3G service in Mexico

Robert A. Fink, M. D. <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am a Cingular GSM subscriber (with a Motorola RAZR phone) and have a
> 3G/EDGE/GPRS card for my laptop which I have used while traveling to
> access my Internet accounts.

> I am planning a trip to Mexico (either Puerto Vallarta or Cancun) in
> May, 2007, and I am asking if the 3G features will operate there. Are
> there any special arrangements which I need to make before leaving for
> Mexico?

This might be better addressed in the group alt.cellular.cingular.

> The hotels involved reportedly have dialup connections available, but
> only their Business Centers (may) have Broadband, and I would like to
> use my own laptop to connect (which may not be possible).

> Anyone have experience with Cingular south of the border?


> Best,

> Bob

> Robert A. Fink, M. D., FACS, PC
> Neurological Surgery
> 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
> Berkeley, California 94704-2636

> ***********************************

> "Ex Tristitia Virtus"

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

---

› See More: 3G service in Mexico

I am a Cingular GSM subscriber (with a Motorola RAZR phone) and have a
3G/EDGE/GPRS card for my laptop which I have used while traveling to
access my Internet accounts.

I am planning a trip to Mexico (either Puerto Vallarta or Cancun) in
May, 2007, and I am asking if the 3G features will operate there. Are
there any special arrangements which I need to make before leaving for
Mexico?

The hotels involved reportedly have dialup connections available, but
only their Business Centers (may) have Broadband, and I would like to
use my own laptop to connect (which may not be possible).

Anyone have experience with Cingular south of the border?


Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M. D., FACS, PC
Neurological Surgery
2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
Berkeley, California 94704-2636


Robert A. Fink, M. D., FACS, PC
Neurological Surgery
2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
Berkeley, California 94704-2636
***********************************
NOTE: The material contained in this
message is not "medical advice".
Medical advice can only be given after
a face-to-face, "hands on" session
between doctor and patient.
***********************************

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

[email protected] wrote:
> Robert A. Fink, M. D. <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I am a Cingular GSM subscriber (with a Motorola RAZR phone) and have a
>> 3G/EDGE/GPRS card for my laptop which I have used while traveling to
>> access my Internet accounts.
>
>> I am planning a trip to Mexico (either Puerto Vallarta or Cancun) in
>> May, 2007, and I am asking if the 3G features will operate there. Are
>> there any special arrangements which I need to make before leaving for
>> Mexico?
>
> This might be better addressed in the group alt.cellular.cingular.
>
>> The hotels involved reportedly have dialup connections available, but
>> only their Business Centers (may) have Broadband, and I would like to
>> use my own laptop to connect (which may not be possible).
>
>> Anyone have experience with Cingular south of the border?
>
>
>> Best,
>
>> Bob
>
>> Robert A. Fink, M. D., FACS, PC
>> Neurological Surgery
>> 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
>> Berkeley, California 94704-2636
>
>> ***********************************
>
>> "Ex Tristitia Virtus"
>


At the two locations mentioned, Movistar and Telcel both offer 1900
GSM/GPRS to roamers for $.99/min. You'll need to be sure that your
Cingular account includes international roaming features before arriving
there (don't wait till the last minute to contact a CSR).

Vaya con Dios Senor Roberto.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:07:53 -0600, Jer <[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>At the two locations mentioned, Movistar and Telcel both offer 1900
>GSM/GPRS to roamers for $.99/min. You'll need to be sure that your
>Cingular account includes international roaming features before arriving
>there (don't wait till the last minute to contact a CSR).

$0.99.min for GPRS would get very expensive very fast if/when connected
with data not being transferred. It's not charged by KB?!

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

John Navas wrote:
> On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:07:53 -0600, Jer <[email protected]> wrote in
> <[email protected]>:
>
>> At the two locations mentioned, Movistar and Telcel both offer 1900
>> GSM/GPRS to roamers for $.99/min. You'll need to be sure that your
>> Cingular account includes international roaming features before arriving
>> there (don't wait till the last minute to contact a CSR).
>
> $0.99.min for GPRS would get very expensive very fast if/when connected
> with data not being transferred. It's not charged by KB?!
>

Interesting... I can't say I know how the GPRS data usage is calculated
down there, as I'm only on the voice side of the network. Friends that
have used GPRS have never said much outside of it being somewhat slower
than at home - presumably some sort of comparative comment which won't
mean much without qualitative data.

