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Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=40634		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  BkkBum [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:27 am ]
Post subject:  Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
Hey all, I'm moving down there in a few months and have been doing some research about cell phones.

I want to get a phone that will work down there and be able to use the 3g system they have. I think I found a phone that will work but i'm seeing some confusing information about the systems they use in Costa Rica. Maybe someone can clear it up for me?

I plan on using this phone http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_raider_4g-3958.php It seems to support just about any system but i'm no expert in mobile systems.

Anyone know?

Greg
Author:  DGD [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
I think HSDPA 850 is the key necessary phone spec for CR 3g, but I am not a cell techie although I have done my share of due diligence on phones to bring to CR since I do it alot--buy em cheap as I can in US, use them when I am there, gift them, barter them or sell them on the way out. I usually bring 2 so I have one to use on the last day with my CR sim and then pop in my US sim for the trip home.

There are a couple of real smart guys who have posted on this. There are also a number of articles on the net re: CR cell tech. I am almost sure that the key was the HSPDA 850 and yours has it. So I'd say you are OK as long as your phone is unlocked and uses the regular size sim card. I am not sure if you can get the smaller sim card in CR, the one that the latest smart phones use, if yours takes that one. If yours does and you cannot get the small one from your CR minutes provider, I know there are special trimmers and there are cell shops are all over in SJ so I am sure by now one of them will get it trimmed for you if needed.
Author:  BkkBum [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
Ok, great thanks a lot mate. that's a load off my mind. It is unlocked and it does take the larger sims, I believe, so i'm ok.

If anyone else had any further insights on this please let me know.


Thanks

Greg
Author:  Seabreeze [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
BkkBum wrote:
Ok, great thanks a lot mate. that's a load off my mind. It is unlocked and it does take the larger sims, I believe, so i'm ok.

If anyone else had any further insights on this please let me know.


Thanks

Greg


The Costa Rica specs are 850 for 3g and 1800 for 2g. Get both because there are holes in 3g in some areas.

I would suggest going to amazon.com and type "unlocked phone" to get a good selection. Not all have 3g for CR, so be careful. The only brand that always works in CR is Nokia. Their C2-01 is a solid bargain 3g phone.
Author:  El Silencioso [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
Best advise i have heard so far is the Amazon search for a cheaper phone to use in Costa Rica. In my opinion a phone like that should be locked in a safe at all times or you will definitely be a target for the ladrones (thieves) who see you walking around downtown with a High end phone like that.

Hope this helps
Author:  Irish Drifter [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
Seabreeze wrote:

I would suggest going to amazon.com and type "unlocked phone" to get a good selection. Not all have 3g for CR, so be careful. The only brand that always works in CR is Nokia. Their C2-01 is a solid bargain 3g phone.


Thats not an absolute. I have a Motorola Razor unlocked ATT quad band (that I bought cheap on EBay) that works fine here. The thing you have to be careful of is what technology the phone uses. CR uses GSM but some carriers in the U.S. use CDMA. If you bring an unlocked phone that uses CDMA (Verizon is one) it will not work in CR.
Author:  BkkBum [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
ok, great advice guys, thanks. I hadn't thought the crime was that bad in CR.

This phone can use CDMA or GSM so I think i'm covered. It has both 850 and 1800 specs so i'm also covered there as well with this phone.

So, the crime is so bad in CR that i'm making myself a big target just by having a better than average phone on me? wow. thats not good news!

Greg
Author:  Irish Drifter [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
BkkBum wrote:
So, the crime is so bad in CR that i'm making myself a big target just by having a better than average phone on me? wow. thats not good news!

Greg


No the crime in Costa Rica or even in San Jose is not so bad that you have to be overly concerned about having a high end phone. There are many many Iphones and other high end units seen all over town. Now that the cell phone providors have agreed to use a common blacklisting of stolen phones thieves have a virtual useless phone on their hands if they do steal it. This makes the resale value zero and not worth stealing.

That is not say you do not have to use a bit of common sense. You do not flash cash or jewlery and the same is true about your cell phone. At a bar or restaurant you keep it in your pocket not on the table. Just little things like that go a long way to prevent you being a victim.
Author:  San Te [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
Irish Drifter wrote:
BkkBum wrote:
So, the crime is so bad in CR that i'm making myself a big target just by having a better than average phone on me? wow. thats not good news!

Greg


No the crime in Costa Rica or even in San Jose is not so bad that you have to be overly concerned about having a high end phone. There are many many Iphones and other high end units seen all over town. Now that the cell phone providors have agreed to use a common blacklisting of stolen phones thieves have a virtual useless phone on their hands if they do steal it. This makes the resale value zero and not worth stealing.

That is not say you do not have to use a bit of common sense. You do not flash cash or jewlery and the same is true about your cell phone. At a bar or restaurant you keep it in your pocket not on the table. Just little things like that go a long way to prevent you being a victim.


Unfortunately, I don't think that common database will be in effect for quite sometime. Good advice for prevention.
Author:  Orange [ Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
If unlocked, this phone will work in CR. If configured to the ICE network, 3g will work also. Ask the guy at the airport to set up the settings for you.

As for crime... these smartphones are hot right now. If gioven a chance, it will be stolen, that's a certainty. What I mean is that if you put it on the bar or table, you will not see it again. If you take it out while walking on Central Ave, you may make yourself a victim of a robbery. When u are in your room with a girl, the phone should be in your pocket or the safe, nowhere else.

Like ID said, you need top use basic common sense to be safe in CR, that includes keeping your possesions safe.
Author:  BkkBum [ Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
Yep. all good advice. I've lived outside America for the last 8 years so I know not to make myself a target. I learned that as a K*D growing up a few miles from Cabrini green in chicago. hehe.

Sound like the phone will work. not just have to see what packages ICE has.

Just one more question. whats ICE? a telephone provider?

Thanks guys

Greg
Author:  DGD [ Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
ICE is the government owned telephone/electric provider, generally speaking.

What I'd do until you figured out the lay of the land is when you get to the airport go to the Kolbi (a cellular provider authorized by ICE, generally speaking) counter and buy a prepaid sim for 5 or 10 bucks which comes with a bunch of talk/text time.

When you figure out a better idea, you can switch if you want. In the mean time you will have your own number and will be able to call and text. They have an internet plan also but I have yet to try that, recent posters have advised me it is about $20 a month. Most important reminder, make sure your phone is "unlocked" for any sim card.
Author:  Irish Drifter [ Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
San Te wrote:

Unfortunately, I don't think that common database will be in effect for quite sometime. Good advice for prevention.


According to articles in the local press ICE, Moviestar and Claro activated the system about 2 weeks ago.
Author:  BkkBum [ Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
Good news, will register my phone when I get there! thanks

Greg
Author:  Irish Drifter [ Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Buying a cell phone for Costa Rica
BkkBum wrote:
Just one more question. whats ICE? a telephone provider?

Greg


There are 3 cell phone providers in Costa Rica. ICE is owned by the government and until recently had a monopoply in providing service so they are by far the largest provider.

Claro and Moviestar both private companies with a lot of experience providing cell service throughout the Latin America are both now authorized to provide service in Costa Rica. Their networks are not as complete as ICE and there are reports their coverage is spotty outside the central valley at this time. This problem should be solved as they continue to install towers and add subscribers.
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