Got a new phone for Jamaica

I've been using a Coral 180 but I really have a hard time reading the screen. OK I'm old........

Just got a brand new unlocked quad band Motorola Razr V3 from Hong Kong for 40.00. Slipped my sim card in and all my phone book entries came up. I'm keeping the same number so I keep it topped up. No network but I'm sure Digicel will come right up when I get back. The display say's Digicel and T-Mobile..They're both 900/1800 ....frickin' cool

Well worth the money. I had a V3 here in the states and it lasted forever. The Coral will go to one of the kids. I guess I'll throw in a starter sim card too.......

Gawd I love the new Jamaica......

New phones are fun! Yeah!

I HATE new phones!

I can never figure out how to use them! That's why on my new AT&T phone (had to get recently because my old phone died), I had AT&T unlock it (which was no problem) and when I get to Negril, I'll just get a SIM card and add some minutes with digicel. That way I'll have all my contacts on MY phone and I'll know how to use it!!! I won't use it that much anyway....

I am getting phones fron Negril One Stop.

http://www.tickerfactory.com/

Msmari-do you mind telling me how much it was. We booked our trip through them also.

They were $5 dollars a day. but I believe you have to book thru them too.

Good stuff..Capt!
There are a few drivers that include the phone for free if you book your round trip airport transportation with them.

I went ahead and bought a Claro pre-paid phone two weeks ago. It was around $25usd and included a SIM card. Samsung phone, not bad...has an FM radio of all things! I'll be topping up via internet. We decided it was best to have our own # in JA and we plan on returning at least once a year. Easiest phone transaction ever, no id asked for and the Claro girl set it up for us in no time. This was at the Claro store on the second floor of the building that houses Negril de Nail salon...on the cliff road just south of the roundabout. We thought the price was fair, YMMV.

Can someone explain the phone issue to me?

....from the reading it looks like I just need a phone with a sim card.....is that correct????

no, plain jane - it has to be a "GSM" ('global system mobile' network), quad-band phone AND must be "unlocked". All phones sold in the US are 'locked' into the service provider you get them from (Sprint, Verizon, etc - they will only work with *that* service). In order to work in JA, the phone has to be 'unlocked'. it is possible to get an unlocked phone here, if you know what to look for, (also possible to get a code from the company to unlock one of *their* phones if you have an old one you want to use and it meets the correct specs) --

but for ppl new to the phone thing, I typically advise to just buy a cheap one when you get to Jamaica - then you won't have to study all the specs to make sure you're getting one that will work there -- when you buy it there you KNOW it works on their network. Plus, even if you buy a phone here, you would still have to go into the Digicel or Claro store when you arrive, to buy a jamaica SIM card - so either way you're still gonna have to make a trip to a phone store in Jamaica. my personal preference is, I'd rather make one-stop to do it all, when I get there. Although the inexpensive phones you get in JA aren't fancy with bells and whistles, they're pretty cheap and they work great - I've had mine for about 5 years; it's a Coral and I really love it -

MissBlue thanks for the clarification......that was helpful

sure, no prob.... one other thing i forgot to mention is..... another reason I prefer the cheap ones they sell there is: if i got a fancy pretty phone with camera, wifi, etc etc, I'd be worried about it in the sun and heat and sand; and also the pretty new phones are *hot* items; no need to make myself a target for anyone who wants it. All i really need while in JA is basic phone and text. Nobody will bother to steal my cheapo Coral, and if anything happens to it, I can replace it easily and cheaply right there.

Nice conscise reply MissBlue. Just to add, only providers here that use GSM technology are AT&T and Tmobile.

I was the OP and the phone is a new unlocked Motorola RZR quad band. When I put my Digicel sim card in it the opening screen says Digicel and T Mobile. It was only 40 bucks

I have a used phone here, Motorola KRZR V1 that is GSM. Unfortunately here in Quebec, CDN the providers don't unlock phones they say it's illegal.

Do you think that at my next trip Digicel will unlock my phone and fix to work with there network ?

no, Digicel will not deal with other company's phones, they won't unlock it -

"there's a guy" somewhere downtown that *says* he can unlock any phone.... not sure where/how/if true, but that's what i've heard. in the US we can go online and find & buy unlocking codes for specific phones - not sure if that will work in Canada though.

I've had many unlocked thru eBay. Type in "unlock code and your make & model" in eBay search. Most cost about $2.00. Easy to follow instructions. I should mention that some models of T mobile can't be unlocked, so if possible check for unlock code availability before buying phone.