Cellphones

**Beads** · 07-12-2005, 07:36 PM

I need some help with acquiring a cellphone for a week during my stay in the DR. First on my previous trip I was told by someone that you could get a cellphone turned on someplace and have free incoming calls and use a phone card to call out making a phone bill basically non-existent. This seems a little hard to believe which is why I am asking all this information. Can someone give me some options on getting a local phone number in Sosua for a week? Can I rent a phone at the airport (POP)? Should I bring a phone and get it turned on there and can I only use it for 1 month or 1 week. I dont know how all this works over there and could not find much information on the internet. If someone can help with some thoughts/info/ideas greatly appreciated.

**Jimmydr** · 07-12-2005, 07:37 PM

Go to Carribean Communications in Sosua and they will rent you a phone for about $2.50 a day. You buy phone cards and you are in business with 2 minutes.

**Kevy** · 07-12-2005, 07:40 PM

The phones are pay as you go plans. Unlike North America ( I am assuming you are from there) everywhere else oin the world does not charge you for incoming calls. You have 2 choices Orange or Verizon. You can rent phones in Sosua. If you have an UNLOCKED GSM phone you can use your phone there and buiy a SIM card.

**Beads** · 07-12-2005, 08:18 PM

So I just go rent a phone there and give them some money for minutes? Dont they require a deposit since I will only be there a week and could run up a huge phone bill or even worse take the phone with me? Your right I am used to north american cell phone service. Here we pay a fee for the plan every month and have minutes once we go over they bill us extra. Every extra feature is alloted in time or units (text msg/internet usage) etc. It would be nice to have a local phone number to keep in contact with people and making local phone calls for a cab driver I like and want to use all week or to receive calls from the US while im here and not have to pay some ridiculous roaming charges.

**Kevy** · 07-12-2005, 08:20 PM

No, you buy cards and refill the phone for outgoing calls only. The refill is in units which are used based on distance etc. When the units run out, you buy another card.

**Beads** · 07-12-2005, 08:32 PM

So the phone basically wont allow outgoing calls if I dont add more units with these cards?

**Kevy** · 07-12-2005, 08:34 PM

I know it won't allow the out going, they might have rules about no incoming if there are no units, even though they do not charge for them. Basiclly rent the phone and buy the refill cards as needed.

**Jimmydr** · 07-12-2005, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by kevyboy

I know it won't allow the out going, they might have rules about no incoming if there are no units, even though they do not charge for them. Basiclly rent the phone and buy the refill cards as needed.

You still get the incoming for free.

**sjaak** · 07-13-2005, 03:20 AM

If you already have a phone (not sim-locked) a Dominican number plus first 10 minutes calling time is 350 pesos at the Orange shop. They need a copy of your passport and it takes them a couple of hours to arrange. they work with phone cards.

**gmalet** · 07-29-2005, 01:30 PM

How much does it cost to call the U.S. per minute?

**Jimmydr** · 07-29-2005, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by gmalet

How much does it cost to call the U.S. per minute?

20 cents.

**BrooklynBeas** · 07-29-2005, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by gmalet

How much does it cost to call the U.S. per minute?

Your best bet is to go to a calling center its about 10 pesos for a call of a couple of minutes

**guttaman** · 07-29-2005, 03:40 PM

It is 9 pesos at the Verizon store in Sosua per minute to the US of A and more at other calling centers. 40 pesos for 3 minutes at most call centers and if you get an answering machine it still cost the 40 pesos. Calls to the us on a Verizon cell phone are 8 pesos each. Local calls are 6 pesos each. Each card minutes need to used with in 1 month or you lose them. All incoming calls are free. The person who calls you pays. This is the rule everywhere except for the Peoples Republic of the United States. If you run out of minutes you can get calls for 2 month with out any then the phone is shut off and it needs to be activated again. In Sosua activation with Verizon is 300 pesos plus a 250 phone card. At Orange you need an unlocked sims phone and it is 350 pesos with a credit of 300 pesos on the phone. Orange works better in Santiago. Caribbean Comm. across from the Europa rent phones for about 100 pesos a day. Or go to ebay and buy a phone for 30 bucks.

**RSMMAN** · 07-29-2005, 04:47 PM

and go to the DR and sell them for more ???? 8)

**UnMEnXTC** · 10-05-2005, 02:31 PM

Ok guys, last time I took my phone but it was not able to be unlocked. This time I'll rent one.

Where is Carrib. comms? I know the 2 or 3 cell phone stores in Sosua but not shure which one is run by one of our dear isoc members.