Cell phone to use in the DR and at home?

[Berzin]

I was in Washington Heights shopping for a cell phone to use in the DR as well as in NYC and the guy was not much help. He was too busy ogling the chicas who came into the store after me so I left.

I really don't want a phone with a plan attached to it, as I really don't have use for one. So I was looking to use one with those pre-paid cards that are so popular in the DR.

Do I need to get one with a SIM card that I can just change at any Orange store once I get to the DR? What about the number that I would have on it for home?

If someone can explain this to me without being sarcastic it would be much appreciated.

[La Profe_1]

Well, you have two choices. If you go with a cell phone that has a sim card (Cingular or T-Mobile, for example) you will be able to switch sims here and have an Orange phone number.

If you purchase a Verizon or a Sprint phone, make sure that it has two NAMS and make certain that you know which NAM is activated in the US. When you are here, switch to the other NAM (simple process) and take the phone to Verizon or Centennial (Verizon is usually better) and get it activated prepaid here.

My cell is activated in both the US and DR, and has both numbers on it. I simply switch between NAMs when I travel.

[Ken]

All you need is an unlocked phone. Least complicated is an unblocked Cingular or T-Mobile phone. Then if you have two SIM cards, one for the US and one from Orange for when you are in the DR, all you have to do is switch the SIM card when you change to the other country and buy the pre-paid card for that country.

You will likely have two numbers, one that you get from Orange and one that you get with the service provider you are using in the US.

I just bought an unlocked Cingular phone for a good price on eBay and am now using it with an Orange SIM card. Before going to the US in July, I will put in the Cingular SIM card I ordered online from Walmart (I could also have bought one on eBay) and after putting it in will activate the phone with Cingular, using their pre-paid card while in the US. When I return to the DR a few weeks later, I'll put the Orange SIM card back in the phone and return to Orange service.

[Cocoaness]

I'll be in Dr for less than 4 days...wouldn't it make more sense to me to buy a calling card instead of a phone or a sim.

(I use Cingular here in NY)

[Ken]

Originally Posted by Cocoaness

I'll be in Dr for less than 4 days...wouldn't it make more sense to me to buy a calling card instead of a phone or a sim.

(I use Cingular here in NY)

If your Cingular phone is unlocked, you can use it here with an Orange SIM card. But if you are only here for 4 days and don't require the convenience of a cell phone, yes, it makes more sense to buy a regular phone card and call from a Verizon office or some other phone that lets you use the card.

[sbsuib]

I was told today by cingular that my razor will work there but it is 1.99 per minute. Is this true/

[Ken]

Originally Posted by sbsuib

I was told today by cingular that my razor will work there but it is 1.99 per minute. Is this true/

If your phone is unlocked so that you can use an Orange SIM card, you can buy one of the Orange prepaid cards. The charge is going to be more than that for calls you make. There is no charge here for outgoing calls. According to the Orange website, they charge users of prepaid cards RD$0.13 per second, except the charge is RD$0.10 per second for calls to other orange phones. Both are plus taxes.

The charge is the same for calls you make to the US. You will not be charged for calls from US to your cell phone.

If your phone is unlocked so that you can replace the Cingular SIM with the Orange SIM while you are here, then Cingular will no be involved in your calling at all.

[sbsuib]

so i go to orange right away and get a sim card and prepaid card? how much is the sim card? Thanks

[Tamborista]

Have the phone "Unlocked" for free @ Cingular in NYC or pay @ Orange in the DR.

[chuckuindy]

Originally Posted by sbsuib

so i go to orange right away and get a sim card and prepaid card? how much is the sim card? Thanks

Yhe Orange SIM card will cost $300RDP and include 100 units of call time. Chuckuindy