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Cellular Phones/Unlocked GSM phones and local sim cards in Costa Rica and Panama
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Question
This sounds too good to be true. I've kinda read that I can buy an unlocked GSM phone and take it on Vacation with me and buy local sim cards to have a local phone at reasonable rates. We travel to Costa Rica and Panama at least once or twice a year (we love to travel) and I've always had to find a local number to leave for my 80 yr old mother, in case of emergency. If I could buy a "vacation phone" and stock it with a local sim card, then call my mom with a contact number, as well as having a local phone for local calls, it would be a huge asset.
Does such a setup work? Is one kind of phone better than others (I know you have to match the local bandwidth). Would such a phone be useable as a backup cellphone in the US (just pull the ATT sim from my regular cell and plug it in)? Any clarification would be greatly appreciated....by me and my mom.
thanks
Joe
If the phone is a quad band GSM phone and is SIM unlocked, you can use it with a local SIM while on vacation and also use it when you get home with AT&T or T-Mobile (or other smaller GSM carrier). There's nothing more to do other than to buy a local prepaid SIM abroad or a prepaid SIM in the US. Just know that you will not be able to use the phone for anything other than voice and text unless you know how to program the WAP and/or MMS settings for the local carrier. But for a phone and text, it is a good choice. Thanks. DebiN
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks so much, I went ahead and ordered (through Amazon) an unlocked quadband phone to replace my wife's phone (she needed a new phone anyway). | ||
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DebiN
Expertise
I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.
Experience
Over 20 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500). Also worked as a professor in Maryland for 10 years teaching telecommunications.
Organizations
I belong to several organizations
Education/Credentials
Master's in Telecommunications
Awards and Honors
Received several awards for papers that I have published over the years
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