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

Try this place. I used it and have had no problems.

[url]http://www.myworldphone.com/?Gclid=CID1-4idjKQCFQT5iAodJDESIg[/url]

[QUOTE=Jackpot; 412885]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[/QUOTE]

Hey guys,

Got my old 5 year old cell phone back on the air with the help of a shop owner.

Shop is between Paraguay and Cordoba on right side, walking with traffic flow, 100 yards from Cordoba.

Still trying to find a place that can unblock the Nokia Net 10 curse.

Jackpot

Thought I would reactivate my 3yr ago phone with CTI but their big store on Florida couple streets up from Gallerias Pacifico was no longer there, seems to be renamed Claro now and everyone complains their coverage is bad.

So unless on a really tight budget or you get an apt with loaner phone, it's pretty cheap to buy a new one.

On Florida couple streets up from Galleria Pacifico side exit onto Florida is a small authorized vendor of Personal. There is a much larger company owned store from MovieStar a block up but they told me only contract phones, no pre-paid.

295p for basic good enough Motorola, only comes with 10p air credit so throw in another 100p card and fairly cheap $100 US all in.

Tip- address they ask you for is two levels below pro forma. Seems you just give any address, no check. Asked for any I'd but didn't insist on passport, drivers license was fine.

Told me 2 hrs to activate, ended up taking 6. And unlike last phone from CTI, text messaging was not functional until I returned the automated vocemail telling me phone was now active and asking for some code or "codigo" to enter. Punch in any number and text messaging enabled

HELP!

Got ripped off today and need a cheap replacement cell phone.

Please PM me if you can help.

Jackpot

[QUOTE=Jackpot; 416071]HELP!

Got ripped off today and need a cheap replacement cell phone.

Please PM me if you can help.

Jackpot[/QUOTE]I've got one I'll give you Mr. Cheap-O, come and get it! . LOL

Anyone using a rented or other smart phone in BA?

I know, it is one more thing to get ripped off, darn it!

Just thought it would be nice for navigation and web browsing when out and about.

I'm guessing a rental would be exorbitant or non-existent. Also I'm not up to date on what services are offered. Do they have 3G?

OK thanks!

Of course there is 3G service available! I don't understand why you think there wouldn't be?

You can use any phone which can work at 850/1900MHz; Quad band phones are working without a problem.

If you are afraid of getting ripped off, you can buy a local cheap phone for AR$179 at Fravega. If you ask TL, he might be able to help you with getting one. (Make sure you bring your passport, since they will register the SIM card in your name.)

Eh thanks Mr. Seaman, maybe it was an outdated post I read on one of the travel forums. Or perhaps it was questioning whether 4G / LTE was widely available at this time, I dunno, I am not much of a techie.

So I appreciate you setting me straight.

Like I said I wouldn't mind having a data plan as well just for fun and utility.

This TL guy, his name keeps cropping up, sounds very knowledgeable!

Best regards,

[QUOTE=Seaman; 420908]Of course there is 3G service available! I don't understand why you think there wouldn't be?

You can use any phone which can work at 850/1900MHz; Quad band phones are working without a problem.

If you are afraid of getting ripped off, you can buy a local cheap phone for AR$179 at Fravega. If you ask TL, he might be able to help you with getting one. (Make sure you bring your passport, since they will register the SIM card in your name.) [/QUOTE]

Can anyone tell me a good place where I can easily purchase a micro-sim and a pre-paid data plan for my iPad? I'd prefer a place where I can make the purchase quickly with a minimum or absence of Argentine bureaucracy.

[QUOTE=Hooky; 420909]Eh thanks Mr. Seaman, maybe it was an outdated post I read on one of the travel forums. Or perhaps it was questioning whether 4G / LTE was widely available at this time, I dunno, I am not much of a techie.

So I appreciate you setting me straight.

Like I said I wouldn't mind having a data plan as well just for fun and utility.

This TL guy, his name keeps cropping up, sounds very knowledgeable!

Best regards, [/QUOTE]Man, I only know about prepaid phone cards and long term plans but we can go and check it out.

I'm not a phone guy but the Argies are like this :

If they can fake it, copy it, steal it, make money with it or forge it then you can get anything you want!

Best bet :

Buy an unblocked phone on E-Bay that will work in BA for very little. Even used.

When you arrive I will get you a sim card and you are in biz!

