Ok, I'm going to let you guys in on a secret...shhh..don't tell anyone, but I'm not as technically advanced as I probably should be in this day and age. So here's my question. I have a Galaxy S3 that I no longer use that was used with Straight Talk. Can I get a sim card in Jamaica and then use this phone there? I need to have a phone(aging parents), but if I don't have to buy one, that would be great. Any advise from you board techies?
unlocked and gsm, you should be good
This is the correct answer.Originally Posted by Harleymon
If it's unlocked, you'd be great with a SIM card from Digicell or Lime.
The GSM (or quad band) part is key though. Just wanted to stress that.
So how do I tell if it's GSM and unlocked?
You need to check with whoever you got the phone from to determine whether it is GSM, or whether it is or can be unlocked.
I am not familiar with specific Galaxy S3 phone models.. But I believe you will find there is a CDMA version that is compatible with Verizon or Sprint, and there is a GSM version that is compatible with AT&T or T-Mobile. Jamaica uses GSM, so you should forget it if your phone is only compatible with CDMA carriers.
If your phone is GSM, next step would be to contact your phone carrier to make sure it is unlocked. GSM phones have to be unlocked to allow you to use any carrier different from whom you originally bought the phone from. My past experience with AT&T is they will unlock it for you as long as you are not under a contract obligation - hopefully you will get same good service from whoever you bought your phone from.
Good luck.
Last edited by frankk; 01-29-2016 at 04:37 PM.
Another option would be to get a cheap unlocked phone when you get on site.
Last edited by frankk; 01-29-2016 at 04:37 PM.
or you could borrow a phone from your driver to/from the airport. As a matter of fact we were able to borrow two phones and just loaded up with digicel minutes. Used the iPad mini for emails etc.. on the Hotel's WiFi.
Thanks for all the advice. I have a sneaking suspicion that it's a CDMA version since straight talk is compatable with Verizon. But I'll check anyway, and if it is I guess I'll just get a cheap phone in Jamaica.
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