Getting Mobile Contract with Passport/Address Verified?

[dani28]

Hello,

I have heard conflicting information on the probability of getting a contract mobile service as an expat.
Some have said it is not possible without a DNI, and someone (specifically, a friend who used to work for Movistar in Argentina) has told me that with my Spain passport and some sort of bill in my name verifying that I indeed have an address in Argentina (a bill, bank statement, etc) Movistar can indeed offer me a contract mobile phone service.
I honestly DREAD DREAD DREAD prepago, as I am somebody who uses my phone liberally both for voice and data, and I have seen friends of mine go through a great deal of money topping up their pre-pago's in Spain, much more than if they were to have a contract, not to mention the inconvenience, and I am not sure if data (IE: IPhone or Blackberrys are set up to work with pre-pago in Argentina?) My plan at the moment is to stay in Argentina long-term, and I am soliciting the visa rentista.
Please let me know your thoughts on this.

 

[Hellek]

I was told that they can't verify my creditworthyness if I don't have a national document or a CUIT (roughly said a tax number for businesses and self-employed) and therefore can't give me anything but pregapo. Seemed logical to me.

What you described seems unlikely for me to work, but obviously argentina is the land of flexibility so if you talk to the right person, who knows, anything might go.

For me, in one case, they did not even want to give me prepago. In another case (mobile internet) they said "it is impossible without DNI" until I pointed at the form where it said DNI/LC/CDI/Pasaporte and they changed their mind.

In either case, I wish you good luck. I actually went to movistar 3 times on 3 different days because the first two times their computer systems were offline and they could not do anything.

Another company entered my austrian passport number as a DNI into their systems because they did not know any better. I really hope that no argentine has a DNI number that matches my passport number since that could also create a weird situation.

 

[Sleuth]

From all that I know, you need more than just a DNI. You also need permanent residence in order to get a contract. The only loopholes I have heard of are getting an account through someone who has a business here, but that is on their account.

The problem, which makes sense, is that foreigners could very easily leave the country with their bills unpaid and no repercussions.

For me, my wife (Argentine) signed up for a second account under her name. I'm much happier without the expense of prepago, especially the data charges!

 

[citygirl]

I don't believe its possible to get a contract without residence and DNI.

Your best bet, find a friend who will lend you his/her DNI and sign you up.

 

[Davidglen77]

I don't know if the rules have changed in these past few years, however 3 years ago, when I got my DNI and I just had temporary residency, I was given a mobile phone contract. I had a pre-pago from CLARO, which I bought a year prior before I got my DNI. Once I had the DNI, I went to CLARO on the corner of Florida & Paraguay and after waiting for about an hour I had a mobile contract.

 

[cafeconleche]

As I found out two weeks ago, you cannot get a contract without DNI and (in the case of Movistar at least) utilities bills. Also Blackberry services do not work on prepago.