Smartphone in BA
Jan 26, 2009 | 11:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 115
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.
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.
Jan 26, 2009 | 3:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL & EZE
Programs: UAL Gold DL Silver Hilton GoldMarriott Gold
Posts: 917
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.
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.
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
Jan 26, 2009 | 6:51 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 115
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
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
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.
Jan 26, 2009 | 6:52 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,876
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.
I have some old dual band phones that don't work as the frequencies they work on are not used here.
Jan 26, 2009 | 7:05 pm
#5
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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.
Jan 27, 2009 | 3:03 am
#7
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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.
Jan 27, 2009 | 10:33 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 115
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!
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!
Jan 27, 2009 | 10:59 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Sam
Jan 27, 2009 | 6:31 pm
#11
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Location: Argentina
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If you can read Spanish take a look at some of the mobile company websites like Movistar,Claro and Personal networks for more info.
Jan 29, 2009 | 6:26 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BA Silver, Amex BA Premium Plus
Posts: 544
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.
If you can read Spanish take a look at some of the mobile company websites like Movistar,Claro and Personal networks for more info.
Jan 29, 2009 | 12:04 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 115
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.
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.