Most Affordable Cell Phone Option

[tonberryking]

Hey everyone I will be in B.A as of June 19th and am new to this forum. So far, I've found everything fantastically informative! Anyhow I've doing research on options for a mobile phone in B.A. and have heard that getting an unlocked phone and putting in a sim card is one of the better options. I was thinking of getting a refurbished unlocked phone from the states before I arrive in order to cut costs. Does this sound pragmatic? I would love to hear all your opinions.

 

[jez]

Do a search on this forum for 'movistar' that's one on the providers. You can buy a cell phone for about AR$ 180. So, if you can afford the flight here and really need a cell then its not that expensive.. but airtime is expensive.

 

[jantango]

You can buy a used cell phone in Buenos Aires quite reasonably if all you need it for is calls and messages. The latest models with all the gadgets run 2,800 pesos--what I spend per month.

I have a Motorola phone with a PERSONAL line. I need to add at least 15 pesos to it each month to maintain the line by going to a kiosko. Simple. mobile to mobile phone calls run one peso per minute on PERSONAL. Text messaging is less.

 

[jez]

Calls between The same cell company numbers are cheaper than to other companies:

Personal Prepay / Tarjeta

Cheapest plan:
Personal 2 Personal: AR$ 0.99 min
Personal 2 non personal/landline: AR$ 1.99 min

Next cheapest:
All calls AR$ 1.89
1 free number for calls and one for text message - to Personal numbers only

Claro Prepago / Trajeta
AR$ 1.59 min all destinations
they have promition, if you recharge AR$ 20 month you have a free calls + texts to ONE other Claro mumber

Movistar
No rate details published on website

All the above 3 companies:
- charge extra if the call is long distance
- have promotion days when you credit gets bonuses, have 'text packs' etc

Most credits expire after a certain time ie. one month

If you buy a new phone it usually comes with some free minutes and texts

 

[LAtoBA]

Hello all:

I am also trying to buy a celular prepago but I can't seem to find the locations of Movistar online. I tried looking on the site but couldnt find anything. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Neil]

All these phones are "libre" or open to the 3 companies SIM cards ..

http://www.garbarino.com/celulares-libres

 

[GuilleGee]

In addition to Jez, here are the rates for calls and messages of Movistar Prepage, according to my "Detalle de Movimiento" on Movistars website.

Movimiento

Calls to other Movistar numbers: .99 ARS
Calls to all other numbers: 1.98 ARS
Text Messages: .43 ARS

 

[reneemaruko]

The price that I was quoted when I wanted to buy the cheapest phone was AR$200. It was a basic but small and not bad-looking Samsung/Motorola (forgot which one) model.

I now have a Claro SIM card and was told that each text costs about AR$0.12 vs each call of about AR$1-2/minute. Today I topped it up with AR$50 and received a bonus of AR$40 which will expire in the next 45 days.

 

[Viajero Mike]

How is this for an option. I am going to be in BsAs for a little over 3 months. Can I have a Porteno add me to their plan for only three months? I was thinking of having them add me to their plan then paying for my phone and theirs. Are plans for locals that much better? Would this be cost effective?
I have some local contacts but wanted to get advice here before asking them.

 

[flyfreely]

yes, if you know somebody with a DNI who can sign a contract for you, you'll save a lot of money (if you intend to use your phone)... if you just want to have a phone for an occasional incoming or outgoing call a prepaid might wind up being cheaper. If all you want is to receive phone calls, you should get a movistar land line number (old movicom numbers) on a cell phone, which gives you a local number in Buenos Aires, so the person calling you pays land line rates and you don't pay anything. Also rates from the US are much cheaper to these numbers.