There is a new cell phone company in Santo Domingo. I am not sure if they are on the north shore yet. It is called Viva. This company is spreading like wild fire because they are very cheap to use. They advertise on SDQ tv (with a trained horse!!) as charging 7 centavos per minute. CHEAP! The best part is, it is that same price to call the US. They are using a simular internet interface as does Skype. But you can use it from your handset. No computer needed. I am now getting phone calls from chicas and we talk on their dime. When I receive a phone call from a Viva phone, the caller ID says 000-000-0000. I get the same display when receiving a call from Skype.
Viva will sell you a SIM card alone for your unlocked phone. They are charging 100 pesos for the card and you charge it just like the other companies do there, with pre-pay cards you can get on the street. In the beginning of June, I used a Viva phone to call back home. The sound quality was excellent. I am not sure what is required for a foreigner to purchase a Viva SIM Card. But I know an application must be filled out so I am sure ID will be required. My current DR phone does not use a SIM card so I didn't purchase a Viva card. But I now have an unlocked Blackberry and will get one when I return to SDQ in August.
A note for AT+T and T-mobile customers. There are several phones being sold on E-bay (Chinese manufactures) that are "Dual SIM - Dual Standby" phones. That means you can put your AT+T or T-mobile SIM card in the phone and also put your DR SIM card in the phone. Both cards work at the same time. Two phones, one handset. The one I like is a copy of a Blackberry Pearl. It goes for around $120.00 and comes with a three year warranty.
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