Step 1:
Choose a Prepaid Carrier:
Choose from this list, or the list of Prepaid services
that roam in Mexico. You may already
have one
of these Prepaids and just need to change your plan. Each can
also be used in the US.
Simple
Mobile is one of the most economical and useful
US Prepaids that can be
used in Mexico.
Other
Prepaids are almost the same with slightly
higher or lower fees and requirements.
Global Travel Phones
are usable in most counties in the world. Most are Prepaid
and can be refilled only when you want to travel.
SIMPLE
MOBILE PHONES & SIM's
Simple Mobile is an economical and useful way to
use Prepaid wireless in Mexico. You can purchase a phone or SIM and
roam in Mexico and also have a phone that works in the US.
Simple Mobile plans are as low as $20. You could use your own
phone, one you have sitting around, or buy a new one. Simple Mobile is
owned by a Mexican communications company.
OTHER PREPAIDS THAT ROAM IN MEXICO
There
are several choices among prepaid phones that will easily roam in
Mexico. Make sure to choose a Prepaid that offers the amount
of Talk, Text and Data that you'll need south of the border.
Some choices do not include Data and some change a per-minute
or per-use fee to roam in Mexico.
WORLDWIDE "TRAVEL" PHONES & SIM's
If you'd
rather have a Prepaid phone or SIM that works worldwide, check the list
of Global Travel Phones and SIM's. You'll have a phone that can be used
in Mexico and
the rest of the world.
Step
2: Activate Your Account:
Once you
have your Prepaid handset or SIM, you will need to choose
a home
location and a plan. The location (Zip Code) should be local to your
current wired or wireless phones or to friends and family. It can be
anywhere in the US. Once you are activated and have an
assigned number, make sure "Mexico Roaming" is
activated. With some carriers this is done by default.
If you don't know, contact Customer Service.
Don't let the
agent sign you up for any special Mexico roaming plan, they may only
need
to check a box on their screen, if it isn't already.
Step
3: Direct Your Incoming Calls to the Travel Phone:
Just
before leaving the US, choose the way to have your calls find you:
- Activate
Call Forwarding from your home or regular wireless phone to
your new
Mexico prepaid phone. It should be a local call. If your
regular
wireless
phone is
from the same carrier, the calls could count as "Mobile to Mobile," if
not, minutes can be charged as Forwarded calls.
or,
- Tell
your callers to call your new Prepaid phone number.
or,
- Activate
a new or existing Google Voice
number. You can
program where calls are directed online. You can also use the Google
Voice voice mail which can be reviewed online without using minutes on
the phone, then return calls on your new Mexico Prepaid phone. You can
add the number of your new Mexico Travel phone to the list of phones
that rings with incoming calls to your Google Voice number.
Step
4: Test Your Connections Before
Leaving the US:
Make sure
calls work as intended. (If you use any of the above recommended
"Travel" phones they should work in the US before you leave.) You could
take your "regular" wireless phone
to Mexico with you just to make a test call...or you can have a
stateside friend call you.
Make a call before you leave the US and another once you arrive in
Mexico. Fortunately, if something is wrong, you can call
customer service free at 611 from the US or Mexico. If you are
Forwarding calls from another stateside wireless number, that carrier's
customer
service should be able to also change your Call Forwarding status, but
that may not be a free call.
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Additional Considerations:
- By
using using a US phone instead of a Mexican cellular phone, you will
still have a working phone with some balance available that
can be used
when you return to the US.
- Be
sure to check Mexico
Calling Procedures
- Get
additional reviews of these and other Prepaid phones at Prepaid
Phone Reviews.
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