Job Discussion Forums

[JamesM]

I�m now living in downtown Buenos Aires and have come to realize that if I hope to get any work I will need a phone. I was wondering what people could recommend in regards to cell phones. Con targeta o con abono? These seem to be the best two options but any information on the subject would be helpful. It probably depends on how long I�m going to stay and whether or not I want to sign for a year (36 pesos-month).

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for websites, newspapers, etc. for finding cheap apartments outside of the city? I guess the Buenos Aires Herald, which is in English, helps but I just want to make sure I�ve got all the resources I need. Thanks!

[Marcethebest]

Hello, I hope I am not getting late to reply !
As regards cell phones, I think you should try to get one with "tarjeta", as you are not staying in the country for over a year. The most reliable companies are Personal, Movicom or CTI.
To check things on newspapers consult www.clarin.com.ar
If I can be of any help consult me, I am argentine.
Regards and best wishes!

[srp]

how much does phone service usually cost? if you make international calls frequently? Is it easy to get an international cell phone unlocked to function there or am I more likely to have to buy a new phone?

[amy1982]

as far as getting an international cell phone "unlocked", that depends. ask your provider. if your cell phone is new(ish), has a sim card and/or is already an "international" phone (like TMobile), the chances go up.

i won't be in bsas til july, so i can't answer you're question based on my own experience... but i did ask a similar question on the general latin america forum. based on those responses, it sounds like even if you do have to get a phone once you're there, it's not that expensive (and is less of a hassle).

[matttheboy]

If you're bringing a phone in from abroad it has to be tri-band or it won't work. As for getting a phone unlocked, it takes about 30 seconds to do in any independent mobile phone shop, at least in england anyway. It cost me �5, about $8 to unlock my phone. sometimes, but not very often your provider will do it for free, so you may as well ask. They'll probs say it's impossible though, which will be a lie.

The best thing to do is get a pay as you go sim card from Personal, Unifon etc and only use the phone for emergencies, receiving calls and slurring down the line for a radio taxi at 6 in the morning (Buenas noches, uh dias, neshesito un taxi por favor.- Si senor, para donde?- Donde?? Er...aguardame un momento, no tengo idea) The problem with pay as you go phones is that the credit has a 1 month limit. You don't lose your credit but it becomes blocked. The cheapest recharge card is AR$10. My credit is now something stupid like AR$70 because i never use all the credit i buy every single month.

You should also get a 'linea control' landline in your flat (you'll need the rental agreement/deeds and your passport). It costs around AR$37 a month and gives you between 12 and 20 hours of local calls a month, depending on when you phone. To make international, long distance and mobile calls you buy a phone card. I get 43 minutes with a AR$10 phone card calling england, it's a bit cheaper calling the States, the same as Chile i think which gives you about 52 minutes for AR$10. This is about the best i've found, the card's called 'Llamada Directa'.

[nomadamericana]

There are also a lot of telecentro's where you can make calls. A telecentro is a little 'shop' with a bunch of private phone booths with a chair in each one... and they are everywhere. The price varies depending on the time of day but I found it the cheapest option for international calls.
A cell phone is fine for local calls and can be purchased in Argentina.