Hey Guys:...with Telcel having over 80% of the mobile service business across Mexico, I imagine that their "coverage" for voice and data across the northern Yucatan peninsula (Campeche to Merida to Tulum corridor) is comprehensive?Also, does anyone here have any recent (over say, the last 1.5 years-ish) interaction buying no-contract, pay-as-you-go phones and credits from Walmart (?) / Costco (?) / Telcel (?) in Mexico?I'd like to buy a low-cost phone in Mexico, and load it with text and voice credits...data credits would be a bonus.I have personal phones (3 of them) that will absolutely remain "State-side"Cheers

TelCel has good coverage everywhere. You can just buy a SIM card for 29p and put it in any phone that has a changeable card, or buy one of their phones. They sell plans, but we just put 100p on our phone every 30 days. The money doesn't expire if you don't use it up, but you have to put money on every 30 days to keep it going. I think the minimum for 30 days is 100p. End result, it's REALLY inexpensive and easy to charge your phone up anywhere.

Thanks, Talley.I prefer to acquire a phone in Mexico. Similar to a cheap $60 Samsung Luna (as sold through Walmart, for example) pay as you go, and load it up with credits.Has anyone seen the pay-as-you-go phone buy kiosks in Mexico, with an array of cheap phone choices?

Mapa cobertura MovistarOne of Slim's biggest competitors MOVISTARhttp://www.movistar.com.mx/descubre/mas/cobertura

PLUG N PLAYThis WI-FI transceptor has taken many of my cellulars from no connection to 5 bars. I also have a tubular YAGI that 5-bars modems in a house a quarter mile distant. But the little screw on antenna the 12 db model works great. This has the most powerful transmitter on the market.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035APGP6?tag=amz-mkt-fox-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win70-dsk00-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp&noLL=1#AskI use Wi-Fi WhatsApp 100 to 1 over Tel Cel messaging

We don't have those kiosks here. TelCel or Movistar just use their SIM card in any phone from anywhere, add money as you go. That can be done almost anywhere.Download Whatsapp and you message and talk for free. It's incredibly simple.

Telcel (América Móvil) looks like the only game in town...

Talleyho69
Moderator
Oct 03, 2018
TelCel has good coverage everywhere. You can just buy a SIM card for 29p and put it in any phone that has a changeable card, or buy one of their phones. They sell plans, but we just put 100p on our phone every 30 days. The money doesn't expire if you don't use it up, but you have to put money on every 30 days to keep it going. I think the minimum for 30 days is 100p.

End result, it's REALLY inexpensive and easy to charge your phone up anywhere.
silversand
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
Thanks, Talley.

I prefer to acquire a phone in Mexico. Similar to a cheap $60 Samsung Luna (as sold through Walmart, for example) pay as you go, and load it up with credits.

Has anyone seen the pay-as-you-go phone buy kiosks in Mexico, with an array of cheap phone choices?
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
Mapa cobertura Movistar

One of Slim's biggest competitors MOVISTAR

http://www.movistar.com.mx/descubre/mas/cobertura
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
PLUG N PLAY

This WI-FI transceptor has taken many of my cellulars from no connection to 5 bars. I also have a tubular YAGI that 5-bars modems in a house a quarter mile distant. But the little screw on antenna the 12 db model works great. This has the most powerful transmitter on the market.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035APGP6?tag=amz-mkt-fox-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win70-dsk00-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp&noLL=1#Ask

I use Wi-Fi WhatsApp 100 to 1 over Tel Cel messaging
Talleyho69
Moderator
Oct 03, 2018
We don't have those kiosks here. TelCel or Movistar just use their SIM card in any phone from anywhere, add money as you go. That can be done almost anywhere.

Download Whatsapp and you message and talk for free. It's incredibly simple.
moisheh
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
There are thousands of telc byel stores. In most tourist areas you can find one where they speak English. Smart phones are available starting at around 1600 p. If you just want a simcard your phone must be unlocked. Payas you go is easy.

Moisheh
Tequila
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
I used my Telcel in both Greece & Italy over the last 2 years. Much cheaper than my Canadian one.
silversand
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
Thanks for all the info guys!

Mex: ...I'll be using the phone on the move, so yagi would be out of scope (maybe a short-range pocket-sized multipolarized pyramid for the city?). Movi is interesting, and has good coverage where I need it; a good alternative. Thanks.

I've decided to bring down a used unlocked phone I'll buy NOB...I found the cost range for bargain-basement phones a bit pricey across the various Mex carriers and vendedores.

Cheers-
silversand
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
Tequila wrote:
I used my Telcel in both Greece & Italy over the last 2 years. Much cheaper than my Canadian one

...yeah; I was looking through Telcel's international Europa Preferente travelers plans. These are interesting for sure.
silversand
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
Talley wrote:
Whatsapp

...LOL...I'm corresponding with a few contacts in Yucatan, and Whatsapp is just about universally used across Mexico these days.

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Telcel (América Móvil) looks like the only game in town...

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