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PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:20 pm 
Ticas ask me for advice!

Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2003 9:07 pm
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Location: North Coast
Apologize if this has been covered in the past, but need to know if my cell phone with it's state-side number can be used in CR. I have Verizon, and the phone is an 800/1900 CDMA 1X-EVDO. Will be in SJO for a quick weekend trip and need to be able to make calls to and recieve calls from the states.

If it's not doable, I'm thinking of renting a Satalite phone. Has anyone had experience with one of these? Money is not an issue, but accessability is.

Gman and others, if you would give some advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all in advance.

Papa Nut

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:49 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Papa Nut,
I don't believe that your phone will work. It is my understanding that you must have a GSM phone for CR. I think that the older TDMA and CDMA phones are no longer compatible. But I'm sure that someone here will chime in with the technical info for you.

There have been a few threads in the past that have addressed this issue. I believe that Cingular has some type of phone that will work in CR, as long as you have the correct "bells & whistles" programmed into your phone. But I am no expert at this.

I did, however, bring my satellite phone to CR for a couple trips in 2004. It worked fine, but the only problem, is that it receives a "line of sight" signal from the satellites. Because of this, I had to walk outside every time I wanted to use it, so I could pick up a direct signal from the satellites. It worked fine, and I was only charged 99 cents per minute. But I stopped taking it with me.

When I'm in CR for my normal 4 day trips, I usually only make two calls home, per weekend. I finally figured that it's just easier to use the phone in my hotel room. It costs more, but I don't talk long, so ph*ck it!

Eventually, I'd like to get a cell phone that works in CR. It'd be nice to have a phone while I'm driving around the country, in case of an emergency. But for now, I'll just wait until they're more readily available, and I'll continue to use my piece of sh*t Nextel phone here in the states. :roll:

Mucho Gusto :wink:

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:16 am 
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Location: San Jose / MKE
your US cell must be a tri or quad band unlocked GSM phone to work with an ICE chip... if you're just looking for a connection... US T-Mobile service with a tri or quad band phone will work here if you sign up for worldwide coverage with T-Mobile...$1.99 min is a bit high...


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:20 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Location: Somewhere between a rock and a hard place!
I just recently dropped sprint because they did not have available world phones. Get yourself a Tri or Quad band unlocked phone and sign up with T-mobile or Cingular. It will work in CR @ $1.99 min or rent a sim chip for $10 a day and have unlimted calls in the country and only $1.25 international outgoing. I believe incoming is free. If you want the website I can post it or PM me.

I just got back from Colombia, bought a sim chip and a prepaid card and I was good for the cost of $33 for 142 minutes. I now have my own Colombia number to use when I return. It saves a lot of time and less missed mettings with the chicas. :P

Vivo Colombianas! :twisted:

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:16 pm 
Ticas ask me for advice!
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Papa Nut wrote:
Apologize if this has been covered in the past, but need to know if my cell phone with it's state-side number can be used in CR. I have Verizon, and the phone is an 800/1900 CDMA 1X-EVDO. Will be in SJO for a quick weekend trip and need to be able to make calls to and recieve calls from the states.


Your phone won't work in CR. Only TDMA or GSM for the country.


Have a look at the thread for other info

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 84dfccabd1


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:17 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2003 11:26 am
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Location: Medellin, Colombia
Its been a while since I've seen this mentioned on the board, but the cheapest method to call the states is a 3000 colone ($6.50) ICE long distance card which will give you around 15 minutes of USA calling time. Thats about 43 cents a minute from any phone in the country including someone elses CR cell phone. You can pick these cards up at most of the corner newspaper vendors or pharmacies around town.

If you're on vacation, leave the cell at home with a message that you are on a mission trip to the outback of Central America and will be available on X date to return the call :wink: ...


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 Post subject: cell phone
PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 2:24 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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I also dropped Sprint, not only because I was not able to access international (CR) numbers, but also because I was paying over 40.00 for 300 anytime minutes while with T-Mobile I get 1,500 anytime minutes for about $45.00 + tax.
Better yet, I can call CR anytime I want ($1.09) per minute, when in CR I can call local CR numbers ($1.99 p/min) and I can dial any stateside number as well.
Yes it does cost a little bit more, but I have the capability I wanted.

YMMV

Muff

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 Post subject: Re: cell phone
PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:59 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Muffdiver wrote:
Better yet, I can call CR anytime I want ($1.09) per minute, when in CR I can call local CR numbers ($1.99 p/min) and I can dial any stateside number as well.

Wow. That's a lot less than you pay for all of your 1-900 phone sex calls. If memory serves, I think you told me that you pay $3.99 per minute for THOSE calls !!! :shock: :twisted: :twisted:

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 Post subject: Cell Phone
PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:23 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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MG

I thought I asked you not to tell anyone.... :lol:

Now the secret is out and everyone will know what a pervert I am! :twisted:

That's not fair!!!

BTW... can you give me some more of those 1-900 numbers you've been keeping in your little black book? :)

Muff

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:12 am 
Ticas ask me for advice!

Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2003 9:07 pm
Posts: 335
Location: North Coast
Thanks to all for giving advice and sharing information so quickly.

Mucho Gusto; found your advice to be most helpful. It looks like sat phone is the way to go. Wasn't aware of the line-of-sight issue. That certainly would have caused problems while in the gulch. Found this website; www.satellitephonestore.com to be informative. What service did you use? Was it Globalstar or Inmarsat?