If Senor Roberto is still with us, I could also recommend a pre-pay SIM
for his laptop data card. Not only would this limit his exposure to the
gotcha syndrome, but would likely simplify the process by using an
in-country service number, albeit temporarily.

http://www.cellularabroad.com discusses these ideas in detail and more,
as well as being a sales/rental portal for a variety of services (I
wonder if they'd pay me for this shameless plug). The good news, at
least it's English.


--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:29:56 -0600, Jer <[email protected]> wrote:

>If Senor Roberto is still with us, I could also recommend a pre-pay SIM
>for his laptop data card. Not only would this limit his exposure to the
>gotcha syndrome, but would likely simplify the process by using an
>in-country service number, albeit temporarily.


Roberto es aqui. Many thanks, guys, but could you please explain in a
bit more detail for us non-techies.

Is the SIM that you are referring to (in my "laptop data card") the
little square-shaped chip that I had to insert into the PC card before
I inserted it ingto my laptop (a Dell Latitude D610)? If so, where do
I get such a "pre-pay SIM"; from Cingular, or from the Mexican telco?
Can my Mexican usage be billed to my Cingular wireless account, or
will the calls that I make down there (both voice and data) be charged
and billed separately? Do I need a special SIM for my voice phone (a
Motorola RAZR V3)?

The hotel in Puerto Vallarta being considered is the "Dreams Vallarta"
(the old and refurbished Camino Real on the southern end of town), and
I am wondering if there is wireless service there, since the Internet
access in not available in the rooms.

Do any of you (John?) know whether there is someone or a department at
Cingular whom I could contact to discuss this in more detail and with
more "specifics"?


Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M. D., FACS, PC
Neurological Surgery
2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
Berkeley, California 94704-2636
***********************************
NOTE: The material contained in this
message is not "medical advice".
Medical advice can only be given after
a face-to-face, "hands on" session
between doctor and patient.
***********************************

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

In case your computer is a wi-fi compatable, more that half of the
hotels in Mexico have wireless available. I am typing from one now

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 13:41:13 -0800, "Robert A. Fink, M. D."
<[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:29:56 -0600, Jer <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>If Senor Roberto is still with us, I could also recommend a pre-pay SIM
>>for his laptop data card. Not only would this limit his exposure to the
>>gotcha syndrome, but would likely simplify the process by using an
>>in-country service number, albeit temporarily.
>
>Roberto es aqui. Many thanks, guys, but could you please explain in a
>bit more detail for us non-techies.
>
>Is the SIM that you are referring to (in my "laptop data card") the
>little square-shaped chip that I had to insert into the PC card before
>I inserted it ingto my laptop (a Dell Latitude D610)?

Almost all GSM SIMs are the same and will work in any GSM device
_unless_ the device is SIM-locked to a different carrier.

>If so, where do
>I get such a "pre-pay SIM"; from Cingular, or from the Mexican telco?

There are sellers that will deliver to the USA, but it's usually cheaper
to buy in-country once you get there.

>Can my Mexican usage be billed to my Cingular wireless account, or
>will the calls that I make down there (both voice and data) be charged
>and billed separately?

Cingular SIM: Expensive roaming charged to your account.
Local pre-paid SIM: Uses up credit on the SIM.

>Do I need a special SIM for my voice phone (a
>Motorola RAZR V3)?

Same SIM.

>The hotel in Puerto Vallarta being considered is the "Dreams Vallarta"
>(the old and refurbished Camino Real on the southern end of town), and
>I am wondering if there is wireless service there, since the Internet
>access in not available in the rooms.

Suggest you contact the hotel.

>Do any of you (John?) know whether there is someone or a department at
>Cingular whom I could contact to discuss this in more detail and with
>more "specifics"?

International calling is covered in some detail in the Cingular FAQ
below, which has links to relevant Cingular webpages.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:
> On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:29:56 -0600, Jer <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> If Senor Roberto is still with us, I could also recommend a pre-pay SIM
>> for his laptop data card. Not only would this limit his exposure to the
>> gotcha syndrome, but would likely simplify the process by using an
>> in-country service number, albeit temporarily.
>
>
> Roberto es aqui. Many thanks, guys, but could you please explain in a
> bit more detail for us non-techies.
>
> Is the SIM that you are referring to (in my "laptop data card") the
> little square-shaped chip that I had to insert into the PC card before
> I inserted it ingto my laptop (a Dell Latitude D610)? If so, where do
> I get such a "pre-pay SIM"; from Cingular, or from the Mexican telco?

