Forums > Areas > North Pacific Region

brecky

Oct 29, 2009, 9:27 PM

Post #1 of 21 (323 views)

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Telcel Sim card.....

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I will be spending 3 months this winter in Alamos. I will fly into Phoenix then take the bus from there. I would like to activate my cell phone (unlocked quad band GSM) when I arrive in Phoenix, before I cross the border, in case there's been an onward travel glitch & I need to make some calls. This means I need to get a Sim card ahead of time, or at least at the Phoenix airport. Is there a Telcel kiosk at the Phx airport? If not, where can I order a Sim card online? I will be in San Miguel soon, but I can't buy one there as it's the wrong region.... any suggestions? Thanks

raferguson

Nov 1, 2009, 8:27 AM

Post #2 of 21 (276 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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One caution:

I just bought a Movistar SIM, and the accompanying documentation was specific that the phone number that you got was a function of where you first activated it. So if you bought a SIM in Phoenix, and then first used your phone in Durango, you would have a Durango phone number, when you really wanted an Alamos phone number.

You could buy a SIM at the border, and then another one when you got to Alamos. You could bring a NOB cell phone, not worry about the high per minute costs, just for emergency use in route, and then buy the SIM in Alamos. That assumes your cell phone company offers service in Mexico.

I won't need my Movistar SIM again after my December trip, but that won't help you. (The SIMs expire if you do not use them for six months or so, so if you have a SIM with no intentions to travel to Mexico in six months you might as well give them away, or loan them to somebody).

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

brecky

Nov 1, 2009, 8:58 AM

Post #3 of 21 (265 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Telcel Sim card.....

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Thanks Richard... you gave me something to consider. Maybe I should buy a cheap prepaid long distance card that I could use, if necessary, before I get to Alamos, then I could buy my Sim card there? At this point, I'm not sure if I buy one here, say at Walmart or Superstore, if it would work in PHoenix & Mexico?? I guess I'd have to read the small print.

I have bought sim cards online where they program the area code you want, or it's something you choose when you activate it. But that's not an option here, I gather...

I don't use my cell phone here, so I don't have a plan. I just use it when I travel. If I have time left on the card when I leave, I usually give it to someone so they can get some free minutes ;o) I don't use it much so there's lots left, esp when one has to topup before one's minutes have expired ;o) I also text quite a bit..

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

raferguson

Nov 2, 2009, 12:44 PM

Post #4 of 21 (225 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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My suggestion would be to buy a Telmex card, widely available, works in most pay phones, lets you call local or long distance at semi-reasonable prices, no issues with being associated with a given city, etc. They come in 50 peso values, enough for a few calls while you are in transit to Alamos. As far as I know, they do not expire, so keep it for future trips.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

brecky

Nov 2, 2009, 2:29 PM

Post #5 of 21 (218 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Telcel Sim card.....

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Thanks Richard. I live in Canada so I doubt there are shops that sell Telmex phone cards here? I wonder if I'd be able to find one at Phx airport or if I have time to look for one? I might just look for one here that's good in US & Mexico as well. Thanks for the suggestions.

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

brecky

Nov 3, 2009, 6:38 AM

Post #6 of 21 (198 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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Hold on a minute - it suddenly occurred to me yesterday that since they have long expiry dates, I could buy a prepaid phone card in the US when I'm there later this month, or even in San Miguel, provided it works in both the US & Mexico? That would do until I got to Alamos to get my Sim card....

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

bournemouth

Nov 3, 2009, 7:01 AM

Post #7 of 21 (193 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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Sam's Club and Walmart used to have the cheapest prices on calling cards - you might check there. We've used them in several countries. They didn't expire, just run out of money but can be filled again.

brecky

Nov 3, 2009, 7:33 AM

Post #8 of 21 (186 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Telcel Sim card.....

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Do you know if they're good for US & Mexico, or only 1 country? It's been a while since I used one. I bought that card in Canada & used it in the US. I will check wally world today ;o)

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

bournemouth

Nov 3, 2009, 8:39 AM

Post #9 of 21 (176 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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They are good almost anywhere - I seem to remember the cards use AT&T - so anywhere AT&T has arrangments with other phone companies, they are good. We used them in Mexico and Europe.

brecky

Nov 4, 2009, 9:40 AM

Post #10 of 21 (144 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Telcel Sim card.....

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I hope you're right, but I'm beginning to wonder? None of the 'international' calling cards I've research on the web allow phone calls FROM MEXICO, only "to" Mexico. I need a card I can use, if necessary, after I cross the border. I checked Walmart yesterday but a waste of time. I will have to look in Texas or San Miguel when I'm there. I need a card that allows me to call FROM both the US AND Mexico ;o(

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

bournemouth

Nov 4, 2009, 9:44 AM

Post #11 of 21 (141 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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Check with some Mexican owned stores in your area - if you are actually in Tucson, check out South Tucson - many of them sell calling cards for Mexicans living in the States, who often give cards to their family members to call the US.

bournemouth

Nov 4, 2009, 9:50 AM

Post #12 of 21 (139 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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Brecky - check here:

http://www.consumer.att.com/prepaidcard/fy/htw.html#to_us

brecky

Nov 4, 2009, 10:00 AM

Post #13 of 21 (136 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Telcel Sim card.....

