I live in the us, when i go to bermuda do i need to use a calling card or get a temporary service change when i go there?
thanks!

Depends on your carrier and how they charge for international roaming on your price plan. You should call them first and then we can provide alternatives if necessary.

thanks

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Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

All 3 major US cellular providers have roaming agreements @ BDA, easiest if using/bringing your own unlocked quadband GSM devices - but CDMA users from VZW will work too - roaming is expensive, please check with your home carrier for details and make sure international calling is enabled for your mobile #'s. Broadband access prices are reasonable for prepaid plan user but it isn't super fast (DSL or good old copper, no 4G LTE yet) for the small island chains out in the Atlantic - SMS with the mainland is what we use most often. Do NOT expect free WiFi services and there are no Starbucks or McD's.

DigiCel is one of major provider and it also serve most, if not all of the Caribbean islands, with retail store locations in downtown Hamilton & also at Dockyard, where large cruise ships stayed when visiting - so it's easy to pickup a prepaid Sim card & get services activated, especially if OP is planning to become a regular visitor. http://www.digicelbermuda.com/en/retailers/index.php

When we last visited in 2012, we're able to get 3 days of broadband access, good only at the Dockyard piers area, for $15 USD - dirt cheap compared to our cruiseline was charging, by the minutes

P.S. I should note that off-duty cruiseship crew members onshore are still using old fashion calling cards @ public booth to dial home (mostly to SE Asia) - YMMV.

FYI - added this thread to the prepaid SIM list at the top of the forum.

I am so not a technology person--Can I use my own cellphone (iphone 4) with these prepaid cards?

Depends, what carrier do you have?

Short answer, no - (for the prepaid telephone calling card) it is not recommended. You still need to use "local" but roaming airtime to dial into network. They are designed for pay phone (or local landlines.) If you are asking about the prepaid Sim card that you insert into your unlocked iphone with GSM bands, yes.

Are you visiting BDA briefly by air or by sea? Do you plan to visit & stay on a regular basis and for how long? If this is only for a very short stay, emergencies or those just in touch situation - it's sometimes better to just enable international calling from your home carrier (AT&T or T-Mobile, etc.) and pay the overseas/long distance rate - instead of going thru all the trouble. Also, do you need or plan to use broadband data on your iPhone 4 or is this for voice/SMS only?

Your best option would be to have your iPhone4 unlocked, and then go to one of the local Bermuda cellular store (there aren't many, if any, independent agents & newstand/stores don't "stock" different prepaid Sim cards & refills, unlike the US) to get a compatible card and activate it, add money for airtime (and, if needed, data usage) and you will be set to go - to call the US and to receive incoming calls on a local BDA number.

More specifics, please. Not knowing more about your usage on the island, that's about all I would advise.

An unlocked ATT iPhone 4 will work fine with a Bermuda prepaid SIM card. A Verizon one would not because it only uses the CDMA technology.

I think Ill go to verizon and ask. I dont even know if my phone is unlocked or not

You'll need at least a 4s to use a Verizon iPhone with prepaid SIM cards. Cellular aond is Bermuda's CDMA provider, see if they can activate your Verizon iPhone, but I doubt it. Cellone.bm.

I have an iphone 4--sounds like i will have to buy a prepaid phone card and use a payphone. we will be there for 4 days, but i need to be able to check in on my daughter

From VZW's Global Services' interactive planner for Bermuda -

You can use the iPhone 4 - for voice, text and data in all selected countries. Before you travel, contact Verizon Wireless by dialing *611 from your wireless device or (800)922-0204 from any phone to enable international roaming.

Location Bermuda
Voice Rate $1.99/min. (plus applicable taxes & fees, etc.)
Global Data Plan $25/100MB
Pay as you Go data rate $0.020/KB
Text Rate $0.50 send $0.05 receive
Data Network CDMA
Voice Network CDMA
iPhone 4 Tech CDMA


If you can keep in touch for 4 days via Text Messaging, it can be done inexpensively - incoming is 5 cents and 50 cents from Bermuda to US. Just make sure you turned off data roaming on the iPhone 4.

If someone you know has an old AT&T "dumb" tri-band (quad-band is ideal) phone that's unlocked, you can pickup a local BDA prepaid Sim card, and get services while you are there - maybe more challenging for you. If so, prepaid calling card from a pay phone is your best option - as using it to call from a hotel phone might still incur local access surcharges, depending on your stay's. TBI Calling Card is the one to ask for.

More details - here - http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0001cd.htm

Verizon is selling roaming data bundles for Bermuda -- $25 for 100.