There is a cell phone Hack where you can have FREE CELL MINUTES for life!

Or untill they catch you!

TL

Hola.

Yes I've been doing exactly that, looking at GSM phones on ebay, I kinda like the Moto Razr V3.

Here's a guy on ebay selling prepaid SIM cards with data available for $2. 50USD per day which is not bad for my purposes.

Only thing I don't get, the outgoing voice calls within Argentina are 50 cents US per minute. That seems exorbitant.

I've heard that the cards down there you can buy them with bonus deals where the minutes are doubled / tripled etc so the cost comes down a bit.

Not planning on being that chatty but anyway is it really that much to make voice call? Yeah I know why texting was so popular in the Phillipines, etc, basically 2 cents to text, much more for voice.

So what's the deal?

And, thanks for all of your help and advice!

[QUOTE=Hooky; 421212]Hola.

Yes I've been doing exactly that, looking at GSM phones on ebay, I kinda like the Moto Razr V3.

Here's a guy on ebay selling prepaid SIM cards with data available for $2. 50USD per day which is not bad for my purposes.

Only thing I don't get, the outgoing voice calls within Argentina are 50 cents US per minute. That seems exorbitant.

I've heard that the cards down there you can buy them with bonus deals where the minutes are doubled / tripled etc so the cost comes down a bit.

Not planning on being that chatty but anyway is it really that much to make voice call? Yeah I know why texting was so popular in the Phillipines, etc, basically 2 cents to text, much more for voice.

So what's the deal?

And, thanks for all of your help and advice![/QUOTE]There are double and triple your credit bonuses but they only apply to calls that are made from your provider to a cell phone that is using the same provider as you.

Rinky deal!

You may also get 3000 sms to use in 3 FUCKING days!

Cell phone calls are not cheap and neither is texting.

Hack that mother fucker for free calls forever!

Hack that mofo to send you ALL of your girlfriend's messages!

Hack that piece of shit to change your ex-girl's phone number!

Just buy a phone and load it up with cards down here man!

There are 3 phone companies so buy an unlocked phone.

TL

[QUOTE=Jim Mac;421202]Can anyone tell me a good place where I can easily purchase a micro-sim and a pre-paid data plan for my iPad? I'd prefer a place where I can make the purchase quickly with a minimum or absence of Argentine bureaucracy.[/QUOTE][url]Http://www.amazon.com/Micro-SIM-Cutter-Converter-adapters/dp/B003UEWF8I[/url]

Try this site. Get an unlocked, quad band, phone.

[url]http://www.myworldphone.com/?Gclid=CID1-4idjKQCFQT5iAodJDESIg[/url]

[QUOTE=Hooky; 420906]Anyone using a rented or other smart phone in BA?

I know, it is one more thing to get ripped off, darn it!

Just thought it would be nice for navigation and web browsing when out and about.

I'm guessing a rental would be exorbitant or non-existent. Also I'm not up to date on what services are offered. Do they have 3G?

OK thanks![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WorldTravel69; 421218]Try this site. Get an unlocked, quad band, phone.

[url]http://www.myworldphone.com/?Gclid=CID1-4idjKQCFQT5iAodJDESIg[/url][/QUOTE]3G is pretty wide spread now. Even out in the boondocks I sometimes pick it up. Rentals used to be available in the airport but now that I think about it I haven't seen them for a while.

A micro SIM you can cut out of a regular SIM. (As others indicated)

If you get a Personal pre-paid SIM, then you can use their promotion of "unlimited" (?) internet for AR$1. 00 per day. I have no idea regarding the speed etc, but it is the easiest / cheapest way. If you get the SIM at one of the street vendors there will be zero paperwork involved, except for the exchange of 5 or 10 pesos.

OK that gives me plenty to think about.

Main decision will be whether to go to the extra hassle of doing a smartphone for internet and GPS. I'm thinking I'll likely find it too much hassle, as I don't have a GSM smart phone currently and the decent used ones are just a bit pricey.

TL you mean buy the card down there or the phone as well?

Lots of Moto Razr V3's reasonably priced on ebay, just pondering before pulling the trigger.

That's funny about the triple minutes and using all the texts in three days, if what you are saying is true.

Still think $.50USD is a bit steep per minute but I expect we'll work something out.

Cheers everyone, and many thanks for your help!

What does an ipad2 3g go for these days?

