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Thread: Buying Phone Minutes

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    Buying Phone Minutes

    As per advice, I'm planning to bring an unlocked phone with me on the next trip and buy a SIM and minutes. I've been looking into it and the one piece of info that I can't find anywhere are the purchase rates. I see thatnits easy to buy minutes but none of the sites tell you how much the cards are worth. Like here in the states when you buy a phone card, you know you spent $xx.xx for xx minutes. I can't find anything for either Orange or Claro that breaks it down in that way. I just don't want to get beat by putting down pesos thinking I have some minutes and I've only bought like 4 minutes. Can anybody help with this or rough estimate would be cool too.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    I can only speak to my experiences on CLARO...

    Currently there is no break down for the minutes (if I purchase a 500 peso card I get an additional 250) but I still don't have alot of intel that says 1 pesos per minute.

    This is probably why all the chicas call once and hang up so that they don't burn through their minutes.

    Your best bet would be to go into a Claro store and ask the manager for a breakdown...I hope you are fluent in espanol.

    I know that the taxes have increased and that means less airtime.

    I hope this helps.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    This past trip I unlocked my old 8320 blackberry, 450 for the unlock and a BB battery, cause my stupid ass forgot to take the battery with me... I did that at the little hut across the street from Baileys, in the rental car/ phone place... Its a small lil store... I then went to Orange to get the SIM care and buy minutes, I think it was 100 to start off but then bought about 300 pesos worth of minutes.. From what I heard and think is close to being accurate, you get a minute talk time for 8 pesos.. Be sure to bring your passport with you to Orange, they will need this to get you started and when they give you the SIM card (only the first time), when adding minutes after, you can do this anywhere they sell the phone cards, from Orange, phone stores, Playero, to small calmados (bodegas)....
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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    I think it's also dependent on the system you're calling, claro to claro and orange to orange calls are cheaper than claro to orange calls and vice versa. That's why they break the cards down into pesos, not minutes

    IIRC, it's something like 8 pesos a minute to call the US from a claro phone, so if you get 25 minutes of international calling on a 200 peso/$5 card - that's gonna be worth a lot more time locally.

    If you're there for a week I'd be very surprised if you blew through more than 200 pesos (unless you get a short-term data plan).

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    http://www.orange.com.do/web/guest/o...repago/tarifas

    I hate Orange

    Don't forget the tax on minutes
    ‘Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all’

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    This is the link for cell plan info :http://wiki.apnchanger.org/Dominican...#Prepaid_plans.
    This link has the list organized , the next post shows it without the brackets

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    This what I could find :




