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Re: Phone
[Re: bigkahona]
#213437
01/09/2020 04:43 PM
01/09/2020 04:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981
Ohio
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I will be in St Marteen for 5 weeks I can buy a 3G phone for $50 here at Best Buy.What are the pro and cons of buying it here and using it in St Marteen.Miss my old friend Sharon for rentals Make sure it is an unlocked phone.
J.D.
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Re: Phone
[Re: kim]
#213455
01/09/2020 06:23 PM
01/09/2020 06:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,893 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,893
Massachusetts
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Exactly....that's been discussed MANY times . That's my go to
..but...full disclosure..it only works when you have wifi...won't work in the car if that's what you want ...AND ....making a SXM local call on wifi WILL have a charge attached..not a biggie but should be upfront with it
Calling the USA or getting calls from the USA (convenient home cell number) works great and zip charge, I've used it in many countries
Last edited by boucharda; 01/09/2020 06:24 PM.
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Re: Phone
[Re: boucharda]
#213457
01/09/2020 06:40 PM
01/09/2020 06:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,473 Newtown, CT
kim
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,473
Newtown, CT
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Hmm. Verizon told me I can call anywhere on Wi-Fi and it won’t cost? I’ll see what my bill says and report back next month. I just “googled” and what I read isn’t what I was told!!! So we shall see just what the cost is!
Last edited by kim; 01/09/2020 06:43 PM.
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Re: Phone
[Re: boucharda]
#213460
01/09/2020 06:48 PM
01/09/2020 06:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 755 Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 755
Chicago area & St-Martin
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Exactly....that's been discussed MANY times . That's my go to
..but...full disclosure..it only works when you have wifi...won't work in the car if that's what you want ...AND ....making a SXM local call on wifi WILL have a charge attached..not a biggie but should be upfront with it
Calling the USA or getting calls from the USA (convenient home cell number) works great and zip charge, I've used it in many countries AT&T has a similar app called AT&T Smart Wi-Fi. I'm sure other carriers have the same capacity.
--ChiTownHarry
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Re: Phone
[Re: kim]
#213496
01/10/2020 08:37 AM
01/10/2020 08:37 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,893 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,893
Massachusetts
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Hmm. Verizon told me I can call anywhere on Wi-Fi and it won’t cost? I’ll see what my bill says and report back next month Yup...that's what I thought and maybe it was a glitch but when I was in Aruba and called the car rental place it cost me a tad under two bucks which was still cheaper than the $10/day plan. With that said I did just find this: Does Verizon WiFi calling work internationally? You can make and receive calls over Wi-Fi even if you're outside the Verizon network coverage area. Wi-Fi calls always originate in the US, even when you're outside of the US. ... Calls to international numbers are billed according to your international long distance plan. But, again, all calls to the USA and from contacts in the USA are no charge ...and...you can go online and check your current charges and not have to wait for a bill
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Re: Phone
[Re: kim]
#213507
01/10/2020 10:08 AM
01/10/2020 10:08 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,810 Connecticut
The_Lurker
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,810
Connecticut
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Kim, we used WIFI calling and there is a charge for a local call. I think it was around $2 to call a restaurant. Otherwise it worked great for us. Next time I will use WhatsApp, since they say most businesses have it.
My phone also has the $10 plan set up on it for emergencies. I keep it on Airplane Mode, the same as shutting off Cellular data, I believe. The question I have is do you turn off Airplane Mode, when you need to use it for the $10 plan? I don't want it to start roaming and have further charges.
Last edited by The_Lurker; 01/10/2020 10:15 AM.
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Re: Phone
[Re: CaribJoe]
#213517
01/10/2020 10:59 AM
01/10/2020 10:59 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981
Ohio
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The prices of a SIM card can vary from place to place. I found them from around $18 to as high as $30 and all included some time. UTS had the lowest price on the SIM card and some of the smaller groceries were about the same price ($18-$20). Tech Hub is very helpful and knowledgeable and was one of the few places that had a working "Topup Card" machine in the past, although I found more of the machines available in March. If you can find a "Topup Card" you can remotely add funds to your phone and keep the number active. You put funds on the card and transfer to your phone. The SIM/number used to be good for 60 days (as is mine) and all you had to do was add $1 every 58 days or so and your SIM and number are good to go.
J.D.
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Re: Phone
[Re: The_Lurker]
#213535
01/10/2020 02:35 PM
01/10/2020 02:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,893 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,893
Massachusetts
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My phone also has the $10 plan set up on it for emergencies. I keep it on Airplane Mode, the same as shutting off Cellular data, I believe. The question I have is do you turn off Airplane Mode, when you need to use it for the $10 plan? I don't want it to start roaming and have further charges.
