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

[QUOTE=Josenext]Does anyone have a good place to get a phone unlocked in a couple of hours? I hear that the price varies from 40-100 pesos. I want someone that is close to Microcenter and that is reliable.

Thanks.

Jose[/QUOTE]Iknow, it is not in Microcentro but several ones I tried in Microcentro couldn't do the job. (phones models unknown in Argentina)

I had two phones unlocked in the phone shop which is inside Palermo train station just a the entry before the stairs (it is only a short train or subte travel) Let them in the afternoon, got them the next morning.

I am not an expert but was advised by a local friend to get a pre pago phone from Movistar.

Suerte,

Jaggar

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

Hi,

Sorry for sounding like a "illiterate fool".

But can someone please explain me when are we supposed to use the prefix "11" before dialing a cellphone number as opposed to putting the prefix "15". I am v v confused and illiterate on this subject of dialing BA cellphone numbers either from another cellphone or from a land line or from a international phone.

Kindly enlighten me.

Thanks.

[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]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.

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.

I agree with Facundo about the stolen phones - and screw the punks that steal them! My brother-in-law has had his phone (and cash) stolen twice by little gangs of punks, and I'm sure they went and sold the phones afterwards for a few additional pesos on top of what they stole in cash.

You can, however, still buy phones relatively cheap here, if you're willing to buy a phone that is equally cheap - I. E. No bells and whistles whatsoever.

I've brought down 4 phones over the last couple of years, and every one of them have worked here with a chip from Claro, Movistar or Personal. To me, that's the best way to do it. The chip is peanuts and you have your own phone to use.

Cheeseman is correct if you have either of these providers, then you have a GSM phone (I. E. The phone has a SIM card inside it) which under certain circumstances can be used elsewhere.

I have a large collection of unlocked gsm phones (mostly smart phones / PDAs) sitting on my desk and in drawers in my office that I have collected. However, for my local phone (in any of the far flung places I go) I prefer a simple, small phone (I only use text and voice local services) I also do not use one of the phones that I regularly use in the US as my day-to-day phones.

With your local SIM, if you use the phone for 'fun' you may want to familiarize yourself with how to lock the SIM. You may also want to delete the memory and / or perform an occasional factory-reset. If you have a specific local phone (I. E. Something other than your day-to-day phone) it is probably best to store it with the battery and sim card removed (and stored in separate places (harder for someone else to put all the pieces together and will likely extend the life of the battery)

I do prefer to stick with the same brands as my other gear so that I can use multiple phones with the same chargers, USB cables, etc.

First, check the details of your ATT or T-Mobile phone (just google the model number) and see if it is at least a tri-band if not a quad band phone (this refers to the radio frequencies on which the phone will work-I think I previously posted the frequencies for the local carriers-if you have 850MHz it will definitely work in Bs As) Then you need to get the PUC (phone unlock code) from your carrier and unlock your phone before you leave the US! You cannot unlock the phone if you are not within the service provider's network. Your carrier should give you the code without a hassle. I can get mine (for my current phones) directly on the website without assistance. Call customer service, tell them you travel all the time and need the code (they should give it to you)

Alternatively,.

- Go on ebay and buy an unlocked, quad-band phone (unlocked so you don't have to) When you get to Bs As, buy a chip and stick it in (hmmm, sounds like advice for another thread) or.

- Go to one of the major guys and buy the cheapest, no-frills phone with SIM and minutes.

[QUOTE=El Queso]I agree with Facundo about the stolen phones - and screw the punks that steal them! My brother-in-law has had his phone (and cash) stolen twice by little gangs of punks, and I'm sure they went and sold the phones afterwards for a few additional pesos on top of what they stole in cash.[/QUOTE]As for these POSs, I suggest (again) this phone: [url]http://www.defensedevices.com/cellphone-stun-gun.html[/url]

I have a three year old Motarola RAZR phone from the USA.

Can you recomend someone / shop to unlock it?

I am staying in el cento (the triangle)

Thanks.

Beezer

A few years ago when I first took my Razr to the Personal office on Callao it looked to me like they were prepared to unlock it. In fact I think they might have verified that it was unlocked. It was already unlocked, and I knew that, but did not know how to tell them that in Spanish.

Good Luck, Bob.

[QUOTE=Beezer]I have a three year old Motarola RAZR phone from the USA.

Can you recomend someone / shop to unlock it?