[QUOTE=Gato Hunter;421325]What does an ipad2 3g go for these days?[/QUOTE]$6000. 00 pesos for a loaded model I think!

How about the 4?

Pays for your trip dude!

Someone down here needs to sell it for you while you are here or after you leave!

TL.

PS- They stole my speakers that you brought me!

I ordered a 32G Wifi-only of the "new iPad" which was just announced on Wednesday. Rethought it and am thinking about sending it back for a 64G and 4G GSM model.

But the 64G won't get here in time for me to bring it down with me, I was thinking it would be convenient rather than using my CRAPPY NETBOOK! ! !

Not sure what I'm going to do yet.

So do the iPads sell at a premium down there?

[QUOTE=TejanoLibre; 421326]$6000. 00 pesos for a loaded model I think!

How about the 4?

Pays for your trip dude!

Someone down here needs to sell it for you while you are here or after you leave!

TL.

PS- They stole my speakers that you brought me![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Hooky; 421328]I ordered a 32G Wifi-only of the "new iPad" which was just announced on Wednesday. Rethought it and am thinking about sending it back for a 64G and 4G GSM model.

But the 64G won't get here in time for me to bring it down with me, I was thinking it would be convenient rather than using my CRAPPY NETBOOK! ! !

Not sure what I'm going to do yet.

So do the iPads sell at a premium down there?[/QUOTE]Bring your netbook as you'll pay at least 1. 5-2x the USA price and have about zero chance of finding one of the new models for months. Not sure there is any 4G in Argentina that is compatible with the new iPad but 3G / Edge connections will work with a 3G (AT&T) model.

If you are adventuresome, buy the new one and bring the new one down and sell it. You should be able to get $US1000 for it if you can connect with a buyer.

What I meant was that I could bring down the one I ordered or send it back and re-order for the 64G 4G, which won't get here in time for me to bring it down.

By the time tax,"apple care", and a cheap case are figured in, it came to almost $800USD. So depending on whether there would be a market for the 32G Wifi "new" iPad down there, well that may figure into what I do.

Unless I find a new girlfriend down there and just give it to her for a going away present.

[QUOTE=Easy Go; 421340]Bring your netbook as you'll pay at least 1. 5-2x the USA price and have about zero chance of finding one of the new models for months. Not sure there is any 4G in Argentina that is compatible with the new iPad but 3G / Edge connections will work with a 3G (AT&T) model.

If you are adventuresome, buy the new one and bring the new one down and sell it. You should be able to get $US1000 for it if you can connect with a buyer.[/QUOTE]

My sim card from last June was inactivated. You need to ask around to find a new one. You can try an internet place on Callao between Cordoba and Viamonte.

[QUOTE=Big Boss Man;422392]My sim card from last June was inacti_ated. You need to ask around to find a new one. You can try an internet place on Callao between Cordoba and Biamonte. Sorry for the spelling I ha_e a bad key on my computer.[/QUOTE]Thank you sir. That is one of the things I will need to do soon after getting there. Along with finding a gym, getting laid, finding a supermercado, getting laid, finding a PC store, and getting laid. I figure it will take awhile, not the getting laid part LOL.

Any recommendations for a pre paid sim chip? Each company thinks theirs is the best so I'd Like to hear from an actual user. Best signal and coverage most important. Phone is a Galaxy S 2, unlocked. Arriving in BA 6 June.

[QUOTE=SunSeeker;422778]Any recommendations for a pre paid sim chip? Each company thinks theirs is the best so I'd Like to hear from an actual user. Best signal and coverage most important. Phone is a Galaxy S 2, unlocked. Arriving in BA 6 June.[/QUOTE]I use Personal and it's good enough for me.

Moviestar is supposed to be better and seems to have the most users which in the end you actually save money when you call other movistar clients just like I do when I call other Personal clients.

Claro seems to be the worst.

Since you will be using a pre-paid card it's pretty much pointless since a monthly plan is the way to go with any of them.

ALL of them will double and triple your credit during certain days of the week.

Down here with the girls it's all about texting.

Thanks,

TL.

P. S. A nice phone can get you killed! Even a shit phone! The national sports down here are Home Invasion followed by cell phone robbery!

[QUOTE=TejanoLibre; 422779]I use Personal and it's good enough for me. Moviestar is supposed to be better and seems to have the most users which in the end you actually save money when you call other movistar clients just like I do when I call other Personal clients. Claro seems to be the worst.

