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For the last couple years, I have been using VerizonWireless. I recently noticed T-Mobile is offering a plan for 55 and old that is far cheaper than my current VerizonWireless plan. Before I jump ship I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with T-Mobile this area (Chapala)? I do spend 2 months here and 2 months in La Manzanilla. Any input would be appreciated:) NickWI

Hi everyone, Does anyone know of a cell phone prepaid plan that offers a "long life" expiry (ie. longer than 30 days)? I use my cell phone so sparingly but I'd like to keep it alive. Thanks, Peter

I have now been in the Lake Chapala area for a month and have a question for those that use their US phone number down here. I have a US business and need to keep my US telephone number (Verizon). I am finding that the cell phone does not always ring on incoming calls, though I do usually get a voice mail. It seems the problem is with forwarding the call through Telcel. Do you have this issue also? Have you found a solution to the issue? I need to keep my US number because it is on my website. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Sam

How to get here in Mexico a cell phone with a number from USA. I need to receive here, messages from USA institutions or stores. Usually they can not send messages to a mexican number and some of them do not want to send info to an email or other... TIA. Merry Xmas..

I have been trying to call a friends cell ..331-116-xxxx from my U.S. cell phone and land line...I enter my usual 011-52-331-116-xxxx and all the alternatives but get the "your call cannot be completed as called..... Help!

I live in an area that gets poor or non-existent internet. Lagunanet is not an option, Telmex is variable and slow. I am now investigating using Telcel to connect to the internet. I have read that it is sometimes possible with a booster and antenna. What I need is a technician whose expertise is in this area who can evaluate the situation and offer educated options. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Teresa Teresa.bressert@gmail.com

After many months of research, others may as well benefit from the torture I endured (smile): ALLOW 2-3 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY IF YOU ARE REQUESTING A 33 AREA CODE. http://www.mexicosimcard.com/products/telcel-sim It's an easy way to get a Telcel PrePaid Sim Card and phone number PRIOR TO ARRIVING IN MEXICO. This way you will have that info in advance to do with as you please. Example: We wanted to be able to order engraved plates for our dog collars, with our new information, in advance of our move. You may use your existing iphone. Each type of iphone has its own size sim card. For the iphone 4, the size is the micro. You must unlock your phone. If you are not under contract with your phone provider, you can request an unlock. If you are under contract, you can pay the early termination fee and then you will be able to unlock your phone. With our situation, we can simply pay that fee and stay as a ATT customer, until we leave for mexico, and in the meantime get our new Mexican sim card and number, while still in the states! That way when we cross the border, we will be able to just slip the sim card in and be good to go, no visit to Telcel/no standing in line! Incoming calls are free. There is another option as well: We can pay an extra 9.95 a month and that will make inbound calls from US no charge to those who call us (kids, family, friends). In addition to that there is no charge to us for inbound calls. So if they initiate the call, its free for us too! We only use our minutes for calls we make. We must refresh our phone before each 60 day period or we will lose our remaining minutes. Those minutes will expire if we do not refill that account. There is a one minute of airtime charge to retrieve messages. As follows are the refill options. Refills • 200 Minutes to Mexico/US/Can - $22.95 0.11 per min 500 Minutes to Mexico/US/Can - $54.95 0.10 per min 1000 Minutes to Mexico/US/Can - $99.95 0.09 per min 20 Pesos Refill to keep SIM alive for 4 months - $2.00 If you do not do a minimum of the 20 Peso Refill, your phone number could be lost and service shut off in 2-4 months. The initial amount is $19.95 (sim card cost) & your choice of one of the following plans: 250 mins 22.95 0.0918 per min 500 mins 54.95 0.1099 per min 1000 mins 99.95 0.09995 per min PS I found out that you should allow 2-3 weeks for delivery of your sim card if you are requesting a Guadalajara area code (33). The reason you want that area code if you are lakeside/ajijic, is that most of the people who have cell phones are 33 and it would be cost affective for those phoning you from their 33 area code cell phones. All inbound calls to you are free.

Here's my situation. I'm probably going through 700+ pesos a month in cell phone usage. (there's no changing that) But, like in the states, where you can get unlimited minutes with a cell phone contract, Is there nothing like that here through Movistar or Telcel, or am I locked into buying 100,200,300, pesos as necessary and dealing with the aggravation when I run out of minutes.