Jan
Tropical Life
GSM Technology in Belize
Of the major North American cell phone carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM technology which requires a sim card and is compatible with Digicell Belize. Smartphone company requires an unlocked phone with CDMA 800 MHz or 850 MHz technology and will work with Verizon.
The advantage of CDMA is that it does provide a better and more stable signal due to the nature of the technology. I can verify that as once I had to go out on the dock to get reception up at Sueno Del Mar and Quicksilver Dianne said her go phones get signal closer to the resort. Advantages of GSM technology it is the global standard for cellular technology and you will be able to use your phone internationally provided the phone is unlocked and has the needed bandwidths mentioned below.
There is a new cell phone company on the horizon that looks like it will work for Belize. Simple Mobile takes sim cards, and has a $10 pay-as-you-go phone option. If you are looking into phones from this carrier as a potential option for Belize cell phone service, you will need to ask the store clerk which phones meet the following requirements an unlocked GSM or Global System Mobile Communication 1900 MHz cellular phone.
For more Cell phone information check my previous posts – Belize sim card information and Cell Phone Charges in Belize.
Once you have your phone set up, you can easily top up at local stores in San Pedro with phone cards or by machine. Digicell often do double triple days, $10 – $49.99 will get you double credit and $50 or more will get you triple credit.
Digicell also offers the purchase of SMS bundles from your phone by dialing *767 and following the prompts. They have an ongoing double-up promotion for text bundles, which is great cause they seem to go fast.
$5 for 50 100 SMS
$8 for 100 200 SMS
$10 for 200 400 SMS
$15 for 500 1000 SMS
Glad you liked it Sharon. I think it makes more sense to me cause I was always a pay as you go girl and never bothered with a cell plan.
Great information, Laurie! I find the whole unlocked phone issue is one of the most confusing things for expats and tourists to comprehend, simply because it’s not done that way in North America. Thanks for the run down!
Sharon Hiebing
Relocate Without Rose-Colored Glasses!
Check with Simple Mobile carrier MK and see if that is a possibility. It will probably work with one of their pay as you go phone options but not a specific plan.
That is great if you guys are getting Simple Mobile in Belize! We use Simple Mobile service in Seattle (here it runs off the T-Mobile network) and pay $40 a month for unlimited talk/text/data. No contract or taxes.
We are hoping to move to Belize in the next few years and would love to stay with Simple Mobile.