    Claro offers following prepaid packages:
    Package Validity Period Price USB Modem price Rates Wi-Fi Modem Router
    ZTE MF30 ZTE MF29
    200 MB 1 day RD$ 50 / 1.28$ RD$ 1,195 / 30.57$ N/A N/A
    350 MB 3 days RD$ 150 / 3.84$ RD$ 1,195 / 30.57$ N/A N/A
    700 MB 7 days RD$ 325 / 8.31$ RD$ 995 / 25.45$ N/A N/A
    1.5 GB 15 days RD$ 675 / 17.27$ RD$ 495 / 12.66$ RD$ 2,495 / 63.83$ RD$ 3,495 / 89.41$
    3 GB 30 days RD$ 1,325 / 33.90$ Free RD$ 2,495 / 63.83$ RD$ 3,495 / 89.41$
    5 GB 60 days RD$ 2,250 / 57.56$ Free RD$ 2,495 / 63.83$ RD$ 3,495 / 89.41$
    You can order one of the above packages either at any Claro Customer Service Centre/authorized distributor or from Claro online store (here)
    Also Claro offers BlackBerry services for its customers including prepaid users:
    Plan Name Price Per Month Email Accounts Instant Messaging Internet Applications Social Applications Use Bleckberry as a modem
    BlackBerry Mail RD$ 495.00 / 12.66$ 1 BlackBerry Messenger Not included Not Included No
    BlackBerry Social RD$ 585.00 / 14.97$ - BlackBerry Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Google Talk Not included Facebook, Myspace No
    BlackBerry Lite RD$ 795.00 / 20.34$ 10 BlackBerry Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Google Talk Not included Not included No
    BlackBerry Full RD$ 995.00 / 25.45$ 10 BlackBerry Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Google Talk Yes Facebook, Myspace Yes
    [edit]How to top up
    You can top up your Claro account:
    Online
    using recharge vouchers or PINs
    When recharging the service you have limited number of days to use up your balance, and depending on the recharged amount you get additional bonuses:
    Recharge Vouchers Promotional Calls Messaging Navigation Total Bonus Validity Period
    RD$ 60 / 1.53$ 0 0 0 RD$ 0 7 days
    RD$ 100 / 2.56$ 0 0 0 RD$ 0 21 days
    RD$ 150 / 3.84$ RD$ 30 / 0.76$ RD$ 4.5 / 0.12$ RD$ 4.5 / 0.12$ RD$ 39 / 1$ 30 days
    RD$ 250 / 6.40$ RD$ 50 / 1.28$ RD$ 7.5 / 0.19$ RD$ 7.5 / 0.19$ RD$ 65 / 1.66$ 60 days
    RD$ 500 / 12.79$ RD$ 120 / 3.07$ RD$ 20 / 0.51 RD$ 20 / 0.51 RD$ 160 / 4.09$ 60 days
    Online Top-up Promotional Calls Messaging Navigation Total Bonus
    RD$ 20-49 / 0.51$-1.25$ 0% 0% 0% 0%
    RD$ 50-99 / 1.28$-2.53$ 0% 0% 0% 0%
    RD$ 100-149 / 2.56$-3.81$ 0% 0% 0% 0%
    RD$ 150-249 / 3.84$-6.37$ 20% 3% 3% 26%
    RD$ 250-499 / 6.40$-12.77$ 20% 3% 3% 26%
    RD$ 500-999 / 12.79$-25.56$ 24% 4% 4% 32%
    1,000 or more / 25.58$ or more 24% 4% 4% 32%
    Note: Electronic top-up are available from RD$ 20 / 0.51$. Messaging and Navigation bonuses are valid for 15 days, and are cumulative only if the customer makes other recharges. If not recharged at the indicated time they'll expire.
    [edit]Orange
    You can surf the Internet from your prepaid Orange mobile smartphone for RD$ 0.05 / 0.0013$ per Kb (incl. tax).
    Orange offers only one plan of Prepaid Mobile Internet for you laptop/PC:
    Plan Data Volume Included Downgrade Price Price per additional MB X by subscription
    Plan X dia (Plan per day) 1 GB 256 kbps RD$ 128.00 / 3.28$ n/a RD$ 250.00 / 6.41$
    You can activate Mobile Internet from Orange in any of Orange commercial offices, at any Orange Shop, and through their site or by dialing *555.
    Orange also offers prepaid BlackBerry services. The plans are as follows:
    Plan Name Includes Validity Period SMS included Price
    BlackBerry Internet Full Up to 10 email accounts;
    Internet - unlimited browsing; Access to social networks; BB Chat; IM
    1 day 0 RD$ 50 / 1.28$
    7 days 50 SMS RD$ 350 / 8.97$
    15 days 100 SMS RD$ 650 / 16.66$
    1 month 400 SMS RD$ 1088 / 27.89$
    BlackBerry Social (BB Social) Access to social networks;
    Instant messaging; BB Chat
    1 day 0 RD$ 25 / 0.64$
    7 days 25 SMS RD$ 164 / 4.20$
    15 days 75 SMS RD$ 352 / 9.02$
    1 month 250 SMS RD$ 704 / 18.05$
    BlackBerry Mail Plus (BBMailPlus) Management of 1 email account in domain: @ orange.blackberry.com;
    IM: Google Talk, Yahoo!, MSN; BB Messenger
    15 days - RD$ 235 / 6.02$
    30 days - RD$ 390 / 10.00$
    To activate one of the above BlackBerry plans bring your BlackBerry to the nearest Orange office and a representative from the Customer Service will activate the service. To renew the activation of your prepaid Blackberry plan, just send an SMS to 2400 with the number of days to renew:
    1 day : SMS to 2400 with the number 1.
    1 week (7 days): SMS to 2400 with the number 7.
    Fortnight (15 days): SMS to 2400 with the number 15.
    1 month : SMS to 2400 with the number 30.
    For example: If you're subscribed to BB Internet plan Full and you want to renew your subscription for 15 more days (it'll cost you RD$ 650 / 16.66$) send an SMS to 2400 number of days you want to be subscribe for, in this case it's 15.
    [edit]How to top up
    You can recharge your Mobile Internet account using one of the following options:

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Quote Originally Posted by deezl View Post

    If you're there for a week I'd be very surprised if you blew through more than 200 pesos (unless you get a short-term data plan).
    Let a chica use it and it will empty in 5 minutes.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    If you go to the websites for claro and orange it will tell you about the prepaid plans.
    It is a little hard to decipher as it is in spanish. You might be able to translate some of it with google page translation.
    Texting will use time as well.


    For Claro if you dial *122# when you are in the DR it will tell you what your balance is as well as when the time expires.
    After your first trip, calling mart is a good way to add time to your phone and it can be done from the USA.
    If you do this before your time expires it will keep those minutes active.
    It will also allow you to keep your DR # if that is important to you.

