Smartphone in BA
 

Anyone know what my options are for buying a cellphone in the USA and taking it to use in Buenos Aires?

As I understand it, the 2 GSM carriers in the US are AT&T and T-Mobile.
Can I buy any of their phones, have them unlocked, and then buy a SIM card for the them in BA?

I read through the "SIM Card in Argentina" thread and couldn't find anything on taking specific phones (namely, smartphones) from the US. I'm looking at the iPhone and newer Blackberry models. It seems as though ALL phones don't work.

Thanks.:)

Is there a reason you don't buy one in Argentina? All of the phones you mention are available here. Here is a link to one http://www.movistar.com.ar/

You need not enter a contract, pay as you go service is available and very reasonable prices. If you decide on purchasing one in the US make sure it is GSM 850 / 1900 or GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900. Having your phone unlocked here is a pretty easy process and normal charge would be anywhere from $40 (pesos) to $100 Pesos depending on where you have it done.

Hope this answers your question.

Sam

Hey, Sam,
As always, thanks for the information.

I'm not against buying something in Argentina, but I was hoping to buy a phone here in the next couple of weeks to use until mid-May. Also, since I'll definitely be back at the beginning of November, I figure that I could buy something now that I could use for the foreseeable future.

All my UK bought unlocked Nokia smartphones work here, models 6630 and 6680 as do our Motorola V3's. As long they are triband or quadband I see no reason why they shouldn't work.
I have some old dual band phones that don't work as the frequencies they work on are not used here.

Just note that in Argentina you will generally pay more for the phone for a prepaid plan than a contract, and without a DNI# (tax ID) you can't get a contract.

Everything will work except for 3G, they only provide 3G if you're in a contract.

I think that phones will be more expensive here in Argentina... so if you can buy an unlocked version and bring it it, you should save some $$$. One thing about contracts, though.... for some phones and some service providers, if you want to enter into a contract they sometimes will need to verify your phone and if its brought it they need to see the official import papers, somthing you dont always have when you bring in a phone.

Dual band won't.

I won't be in the country long enough to get a contract. That's the main reason I'm looking for something that I can buy and unlock HERE (as Gaucho suggested.)

Lovecraft, when you say 3G won't work, do you mean that the phone itself won't work or that the 3G capability won't work? Thanks!

I got a contract with Movistar without a DNI. Put it on auto bill pay with a credit card and they never charged the card. I had that account for 14 months before I canceled since I was going to be back in the USA for 4 months. When I returned went back and started another contract with Movistar, again without a DNI and still maintain that account but do pay monthly now rather than the auto bill that was never billed. I did feel mildly guilty for an instant :D

Sam

3G will work but what Lovecraft was saying is that it may not be available on pay as you go sim cards. I have no idea whether it is only available on contract only numbers as the 3G coverage seems to be available in the capital rather than out here in the sticks. If it is allowed on sim card only numbers the cost I imagine will be expensive.
If you can read Spanish take a look at some of the mobile company websites like Movistar,Claro and Personal networks for more info.

Yes, that's what I meant. You'll be able to make and receive calls and texts, and even browse the web at GPRS speeds (you need to enter the correct configuration manually, and I think it'll be expensive on PAYG). But for any 3G service (HSDPA, Video Call), you will need a contract. I know because last December while in BsAs I wanted to use 3G on my PAYG Movistar as a modem for my laptop, but they would not let me. Claro also said no.

Thanks for the replies.

My plan is to get an iPhone and unlock it with Jailbreak. According to what I've read, I should be able to get a working SIM for it once in BA.

Non-3G speeds for Internet is okay with me.

I'll try to take a look at those sites for more information, though.