Cellphones

[Beads]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Kevy]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Jimmydr]

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

20 cents.

[BrooklynBeas]

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]

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]

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

[UnMEnXTC]

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.

[will_blueprint]

Carib Comm is on the main strip right next to plaza allegria

[UnMEnXTC]

Thanks will - c u down there in a couple of days!

[will_blueprint]

Yep I will be there on Sat.

[psriches]

Yep I will be there on Sat.Hey Will, by saturday we'll be knee deep in some ass but i know you'll catch up! ;)

[will_blueprint]

Yeah yeah yeah, just keep me in mind on Sat I will be there by 4 :) I am sure there are more firends :evil:

[psriches]

does anyone know if Mav is still selling phones for $30-$35??

[Jthomas]

It looks like my deal to get my phone card programed has fell through, so I am going to look into renting one as well.

[Jthomas]

Does anyone know the hours or days the place is open?

[Apos]

as i recall it was open from about 9 or 10 in the morning untill atleast 6 and maybe 8 monday to friday and till about 5 or 6 on saturday. don't think it is open on sunday.

pretty loose with my recall i know :D

Roger is often at Rocky's for breakfast so you can possibly get some info from him there. Mav too when he's in town.

[Kevy]

does anyone know if Mav is still selling phones for $30-$35??

they have phones from around 700 pesos and up. I think Torontoguy37 bought one for around that.

[TG37]

ya i bought one for 700 rd .. in sept i figured this was the best way to go !!

[Apos]

what kind of phone was it and how did it work?

[TG37]

it was a cheap Nokia but it worked fine ... went threw alot of minutes though!! :D

[ErikS]

Hey Guys,

Last Friday (7 Oct 2005) I bought a used cellphone at Carribbean Communications in Sosua (On Pedro Clisante, next to Suzanna Cafe, across the street from Dominos Bar).

They had a variety of used cellphones there. All were between 600-800 pesos. But according to the sales girl, all came with "at least a 250 peso phone card already loaded".

I bought a used Verizon Flip Phone for 800 Pesos ($25.35 US at the exchange rate of 31.55 that day). It actually already had 422pesos worth of time on it, so my "real" cost was only $11.98 US).

While at the store they switched the screen displays to english. The phone worked fine. I used it for calls within the DR in Sosua, Puerto Plata and Santiago and always had a strong signal. It also worked calling back to NY. It came with a travel charger.

No activation fee's or any other charges, and the phone number is mine permanently. All I have to do is reload it with Verizon or Mas phone cards when the balance runs low.

FYI, the salesgirls name was "Argentina" and she spoke fairly good english.

[ChicaRider]

Does anyone know... if you have an older cingular or verizon phone... which is better to activate it - Orange or Carribean Comm?

[lotech]

I have an unlocked GSM phone that I use when mongering in SEA & Brazil. I am planning to use it in DR. WHere is Orange located in Sosua and what do I need to bring with me to get the SIM and activate service? How long does it take?

Thanks.

[LM]

Hey Guys,

Last Friday (7 Oct 2005) I bought a used cellphone at Carribbean Communications in Sosua (On Pedro Clisante, next to Suzanna Cafe, across the street from Dominos Bar).

They had a variety of used cellphones there. All were between 600-800 pesos. But according to the sales girl, all came with "at least a 250 peso phone card already loaded".

I bought a used Verizon Flip Phone for 800 Pesos ($25.35 US at the exchange rate of 31.55 that day). It actually already had 422pesos worth of time on it, so my "real" cost was only $11.98 US).

While at the store they switched the screen displays to english. The phone worked fine. I used it for calls within the DR in Sosua, Puerto Plata and Santiago and always had a strong signal. It also worked calling back to NY. It came with a travel charger.

No activation fee's or any other charges, and the phone number is mine permanently. All I have to do is reload it with Verizon or Mas phone cards when the balance runs low.

FYI, the salesgirls name was "Argentina" and she spoke fairly good english.

I'm going to buy another phone when I'm down there next week......I have one that I bought down there last time, but I want a less bulky one, maybe they'll take trade ins.......

[Escort_King]

Hey Guys,

Last Friday (7 Oct 2005) I bought a used cellphone at Carribbean Communications in Sosua (On Pedro Clisante, next to Suzanna Cafe, across the street from Dominos Bar).

They had a variety of used cellphones there. All were between 600-800 pesos. But according to the sales girl, all came with "at least a 250 peso phone card already loaded".

I bought a used Verizon Flip Phone for 800 Pesos ($25.35 US at the exchange rate of 31.55 that day). It actually already had 422pesos worth of time on it, so my "real" cost was only $11.98 US).

While at the store they switched the screen displays to english. The phone worked fine. I used it for calls within the DR in Sosua, Puerto Plata and Santiago and always had a strong signal. It also worked calling back to NY. It came with a travel charger.

No activation fee's or any other charges, and the phone number is mine permanently. All I have to do is reload it with Verizon or Mas phone cards when the balance runs low.

FYI, the salesgirls name was "Argentina" and she spoke fairly good english.

I'm going to buy another phone when I'm down there next week......I have one that I bought down there last time, but I want a less bulky one, maybe they'll take trade ins.......

Thhis is good to know.... what happens when you bring an unlocked phone with you? Just buy a local SIM card and off you go???

[ErikS]

Caribbean Communications (in Plaza Allegre next to Cafe Suzanna) had closed last week and then had a "Grand Reopening" as a new Verizon store.

There is also an Orange store in Sosua in the same Plaza that M&M Massage is in (next to Banco Popular, by Baileys Rest.).

[LM]

Maybe one of you guys can help me out here......I'm looking to buy a GSM unlocked tri-band cellphone......the DR operates GSM 1800/1900 and Cuba GSM 900, it's too late for me to buy a phone through e-bay right now, because it won't arrive before I leave for DR in a week and a half...plus I live in Canada and of course they need a confirmed shipping address which always seems a diffucult thing to do through paypal it seems. I have a shipping address in Niagara Falls, New York, but they won't deliver it there because it doesn't match my credit card address. Right after I get back from the DR, I'm leaving for Havana, and a tri-band phone would be nice to have.

So has anyone got one for sale, or knows a way I can get one quickly, or can I buy one at a reasonable price in the DR.?? 8)