Upgrading to a smart phone, need advise on a plan.

[sm1mex]

We are upgrading from our dumb flip phone to a smart phone.  We want an international plan where we can call anywhere from any place.  does Mexico have a plan for my needs? 

Also has anyone used ATT USA that is located in Chapala across from the Guad Farmacia and do they speak some English?

[tomgates]

Some like the AT&T plan but I like the TelCel Medio30 plan that has 2G data, text and calls for $340p for 30 days. The few times we are in the US I switch over to T-Mobile and it's US cell number. 

[bournemouth]

I find the 199 peso a month plan which gives you 1000 mb of data, free calls to and from the US and Canada etc. works well for us.

http://www.telcel.com/personas/telefonia/planes-de-renta/tarifas-y-opciones/telcel-max-sin-limite?gclid=Cj0KEQjwqfvABRC6gJ3T_4mwspoBEiQAyoQPkaOGeEQ7tTv_5_KPp3CSfOladLwYw1vxIhXYaqfQ8TcaAtpq8P8HAQ

 

AT&T is a little short on coverage but working on things.

[sm1mex]

If I did go with a Telcel plan, would I arrange it at Telmex or that Telcel big store in Laguna Plaza? I  Haven't found them to be too friendly or efficient.  Many people in there but no one doing anything and when I asked for the one guy that speaks some English, the receptionist said "Busy" and went back to her crossword puzzle so I left.

[Ferret]

In the plaza to the west of El Torito (and also oriented in the same direction as that plaza) is a Telcel store. It is right beside a consignment store as well. There is a husband and wife team there who are exceptional in the mode of "customer service".

I chose to go with Telcel because AT&T coverage sucks in Riberas. I've got the 299 peso per 30 day plan which also gives me unlimited calls within Mexico, to the U.S. and to Canada. I have no contract and have the option of just renewing with them every month or I can pay in advance. I also bought my iPhone from them and got (imho) a very good buy. Both speak English and both are fun to do business with especially in the learning curve department.

BTW, I also found the large Telcel store in the Laguna Mall to be intimidating and lacking in the social graces.

 

[bournemouth]

Ana Hernandez is the gal at that store - she is wonderful, accommodating, competent and caring.

[sm1mex]

I guess you are talking about the Telcel store across from the under cover parking lot & behind the old casino.  there is also a Telcel store back through the breeze way where there is a meat store and dentist upstairs in the plaza west of ElTorito's but I choose not to go there.

 

[bournemouth]

Just now, sm1mex said:

I guess you are talking about the Telcel store across from the under cover parking lot & behind the old casino.  there is also a Telcel store back through the breeze way where there is a meat store and dentist upstairs in the plaza west of ElTorito's but I choose not to go there.

 

That is right - NOT the one through the breeze way.

[el bartman]

2 hours ago, sm1mex said:

We are upgrading from our dumb flip phone to a smart phone.  We want an international plan where we can call anywhere from any place.  does Mexico have a plan for my needs? 

Also has anyone used ATT USA that is located in Chapala across from the Guad Farmacia and do they speak some English?

By Smartphone I am taking this as meaning an iPhone.   If you are buying it here a couple of options are Telcel or ATT.   Both located in the Laguna Plaza and across from each other.  If you are buying the phone in the US you need to know if you want it unlocked and GSM or CDMA compliant.   GSM gives you the option of using the ATT plan with a 25 day pay as you go or the Manera plan or Todo damos Mas.  Too ascertain the plan you want you need to figure out how much internet and time you'll need.  You can get a chart with the info and prices from the ATT office.   With Telcel, who too have free Mexico, USA, and Canada plans but the question is do you need a plan that includes a phone.   Either ATT or Telcel does it.   Me, I have ATT as I like their corporate structure with the US base.

The ATT office in Chapala has a great english speaking person.  That's the one a couple of blocks up past the plaza on the east side just past where the black and white cow used to be.   I don't know street names but it's the main street that heads to Guadalajara, Madero maybe.

Nothing is going to take the place of you doing a little google research as everyone has different objectives.

[mexjerry]

AT&T, on the left, before you get to Chapala, from Ajijijc, the guy at the counter speaks english. They have a limited phone selection.

A recent trip to USA, no problems with connections, or charges for roaming. I forget the plan, but was in the area of 2000 pesos for a year of service, that may have changed.

[sm1mex]

Yes we plan to buy an iPhone but will get it in the U.S. with English instruction or what ever paper work.  Looks like T-Mobil is the best deal for North America and also international.  We are researching.  Don't have to buy it real soon, but need one for sure.

[pappysmarket]

I recently got a new Blu R1 unlocked GSM phone from Amazon US and because we are Prime members it was only$60 US. It has room for 2 Sim cards so you can have a Mexico number and a US number and not be switching cards. Micro SD card slot for more memory. Large screen, easy to use, unlocked and ready to go. For one tenth the price of the iPhone. Read the reviews and you will see it ranks just under the top tier phones. I am more than happy. I put 100 pesos on every 2 months and because everyone here in PV seems to have free wifi I rarely need to add extra. Telcel lets me call or text the US so I just have to remember to hit an OXXO before my pesos expire.

[El Cartero]

Hey Pappy, no need to swap SIM cards anymore.   My plan with AT&T here, which is aka lusacell and unefone gives me free calls in the US and Canada from here and while I'm there - although have never been to Canada to try but works fine in the US sending and receiving.

[Sandrita]

18 hours ago, bournemouth said:

Ana Hernandez is the gal at that store - she is wonderful, accommodating, competent and caring.

I second Ana.

[Curmudgeon]

11 hours ago, El Cartero said:

Hey Pappy, no need to swap SIM cards anymore.   My plan with AT&T here, which is aka lusacell and unefone gives me free calls in the US and Canada from here and while I'm there - although have never been to Canada to try but works fine in the US sending and receiving.

Problem is that if you are NOB people have to call a Mexican number to reach you. That's why swapping Sim cards or having a dual sim phone can be very useful.

[pappysmarket]

12 hours ago, El Cartero said:

Hey Pappy, no need to swap SIM cards anymore.   My plan with AT&T here, which is aka lusacell and unefone gives me free calls in the US and Canada from here and while I'm there - although have never been to Canada to try but works fine in the US sending and receiving.

Yes but with two Sim cards you have a Mexican number and a US number both of which ring on the same phone.

[el bartman]

Brilliant.  I too thought one card was enough.  But the sim card with the US number requires a US card and there fore a "plan" as opposed to pay as you go, right?   So does this mean I'd have to have two plans?  Alternatively one US plan and a pay as you go in Mexico.  Am I grasping this correctly?

[luvsdawgs]

On 11/6/2016 at 11:37 AM, bournemouth said:

I find the 199 peso a month plan which gives you 1000 mb of data, free calls to and from the US and Canada etc. works well for us.

http://www.telcel.com/personas/telefonia/planes-de-renta/tarifas-y-opciones/telcel-max-sin-limite?gclid=Cj0KEQjwqfvABRC6gJ3T_4mwspoBEiQAyoQPkaOGeEQ7tTv_5_KPp3CSfOladLwYw1vxIhXYaqfQ8TcaAtpq8P8HAQ

 

AT&T is a little short on coverage but working on things.

This Telcel plan allows you to use your phone in the US or Canada without a different sim card. My friend was in the states in the spring and called me with her Mexican phone and it worked fine, no special dialing, etc. 

[una]

But people calling or texting us FROM US to our Mexican cell number would have to pay international rates or have an international plan through their provider, yes?