    Not sure about Orange but I think they have a similar policy.
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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    I have a unlocked galaxy 2 and use claro , refill online with eztop.com , tells you the conversion to pesos not minutes but when in country i check with my phone periodically ,also keeps same number . for me better deal with claro plus the bonus minutes mentioned above and never had much problems with signal or dropped calls .
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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    If you plan on coming down several times a year, make sure you plan to keep your phone number activated. Having to present your passport and wait around for clearly unnecessary checking, rechecking and general incompetence at the local Claro or Orange dealer, once you get you buy your phone and activate it, you don't want to have to do it again if you are a regular visitor. Also, I'd check at the place where you are staying what carrier has the best signal and does that signal reach into your room. For example, I always stay at The Palms Condos (Sosua Vacation Rentals). The only signal that works throughout the apartments is Viva. So I use Viva. You can get a limited signal from Claro and Orange on the patio balcony or walk up to the entrance, but you might miss calls or have calls cut off. Generally, I think the signals for Claro and Orange work well in Sosua, but it might be good to check. Viva keeps your phone number activated for two months and then you lose it. So I always recharge/reactivate my number from the U.S. if I'm going to be away longer than that in order to keep my same number. I use callingmart.com to reactivate and that works great. You can do some research and see which one provides you the best minutes for dollars rate. However, once you find a good provider for buying more minutes I'd stick with them (as long as the price is reasonable) since the process becomes very easy.

    As for buying phones, there are plenty. I intentionally don't use an expensive phone in order to avoid accidentally losing it or having it stolen. Expensive phones are better kept in a safe and brought out only when you need to use them for special uses. I purchased a small Samsung while there for next to nothing. It is simple and keeps a battery charge for am extremely long time. It has all the features I need. Easy to carry. And if I were to lose it my grieving period would be somewhere around five minutes with the minutes probably more valuable than the phone.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Here's what I do

    Set-up: I get a Claro number for my unlocked BB, make sure to activate BBM too! Location Claro booth at any major mall. They ask for identification but it can also be done without identification as I found out when I forgot mine..

    Minutes: I get a DR$ 500 peso card as it carries the most extra credit of DR$ 250. I keep one in reserve as a backup, in case I run out unexpectedly.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    I currently pay about $6 every 2 months for no reason other to keep my number active, and to have the same number every time I return to the DR. Does anyone know if Viva, Orange have the same program, or preferably a longer period that the number does not expire?

    I currently have Claro.

    I do recall at the Orange store in Sosua, assuming the OP is going there, that they had some kind of deal where you left 500 pesos, and yuo would get that back upon returning the sim card, but I am guessing they are gambling on the fact that you will forget or not have time to return it. I think to buy one is like 100-200 pesos.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Quote Originally Posted by BorisDaBulletDodger View Post
    I currently pay about $6 every 2 months for no reason other to keep my number active, and to have the same number every time I return to the DR. Does anyone know if Viva, Orange have the same program, or preferably a longer period that the number does not expire?

    I currently have Claro.

    I do recall at the Orange store in Sosua, assuming the OP is going there, that they had some kind of deal where you left 500 pesos, and yuo would get that back upon returning the sim card, but I am guessing they are gambling on the fact that you will forget or not have time to return it. I think to buy one is like 100-200 pesos.
    I don't know about Viva or Orange, but you don't have to refill on Claro that often to keep the phone active. I think it's 120 days from date of last purchase before your number 'expires', it's definitely at least 90 days - so you can wait an extra month before refilling, maybe two.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Quote Originally Posted by deezl View Post
    I don't know about Viva or Orange, but you don't have to refill on Claro that often to keep the phone active. I think it's 120 days from date of last purchase before your number 'expires', it's definitely at least 90 days - so you can wait an extra month before refilling, maybe two.
    http://www.claro.com.do/contenido.aspx?id=52

    Based on the link to claro it appears it is 60 days and you lose your minutes and 120 days and you lose your number.
    I know any time I bought minutes the *122# would always tell me an expiration date that was 60 days from when I last bought minutes.

    Based on the Claro website (assuming it is current and correct) there are different bonuses at different purchase levels.
    Looks like 500RD gives you the best bonuses.

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    It takes couple of trips to DR to realize that a) SIM b) Balance 3) Vigencia, i.e. contract term
    ALL expire at DIFFERENT DATES!

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Quote Originally Posted by deezl View Post
    I don't know about Viva or Orange, but you don't have to refill on Claro that often to keep the phone active. I think it's 120 days from date of last purchase before your number 'expires', it's definitely at least 90 days - so you can wait an extra month before refilling, maybe two.
    Do you add minutes through EZtop up or some other service every 3-4 months?

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Quote Originally Posted by BorisDaBulletDodger View Post
    Do you add minutes through EZtop up or some other service every 3-4 months?
    yeah, i use ezetop

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Quote Originally Posted by BorisDaBulletDodger View Post
    Do you add minutes through EZtop up or some other service every 3-4 months?

    I use calling mart.
    Once you use them once (some security stuff to make sure you are legit) it is pretty much automatic after that

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    Re: Buying Phone Minutes

    Is there a Claro or Orange store at POP airport? If not where can I locate Claro or Orange in Sosua?

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