Jonna
Mérida, Yucatan & Akumal, QRoo
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Joined: 09/07/2006
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I live near Playa del Carmen (Akumal) and use TelCel. I see Movistar phone kiosks so it is there but I have no idea of the coverage. The Telcel coverage is very good along this coast, we have service inside in Akumal since Wilma repairs. Before, we had to stand on the deck or in the street. Much better now with new towers all along 307. Of course, Telcel also works well in Merida where my other place is. There are Movistar kiosks there too so it probably works as well.
I think that if you buy a number in northern Mexico you would want to get another chip (use the same phone) down here or you would be paying more because your number would be long distance. So, it is probably best to get the chip and phone number in the area you will spend the most time in. Get someone to help you out with setting up common numbers and block long distance. You get 20 minute chunks for a much cheaper rate to other parts of Mexico, the US and Canada. I can't remember the exact rates, sorry.
Jonna
Fulltime in Tortuga (2001 Lazy Daze) towing Sapo (1997 Jeep Wrangler)
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moisheh
North America
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Joined: 05/04/2002
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Telcel, being part of Telmex probably has the best coverage. We had service almost all the way to the Guatemalan border. I think we pay about 3.5 pesos per minute. The time you purchase is good for 60 days but you do not lose your phone # if you are NOB for 6 months. Movistar is definitely cheaper. When we get to Mexico I am going to check with a large Telcel store to see if they have plans similar to Movistar.
Moisheh
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topazguns
Gardnerville, Topaz Lake, Nevada/San Felipe,Baja
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Joined: 01/30/2004
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My vote goes to Skype. Works great for only a couple of cents a minute at any WiFi location.
George & Ann
Boone the wonder dog (Wonder if he'll stay home or chase rabbits)
Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe, Baja Norte
Towing a 06 Jayco Eagle 323RKS
with a 04 Dodge Diesel 4x4
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jimlouisesophie
Ladysmith, BC, Canada
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Joined: 07/30/2004
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Which plan do you use with SKYPE while in Mexico to call Canada. Is there a delay in the conversation when calling from Mexico to Canada. Can SKYPE be used in Celestino RV Resort. Would Movistar work in Celestino. A lot of questions, I know, but I want to have a reliable phone service to Canada once we get there. Thanks everyone for their input so far as this is a great topic. Looking forward to meeting new friends.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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I have taken Skype on the road and it works just great. If you have an internet connection the software installed, you are good to go. I still don't have a headset and use the old stick microphone and my little ear pods. Works just great. Not everybody likes it as sometimes there is a delay.
I use it to call Mexico City, my nephew in Germany, family in Kansas City, Boise, Cincinnati, and friends in San Antonio. 10 dollars is good for 500 minutes. That's a lot of talk. If you are calling Skype to Skype there is no charge. Include a webcam and you can see each other.
It may not be for everybody but I use the 500 minutes each month easily.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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geewiz
Canada & Mexico
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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Re: Skype:
If you have access to wifi that is fast, such as DSL from a phone company like Telmex, and the provider has decent bandwidth, with not too many users on your phone leg, Skype works fine. We used it successfully from Ron's Park in Lo de Marcos.
The wifi in Paamul, which is shared by dozens of users in the park and countless more all up and down the Mayan beach, did not work unless you purchased a 600 dollar dedicated transceiver.
I believe it mostly depends on the signal right from your computer to your local hub, but your provider does need enough bandwidth to carry all the users data to and from the WWW. Even in highly developed cities of NA, bandwidth can be badly compromised depending on your location and your provider.
"Delay" is a fact of life for people like us who use the satellite internet service. It is just too far (25,000 miles) for the signal to travel up to the satellite and back to have spontaneous conversations. If you follow news interview shows like MSNBC, you often see this delay as the hosts speak to their field sources. They develop a skill in speaking longer and more complete questions and answers so there is less talking over each other.
Glen & Susan
and our mascot, Pippin
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moisheh
North America
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Joined: 05/04/2002
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Celestino parks all use satellite. Skype will either not work at all or very poorly.
Moisheh
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Beddows
Abbotsford, Canada
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Joined: 04/14/2002
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I have Telus digital phone that will give me my home phone number if i can get a good wireless broadband connection, I just have to take my home module with me. I will have to test it in Mexico. In theory it should work.
2004 Chevy 3500 Duramax DRW
2008 Snow River Prestige Signature Edition. (The first, and maybe last of its kind)
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mexbungalows
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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The Telcel that I have works fine on the rural coast of Michoacan. In addition there is a specific plan that can be ordered at time of purchase that allows the Telcel user to call the USA and Canada 24/7 for TEN PESOS FOR TWENTY MINUTES (time is sold in twenty minute increments for ten pesos each). I have been using this plan for longer than a year, and it works just fine.
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traveller22
Louisville, CO, USA
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Joined: 06/03/2004
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The plan they are referring to above is called, in Spanish, "Por Llamada". If you are going to be in one place for a while and need to make long calls to the US or Canada, this is a great deal. Here is the Telcel web page that shows the details (copy it and bring it with you to the Telcel shop).
http://www.telcel.com/portal/telcel.port........hContenido=%2Fcontenido%2Ftu_eliges.html
You can bring an unlocked cell phone with you (buy one on Craigslist for less than $100) or buy one there. The Telcel shop will help you to sign up for this plan and insert sim card in your phone. The one catch is, when you purchase this plan, the rates only apply from the area code you are registered in. If you call from another area code, you pay standard roaming rates. Good luck!
Moderator's edit: Converted the URL into a 'clickable' link.
* This post was
edited 10/09/08 08:42pm by an administrator/moderator *
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