Smart Phone/Telcel Service/Plans

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:09 pm

I am befuddled, hope someone can steer me in the right direction.

I stopped by the TelCel office below the casino and am even more confused, also the girl there couldn't have cared less. Additionally, the handout she gave me regarding plans is virtually unreadable.

My needs are pretty minimal, don't need an international plan as I only use it nationally. I normally only use about 100 pesos per month in phone/texting time and just want to upgrade to a mobile device with internet access.

Which plan is the best for my needs, how much will that cost monthly, is there an initial cost, do I have to buy a new phone or do they provide it? I am currently using an older Motorola smart phone without internet access.

Thanks, guys, for any help at all.

by CanuckBob Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:19 pm

I use Iphones and just pay as I play (no plan). I do a lot of texting and local calls and some internet surfing. I spend about $200 to$300 pesos per month. I figure this is less than most of the "plans". Of course you have to buy a phone outright to do this.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:37 pm

Oh. That's an option. . . I didn't realize you didn't have to have a plan. Where did you buy your Iphone?

I think, but don't know for sure, if you sign up for a plan with TelCel they provide a phone (Samsung Galaxy, I think).

I feel like an idiot, every kid on the corner is more dialed than I am!

Thanks, CB.

by ferret Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:46 pm

Don't feel like an idiot...there's lots of stuff that you know that the kid on the corner doesn't. Cell phones? I'm lucky if I can find my address book on it to make a call...it's too small and my fingers are too big and have nails.
Just to the west of the Dermika Plaza, there is a Telcel store in the interior. Very helpful and very patient. Suerte!

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:05 pm

Oh! I know where you mean, back in the back???? Used to be a restaurant in the front, sort of divided in half and back in the back a TelCel store?

I thought I was going to the one you all have been talking about.

by David Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:08 pm

No. Go to the one down the block from Farmacia Cristina. That's the one that used to be in the plaza by Dermika. The one to the west does not have a good rep.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:13 pm

David, I knew about the rep of that one in the back, that's why I never go there. The one I went to is the one down from the casino, across from the Bougambillas parking lot. . .

by David Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:17 pm

Whoa! I've always had excellent service ther. Sorry your mileage varied.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:24 pm

Sigh. There were other customers, she was distracted on her computer, and I didn't really even know the right questions to ask.

What kind of service/plan/phone do you use?

duh Maybe there's a website, I'll look.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:42 pm

Ok, there is a good thread on MexConnect and I think I get it now. Seems the way I want to go is the way CB went, buy a phone and pay as you go.

CB, where do you pay and how do you do it?

Looking at Samsung phones, any recommendations for which one?

by borderreiver Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:57 pm

Wall Mart has inexpensive phones.

by CanuckBob Tue Apr 16, 2013 3:08 pm

I brought my phones down from Canada. You can buy phones at just about any retail store. Once you get a phone you go get a telcel sim card and charge it up at Oxxo, 7 11 or where ever.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 3:22 pm

Thanks, CB and Borderreiver! Cool.

I have an older smart phone (Motorola) that I use for texting and calls but no internet access and it uses my SIM card.

Could I just "charge it up" at OXXO as is? Does it require programming somehow?

Thanks mucho, guys, at least I now have a clue.

by MexicoPete Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:38 pm

I use the Telcel Amigo plan and pay as I go. Because I have had the account for more than one year, I was allowed to join (always for free) the Plan fidelidad which drops the per minute price from about 4.19 pesos per minute to 1.19 pesos per minute before discount.

Also remember that you can phone up to three persons whose 3 #s you have registered for free as many times per day as you want, as long as no call lasts more than 4.9 minutes .

Can you charge your phone up at OXXO? Sure. But you might want to go to a Telcel rep who can ensure you have upgraded to the plan fidelidad, assuming you have had your number for at least one year and help your register the Telcel #s you might want to phone for free.

Oh, I have an old iPhone 4 and usually but not always connect to the internet via WiFi.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:28 pm

Thanks, Pete.
I've had the same Telcel phone number and sim card since 2004, that is now what is in this Motorola smart phone. The thing is I only use it for calls and texts but now want to use it (and/or maybe buy a new smart phone) to access the internet and use apps. That is the issue!

I'll try the lady at the TelCel office again tomorrow now that I have a little more of a clue.

I appreciate everyone's advice immensely.

by Bill Phillips Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:37 pm

There are 2 females at that TelCel store... a Mother/Daughter team I believe.

I've had better luck with the daughter who speaks great English and is young enough to understand how phones work but is old enough to know us old gringos don't know phones and their plans.

A month ago I asked her about a phone for a friend of mine who wanted exactly what you, Trailrunner are asking for.

She said the cheapest phone she had that does both calls and internet costs 999 pesos.

Unfortunately, I forgot the make and model of the phone, but it did have a big screen. It looked pretty nifty.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:03 pm

Thanks, Oatsie! That helps too. I'll go back tomorrow and talk to them. Would like to try using the phone I already have, if possible.

by CheenaGringo Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:14 pm

Motorola phone purchased in 2004 - a smartphone?

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:23 pm

No. Motorola phone given to me a couple of years ago, don't know the date of it, used TelCel Amigo phone before that.

by CheenaGringo Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:39 pm

Just wondered because these smartphones mature at the "speed of light" with new features. We are looking at the same NOB and since we have an aversion to Apple products, we are watching Samsung models very closely.

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:48 pm

Samsung looks good to me too! Which one are you looking at?

by CheenaGringo Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:04 pm

Samsung Galaxy S4. As a long time "premier or something like that customer" of Sprint, they keep sending us increasingly better offers on upgrades for next to nothing. They appear to be frustrated since we haven't upgraded phones, so we are no longer on contracts. No sense in rushing into a decision!

by Trailrunner Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:32 pm

Nope! lol

by sparks Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:13 pm

Will be interesting to see if you can get Internet on the same SIM ... and keep your number.

I bought a 2 year plan and got the phone free (IPhone). You pay up front and then get no bills for 3-4 months. I didn't know what I was doing and ended up with an IPhone 3s when 4's had been out for quite awhile.

I'll shut Internet off after the contract as the web on something that small doesn't work for me. The GPS is only a fun gadget

by CanuckBob Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:31 pm

Samsungs are great. That will probably be my next phone.

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