Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

N2Futur

Nov 17, 2004, 10:33 AM

Post #1 of 11 (1244 views)

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T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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T-Mobile claims to provide coverage in over 140 countries, including Mexico, so last night we signed up with them (free phone) and have 14 days to try it out. Leaving for Guadalajara Saturday.
Does anyone else here have T-Mobile and if so, what service can we expect in Mexico? Our previous carrier, Sprint, also claimed to provide service in Mexico, but on the last trip down in June, we were not able to make or receive calls at all in Ajijic, Chapala or in the Racquet Club area.

Thanks,

Elke
___________________________
"When choosing between two evils, I always like to pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West

N2Futur

Nov 29, 2004, 11:42 AM

Post #2 of 11 (1204 views)

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Re: [N2Futur] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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Well, I guess I get to answer my own question. We just returned from our Lakeside visit and I can report back that T-Mobile works great. Coverage in Mexico is provided via Tel Mex and Movistar. We had coverage in Guad, all the villages around the Lake, Colima, Mazatmitla and also in Manzanillo/Barra de Navidad/Melaque/La Manzanilla.
Adios, SPRINT!

Elke
___________________________
"When choosing between two evils, I always like to pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West

Nov 29, 2004, 10:57 PM

Post #3 of 11 (1189 views)

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Re: [N2Futur] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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Quote

N2Futur writes:
....Coverage in Mexico is provided via Tel Mex and Movistar....

Telmex (Telefonos de Mexico SA de CV) does not offer cellular or PCS telecommunication in Mexico, its wireless subsidiary being spun off as a completely separate company, América Móvil, S.A. in 2000. América Móvil offers cellular and PCS telecommunication in Mexico under the tradename Telcel.

In Mexico T-Mobile USA has roaming contracts allowing them to use the GSM networks of Telcel (network name TELCEL GSM, network identifier 334-020) as well as Grupo Telefónica Móviles which markets cellular and PCS services under the tradename Movistar (network name MOVISTAR GSM, network identifier 334-03 which very old equipment may still reference as Pegaso GSM). In looking at network coverage maps for both of these roaming partners, it's important to make sure that you're looking at maps for GSM service, as both Telcel and Telefónica Móviles operate older incompatible digital networks, IS-36 TDMA in the case of Telcel and CDMA in the case of Telefónica Móviles.

All of the major US and Canadian cellular carriers have their service configurations defaulting to international roaming being disabled. This means that prior to international travel for the first time with a given service contract, you have to make arrangements with your cellular carrier to have international roaming enabled. If you fail to do so your phone will register with the network in an area with coverage, but you will not be able to make or receive calls, instead receiving a network error message, delivered in whatever the native language is for the country you're traveling in.

For CDMA service, which is used by Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless amongst others, the additional step of updating your handset's internal PRL (Preferred Roaming List) may be needed to be able to access roaming service internationally. Updating the PRL must be done within your home (non-roaming) service area; if you arrive in your destination with an outdated PRL you will not be able to update it. SprintPCS and Verizon Wireless take different approaches to updating their PRLs, so you will need to contact the appropriate carrier's customer service to obtain instructions (or hit the carrier's website). In the past I've successfully used a Sprint PCS handset to roam both in Guadalajara and Colima, which is a shame because I really didn't want to be accessible by work.

(This post was edited by ET on Nov 29, 2004, 10:59 PM)

jennifer rose

Nov 30, 2004, 6:02 AM

Post #4 of 11 (1183 views)

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Re: [ET] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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OK, ET, now would you please explain how those with a Mexican cel phone account can use their cel phones in the US?

N2Futur

Nov 30, 2004, 7:42 AM

Post #5 of 11 (1176 views)

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Re: [ET] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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ET - My error - I meant TelCel, not TelMex. We did have the international roaming activated with Sprint PRIOR to leaving in March, using a dual band Nokia. The only way to make a call then was to drive up to the highest point in the Racquet Club. Before we returned to Lake Chapala in May, we purchased a newer, tri-band Samsung and we were not able to even make one call. We did have service in Guadalajara, but not Lakeside.

