Job Discussion Forums

amy1982 · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 192 Location: Buenos Aires

anyone know if it is possible to bring a cell phone (motorola) from the us to south america and have it "switched over" to their system (or something like that)??

i got a really neat one for Christmas and would like to keep it with me for more than just the next 6 months i'm going to be in the us. plus, it'd be nice not to have to buy one when i'm there.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Phones are cheap here. Folks who know how to operate the technology to switch over phones are scarce as hens' teeth. Buy one here.

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

I think handsets that work in the US will work in most of SA... Sometimes it's just a case of buying a new chip - it depends if your network has locked your handset.

European handsets don't normally work, unless they are tri-band (I think...)

Alternatively, just buy a new mobile down there... it won't break the bank.

Cheza · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:40 pm Post subject:

I tried to connect my cell here, but I was told that it couldnt be done with my phone. So I bought a used cell and went to connect that one, only to be told that I needed to be a legal resident here in Costa Rica to have a cell phone in my name. So I had to go with a friend and I put it under his name. Now my old cell phone from the US is just sitting in my closet collecting dust. I would suggest getting a cell phone here...

Flo · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

Some phones can be used in South America...it depends on the model of the phone or the type of SIM card / chip you have. Some times you can buy a new card, which is cheaper than a new phone. I had my old phone activated in SA. It worked most of the time but I didn�t have some of the features like caller ID and text messages. I ended up buying a new phone which was stolen a few months later. So now you have pros and the cons...all you have to do is decide.
FLO

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

My Chinese phone didn't work. But phones here are about 100 USD

bgreen15 · Joined: 03 Jan 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Memphis, TN

you must have a GSM compatible phone from the USA to be used in latin america. usually phones that work with T-Mobile or Cingular. I work for Sprint and have been to s america several times.

amy1982 · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 192 Location: Buenos Aires

thanks all for your helpful responses. i have a cingular gsm phone, so i guess i'll bring it down and hopefully it can work. if nothing else, i can still use it to play bejeweled!