Does anyone have recommendations for a solid phone to use internationally? I'm looking to buy something unlocked that I can use anywhere in the world (or at least anywhere but the US, where I already have a cell phone for domestic use). Based on my research, a quad-band, unlocked phone is what I should be after. Shouldn't be fancy (I'd like to buy it used); I really just need it for talk and text. Data might be nice, but I plan to/usually use computers at my lodging or at cafes to access the internet. I had purchased a cheap, used flip phone off eBay for use in South Africa four years ago, and it served its purpose well, although it was pretty damn annoying not having a QWERTY keyboard.
I'd recommend maybe ordering a Nexus phone from Google -- unlocked and out of contract. If you want to get a used one that will probably be cheaper, go for the Nexus 4. Otherwise, the latest model is the Nexus 5.
For all my travels I've had the last few years around the globe I purchased a MiFi and it sends wifi signal to five of us. I just buy the SIM card from country I'm traveling and use it. I call back home using Skype or Google Talk! Anyone know which provider has the best Data Network in Brasil and their Data SIM? Cost is not issue because it will be split among those in my group.
I'm interested in this answer also. I don't mind paying a bit extra for better throughput. I don't want to be in a situation where I went with the low cost provider and when I get to Brazil, the network is so clogged I can't even use it. I'd rather spend a few extra dollars and have at least usable Internet access. Can anyone say who has the most reliable cellular internet access?
Can someone explain how that is supposed to work http://www.oi.com.br/oi/oi-pra-voce/planos-servicos/internet/internet-movel/internet-celular-pre I mean the "automatic renewal" how is it automatically paid idgi? I doubt I go with them anyways but it's the only thing on all 4 networks I didn't understand they also have the option to not automatically renew it which makes me wonder will the number just get blocked after a week or? Regarding internet access you can try to search for cobertura (coverage) on the sites for those the maps are the easiest to understand just enter cities you visit for tim: http://portasabertas.tim.com.br/ for claro: http://www.claro.com.br/celular/cobertura/ there are also ones for oi and vivo but there you have to enter zip codes to get an idea i think and it only shows wether it has gps, 3g or 4g http://www.oi.com.br/oi/oi-pra-voce/planos-servicos/cobertura https://www.vivo.com.br/portalweb/a...ingBook&WT.ac=portal.movel.coberturaeroaming#
It works with top-up credits. Every month/week, they'll try to charge you that value for the internet. If they're unable to (you have less credits than that value), they'll block your internet.
It's a prepaid phone, but they will charge 9,90 a month for data. So, what you need to do, is, once you get the phone, call some number and choose to subscribe that data package (like Dial 1 to add 100 mb/month on your phone). The problem is, I don't know if they have the instructions in english. But maybe the guy in the store can help you with that. Go for VIVO. I mean, maybe there will be places where other might work better, but in Rio and São Paulo, BH and most of the cities VIVO will work better. They also are the only one with 3G Plus, which is faster than other brand 3Gs in Brazil. You probably won't be able to get 4G in Brazil yet. I recently changed from OI to VIVO and the difference is significant. I'm subscriber of NFL Network and constantly watch NFL games on my phone with VIVO with no problem. This is how automaticly renewal means - Every, let's say, 3rd day of the month, OI will deduct R$ 9,90 from your prepaid balance(or every monday if you choose the weekly plan). If you don't have balance, they will probably cancel your subscription, but you don't get penalized for that. Your phone will still work for voice and even data, but charging you a per Mb basis. Regarding coverage, this is what you need to know Oi is the newest operator in Sao Paulo. So, they might have the worst reception there. They are great for small towns and might be OK for BH and North/Northeast cities, but not the best for Sao Paulo. TIM works in many places, but they hold the biggest complains. It's kind of: it's great when it works, but it doesn't always works well. VIVO and CLARO should be more similar. They have better coverage most of the time and data works faster. They are also the most expensive operator, but doesn't make a lot of difference in a prepaid phone.
Has anyone ever rented a mobile hotspot before? If this does as promised, seems like it would be great. any thoughts? http://mobilewifi.telecomsquare.us/mobile-wifi-hotspot-faq.html#additional-charges
I used one in Japan earlier this year. It was fantastic, really, really useful. There were 4-5 of us using it most times and it was fine for maps, browsing, twitter etc etc. Downside was the short battery life - we just made sure we had the charger with us at all times, and turned off when not using. I am exploring buying one eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321390345818?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 and then getting a pre-paid Brasilian data card to use in it. This would work for me as I am out of the UK on business a fair bit, and can justify the initial cost, though at $13 a day it's not that many days until it pays for itself. I will post here when my contact in Rio has tracked down an appropriate SIM.
thanks for the info jamfactory. so i guess we could just get the cheapest Local sim card with no prepaid data and use the hotspot for all data needs?
