Prepaid Phone Cards
Simply go to any Telcel representative, and they are everywhere. They will reprogram your phone within the hour and give you a new phone number. There will be a certain number of minutes included....and the price is very reasonable. After that you simply buy a Telcel card and program the numbers into your phone for more talking time.. It is free to receive local calls, which is a big bonus if you are on the go. I have used several phones I brought from Canada and everything was perfect. I used them until they died or were stolen or lost! It's the cheapest way to go.
MarleneSantana - 10 Apr 2003
Telcels 1 peso per minute
When you get your cell phone, ask the Telcel rep about the 1 peso a minute program or dial *264 on your cell phone. For a one time 10 pesos fee, 5 of your most frequently dialed Telcel numbers will only cost you a peso per minute instead of the normal 4 pesos. We did it and it was easy with no strings attached. Also this month is 2x1 for prepaid phone cards.
JohnM 10 Dec 2003
Roaming Coverage
In addition to their mature TDMA (IS-136) digital network, Telcel's new 1900 MHz GSM network is up and running in Mazatlan. AT&T Wireless Next Generation cellular users, as well as T-Mobile and Cingular GSM users who have their accounts set up for international roaming can use their phones to receive calls placed to their US numbers in Mazatlan, as well as place calls to the US, Mexico, or anywhere else. Naturally international roaming rates apply (about $1.29/minute for AT&T, $1.49 for T-Mobile, and I believe about $1.99 for Cingular). During a recent (August 2003) trip I found GSM coverage was quite good both in Centro/Old Town and the Zona Dorado. About the only place I lost GSM service was inside the airport, with all of its glass and steel.
AT&T Wireless also has a roaming agreement with Telcel for users of their first generation digital (TDMA) cellphones. Neither Verizon, who roams in Mexico on Iusacell's network, nor Sprint who roams on the Pegaso-PCS segment of Telefonica Movistar's network has service in Mazatlan.
EdT - 01 Sep 2003
A Note about Cingular
It is possible to pay only $.79 a minute for calls from or within Mazatlan if you contact Cingular and inform them that you want to pay a $5.00 per month fee to as to be entitled to reduced rate international roaming. You can add or delete this feature at any time, and it will be prorated for the month it is added or deleted.
EliotDeutsch - March 9th, 2005