoming calls. You should be able to buy more credit to it.

If the SIM card is no longer valid, the phone will show emergency service only. Time to get a new SIM card.[/QUOTE]

Back in March the consensus here was 17 months to two years that the SIM would be valid. When I powered up my phone Claro popped up on the screen leading me to believe it was OK, when I had it charged there was no indication that the number was not valid. Today according to Claro the SIM expires after six months (of non-use?). With TL's help I got the cellphone situation resolved, a new SIM.

Don B.

I bought a Moviestar SIM from a kiosk in early May of 2012. The nice young man in the kiosk installed the SIM and activated the phone. I recharged it once before returning to the USA in early June of 2012.

The Moviestar SIM was supposed to be valid for 12-17 months.

When I returned to Argentina in early May of 2013 the phone said "invalid SIM". Thinking that the SIM was invalid because the remaining time had expired, I put $200 pesos of time on the SIM on May 3, 2013. The phone still said "invalid SIM". I went to a Movirstar office to find out what was wrong, and was told that my number had been given to another Moviestar customer-so much for the 12-17 month validity period. I was also told that I would have to go to a Moviestar "commercial" office to have my $200 pesos transferred to a new SIM and number.

I chalked it up to experience and bought a Personal SIM. I will not do business with Moviestar again. Caveat Emptor!

Tres3.

I will help you out if you need it. PM me.

Verizon is a CDMA carrier. I do not believe that any major telco in ARGENTINA is still operating in CDMA technology. All the carriers are using gsm now? I am not sure!
In 2003 a woman friend was using Movi Star with an huge ancient CDMA cell phone. Movistar kept breaking her chops and wanted her to switch to the newer technology which they adapted--gsm. Before you do a bunch of work, DO any of the major argentine cell providers use CDMA technology?

Verizon is 100% CDMA--their 4 LITE fast 4g is gsm. My current verizon smart phone has all of it's service via CDMA, but the fast 4 g is gsm. Sprint is also CDMA. T mobile and AT&T are gsm.

The iphone 4's can be used with a gsm sim card if unlocked-iphones use both cdma and gsm. Unfortuately verison's unlocking procedure for your phone requires that it be activated on the verizon network to be unlocked. The iphone from verizon cannot be unlocked outside of the USA. Please see my text for more specific info.

[QUOTE=Tres3;433474]I bought a Moviestar SIM from a kiosk in early May of 2012. The nice young man in the kiosk installed the SIM and activated the phone. I recharged it once before returning to the USA in early June of 2012.

The Moviestar SIM was supposed to be valid for 12-17 months.

When I returned to Argentina in early May of 2013 the phone said "invalid SIM". Thinking that the SIM was invalid because the remaining time had expired, I put $200 pesos of time on the SIM on May 3, 2013. The phone still said "invalid SIM". I went to a Movirstar office to find out what was wrong, and was told that my number had been given to another Moviestar customer-so much for the 12-17 month validity period. I was also told that I would have to go to a Moviestar "commercial" office to have my $200 pesos transferred to a new SIM and number.

I chalked it up to experience and bought a Personal SIM. I will not do business with Moviestar again. Caveat Emptor!

Tres3.[/QUOTE]I have found a site where you can recharge your credit remotely. With my Personal account it would only keep the sim active for 6 months unless you used it or put more money in it. Now I can do this via internet.

[URL]LlamaArgentina.com[/URL]

Can it be done via personel or a third party payment organization.

My SIM for my Blackberry from the US does not appear to work in Brasil so I am expecting the same problem when I arrive in Buenos Aires.

I arrive Thursday MORNING June 21 2013 (Bad timing.Touristic Holiday) and was planning on contacting some people to have some fun. Looks like I need to find a local SIM CARD real fast. Only need it for 3 days. Anyone have and idea on where I can get on on that day (holiday).

Thanks.

[QUOTE=Sorcerer;434104]My SIM for my Blackberry from the US does not appear to work in Brasil so I am expecting the same problem when I arrive in Buenos Aires.

I arrive Thursday MORNING June 21 2013 (Bad timing.Touristic Holiday) and was planning on contacting some people to have some fun. Looks like I need to find a local SIM CARD real fast. Only need it for 3 days. Anyone have and idea on where I can get on on that day (holiday).

Thanks.[/QUOTE]Hi Sorcerer.

We offer free Sim Cards and / or loaner phones upon arrival for those who take advantage of our premium chauffeured airport transfer service. We also offer financial services, so you can make the most out of your limited time here.

Fred.

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

[QUOTE=Sorcerer;434104]My SIM for my Blackberry from the US does not appear to work in Brasil so I am expecting the same problem when I arrive in Buenos Aires.

I arrive Thursday MORNING June 21 2013 (Bad timing.Touristic Holiday) and was planning on contacting some people to have some fun. Looks like I need to find a local SIM CARD real fast. Only need it for 3 days. Anyone have and idea on where I can get on on that day (holiday).

Thanks.[/QUOTE]Most kioskos sell them, and they are all over the city. They will be open when you arrive so you should not worry.