BVI Cellphone
May 13, 2007, 8:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
BVI Cellphone
It's time for another cellphone thread 
But since I searched and can't find the answer I'm looking for, I should be safe 
Anyway, I have to travel to BVI for a few days, and I'm curious about cell service there. I can't find any details on cellphone coverage on the island, will my Sprint 800/1900MHZ CDMA handset work on the island (not likely), or should I take an unlocked GSM handset, etc.
If I need to take the unlocked handset, which SIM card should I bring/get?
Any and all help is appreciated.
But since I searched and can't find the answer I'm looking for, I should be safe Anyway, I have to travel to BVI for a few days, and I'm curious about cell service there. I can't find any details on cellphone coverage on the island, will my Sprint 800/1900MHZ CDMA handset work on the island (not likely), or should I take an unlocked GSM handset, etc.
If I need to take the unlocked handset, which SIM card should I bring/get?
Any and all help is appreciated.
May 14, 2007, 2:04 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
http://www.sailonline.com/charterers/Cell_phone.html
Well, according to that link, I may still be able to receive my US signal.. or at least roam onto Verizon
Well, according to that link, I may still be able to receive my US signal.. or at least roam onto Verizon
May 14, 2007, 2:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Rockville MD USA
Programs: UA former 1K MM
Posts: 2,184
May 14, 2007, 3:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Gold A3 Gold DL Gold VY apologist
Posts: 8,545
Be careful, because roaming on CCT can be very, very, very, very, very, very expensive. It's been a couple years, but I was charged $5/minute for calls to the US.
They also (I believe) still have an AMPS network that might be cheaper if you can find a handset.
They also (I believe) still have an AMPS network that might be cheaper if you can find a handset.
May 14, 2007, 7:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
Roaming is very expensive there. You can use your sprint phone in some areas for about $3.49 er minute.
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/co...cdad144723263a
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/co...cdad144723263a
May 14, 2007, 7:25 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
It might be cheaper to buy a Quad Band gsm phone and a prepaid sim card from telestial.com. They also sell phones.
http://www.telestial.com/view_produc...T_ID=MSIM-EX01
http://www.telestial.com/view_produc...T_ID=MSIM-EX01
May 14, 2007, 9:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Just off the Main Line
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT 2MM, DL Lifetime GM 2MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, HH Diamond, IHG Amb Diamond
Posts: 881
It's been a few years but I had some luck picking up the Sprint signal from Puerto Rico in St John (no roaming). If you are in certain parts of of Tortola you might have the same luck.
May 27, 2007, 5:37 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,331
random update, I called CCT (the local cellphone company) today, and was able to get an agent to answer (on a Sunday!). They do offer prepaid SIM cards, but he wasn't able to give me any details. I'll call tomorrow and hopefully get someone that knows more than this person.
May 27, 2007, 6:13 pm
#9
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
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Posts: 31,801
As to the phone, you should probably plan on an unlocked GSM triband covering the bands you need. I just picked one up on e-bay today for under $25 delivered, so it's not a huge expense.
May 28, 2007, 5:31 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
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Posts: 3,331
I finally contact CCT wireless. $20 for the SIM Card with $0 value, and just top it off as needed. $1ish/minute to the US, $.25 to send SMS.
Edit... they do peak/off peak billing and SMS rates change on Jun 1
7am-6pm Weekdays, $1.34 to the US
6pm-7am Weekdays, $.94 to the US
Weekends, $.84 to the US.
$.35 cents mobile to mobile on CCT network (since my colleagues are getting SIM cards as well, this is invaluable.
$.12 outgoing, free incoming.
That sounds quite a bit more reasonable to me.
Edit... they do peak/off peak billing and SMS rates change on Jun 1
7am-6pm Weekdays, $1.34 to the US
6pm-7am Weekdays, $.94 to the US
Weekends, $.84 to the US.
$.35 cents mobile to mobile on CCT network (since my colleagues are getting SIM cards as well, this is invaluable.
$.12 outgoing, free incoming.
That sounds quite a bit more reasonable to me.
Last edited by mkt; May 28, 2007 at 5:38 pm