The T-Mobile service was activated 1 day before we left 10 days ago, with the international roaming activated immediately and it worked great.

Elke
___________________________
"When choosing between two evils, I always like to pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West

Nov 30, 2004, 10:53 PM

Post #6 of 11 (1158 views)

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Mexican Cellphone International Roaming

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The basics are the same -- for monthly plans contact customer service to activate international roaming before traveling for the first time. For CDMA phones contact customer care to find out how to update the PRL ("Lista de Cobertura") in the handset before departing. If roaming using a prepaid account, load up on credit before departing as there won't be any way to add time to the phone once you're roaming, and the price for roaming will suck credit out of the phone faster than a good cop can hoover donuts.

The rate tables I've seen from various carriers seem to charge $2 USD/minute or more, with some charging a reduced rate for calls originating in cities in close proximity to the US/Mexico border. Interestingly, although written in Spanish, the tables list roaming costs in USD.

Other random notes:
- Telefónica Móviles (Telefónica Movistar) -- no information, if anybody else has any please share it. I know that they have international roaming service available (they've got worldwide carrier holdings rivaling Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile), and were a dark horse candidate in the AT&T Wireless sale), I just don't have any information on them.
- Unefon - Account has to be set up for automatic payment from a credit card.
- Iusacell - No roaming on prepaid accounts.
- Telcel - No roaming using "PCS Digital" (IS-52/136 TDMA) phones. Roaming using prepaid ("Amigo") GSM service is restricted to California, Washington (state), and Nevada. I can't find it specified on the rate sheets, but from checking account balances I have the strong suspicion that activating (powering on) the phone without even making any calls triggers some kind of per-day fee.

sfmacaws

Dec 1, 2004, 10:18 AM

Post #7 of 11 (1142 views)

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Re: [N2Futur] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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I changed my Verizon plan to the new North America Plan right before we crossed the border and it is working great. I did have to update my PRL but that is easy if you are in a native Verizon area. I have had coverage in Zacatecas and for miles outside, Aguascalientes, Guadalajara, Ajijic and the whole area from Chapala to Joco.

It's been digital service the whole time but some extras don't work. I've not been able to get picture messaging to go through, I haven't gotten any text messages sent to me and when I receive a msg on my voice mail it does not show up on my phone.

I have 800 day minutes and 1000 night and weekend for about $90, extra minutes are .45 each. I can use my minutes to call within Mexico or to the US. I get calls regularly, sound quality is great, I'm very pleased.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

bournemouth

Dec 1, 2004, 12:24 PM

Post #8 of 11 (1132 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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The only problem I have with the Verizon plan is that their footstep in Mexico is quite limited. The phone always shows as roaming, even when you are in a service area - so you never know if your calls are in the North American plan or are roaming charges. It worked well for us when we were in the overall Guadalajara area this summer. They only have coverage in two areas in Sonora, Nogales and Hermosillo, although we are able to receive and make calls outside those areas.

sfmacaws

Dec 1, 2004, 12:31 PM

Post #9 of 11 (1131 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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Hmmm, not showing roaming status may be a function of your phone? On my phone, I get a flashing roam sign and a msg that says Extended Network when I am in a zone that is covered on my plan. When outside the zone, I get a solid roam sign.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

Dec 1, 2004, 9:32 PM

Post #10 of 11 (1114 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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"bournemouth" writes:
....The phone always shows as roaming, even when you are in a service area - so you never know if your calls are in the North American plan or are roaming charges.....

This sounds very much like a handset with an outdated or incomplete roaming table (the PRL discussed in previous messages in this thread).

bournemouth

Dec 3, 2004, 7:39 AM

Post #11 of 11 (1091 views)

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Re: [ET] T-Mobile Cell Phone Coverage Lakeside???

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Thanks for the input ET - it's a StarTAC phone but a couple of years old.