Since you will be using a pre-paid card it's pretty much pointless since a monthly plan is the way to go with any of them.

ALL of them will double and triple your credit during certain days of the week.

Down here with the girls it's all about texting.

Thanks,

TL.

P. S. A nice phone can get you killed! Even a shit phone! The national sports down here are Home Invasion followed by cell phone robbery![/QUOTE]Thanks TL. I didn't see anything good on the Claro website and Movistar seemed to have the best reviews but they were all 2 years old that I found online. I use TIM prepaid here in Rio so I thought prepaid would be the same in BA. Is there anything special needed to get a monthly package? DNI or anything like that? I'll be using it mostly for texting and contacting the chicas hehehe. I'll have to look at the Movistar and Personal packages I guess.

Here in Rio the phone doesn't get displayed outdoors either! LOL Hopefully 24 hour security at the apartment building will help.

If you are going to be doing a lot of texting, Personal sells 100 texts for 15p. Either from existing credit or by buying a card. I find this much cheaper because on a prepay plan they charge as much as 80c per text.

Thanks for the info guys. After comparing the 2 I'll probably get Movistar prepago. I'm not a "chatty kathy" on the phone, usually make my call or text, say what I want to say and it's over. Too bad the minutes expire every 30 days. I'm used to putting 100 reals on my phone and they are good for months LOL.

My thanks to everyone for their input. I got my Movistar chip last night and am just waiting for the SMS text telling me I can use it. I didn't need any kind of I'd or anything to buy the chip. $20 pesos.

[QUOTE=SunSeeker;423050]My thanks to everyone for their input. I got my Movistar chip last night and am just waiting for the SMS text telling me I can use it. I didn't need any kind of I'd or anything to buy the chip. $20 pesos.[/QUOTE]Hmmm. Got a 11 prefix not 15. 10 digits total still. Any ideas why? Movistar chip pregpago.

[QUOTE=SunSeeker;423059]Hmmm. Got a 11 prefix not 15. 10 digits total still. Any ideas why? Movistar chip pregpago.[/QUOTE]I had he same thing. I think for people to call you they still need to dial 15 and the last 8 numbers. Here is the number in an ad for one of my favorites. 15-4173-5545.

From any country (54-911-4173-5545). Try calling yourself from the hotel phone and see which one works.

[QUOTE=Big Boss Man; 423060]I had he same thing. I think for people to call you they still need to dial 15 and the last 8 numbers. Here is the number in an ad for one of my favorites. 15-4173-5545.

From any country (54-911-4173-5545). Try calling yourself from the hotel phone and see which one works.[/QUOTE]You could be right. I have just seen a FL with the 11 posted. No other phone here so I will find out what happens tomorrow when I call up a chica. I've read cell to cell you only need to dial the 10 digits.

[QUOTE=Big Boss Man; 423060]I had he same thing. I think for people to call you they still need to dial 15 and the last 8 numbers. Here is the number in an ad for one of my favorites. 15-4173-5545.

From any country (54-911-4173-5545). Try calling yourself from the hotel phone and see which one works.[/QUOTE]It depends where you are dialing from. For example from a land line in the city of BsAs you dial 15 then the number if you are calling from the province its 011 15. From the provincia its 11 plus the number. Then if the cel phone is from out in the boonies they have the local area code then the 11 plus the number. Phone service here is a disaster. Telefonica took over 8 or more small companys and put them under one switch board, some areas still have 5 digits, other 8 and others 10 or 12. It all depends where you are. They never consolidated all areas under the same format.

If you want a plain vanilla cell phone that is unlocked and accepts SIM cards all over the world, try Amazon. Com. The phone is branded "Blu" and costs less than $35. 00 with shipping. I have used it in the Philippines. Singapore, Thailand, and now Argentina. When I get home, I just put it in a drawer until my next trip, or I give it away when I keave. Here in Argentina, I just went to a Locutorio, and they did everything with Moviestar. I bought 60 minutes and got 30 minutes free. The SIM only cost 20 pesos and the air time was one peso per minute (60 pesos) with 30 free minutes. I am not very talky so I will probably leave Argentina with some unused minutes. I have not tried the phone outside of Buenos Aires, so I do not know if it works well in the boonies. BTW, this phone makes a great Chica gift.