Pidd; thanks for the heads up. Looks like I'll need to change cell carrier in the near future.

Grey Ghost; Would enjoy talking to you about your Colombia adventures, drop me a PM or, better yet, I'll galdy buy a few cervesas if your in town weekend of 5/20.

Dannyzee; Great link! Very informative

Tman; Its been a long time amigo. Have done the ICE card in the past, but need better access for this trip. If your around during my weekend of drunkeness and debauchery, maybe we can grab dinner at L'Ancora.

Muffdiver; Thanks, I'll need to look into that option soon. By the way, care to share any of those 1-900 numbers :oops:

Papa Nut

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 Post subject: 900#s
PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:58 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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:lol: The ones Mucho Gusto gave me are now out of business.

I had to share them with Sparky, Orange, Wit, and the XMan and now the ATF and the DOJ have been looking into the matter. :twisted:

I'm waiting for a new list from Mucho Gusto.
I think El Ciego has a good supply of numbers but he will not share at all!
He has been very privy about his prize possesion. :lol: :twisted:

I do have a very large collection of Porn DVDs.... :) :lol: :twisted:

Muff

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PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:56 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Papa Nut wrote:
Mucho Gusto; found your advice to be most helpful. It looks like sat phone is the way to go. Wasn't aware of the line-of-sight issue. That certainly would have caused problems while in the gulch. Found this website; www.satellitephonestore.com to be informative. What service did you use? Was it Globalstar or Inmarsat?

Papa Nut,
I use Globalstar. My monthly charge is $24.95, and I'm charged .99 per minute for any satellite phone calls. I've never had any trouble getting a signal, whether it's in the Bahama's, Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, BWI, Bangkok, Italy, CR, etc.

But I bought my Sat-Phone 5 years ago when I started making numerous trips across the Straits Of Florida (Gulf Stream) to the Bahama's in my boat. So the "line of sight" thing wasn't an issue. But, nowadays, technology has gotten much more advanced, so that might not even be an issue anymore.

BTW, the Globalstar Sat-Phone will also double as a cell phone. If you are in an area where the phone picks up a local roaming signal, you're charged much less than .99 per minute.

Good luck,
MG :wink:

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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:13 am 
Just Learning The Gulch!
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Of course it does not offer portability, but at 2 cents per minute, it beats anything else you can find. (actually there IS a new Skype WiFi phone, but I would not recommend their first model.)

At most subjects I am a newbie. This one is an area of personal expertise. I sell computers in the Lat.Amer mkt. I've gone from $300/week bills in Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela to $5-8/week for as much as I care to talk.

If you have a laptop take a serious look at http://www.Skype.com ...
Work with it at home before you leave in a few different environments.

Test your system using Wireless with both 802.11B and G. B is slower.
Test your system with a landline.

At Hotel El Presidente Skype is "acceptable" on most floors except the 3rd. (Yes, I've stayed on all of them)... It even works in the jacouzi room on the top floor... (No, I wasn't working... but was playing music for my amiga from my laptop, when I received an inbound call)... However with a hotel wireless environment quality is not always "great:.

At any hotel that offers a landline the service should be Excellent.

I am in CR for 2 mo. studying spanish. I average 1-2 hrs/day for business calls to both US and Lat.Amer. and have spend about 30 dollars in 4 weeks.

Cell phones here are cheap, but take time to acquire and set up... I got my amiga to get one for me... No Charge for inbound calls. I think my monthly charge is about $15/month... I specifically got one that does NOT allow outbound out-of country calls so I can give it to her when I am out of country.

Best of luck... CaptainCruise.

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PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 2:34 pm 
Masters Degree in Mongering!
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For GSM servide in Costa Rica, technically you only need a single band phone, as long as that band is 1800. If you want it to work in the US also you'll at least need a dual band phone 1800 and 1900.

You can get free (after rebates, you'll be $50 ahead) RAZR phones with Cingular or Tmobile service through Amazon.com, here's the link for Cingular:

[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A1329U/qid=1146420497/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-3956302-8262557?%encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=301185[/url]

As for Skype, you'll soon be able to get a Skype WIFI phone previously discussed here in January:

http://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9453

Unlike other devices that must connect with a PC, the Skype Wi-Fi phone works wherever you're connected to a wireless Internet access point--whether it's in a home, office, cafe, open public hotspot, or any open municipal wireless access point. The Skype experience remains the same, in that you can make free domestic and international calls, as well as host conference calls and chat, with other Skype users anywhere in the world, and to non-Skype users for a small fee. With this device, headphones or USB phones plugged into a laptop or PC are not required.

You can preorder now from Amazon.com for shipment June 30th here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F76W78/ref=pd_rhf_p_2/102-3956302-8262557?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=172282


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 Post subject: Skype WiFi phone
PostPosted: Mon May 01, 2006 12:13 am 
Just Learning The Gulch!
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Location: Atlanta
You are absolutely correct in the function... In my home or in an office where someone has supplied me the WEP key, it works well.

The problem w/ their first WiFi phone is that you can not do any navigation... Thus, in hotels or airports ... or anywhere that has a free and open hotspot that requires that you accept their terms agreement.. the skype WiFi is dead in the water... You can not get past the "Yes" or "Accept" answer...

If you have the WEP key, all issues are resolved immediately, but that is not practical in most hotels and airport hotspots.

Their next generation phone will have navigation ability...

THX, ML

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