I am staying in el cento (the triangle)

Thanks.

Beezer[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Beezer]I have a three year old Motarola RAZR phone from the USA.

Can you recomend someone / shop to unlock it?

I am staying in el cento (the triangle)

Thanks.

Beezer[/QUOTE]You can always buy a cheap unlocked cell phone on ebay. I just bought a new motorola kzr1 for $85.

I've seen some unlocked phones go for as low as $25/40. Just buy a sim for a few pesos and you are in business.

A RAZR would be a bummer to lose. Mine was stolen from me recently.

[QUOTE=Beezer]I have a three year old Motarola RAZR phone from the USA.

Can you recomend someone / shop to unlock it?

I am staying in el cento (the triangle)

Thanks.

Beezer[/QUOTE]If so, you might be able to get the unlock code from the original provider (although if you are no longer a customer, their incentive to be helpful is lower (e. g. nonexistent) If you still get service from them, it shouldn't be a problem. Also, I am not sure if it is possible to unlock a phone unless you are within reach of the network to which it was originally locked (although, I may be wrong about this)

I have never tried the services that you see advertised online.

Here is a good place to buy cellphones.

I bought a Motorola V9.

I know it is not the latest, but the price was right. I also do not need all the extra bells and whistles.

[url]http://www.myworldphone.com/[/url]

I found a shop about a block down from Hook / Catto's on Supachia (towards Cordoba)

50 p to unlock a Motorola RAZR.

I also came down on this trip with a little refurbished and unlocked LG Model CG225 that I bought on eBay in the USA for like $20.00.

These are cheap, easy to set up with a cheap simm and bada bing.

Beezer

This was the high point of the original razr technology--louder vlol, longer batty life and better signal. No camera. Can drop it and it doesn't break.

On ebay, they can be found with patience for under us$25 delivered. I currently have two--I've given away a few over the last few years. A very good simple gsm 4 band gem.

I hope this is the right thread to ask my question. If not please nuke the post.

I went out and bought a prepaid SIM from a "Personal" vendor. Great now I can make calls, however I would like to be able to use data through the phone as well. The problem I have is the instructions and website is all in Spanish.

Can someone please help me with answering 3 questions:

1. How do I get data enabled so I can still use my phone for something else than voice calls?

2. Due to the language barrier (I can count to ten in spanish. Are you proud of me? What do I ask for when I need to top up my credit?

3. Is there a way that I can find out how much credit I still have on the sim?

Thanks guys

1) No idea.

2) a) You can buy a card, I forget now what it is called, and then go through an automated dialog on the phone, in Spanish, of course, and enter some numbers from the card. You need decent Spanish, or a Spanish speaking friend, to do this.

Or be) There's a way to buy more time / credit and have it added directly to your account by the person selling it. Unfortunately I cannot recall how to identify the places which can do this. I think that you ask for "más tiempo" or "más credito". Usually the people selling more time / credit speak some English.

3) "*150#" will cause the remaining credit to be displayed on the screen.

Bob.

[QUOTE=Franky Double]I hope this is the right thread to ask my question. If not please nuke the post.

I went out and bought a prepaid SIM from a "Personal" vendor. Great now I can make calls, however I would like to be able to use data through the phone as well. The problem I have is the instructions and website is all in Spanish.

Can someone please help me with answering 3 questions:

1. How do I get data enabled so I can still use my phone for something else than voice calls?

2. Due to the language barrier (I can count to ten in spanish. Are you proud of me? What do I ask for when I need to top up my credit?

3. Is there a way that I can find out how much credit I still have on the sim?

Thanks guys[/QUOTE]

If it's like my Blackberry you need to configure the APN settings appropriately. Google "International APN settings" to get the appropriate information for Argentina and Personal.

For anyone who might care now, or in the future, here is what I had to do to get my Blackberry working with a prepaid Movistar SIM card. I went with Movistar because I could not research how to do this with Personal. This was not an easy process by any means on the Blackberry because much of the software is held hostage by the Blackberry Internet Service. My setup is so I don't have to pay for any plan that requires this service. However, it means I have a very dumbed down Blackberry while here. But I have a Browser, Email, Texting, and Phone, that covers the majority of my needs.

Necessary Software.

