When you bring a cell phone into AC to have the SIM card changed, does it have to be with an active carrier in the US? Can Digicel "unlock" a phone to allow transfer of the new SIM? Any particular phone that CAN'T be used? Anyone have anything they'd like to share in this regard? I'm totally dense when it comes to phones, and I need a phone while I'm there, to keep mom from worrying. I know we can keep in touch via internet, but what about emergencies? Please help...Thnx

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I found some info here (using the search option)and called my carrier (Cingular). I explained that I was going to Belize and wanted to use my phone there.They made a change for me and they assured me I can now call from and receive call while I am there. And that will be in 5 more sleeps!!! I sure hope they are right.

The down side is the charge will be $3.05/minute.

hmmmmmmmmmmmm you can go to Cocunets and use the phone to call quite a bit cheaper than $3.05/min.

4 more sleeps! Woo hoo!!!

travelqueen - I did see that somewhere too but I need to be able to receive calls as well. Thanks for reminding me of it though because it would be cheaper to make my calls from Cocunets.

You have a Cingular phone. It is a GSM phone with either 2,3, or all 4 bands. No matter which you have, it will most assuredly have the 1900 MGHZ spectrum used in Belize. So, you have three choices:

1. Google "unlock cell phone (your location)", take it in and have it unlocked (pefectly legal) for about $20, and bring it with you and simply buy a SIM card and prepaid minutes.
2. Pay Cingular's price of $3.05.
3. The easiest, unless you need immediate access to a phone, is to walk into one of three internet cafes and pay $.50 a minute to the USA.

I sure don't mind using the internet to get in touch with anyone, but what if there is an emergency back home? I don't need to call home, but they may need to reach me. My only worry...especially being gone for so long. Oh well, thanks all for your help. I will bring my phone with me, and hopefully they will take care of it for me there. If not, I'll get a phone for the condo...and use calling cards if I have to. Hugs to all....

sun&sand,
I used to have this problem too as I have a little one at home. I would just log-on at Coconets daily to check e-mail. If anyone needed to get in touch with me, they could just send a text message (with their phone), or regular e-mail to my e-mail address. It may not sound ideal but I would check in once, sometimes twice daily... never an issue. Knock on wood!!!

My concern too was receiving emergency calls. I do not have little ones at home any more, but I have an older parent that is not in the best of health.

We will be arriving this Sunday and we, too have older parents, kids, work emergency fears. I had Cingular place me on a one month international call plan for $5.99 and will pay $2.29 per minute. This plan will definitely be for emergencies only.