VIVA LA MEXICO! (TP2 Ariba!)

**briggs** · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 01:02 PM

Has anyone used their telus (or other cdma) TP2 in Mexico?

I just booked a deal to cancun for a week over christmas and I want to bring my phone/use it.

Anyone got suggestions for a carrier in mexico?
Can I buy a SIM at the airport?
Do I need to SIM Unlock?
What about data?
Do I have to worry about ESN cloning?

Any and all information (no matter how small) would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to call Telus and see what they recomend but I doubt it will be worth anything.

P.S. AGAVE TEQUILA!

Rick#2 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 01:10 PM

Don't bother asking Telus anything; they will just tell you to use the international roaming SIM and pay up the butt for their outrageous international roaming rates.

I was in Manzanillo in September and just bought a Telcel Amigo SIM card from an Oxxo store for about $10. I know Cancun is on the other coast but Telcel pretty much has the monopoly there so you shoudn't have a problem. It'll really help if you know Spanish because to activate the SIM you need to call in to get the instructions, but if you find a Telcel outlet (they're everywhere) you can probably get someone that speaks English to help you.

Just make sure you unlock your phone's SIM capabilities, be it through cmonex and Olipro or off of eBay. Shouldn't cost you any more than $15 or so. You won't be able to use the Telcel SIM card if you don't SIM unlock (not the same as HSPL) your phone first.

Good luck amigo! Rather than paying $5/minute with Telus it's about $1/minute through Telcel, plus you can get pay-as-you-go data down there for pretty good rates.

**WhiteBlazer01** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 01:42 PM

I have Verizon, and went to Mexico last month too, and I just used my Verizon service. They have an international data plan for $20. It's unlimited, and prorated (so you can activate when you leave, and cancel when you come back). They also said Mexico uses CDMA, but I believe the also have GSM Telefonica. As far as Telus, I don't know. I would suggest getting a GSM card when you're there.

P.S. enjoy Cancun!!!

captspaulding1000 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 02:12 PM

Hello Briggs,

I am going to Mexico in the next few weeks too and I called telus and here is what they told me.

local calls will be billed at $0.99 per minute
long distance calls will be billed at $0.99 (roaming) and $0.50
if you have a texting plan incoming are still free and outgoing are $0.15 per message
data is brutal at $51.50/MB so do not use data

the resort we are staying at has free wifi so i am going to just use that for some emails.

I have sim unlocked my phone so I might pick up a local pre paid and go from there.

neilson · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 02:25 PM

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Windows Mobile; WCE; Opera Mobi/WMD-50255; U; en) Presto/2.4.13 Version/10.00)

I mean yeah you could buy a Telcel or Telefonica SIM card for use but then you'd be shortchanging yourself.

Iusacell is hands down the greatest network in all of Mexico and it is because they are still CDMA only. Forget the rest, and stick only to Iusacell.