Visiting with GF and her two adult children (18 &19). Connectivity will be a priority for them.
What are my options?
1) Rent a phone? How much and from whom?
2) Is there a family plan?
Thanks,
VVHT
Printable View
Visiting with GF and her two adult children (18 &19). Connectivity will be a priority for them.
What are my options?
1) Rent a phone? How much and from whom?
2) Is there a family plan?
Thanks,
VVHT
If you pick the right transfer they will actually lend you a phone for the duration of your stay. Just ask and see what they say. I haven't had any issues with my Digi phone over the last few years.
Crusher, will the young ones be able to email & txt with that phone?
Appreciate the quick response!
Enjoy your healing trip and don't forget to DRINK RED STRIPE!
VVHT
txt yes....not sure about email....the one I have doesn't but its older.....there should be wifi available do they have ipad or ipod's? Their own phones?
I bring an unlocked iPhone and buy a SIM card at a Digicel store at Burger King shopping center on Negril circle (across street from bank). I think cost was US$25 or US$30 when I did that last year.
I also found most of the restaurants and hotels had pretty good WiFi.
Hope that helps.
F.
VVHT, Finally going back to the Rock!?
For emailing or texting, having a wifi connection on a tablet or iPhone will be much more useful. Even though we have a Digicel phone with texting ability, folks back home were reluctant to text us back because they had to pay international texting charges. For voice calling home (and around the island), the Digicel works great and is the best value.
My wife has an iPhone that she kept on airplane mode, but connected to the free wifi at whichever establishment we were at (most of the major bars, restaurants and hotels have it). Using the iPhone Messenger, she was able to text back and forth with friends/family back home, via the wifi internet connection instead of through the cellular service. So, the people back home just had to text her US phone number and she would get the message, whenever she was connected to the internet. Likewise, she could text any US number for free when she connected to the internet.
I'm sure there is a similar app for Android, but haven't tried it. The Messenger app comes built-in on the iPhone and works seamlessly.
Mike & frankk, good stuff, thanks!
Flip, been six years since my last reach!
Crusher, don't forget to "Drink Red Stripe"
If you have a wifi connection, the free app WhatsApp will allow you to text and call for free. While I haven't personally used it for calls, I know it is an option. I've used the texting portion many times and it works great!
I had my old iPhone unlocked and bought a Lime sim a few weeks ago. Sim was about $500j and I added credit online and texted to add lots of data for $7. Loved having local phone, texting, data and camera all in one. Wifi most places but charged quite a bit for it at my last hotel so went this route. Sim, data and call credit for about $20.
I use a Lime phone. Works great!
I couldn't get Digicel to work on my older phone so I tried Lime and it works just fine, never had a problem and it's easy to top up on line.
I'm new to all this phone stuff so forgive my ignorance....but I have an old Verizon LG flip phone.
1. If I get it unlocked here, can I take it to Jamaica and take to the Lime store for them to make it a "Jamaica phone"?
2. If answer to #1 is yes, should I get it unlocked here or in Jamaica?
Only if it has a removable sim. Most older Verizon phones don't use sims.
You need to have a sim card. We had our IPhone unlocked last year by a fellow in Negril. He's right beside Burger King in the mall above the Digicel shop.Quote:
Originally Posted by negrilgirl
The phone also has to operate on the same band (frequency) as the network you're using it on. Most phones these days operate on more than just one band. If it works in the US then it will work in Ja but is worth checking just to be sure. Other than that the phone just has to accept a SIM card and be unlocked.
I purchased a cheap unlocked Samsung duel SIM phone (new\unlocked) online which can hold both my US carrier SIM and my Digi SIM at the same time. It was less then $50 if I recall. It's very basic and doesn't have data but is perfect for calls and short txt's. I use my Digi SIM for all of my call\txt. Digi has a Bundle you can purchase for 1000 credits (mins on your phone) that allows you to make 660 minutes of calls back home. International txt's shouldn't cost too much but charges can add up quickly. It's usually better to call if you need to have a conversation.
