Cheapest mobile phone operator to use in South America

elleechio

Hi

I'm going to south america for 5 months and I'm wondering what Irish mobile phone operator is the cheapest/best to use???

I currently have a 3 bill phone but I'm considering changing to a vodafone prepay phone for the purpose of my travels.

has anyone experience on the above - It would be appreciated.

Thanks

SheroN

I would suggest not bringing a phone at all. Or if you need to be contactable, bring an unlocked mobile and buy sim cards as you go.

RATM

If you do bring a mobile then
1) Make sure it is pay as you go and you can top up online. If it is a bill phone you'll be in for quite a shock when you see the first bill.
2) Make sure the network gives you 2-300 webtexts from their site for free every month ( texts from S.America to home can be 40c, all adds up to big €€€€, better to send them from the web for free ) Meteor gives 300 per month, not sure about the others.
3) Never answer or make calls, it will cost you an absolute fortune. It is often charged for by the minute ( so a 10 second call to an answering machine could cost €1+ )
4) Instead use internet cafes to call home. They are far far cheaper than using a mobile.

I always bring my phone abroad but very very rarely talk on it, that comes from being stung badly in the past. I mainly use it for playing games, a clock and an an alarm.
I can just as easily keep in contact by sending webtexts whilst I am surfing in an internet cafe and the only person its costs is the one replying to my texts

Neamhshuntasach

Movistar probably. You can pick up their cheapest phone for under 20 Euros and because they are all over central and south america you just select the new operator in each country. No need to change sim cards.

mikedragon32

RATM's advice is spot on. Treat your phone as a pager so you can receive messages.