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Cell service
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54356		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Kojo96 [ Wed Aug 09, 2023 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Cell service
Does anyone know if an unlocked 5g phone is compatible with the providers in Costa Rica?
Author:  TF74 [ Wed Aug 09, 2023 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
Your hooker friend will just have to put her SIM card in her new unlocked phone. If its truly unlocked it will work.

as for 5G not sure that’s even available anywhere in Costa Rica ?

maybe a Expat can comment on that but I’m usually paying $ for a 10 day T-mobile Data plan as I exit my flight, their basic plan is only 3G for old sprint grandfathered customers not wanting to upgrade to a premium T-Mobile plan, good luck using the Worldwide Web or trying to order an Uber with 3G :lol:
Author:  Boynton [ Wed Aug 09, 2023 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
The only 5G is a test/demonstration install on the UCR campus. They have yet to auction off the 5G frequencies. The phone handset should work on one of the GSM, LTE, 3, or 4G bands. Both my iPhone12 and Samsung A34 work fine.

Just make sure your phone is a left handed model.
Author:  LocoGringo [ Wed Aug 09, 2023 11:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
My 5G S23 Ultra works great down there. I have an AT&T unlimited plan in the USA and that gives me unlimited talk, text and data in CR and a lot of other countries. Getting a local SIM card is no longer necessary for me. I can always drop one into my old Huawei phone but I just connect it to my S23 by wifi hotspot now for free.
Author:  Whitecat [ Thu Aug 10, 2023 6:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
LocoGringo wrote:
My 5G S23 Ultra works great down there. I have an AT&T unlimited plan in the USA and that gives me unlimited talk, text and data in CR and a lot of other countries. Getting a local SIM card is no longer necessary for me. I can always drop one into my old Huawei phone but I just connect it to my S23 by wifi hotspot now for free.


Looking into that S23 Ultra right now.
Author:  Boynton [ Thu Aug 10, 2023 11:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
This article discusses the timeline to produce a technical plan For one unit of the government to give to a different unit of the government to consider offering the sale of the 5G spectrum. The hopeful target for this is December 19th.

https://www.crhoy.com/tecnologia/estos- ... tacion-5g/

Then the government can discuss the plan, challenge it in the courts, change it, provisionally adopt/change it, re-challenge it. By then it will be time to hold national elections, install a new president, and send the plan back to the technical committees to reassess.
Author:  TF74 [ Thu Aug 10, 2023 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
So what your saying is in about 3 more years :lol: just maybe us Visitors might get 5G with our mobile plan or a High Speed Data upgrade.

Example- I have been paying $35 now for a 10 day 5GB Data plan and it usually gives me a good LTE coverage on the Claro carrier I believe, 5GB even when streaming Sirius and Waze while I'm traveling I never come close to using it all.
Author:  Boynton [ Thu Aug 10, 2023 3:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
TF74 wrote:
So what your saying is in about 3 more years :lol: just maybe us Visitors might get 5G with our mobile plan or a High Speed Data upgrade.

Example- I have been paying $35 now for a 10 day 5GB Data plan and it usually gives me a good LTE coverage on the Claro carrier I believe, 5GB even when streaming Sirius and Waze while I'm traveling I never come close to using it all.

"You might very well think that - I couldn't possibly comment."
Author:  Puro Party [ Fri Aug 11, 2023 12:42 am ]
Post subject:  Why Need So Complicated 5G Down There?
Can't you just use wi-fi in your hotels and/or work spaces and 4G for everything else?

I am delighted that when I return in a few weeks after nearly 3 year hiatus (CV19, CV19 1 day negative testing requirement, harsh job complications from taking more than a day or two off, relocations, new jobs etc.) that my steady Google Fi should fire up soon after I touch down Sept. 2nd :D.

Also are you formerly 'Jadcujo'?
Author:  Harddrive43228 [ Fri Aug 11, 2023 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Need So Complicated 5G Down There?
Puro Party wrote:
Can't you just use wi-fi in your hotels and/or work spaces and 4G for everything else?

I am delighted that when I return in a few weeks after nearly 3 year hiatus (CV19, CV19 1 day negative testing requirement, harsh job complications from taking more than a day or two off, relocations, new jobs etc.) that my steady Google Fi should fire up soon after I touch down Sept. 2nd :D.

Also are you formerly 'Jadcujo'?


I had Google Fi and it worked great in San Jose. You basically get the coverage notification as soon as you turn off airplane mode.

I did switch to Spectrum last year as I couldn't pass up the two lines for $30 deal. I was hoping Google would price match but they really don't wheel and deal. The price is the price.

Spectrum coverage is OK in San Jose and pretty reasonably priced.
Author:  MM3 [ Mon Aug 21, 2023 7:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
I use Google Fi. It was always transparent on arrival.
Author:  Nishnawturner [ Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
Just returned from Costa. I used my unlocked Galaxy A53 5G. It worked just fine with the network LTE.
I don't want to carry my S20, so I just switch sim prior. I have the ATT unlimited plan which is awesome unlimited talk text data in all of central Amer. and most S America countries. Plus you get max with it.
Author:  BRB [ Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
I'm heading down to San Jose for some dental work March1st - 7th. I've been to CR once before with my ex wife so didn't get to do any playing with the ticas! My day to day phone is a iphone 13 on T-mobile. I do have a old iphone 8 I use as a monger here in the states. It's on tracfone network. I have a few questions:

do both networks work in CR?
Do I need to use my burner phone? Why? I know why I do here in the US but abroad where it's legal?

I don't not anything about whatsapp.... Doesn't it use you phone #?

I appreicate all input and if anyone down there at the same time let me know if ya wanta meet up for a drink or whatever! Of course after Dr Kriebel puts 4 screws in my upper jaw I may be laying lower after Tuesday....
Author:  jota1500 [ Mon Mar 03, 2025 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cell service
So this might be confusing but understanding it answers your question. 5g is just evolved ban of 4g networks.

Cell phones work by band frequencies. Cell phone manufacturers phones are built with wide range of band they can operate on.
Same with providers they own/operate on different frequencies.

With that said an unlocked 5g phone will still operate on many 4g/4g lte/3g/2g and some older frequencies.

So to answer your question. You would have to look at the phone bands coverage of the unlocked phone. Phone bands are just what they call the frequencies they operate on.

Then you can check the providers in Costa Rica to see what bands they operate on. Long as the phone supports the band. It will work regardless of the provider when you sim swap(they just program they own network in the phone)[Unlocked phones only].

I know all this might seem like a long answer for an answer that should of just been yes but couldn't answer properly lacking the information.

99% of the time a newer phone of a good brand unlocked 5g capable will work on most if not all Costa Rica cell phone networks. I recommend Liberty and Claro. I personally use Liberty.
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