BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey all I am leaving for Chile in 5 days. My folks keep dropping hints about taking a mobile phone. I don't really like the idea but I better find some information before I write the idea off.

What is the reception like in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Southern Peru and Brazil? Does it only work in major cities? I will be spending a majority of time in Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

I am only there for 7 weeks so it wouldn't be worth changing sims all the time? I read somewhere else Brazil is broken down into several smaller regions.

What are the call rates like over there?

Thanks all for your time.

Spazza

I had my phone with me for texting and in case of emergency. (in Argentina) I didn't have any problems with reception at all. I didn't make any calls from it, but sent text messages when I needed to, and was only charged the regular text rate. It was nice to have in case I needed to find someone (for instance, my brother was in argentina at the same time, and I had to track him down). It wasn't necessary, but it was good to have.

G'day mate!

Reception in Chile and Argentina is good in general terms. Bolivia and southern Peru might present a few problems but you'll have no problems in small cities.

In Brazil, each state has its own signal, and whereas São Paulo is almost completely covered, other states as Mato Grosso do Sul may have some problems.

Rates will actually depend on what the operator. I'm assuming your mobile's australian, so probably it's going to be expensive. No Vodafone, no Telstra, no Orange, no VirginBlue here in South America. But Vodafone and Orange may offer better fares are they're big companies.

Thanks for the responses guys, I forgot I am meeting my brother in Argentina too. Maybe a good idea to have it for texting as you say.

As for Brazil if I don't have reception for parts of it I won't be concerned.

I am with vodafone xtyandlrc, so that will get coverage over there through some other carrier?

Also another question I forgot to ask, does anyone know what (frequency) band it is? Just to see if my phone will work.

Thanks

Spazza

P.S. I love that picture annie. Cute kid.

Yes, another company will pick up your coverage. I can't remember what mine turned into, but it wasn't cingular (which is my coverage here in the States).

(thanks...that's my preschool pic)

great idea on the texting, annie, thanks! btw, did cingular charge you an international fee to use texting in S.A.?