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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: TheViking]
#293226
12/30/2022 05:08 PM
12/30/2022 05:08 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
KGB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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There is another option. I just found out about this one so no personal experience but on another travel forum people have been using it and are very happy. It’s called Airalo. It’s an app that you can download on your smart phone. Then you purchase a country or region specific data package. They do have SXM. You will then have a data service from the local cell provider but you will not be able to make a voice calls unless using another apps like FaceTime or WhatsApp. So it’s basically like having the island wide wifi all the time and not only at the free wifi spots like bars and restaurants. I will be giving this app a try in a few months. Apparently, there are a few other similar apps available.
"Often Wrong, Never in Doubt"
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: KGB]
#293227
12/30/2022 05:35 PM
12/30/2022 05:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 92 Ontario, Canada
CdnCouple
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 92
Ontario, Canada
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There is another option. I just found out about this one so no personal experience but on another travel forum people have been using it and are very happy. It’s called Airalo. It’s an app that you can download on your smart phone. Then you purchase a country or region specific data package. They do have SXM. You will then have a data service from the local cell provider but you will not be able to make a voice calls unless using another apps like FaceTime or WhatsApp. So it’s basically like having the island wide wifi all the time and not only at the free wifi spots like bars and restaurants. I will be giving this app a try in a few months. Apparently, there are a few other similar apps available. Airalo (and Ubigi) are eSIM solutions. You need a phone that is capable of adding an eSIM. You download the app, add an eSIM to your phone, then buy a data plan. Airalo mentions Saint Martin (French side) and Sint Maarten (Dutch side) but these are separate data plans. Ubigi only works on the French side. My understating is the eSIM may not necessarily work island-wide because there are different carriers on either side (I’d love to be told I’m wrong because I’m looking at Ubigi - but I will be on the French side 90% of the time anyway). The other option is an actual SIM card (like Chippie) to replace the one in your phone. Most of these, I believe, work island-wide since you are with a specific carrier, some of which make their signals available on both sides. This solution however would give you a local phone number.
Last edited by CdnCouple; 12/30/2022 05:37 PM.
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: CdnCouple]
#293238
12/30/2022 11:36 PM
12/30/2022 11:36 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,902 Portland, OR
jazzgal
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,902
Portland, OR
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The other option is an actual SIM card (like Chippie) to replace the one in your phone. Most of these, I believe, work island-wide since you are with a specific carrier, some of which make their signals available on both sides. This solution however would give you a local phone number. This is what I do since I stay for several weeks at a time, and I do have a local phone number. The only disadvantage is that texts sent to my US cell number aren't delivered.
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: CdnCouple]
#293239
12/31/2022 01:02 AM
12/31/2022 01:02 AM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
KGB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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There is another option. I just found out about this one so no personal experience but on another travel forum people have been using it and are very happy. It’s called Airalo. It’s an app that you can download on your smart phone. Then you purchase a country or region specific data package. They do have SXM. You will then have a data service from the local cell provider but you will not be able to make a voice calls unless using another apps like FaceTime or WhatsApp. So it’s basically like having the island wide wifi all the time and not only at the free wifi spots like bars and restaurants. I will be giving this app a try in a few months. Apparently, there are a few other similar apps available. Airalo (and Ubigi) are eSIM solutions. You need a phone that is capable of adding an eSIM. You download the app, add an eSIM to your phone, then buy a data plan. Airalo mentions Saint Martin (French side) and Sint Maarten (Dutch side) but these are separate data plans. Ubigi only works on the French side. My understating is the eSIM may not necessarily work island-wide because there are different carriers on either side (I’d love to be told I’m wrong because I’m looking at Ubigi - but I will be on the French side 90% of the time anyway). The other option is an actual SIM card (like Chippie) to replace the one in your phone. Most of these, I believe, work island-wide since you are with a specific carrier, some of which make their signals available on both sides. This solution however would give you a local phone number. I saw that Airalo offers two options for sxm- one Dutch and one French. I have no idea if one works on another side of the island or not. I was thinking of messaging the app provider to find that out. But if they use one of the local cell providers on the island- it should work everywhere, that is just my uneducated guess….
"Often Wrong, Never in Doubt"
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: BillDauterive]
#293409
01/04/2023 10:35 AM
01/04/2023 10:35 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,436 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,436
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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I use Verizon. On days that I want/need service, I use Verizon's TravelPass. Just fire-up the phone, and it works. When activated, I get a text saying that the phone is good for 24 hours. About an hour before the period is set to expire, I get a reminder text to either go to airplane mode, power off, or be charged again. Works on both sides of the island.
The charge is $10/day with the same talk/text limitations as my plan at home. Good enough for me.
And depending on your plan, you get one free travel pass day per month. I used those on my last trip. We have their Do More Unlimited plan.
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: TheViking]
#293416
01/04/2023 12:25 PM
01/04/2023 12:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,322 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,322
Vancouver, WA
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Noting I am usually there for multiple weeks and want daily use including data, I get a higher use monthly plan with Verizon. If I remember correctly, about $100 which is less than the $10 per day for me. Still best to use wifi when able.
Adding, Mexico is so much easier and better, wishing SXM would step up.
Last edited by Todd; 01/04/2023 12:27 PM.
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: PMagistro]
#293451
01/05/2023 10:54 AM
01/05/2023 10:54 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567
Ohio
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If you have the option of using Spectrum wireless, they have a very good international plan also.
J.D.
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: SharonfromSXM]
#293455
01/05/2023 11:35 AM
01/05/2023 11:35 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022
Central Florida!
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Sharon--I don't think it matters what carrier you have, if you're able to make wifi calls??? I'm not at all an expert on such things, but we have Verizon and can make free wifi calls, as well as receive them, on island.
Carol Hill
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: CharlieAndElaine]
#293493
01/06/2023 11:41 AM
01/06/2023 11:41 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539 Sugar Land, Tx
IslandBoi
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539
Sugar Land, Tx
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We use the maps.me app for directions while on the island. It uses the phone GPS but does not need a cellular connection. We keep our phone on airplane mode generally and use wifi calling when we need to. maps.me is good, another option is to use Google Maps with offline maps…you download the maps ahead of time while on Wifi for the areas you will need, then you can use Google Maps for turn by turn driving directions without using cellular data…currently GM will only give driving directions with offline maps, not walking directions, so not so useful for walking navigation in big cities, like in europe for example
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Re: Cell phone and data options on the island or with carrier?
[Re: TheViking]
#293559
01/07/2023 06:34 PM
01/07/2023 06:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,893
Bahston
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,893
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My carrier is ATT. I used to chase every opportunity to keep my costs down, including having an island phone. These days I don’t bother, I put everything except one phone in airplane mode, with wi-fi enabled, I use my phone for one reason or another every day, away from my wi-if. It costs me $10/day, with a 10-day cap on charges. I’m on SXM for 21 days, in the middle of my billing cycle, so I pay $10/day for the first 10 days, and the next 11 days are free. It costs me $100 in total, which is less than $5/day, and I’m good with that. If I should happen to need to use a different device away from my wi-if then I just enable a hotspot on my phone and use that - not fast, but free.
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