Tres

[QUOTE=Gandolf50;423069]It depends where you are dialing from. For example from a land line in the city of BsAs you dial 15 then the number if you are calling from the province its 011 15. From the provincia its 11 plus the number. Then if the cel phone is from out in the boonies they have the local area code then the 11 plus the number. Phone service here is a disaster. Telefonica took over 8 or more small companys and put them under one switch board, some areas still have 5 digits, other 8 and others 10 or 12. It all depends where you are. They never consolidated all areas under the same format.[/QUOTE]Damn they like to make it difficult! LOL. Can't believe you got to change 15 to 11, add a 9, etc. Reminds me of the prize winning questions from years gone by. I'm in Palermo Botanico so pretty much all my calls / texts will be in Buenos Aires.

I checked out Amazon. Under unlocked BLU phones they have 4 $30 choices w / dual sim quad band. I'm spending 3 weeks in So America (2 wks in Buenos Aires and remaining time in Lima + Mendoza). Which phone do you recommend? BLU Q53 Samba Jr, BLU T130 Deejay Lite, BLU Q61 Lindy, or BLU Q41 Charleston? Will I need to buy 3 different Sim cards in all 3 cities? Is there one Sim card good for both Peru and Argentina? Is there anything else I need to know? Where in Recoleta do you buy your Sim cards? Thanks Mountaineer.

[QUOTE=Tres3; 423070]If you want a plain vanilla cell phone that is unlocked and accepts SIM cards all over the world, try Amazon. Com. The phone is branded "Blu" and costs less than $35. 00 with shipping. I have used it in the Philippines. Singapore, Thailand, and now Argentina. When I get home, I just put it in a drawer until my next trip, or I give it away when I keave. Here in Argentina, I just went to a Locutorio, and they did everything with Moviestar. I bought 60 minutes and got 30 minutes free. The SIM only cost 20 pesos and the air time was one peso per minute (60 pesos) with 30 free minutes. I am not very talky so I will probably leave Argentina with some unused minutes. I have not tried the phone outside of Buenos Aires, so I do not know if it works well in the boonies. BTW, this phone makes a great Chica gift.

Tres[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mountaineer;424449]I checked out Amazon. Under unlocked BLU phones they have 4 $30 choices w / dual sim quad band. I'm spending 3 weeks in So America (2 wks in Buenos Aires and remaining time in Lima + Mendoza). Which phone do you recommend? BLU Q53 Samba Jr, BLU T130 Deejay Lite, BLU Q61 Lindy, or BLU Q41 Charleston? Will I need to buy 3 different Sim cards in all 3 cities? Is there one Sim card good for both Peru and Argentina? Is there anything else I need to know? Where in Recoleta do you buy your Sim cards? Thanks Mountaineer.[/QUOTE]Hi Mountaineer, I can help out with some of your questions and someone else can answer the phone specific q's.

The sim chips are specific to each service provider so you will need to buy different chips for Argentina and Peru. You can get the chips at pretty much any of the stores for Movistar, Personal, or Claro. I know there is a Movistar kiosk in the Recoleta mall that had them. I got mine (movistar) near my apt in Palermo for 20 pesos. They activated it for me on the spot and 24 hours later I could use it. After I bought minutes of course. I don't make a lot of calls and I still spend more than 100 pesos each month. Calls and texts ain't cheap!

You can buy a cheap phone with the sim for less than U$S20 here. Nothing to pack, nothing to screw with at aduana, nothing to order. Then throw it away or give it to some hooker when you go.

[QUOTE=Mountaineer;424449]I checked out Amazon. Under unlocked BLU phones they have 4 $30 choices w / dual sim quad band. I'm spending 3 weeks in So America (2 wks in Buenos Aires and remaining time in Lima + Mendoza). Which phone do you recommend? BLU Q53 Samba Jr, BLU T130 Deejay Lite, BLU Q61 Lindy, or BLU Q41 Charleston? Will I need to buy 3 different Sim cards in all 3 cities? Is there one Sim card good for both Peru and Argentina? Is there anything else I need to know? Where in Recoleta do you buy your Sim cards? Thanks Mountaineer.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=SunSeeker;423071]Damn they like to make it difficult! LOL. Can't believe you got to change 15 to 11, add a 9, etc. Reminds me of the prize winning questions from years gone by. I'm in Palermo Botanico so pretty much all my calls / texts will be in Buenos Aires.[/QUOTE]Didn't they also add a new code for some mobiles in BA?