Job Discussion Forums

scott14 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 50

Has anyone successfully used a standard 2G sim-card cell phone from Asia in Mexico?

If so, can you just buy a sim and minutes and then use it in Mexico?

Is there anything else that I should be aware about cell phones in Mexico?

Thanks in advance!

aisha · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:38 am Post subject:

Someone on this site I think tried to use a phone from China in Mexico but it didn't work. It has to be a GSM phone, like those from t-mobile or cingular. Sprint phones also work. However, you can get a phone for really cheap in Mexico.

aisha · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:38 am Post subject:

Someone on this site I think tried to use a phone from China in Mexico but it didn't work. It has to be a GSM phone, like those from t-mobile or cingular. Sprint phones also work. However, you can get a phone for really cheap in Mexico.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

By a cheap phone when you get here--if you MUST have a cell.

Cells are as repulsive to me as cockroaches.

Wouter · Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Posts: 128 Location: Tlaquepaque

You can buy phones in Mexico for around 400 Pesos. This price includes like 100 pesos phone credit so actualy 300 pesos. You can buy everywhere credit for these phones.

Wouter

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Interesting that on Dave's c*o*c*kroaches are beeped out. Wish it were really that easy to get rid of them!

scott14 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 50

I'd like to thank most of you for the useful information. And then there's Moonraven, negative and/or irrelevant.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Up until March of this year, I was a cell-phoneless person. Finally, I caved-in and bought one for 1600 pesos including 300 pesos of air time. Although I don't use it frequently and I could live without it, I've found it to be useful and convenient. I really dislike playing "phone tag," which happens so often when using land-line phones, and my cell phone eliminates most of that. If I need to make contact with co-workers, my department head, students, friends, housemates, etc., I can send them a text message or call them and make immediate contact, and they can do the same with me. Cell phones aren't really all that expensive to buy and use. The service I use for my cell phone (Telcel) is more reliable than that of my Telmex land line . . . which I don't find surprising at all.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

It may, of course, be irrelevant by "newbie's" standards, but I bought a cell phone here in Mexico in 1999.

Before everybody and his dog was stumbling down the street talking on them.

I gave the phone away after 6 months.

When I want to talk to people I prefer to go see them.

Cell phones have become a plague--in Ecuador some teenagers actually have several phones, which seems ridiculous to me. I have had to ban them in my classroom.

I was in the States a couple of weeks ago and was appalled at the number of folks driving and having long conversations on their phones--and having long conversations at shouting level in public offices--even where there were signs prohibiting the use of them!

If cells actually facilitated real communication, I would feel less negative about them. But they don't. They are just another time waster on the order of t.v.

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

Amen!

Cells destroy concentration/communication. Students -- or anyone for that matter -- with a phone, are in a constant state of 'expectancy', waiting for that message/call/bizarre walkie-talkie thing. They can't pay attention let alone retain anything they hear... Rolling Eyes

scott14 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 50

Well, it�s official. MY Asian cell phone does not work in Mexico. Took it to Telmex and Movistar which both tried their SIMS without any luck. Good thing that phones are inexpensive here. Had my new phone for two days and found it useful for the job search and the ladies.

Flo · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

In Peru my rich kids were using their phones constantly in class. I told them they could bring the phones as long as they were turned off or in silent mode. If a phone rang during class, the student had to bring in chocolates for everyone the following day. If they didn�t bring the food, they lost points on the next quiz. Almost everyone brought the chocolates like they were supposed to...it worked great!

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

You know they cheat by sending text messages on the phones, don't you?

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Gringo Greg · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:13 am Post subject:

If you have a tri or quad band phone, it will work in Mexico. The dual band phones you get in Asia won't work in Mexico. This is one functionality i looked for when I went out shopping.