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I live in Canada so there are no Mexican stores here, that I know of ;o) On Alamos arrival day I fly into Phx & go direct from the airport to the TBC bus terminal for my onward trip to Alamos. Unless there's an easy to find calling card kiosk at the airport, there won't be enough time to go hunting for one?

I checked the ATT site you showed, but it's not clear if Mexico is one of the countries in the "allowed" list? I'd like to think so but could not see where I could find out.
"Due to Government restrictions within some countries, prepaid card calling may not be available from every country. Call the customer service number for international calling information before leaving the U.S."

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

bournemouth

Nov 4, 2009, 10:22 AM

Post #14 of 21 (131 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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If you click on the blue link to global countries, Mexico is one of them. Sorry, I didn't realize you are in Canada - let's hope there is something in the airport in Phoenix for you.

brecky

Nov 4, 2009, 10:33 AM

Post #15 of 21 (130 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Telcel Sim card.....

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Thanks for your patience B ;o) I'm not sure which ATT site you're looking at, but I can's see the global link you mention?? Have you heard of Mariachi calling cards?
http://buy.phones-cards.com/p/info.php/Mariachi

It's the only card I've found that allows Mexico to Mexico calls, as well as US to Mexico calls, which is what I need, for ONE day only LOL Note that I woulod not be able to place within-state calls, ie Phx to Phx, which would have been handy if I have to call the bus terminal, but I can always use a payphone for that one?

I can order the Mariachi card online from this site, but I'd like to know my payment options before I open an account. Don't you hate it when they do that? ;o(

Has anyone else on the forum used mariachi calling cards? Should I post a new thread under "Mariachi calling cards"?

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

bournemouth

Nov 4, 2009, 10:53 AM

Post #16 of 21 (124 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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It's got a lot of inbuilt charges, maintenance of 89 cents a week, rounding of calls to 3 minutes, whether you only use 10 seconds or 3 minutes, but for your purposes it might work and get you to Alamos where you can get a Telmex card or a Telcel phone.

It's the idea I was thinking of when I said look for a Mexican store in your area. Good luck. I hope you enjoy Alamos, it's a place we are very fond of.

brecky

Nov 4, 2009, 10:58 AM

Post #17 of 21 (121 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Telcel Sim card.....

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Thanks again B... I know about the extra charges etc but they seem to be standard? I will be paying $10 for a card that I may use only once or twice, so the fees don't bother me. I can't see me hunting for & using a payphone in the middle of the night at Hermosillo, so this way is best.....

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

raferguson

Nov 4, 2009, 2:32 PM

Post #18 of 21 (107 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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I think a much simpler solution is to buy a Telmex card the first time you get off the bus in Mexico. They are sold almost everywhere. The last time I needed a Telmex card I was able to buy the card about two minutes after I decided that I needed it. I think that it was the first store that I tried. One of the conveniences in Mexico is the fact that there are little retail shops on every block.

I understand that it is a security blanket thing for you to have a card in your pocket before you cross the border. However, I would suggest that in reality, there is no compelling reason to pick up a Telmex card until you actually set foot in Mexico. Your bus will stop from time to time, pick up a Telmex card then. If you are sitting on the bus, you can't use the card anyway.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

brecky

Nov 4, 2009, 2:40 PM

Post #19 of 21 (106 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Telcel Sim card.....

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Thanks again Richard. I may need the card in Phx before I cross the border. If there's glitch in my arrival plans, ie I missed the bus or something, I want to be able to contact my 'landlady' to let her know. Once I'm in Alamos,I will be getting a Telcel Sim card for my cell phone... so basically, I just need the calling card for less than one day.....

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html

RickS

Nov 4, 2009, 6:45 PM

Post #20 of 21 (97 views)

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Re: [brecky] Telcel Sim card.....

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OK, here's another way to attack this 'I've got to have a cellphone for a day' problem.....

Let's assume that you don't figure it out and end up without. But then you do 'miss your bus' or something and would REALLY like to call your landlady. Just pull a 100 pesos bill out of your purse and tell everyone in listening distance "I need to make a 1 minute call to Alamos and I have 100 pesos for anyone who will let me use their cellphone to do so in my emergency!"

You'll have a cellphone in your hands before you can say Carlos Slim.....

brecky

Nov 4, 2009, 7:22 PM

Post #21 of 21 (88 views)

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Re: [RickS] Telcel Sim card.....

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yup, I think that will be my best option ;o) Why didn't I think of that?? duh........

My travel photography home page:
http://www.worldisround.com/home/brecky/index.html