If you get phones from a driver you will likely have to pay a deposit for each phone. They are usually very basic phones. There may be credits left on it but don't count on it. You may also want to ask if they are Lime or Digicel so you can check rates etc. If you're US phone is paid for (out of contract etc) you can get the unlock code from your provider so it will allow you to use other SIM cards. Then you can just use your drivers SIM in your phone if you want. If its not unlocked via your provider then it is probably being done illegally and could void any warranties etc.
With my duel SIM phone people back home can call\txt the US number if they are worried about charges but I get roaming charges. I make all my calls on my Digi line, which is cheaper. We check in back home when it's convenient for us so we don't get calls. I was getting a lot of BS calls and txts on my US SIM so now I don't use it all. I just use my digi SIM exclusivly.
For USD$13.46 you'll get 1200 credits on the phone using digi online topup. That would give you 660 international mins (if you purchase the international bundle) and 200 credits for local calls. I purchased my Digi SIM and top it up every couple of months with a small amount to keep it active. When I get to Ja I have plenty of credits on the phone to purchase my international bundle and make local calls. It's very convient to use the same phone and number if you travel often enough. It is a bit of pain to remember to top it up. It's best if you can roam with your Digi SIM at home. If you get a t-mobile or AT&T wireless signal you can roam with digi on their networks. I only turn it on when I top up just to make sure it went through or if I need to call Ja. There's a US roaming bundle you can purchase too.
I never used Lime so I can't speak to their rates but I'm sure their website has all the info you need as does digicel's.
http://www.digiceljamaica.com/
http://www.lime.com/jm/personal/mobile-jamaica
I mostly use my netbook for my data needs such as checking email etc at my convenience. We like to disconnect as much as possible when where there so the smart phone stays mostly packed away.
I use to work in the wireless industry. Always be aware of what charges you are incurring. At least with a prepaid plan you won't have bill shock. Roaming with your US phone can rack up charges rather quickly. I've talked to several upset parents that let their children use their phones on vacations. One only turned their phone on once but received a bunch of txts when they did, each billed at the roaming rate. I personally would not let my children even turn on their US phone in Ja with the way kids txt.
VVHT: You lucky man who is going to our favourite island. You know what to do. Personal Message our moderator and he will advise. f
Kevin, Good information! Thanks
Big_Frank, did your favorite stool change after the renovations at Seastar??? :)
I had my note 3 unlocked via a website for about 30 dollars. Once I did that, I put the digicell sim in and it worked like a charm. Just need to go to Digicel and buy a data plan. In fact I think there's an app for that.
....
I have had the same numbers for Digicel and Lime on two different phones for over 10 years. The Lime is a stick style phone from 2001, still works great. It's an old Cingular phone. I top-up on line every three months or so. They both work great.
My travel agent said something about TSA agents being concerned about inoperable phones being taken because of security concerns. If I buy a cheap phone here, get it unlocked, and take it to JA, will I have problems at security?
You should have no problem as long as you have your battery charged. They might make you turn the phone on just to verify that it really is a phone. Same can be said with any other kind of electronic device.
For those that use T-mobile in the US, texts and data are free in JA. The data is slow so you can't stream video but it is more than adequate for email and looking at news and forums. Phone calls back to the US are $0.20 per minute. When I landed in Montego Bay, I got a text welcoming me to JA. Everything else just worked. They also offer a speed upgrade to the data connection for a small charge but for just staying in touch, I did not need it.
I recommend Lime, as I have Digicel and they are always sending marketing messages, contest messages, etc. Yesterday I got one about banks offering business grants. I never signed up for any kind of marketing, only the Amber Alert-type messages, which I later turned off. My friend has Lime and never gets messages like these.
Yes i do get a fair amount of txt spam from Digi (these should be free). But don't dismiss all of them. Sometimes they contain some good deals on mins.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lola
So, if I need to buy a Lime phone in Negril, how much might I pay for the BASIC phone and some local and international minutes?