You need to use Gmail for the mail client and Opera for the web browser. I would suggest installing these before you get to Buenos Aires while you still have BIS. If not, you need to download the sofware to your PC and use the Desktop manager to install these applications. You will need to create a gmail account online and configure the gmail client with the username and password. If you can't do this without help, you really won't get the next part;-)

Blackberry TCP / IP and APN setup.

I won't got into too much of these details but in order to use the Internet you need to inable APN and WAP capabilities in the TCP / IP advanced settings. This may be true for Personal as well, I just don't know how to configure for Personal.

On the Blackberry under Options / Advanced Options / "TCP / IP"

Check the "APN Settings Enabled" check box.

Under APN: you need the following url: internet. Gprs. Unifon. Com. Ar.

Check the "APN Authentication Enabled" check box.

For username and password us "wap" and "wap"

Movistar Data Service.

You need to pay for the data service (Dato) which is 9 pesos for 2 days or 1GB of data, whichever comes first. I've actually found that the service lasts longer then the 2 days so I just wait until I'm unable use any data servcies before paying for it again.

Text "Dato" to 2345. You will get a text back right away confirming the request and another once the service is enabled.

When this service is working you should see EDGE in the upper right corner near your service bars.

Sysco

[QUOTE=Franky Double]I hope this is the right thread to ask my question. If not please nuke the post.

I went out and bought a prepaid SIM from a "Personal" vendor. Great now I can make calls, however I would like to be able to use data through the phone as well. The problem I have is the instructions and website is all in Spanish.

Can someone please help me with answering 3 questions:

1. How do I get data enabled so I can still use my phone for something else than voice calls?

2. Due to the language barrier (I can count to ten in spanish. Are you proud of me? What do I ask for when I need to top up my credit?

3. Is there a way that I can find out how much credit I still have on the sim?

Thanks guys[/QUOTE]1) Normally an access point is automatically defined the moment the SIM card is inserted in the phone.

2) Ask for "Tarjeta Personal Light" (Pronounce like "Targeta Personal Lite") at a kiosko. You can also do a "recarga virtual" but that requires more spanish skills. Buy a few cards at a time, this because they become less available due to the easier system of "recarga virtual". Buy $30 or $50 cards. Personal offers specials a few times a week, like double time etc, but you need to top up with at least $30 to be eligible for these specials. If you do not want to use the voice response system to top up, you can use their SMS top up system. Just enter in an SMS message "REC <number>" (So that is the word "REC" + space + number of card without spaces) to telephone number 151. You should get a message back to confirm the top up.

3) Like mentioned before: enter "*150#", press the "call" button (the green one) and you should get a message on your display telling you how much you have left. The system is sometimes a bit slow / unavailable, but just give it a few tries. But.... If you run out of credit, you will get a message in Spanish telling you to top up to keep your line active etc. It will not show your "saldo" as $0.00. In case you have a bonus amount left, and you run out of credit, you can not use your phone. You have to top it up first to be able to use the bonus. (The bonus is not lost when you reach 0.00 on your regular saldo) Most bonus amounts only count towards calls to other Personal phones.

Does anyone have experience activating a Jailbroken nd Unlocked iphone? I have one and just need to know if its as simple as getting the sim card and putting it in?

[QUOTE=Miamipro]Does anyone have experience activating a Jailbroken nd Unlocked iphone? I have one and just need to know if its as simple as getting the sim card and putting it in?[/QUOTE]I have an unlocked iPhone and it works. Simply insert the sim from a local service provider.

And I found the answer to my own question nr 1:

Change the APN as follows:

APN: gprs dot personal dot com (no spaces and replace "dot" with . )

User: gprs

Password: adgj

Frank,

Thanks for that info.

I wonder if the have the smaller SIM cards for the iphone 4?

Unlikely, but the instructions to cut down a regular SIM to fit in an iPhone / iPad are easily found on the Internet.

Yea I actually know how to do this and would make it my plan B. Not to be confused with the female contraceptive.

I've got a NET 10 phone that is a Nokia.

It now has run out of airtime and stopped working with my prepaid Personel.

Chip, which has been loaded with 30 pesos of time.

It is not economical to re-up the Net10 time by calling the USA.

Is there any one with knowledge of how to get this to work.

With bypassing the Net 10 block?

If not, does any one have a phone for sale so I can put my chip in it.

And it running?

Jackpot

I'm not familiar with your phone, but if it's just locked, then many cell phone places can unlock it. I paid 50 pesos or so the last time I did this. Included a sim card and time too.