Exactly as DeputyDog said...ten bucks for the 24 hour period so you my as well leave it on for the day and then put it back in Airplane mode The emergency backup is well worth it if you need the phone away from a wifi signal and costs nothing unless you have to use it... Another full disclosure....with wifi calling we were not able to access our voicemails...we just called the person back since it showed as a missed call anyway
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Re: Phone
[Re: Bluesfan]
#213544
01/10/2020 03:55 PM
01/10/2020 03:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,093 Southport, North Carolina, US
candj
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,093
Southport, North Carolina, US
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We went to UTS store to find a SIM card for a Samsung Galaxy S4 and were told it had to be a Samsung 5 or higher to effectively use a SIM card.
Fair winds and following seas! SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom! SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
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Re: Phone
[Re: candj]
#213554
01/10/2020 05:26 PM
01/10/2020 05:26 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981
Ohio
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We went to UTS store to find a SIM card for a Samsung Galaxy S4 and were told it had to be a Samsung 5 or higher to effectively use a SIM card. I am by no means a smart phone expert but my Samsung Galaxy J2 Core works just fine on SXM. I bought the phone March 2019 at Boolchands and got the SIM card at the UTS store in Philipsburg, it worked just fine in Nov. 2019 also.
J.D.
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Re: Phone
[Re: candj]
#213561
01/10/2020 07:27 PM
01/10/2020 07:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619 Rhode Island
Bluesfan
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Rhode Island
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We went to UTS store to find a SIM card for a Samsung Galaxy S4 and were told it had to be a Samsung 5 or higher to effectively use a SIM card. I recommend going to tech hub in Carrefour mkt. I have found the sales people at UTS to be less then knowledgeable.
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Re: Phone
[Re: johnhill]
#213567
01/11/2020 06:52 AM
01/11/2020 06:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981
Ohio
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Were you able to text with the UTS sim card? I purchased a Chippie card last January and was not able to text to the USA. Are you able to use the Samsung Galaxy J2 in the USA? Heading back to SXM 1/18/20 for a month and would like to be able to text to family at home. Thanks Sorry, I can not help you on the texting part as I do not text much at home (flip phone) to begin with. Perhaps someone else on here can help with that or I would direct you to Tech Hub, perhaps even message Tech Hub via their facebook page. TECH HUBThe phone is a dual SIM and unlocked so it should work in the US. I have my local carrier's SIM for it but have not activated it as I still prefer my old flip phone. Many on here use a dual SIM card phone and do so both in the US and on the island. You can buy the same phone on Amazon or on the island for around $80-$100, current price. Prices were all over the place on the island. I paid $105 for the phone and a case and the SIM was $18 at UTS.
J.D.
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Re: Phone
[Re: johnhill]
#213574
01/11/2020 09:10 AM
01/11/2020 09:10 AM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,473 Newtown, CT
kim
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,473
Newtown, CT
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Were you able to text with the UTS sim card? I purchased a Chippie card last January and was not able to text to the USA. Are you able to use the Samsung Galaxy J2 in the USA? Heading back to SXM 1/18/20 for a month and would like to be able to text to family at home. Thanks Yes. You just need to turn on data on your phone. I never could and popped into the Mailbox and they showed me what to do. Well they did if for me!!!
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Re: Phone
[Re: johnhill]
#213577
01/11/2020 09:54 AM
01/11/2020 09:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 139 Long Island, New York
CaribJoe
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 139
Long Island, New York
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Were you able to text with the UTS sim card? I purchased a Chippie card last January and was not able to text to the USA. Are you able to use the Samsung Galaxy J2 in the USA? Heading back to SXM 1/18/20 for a month and would like to be able to text to family at home. Thanks I, too, wasn't able to text to the US with the Chippie SIM card.
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Re: Phone
[Re: johnhill]
#213626
01/11/2020 04:10 PM
01/11/2020 04:10 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16,981
Ohio
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Yes, they do sell the SIM cards but were one of the more expensive places. $30 from what I recall but if you are close, go there.
J.D.
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Re: Phone
[Re: johnhill]
#213627
01/11/2020 04:15 PM
01/11/2020 04:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,473 Newtown, CT
kim
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,473
Newtown, CT
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Kim; Thanks-does MAilbox in Simpson Bay sell the Chippie sim cards? Yes. I don’t remember the cost but they were very convenient.
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Re: Phone
[Re: CaribLee]
#213638
01/11/2020 07:12 PM
01/11/2020 07:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,267 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,267
Maryland/DC Metro
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I should add, I don't need data. Just want a phone I can call and text back to the states and make local (SintMaarten/Saint Martin) calls. A compatible smartphone is required: double check if you have a smartphone device with the following frequencies: 3G/4G: 700/800/900 MHz Several trips ago before I decided I wanted data and to use one of my old iPhones, I bought an unlocked phone (dual sim) on Amazon SUPER inexpensive. Just be sure it is compatible via the above. 
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Phone
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#213639
01/11/2020 07:13 PM
01/11/2020 07:13 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,267 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,267
Maryland/DC Metro
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Yes, they do sell the SIM cards but were one of the more expensive places. $30 from what I recall but if you are close, go there. Sounds like the one in Carrefour by Marks is the way to go. For price. I've also bought one at the UTS/Chippie store in P-burg. Topped up the card there as well. Was very inexpensive.
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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