No that's not what I understand. What I think you need is something like this http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5491281.htm Basically a pre-loaded data SIM. I will post when I find an equivalent in Brasil..
I think my group is going the t-mobile route. That way we can be contacted via text by people back home and have basic, slow data for things like maps as well as a phone for emergencies. I'm borrowing a buddy's old phone to use, we'll get t-mobile for a month, and it'll be $55 divided by the group. We'll load mandic magic on it and pick up other wifi hotspots while we're out as well The house we're renting has wifi so we'll use that when we're "at home"
Yes I am...f-it. I've read the warnings over and over and understand I'm taking a chance. I don't plan on using it on the street and flaunting it like a jackass. Nobody is going to call me probably anyway, it'll all be texts, PMs and browisng the Internet. I want it for the data part, and I want to be able to read/reply to my work e-mail. I plan to use it indoors only. 600,000 [mostly well off] visitors are coming and many/most will have smartphones and iPhones. The other part is it's an iPhone 5 and I'm due for a new phone (2 year point) in OCT anyway, and I want to switch back to an Android. I'm just going to be careful without being totally paranoid, and if I lose it, I lose it. BTW, I started this thread (I realize that doesn't mean I own it or am a mod) and was hoping it would be about the best carrier/providers to use, current WC phone deals, explanations of the arcane Brazilian phone system, best data plans, cool phone apps, etc. And not about theft and safety which have been covered over and over....and here I am fueling that well worn discussion again! haha
yeah im thinking the same thing.. i am in the same boat.. I have a 5 and I can get a new phone in October or something like that.. the only thing is that I smashed the screen and have to get it fixed... but yeah, I just wont flaunt it..... I just hope the international data/roaming plan isnt too rough..
I'm going to get a Brazilian SIM. I always do that in Asia and it works great. I'm Verizon so I won't be roaming, seems the T-Mobile guys have a decent roaming deal. Some of the locals have said Vivo has the best performance but the highest prices, so I'm going to look at their plans. The damn web sites are so confusing though, and I thought I understood this stuff pretty well.
yeah, you just jam a paper clip in the little hole on the right side of the iPhone, and the SIM tray pops out. Sometimes you really have to push hard, it can be a pain in the ass if it's the first time. Then you just swap out the nano SIMs (in the case of iPhone 5 or 5s), and put the tray back in, restart the phone, and it should work. t's hard to screw it up, the SIM only sits in the tray one way with the logo up. All iPhone 5s came unlocked out of the box I think, or at least the Verizon versions did.
interesting.... would i still need to go to my carrier and sign up for the international services? data, etc??
If you're taking out your SIM to use a Brazilian one, no. Your phone has nothing to do with your company when you're not using their SIM.
as lucas said, you don't even need to tell AT&T. They won't know the difference and don't need to, and you're not doing anything in violation of your contract with them anyway. Once you pop in the Brazil SIM, you'll be able to associate the phone with that mobile provider's network. You will have a brand new Brazilian phone number also. Your AT&T number won't work, if someone calls it the call goes straight to voice mail and you can't check messages until you get home and swap your AT&T SIM back into the phone and reconnect in the US on AT&T's network. That is unless you have someway to retrieve VMs via an Internet portal or something like that (I don't have that with Verizon). When you go to the shop to get the SIM in Brazil, you'll have a whole slew of different plans to choose from. That's why i started this thread, so the local experts could advise us on what's the best of the Brazilian carriers for us to choose to go with, and which of their plans work the best. For me, I am looking for one with a good data plan for the 3 weeks I am there. I want a network that isn't too crowded and has good throughput so I can connect even when I'm say in Copa in the bars and there are a lot of people trying to use the network via their phones at the same time. As I mentioned before, trying to do it at a match just before kickoff or at halftime or just after is probably hopeless no matter who you go with (whether you are trying to connect via cellular or WiFi). I don't care that much about the calling side because I'm not going to be making many calls. probably more texting and using apps like WhatsApp for comms.