Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

ziret

Jul 6, 2003, 2:51 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1971 views)

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Spint Free & Clear/PCS/Wireless Web service at Lake Chapala

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Having read most of the postings on phone service, cell phone service and wireless Internet access around Chapala, I am still trying to figure out what is the most cost-effective, effective plan for me. I realize no one can answer that without a lot more information, but here's my situation. I currently live in Eastern Washington (state) and am moving to Chapala at the end of the month.

I currently have Sprint PCS with unlimited wireless Web. I use a cable modem, but can connect to the Web using my phone and it works relatively well. Better than dialup and infinitely better than trying to use the phone alone, which is pure torture.

I think that I'll be able to use Sprint service to make and receive emergency calls while I am there, but I also think that will be pretty expensive. My phone is dual band. Can anyone tell me what my options are for cell phone service there at Lake Chapala and what might be the most cost-effective given my current situation and equipment? Do any of the service providers there have wireless Web as part of their package.

My final question--at least till I get done posting my next one which will be about TV, what did Catherine Zeta-Jones see in ET to begin with? I know she likes wrinkles, but I thought she went for taller men.

Brian

Jul 6, 2003, 8:03 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1960 views)

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Re: [ziret] Spint Free & Clear/PCS/Wireless Web service at Lake Chapala

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Your Sprint phone will work fine in the Guadalajara/Chapala areas. To be most cost effective, buy the roaming minutes package since you will be roaming on the partner cell company Pegaso. You indicate you connect to Sprint Vision Internet via cable modem? Maybe you meant USB cable with your laptop. Unfortunately, Vision doesn't work down here but other cell companies are getting into wireless internet via phone. Are you just visiting or staying awhile? If you will be here for an extended period, checkout Telcel. If you really want a cost-effective means of telephony, investigate Vonage which requires a broadband internet connection but saves a bundle of money in calls to the US and Canada.

ziret

Jul 6, 2003, 8:11 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1957 views)

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Re: [Brian] Spint/Vonage/iConnect

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Thanks Brian. I will be there a while and will check out Telcel. It looks as if the Internet connection I get will determine lots of things. Does Vonage work well with the wireless connection? Has anyone tried iConnect? Does anyone know the major differences?

I don't really care about getting the Internet on my cell phone, but when you can get it *with* your cell phone and possibly have service pretty much like the wireless that's there, well that's a good deal. What companies have or are going to have the wireless Internet on their cell phones, if you know?

Thanks again.

johanson / Moderator

Jul 7, 2003, 11:08 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1944 views)

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Re: [ziret] Spint/Vonage/iConnect

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This is Pete, sometimes from Skagit County WA but I live in Ajijic. Yes Vonage works well, with wireless check the remarks posted early by the webjefe Dave. He has wireless and Vonage and swears by it.

ziret

Jul 7, 2003, 11:42 AM

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Re: [johanson] Spint/Vonage/iConnect

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Sounds good. Thanks!.

ziret

Jul 7, 2003, 2:26 PM

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Re: [johanson] Spint/Vonage/iConnect

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I did not find a username webjefe Dave. Is there another search I could try?

johanson / Moderator

Jul 7, 2003, 4:06 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1926 views)

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Re: [ziret] Spint/Vonage/iConnect

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Sorry. look in this forum. the one entry was by davidmcl and dated about April 7th.

I'm sitting in Central America right now with the power fluctuating so I am going to get off line

Jul 12, 2003, 10:52 AM

Post #8 of 8 (1908 views)

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Re: [ziret] Sprint Free & Clear/PCS/Wireless Web service at Lake Chapala

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"PCS Vision" is Sprint's tradename for 1xRTT ("CDMA2000") wireless data service, the same standard that Verizon Wireless has selected and is deploying in the US. Iusacell is the only Mexican cellular carrier who's committed to using 1xRTT, and they suspended deployment in May of this year, with service being limited to the metropolitan area of Mexico City (equipment is also in place Toluca, Cuernavaca, and Valle del Bravo, but service is limited to commercial/industrial clients, to my knowledge). With Verizon and Vodafone jettisoning their ownership of Iusacell last month to a Grupo Salinas company (another Grupo Salinas holding has controlling interest in Mexican cellular carrier Unefon), I'd question whether you'll see additional deployment of public 1xRTT service in Mexico for some time.

The 800-pound gorilla of the Mexican cellular industry, Telcel is deploying separate and incompatible wireless data service equipment along with the GSM overlay of their existing (IS-136 TDMA) network. GPRS wireless data service (the same as used by AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile in the US) is active in a number of areas in Mexico, but like their GSM coverage, it's still spotty. Like AT&T and T-Mobile, equipment being deployed is supposed to be readily switchable to the higher-speed EDGE data service, but right now it looks like Telcel is focusing on expanding GSM voice service. Naturally, from the user side of things, EDGE service will require an equipment upgrade.

Current #2 Mexican cellular carrier Telefonica MoviStar (the Mexican holding of Spanish cellular powerhouse Telefonica Moviles), announced in May announced that they would be deploying GSM voice service to overlay and ultimately replace their existing CDMA network, which came about by the agglomeration of a number of the original A-side regional cellular carriers, plus PegasoPCS. Accompanying the GSM voice network, which is currently active in four cities including Guadalajara, is GPRS data service, again with an EDGE upgrade in the wings. To my knowledge none of their CDMA-service areas have wireless data service.

Ms. Zeta-Jones will tell you that the "T" in "ET" didn't stand for Terrestrial. Whether she admits to a Yoda-fetish is another story entirely. Your mileage may vary, post no bills, and make sure to wear underwear without holes in case you get hit by a truck while you cross the street.