Question:
I am traveling to Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) next week. I called T-mobile to see if I would have coverage since the last time I did not. They said I do but it would cost me something like a $1.50 a minute because of roaming charges. They suggested I unlock my 8700 and purchase a sim card in Mexico. That way I would pay regular rates using their towers. Does this sound correct? Is it easy to puchase a sim card in Mexico and is it easy to unlock the B.B.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks-R

Welcome to BBForums.

Yes, it does cost $1.49/minute for voice charges. And you can get the BB unlocked (T-Mobile will do it for you under certain circumstances).

If you get a local SIM card, you will not have BlackBerry service. No e-mail. No Internet. Just voice and (maybe) SMS. With a different phone number.

If you are going to be making a lot of calls while in Mexico, buy or rent a cell phone there. If you are not going to make may calls, just make sure your existing account has International dialing enabled by T-Mobile, and have a good time!

Again, welcome.

And how do they charge for emails during roaming??

T-Mobile charges you $15/mb. But your major cost will be voice calls. It's all documented on the carrier web sites.

I have spent a pile of time working and vacationing in Mexico over the last year.

Both Telcel and MXMoviestar provide GSM services in Mexico. Only Telcel has EDGE data though.

Roaming costs are expensive. In one month I racked up a $3800 CAD bill in Mexico City while working down there.

Your best bet is to get an unlocked phone and purchase a SIM/prepaid card. They sell them everywhere so they are easy to find (in Mexico City guys wander around in yellow Telcel jump-suits selling the prepaid cards at the intersections).

Hope this helps.

If you decide not to use your BB phone #, but still use email, while out of the country, be sure and make sure all calls are forwarded to another number, otherwise you will get charged for long distance voice mail, etc. I think T-Mo even charges you for calls you don't answer.

I can't remember all the details, so I always have to call them each time I go somewhere so I don't get eaten with phone charges.

Have a margarita when you have it all worked out and toast t-mo.

LizL