I presume it would be cheaper from a Mexican supplier, likely in the
hotel or nearby. The question of a SIM-locked data card may be sticky -
maybe John could offer something specific.

> Can my Mexican usage be billed to my Cingular wireless account, or
> will the calls that I make down there (both voice and data) be charged
> and billed separately? Do I need a special SIM for my voice phone (a
> Motorola RAZR V3)?

If you use your own SIM (voice or data numbers), you'll be roaming on
the Mexican system, and Cingular's roaming fees are a tad steep. Using
a rental SIM would mean using a local number, so you wouldn't be roaming
- you'd be using a temporary Mexican number. A rental SIM often
includes a pre-paid amount of usage, and additional usage can be easily
added in blocks of time as needed.

>
> The hotel in Puerto Vallarta being considered is the "Dreams Vallarta"
> (the old and refurbished Camino Real on the southern end of town), and
> I am wondering if there is wireless service there, since the Internet
> access in not available in the rooms.
>
> Do any of you (John?) know whether there is someone or a department at
> Cingular whom I could contact to discuss this in more detail and with
> more "specifics"?
>
> "Ex Tristitia Virtus"


Heres a website I found for that place...
http://www.vallartaonline.com/accomm...hotels/dreams/

Contact info here may prove helpful ahead of time. It mentions internet
access but is unclear on details specific to your situation.

The only thing a Cingular CSR would know about is the roaming aspects
(billing) with the Mexican service providers. Technical questions would
likely draw a "que?" or "como?" and a blank stare.


--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 22:21:12 -0600, Jer <[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:

>> Is the SIM that you are referring to (in my "laptop data card") the
>> little square-shaped chip that I had to insert into the PC card before
>> I inserted it ingto my laptop (a Dell Latitude D610)? If so, where do
>> I get such a "pre-pay SIM"; from Cingular, or from the Mexican telco?
>
>I presume it would be cheaper from a Mexican supplier, likely in the
>hotel or nearby.

Yep. Or airport kiosk.

>The question of a SIM-locked data card may be sticky -
>maybe John could offer something specific.

There are carrier-locked data cards just like carrier-locked handsets.
To use a foreign SIM, you need an unlocked data card, either never
locked, or unlocking of a locked card by the carrier or a 3rd-party.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

At 22 Nov 2006 22:21:12 -0600 Jer wrote:

> I presume it would be cheaper from a Mexican supplier, likely in the
hotel or nearby. The question of a SIM-locked data card may be sticky -
maybe John could offer something specific.

It may not be THAT much cheaper. I was researching t
is recently because of an upcoming trip to Cancun.

According to the rates listed on prepaidgsm.net, GPRS on a Mexcian
prepaid SIM is about $12/MB- not much better than the $15/MB my carrier
(T-Mo) charges for roaming data.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

The best GSM carrier in Puerto Vallarta, TelCel, has coverage as far south
as the Mismaloya resort, about 15 miles south of town, there is a site
right across the highway. There is coverage on points even farther south as
long as you can "see" the main part of town across the water. We stay on
China Beach (among others) and get good service.

I have a TelCel SIM that I refill with every visit, but lately, it is the
same price to call the USA as either of my own phones while roaming. I
stopped taking my own computer since the internet access shops are only
$3USD an hour, and I just plug in my USB Flash.


Bill Radio
Click for Wireless Reviews at:
http://www.mountainwireless.com



> The hotel in Puerto Vallarta being considered is the "Dreams Vallarta"
> (the old and refurbished Camino Real on the southern end of town), and
> I am wondering if there is wireless service there, since the Internet
> access in not available in the rooms.
>

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:50:43 -0700, "Bill Radio"
<[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>I have a TelCel SIM that I refill with every visit, but lately, it is the
>same price to call the USA as either of my own phones while roaming. I
>stopped taking my own computer since the internet access shops are only
>$3USD an hour, and I just plug in my USB Flash.

How do you guard against malware in public machines that could easily
compromise your privacy?

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>