Best Option for US traveller in Bahamas

djhak · **Best Option for US traveller in Bahamas -** 29-04-2007, 16:36

I am traveling to the Bahamas (from the USA) for about a week in July.
I am looking for the most economical cell phone solution.
I am relatively new to the global sim world.
I have an unlocked, quadband GSM phone.
I know roaming on a US based Cingular(ATT) or T-mobile sim will be about $2.25 per call
Most interational cards have no coverage in the Bahamas.
Any suggestions on getting the best rates on calls between the Bahamas and the USA?

prion · 29-04-2007, 17:14

You could try the United mobile sim card. It offers free incoming in the Bahamas. Outgoing to the US are 39eurocents which is very cheap! It is the cheapest option. You can buy the card from here: http://www.united-mobile.com/affiliate/1011.asp?c=13

stan · 29-04-2007, 17:45

Be aware that United Mobile doesn't work with all unlocked gsm quadbands. When I try calling out from my Motorola v190, I see "network busy" on the screen and then the call dies. This occurs no matter what network I use and it isn't helped when I call from the United Mobile calling menu. On the other hand, United Mobile does work with a Mototorola v3 and a Nokia 6610.

andy · 29-04-2007, 18:03

I'd look at getting a local SIM in the Bahamas

http://www.btcbahamas.com/main_flash.html

Then use callback, perhaps in conjunction with cheap VoIP forwarding. Most of the Betamax brands charge in the range about 4 cents a minute, though one is 0c so with a bit of work you might make free calls, unless the BTC network charge incoming calls (which I can't actually figure out on their website)

djhak · 29-04-2007, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan

Be aware that United Mobile doesn't work with all unlocked gsm quadbands. When I try calling out from my Motorola v190, I see "network busy" on the screen and then the call dies. This occurs no matter what network I use and it isn't helped when I call from the United Mobile calling menu. On the other hand, United Mobile does work with a Mototorola v3 and a Nokia 6610.

I had not heard this. Can anyone tell me if the UM sim will work with my unlocked, quadband Motorola L6 SLVR?

djhak · 30-04-2007, 12:18

Thanks for everyones input.
Here is what I think that I will do:
Buy a UM sim ($.49 outgoing calls/free incoming), to make it easier on incoming calls, forward my existing Verizon cell # to a voicestick number, and forward the voicestick # to the UM sim. Callers will not incur a charge to call me and I will end up paying approx. $.05 per min for incoming calls.
Sound like it will work?

DRNewcomb · 30-04-2007, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by djhak

Thanks for everyones input.
Here is what I think that I will do:
Buy a UM sim ($.49 outgoing calls/free incoming), to make it easier on incoming calls, forward my existing Verizon cell # to a voicestick number, and forward the voicestick # to the UM sim. Callers will not incur a charge to call me and I will end up paying approx. $.05 per min for incoming calls.
Sound like it will work?

I think it will cost more that $.05/min to forward to UM.

MATHA531 · 30-04-2007, 13:30

You will be disappointed in voicestick rates to Liechtenstein mobiles...if you're using voicestick for forwarding you might do much better with one of the Isle of Man cards.

Also don't know what company you use for your landline....Mine is verizon and they seem to be one of the few that allow setting remote call forwarding to foreign numbers and, although I haven't checked it recently, the AT&T $1/month plan has calls to Liechtenstein at 10¢/minute with a 1¢ surcharge to Liechtenstein mobiles...that's the way I do it. But almost all the call forwarding such as kall8 etc. charge an arm and a leg to call Liechtenstein mobiles.

djhak · 30-04-2007, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRNewcomb

I think it will cost more that $.05/min to forward to UM.

You are right. I checked it again.
It's about $.05 min to a Lichtenstein land line.
Its about $.40 min to Lichentstein cell.

djhak · 30-04-2007, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRNewcomb

I think it will cost more that $.05/min to forward to UM.

You are right. I checked it again.
It's about $.05 min to a Lichtenstein land line.
Its about $.40 min to Lichentstein cell.

	(#1)
djhak (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 19 Join Date: 29 Apr 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Country:	Best Option for US traveller in Bahamas - 29-04-2007, 16:36 I am traveling to the Bahamas (from the USA) for about a week in July. I am looking for the most economical cell phone solution. I am relatively new to the global sim world. I have an unlocked, quadband GSM phone. I know roaming on a US based Cingular(ATT) or T-mobile sim will be about $2.25 per call Most interational cards have no coverage in the Bahamas. Any suggestions on getting the best rates on calls between the Bahamas and the USA?

	(#2)
prion (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 589 Join Date: 01 May 2006 Location: Greece Country:	29-04-2007, 17:14 You could try the United mobile sim card. It offers free incoming in the Bahamas. Outgoing to the US are 39eurocents which is very cheap! It is the cheapest option. You can buy the card from here: http://www.united-mobile.com/affiliate/1011.asp?c=13

	(#3)
stan (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 17 Join Date: 04 Oct 2006 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Country:	29-04-2007, 17:45 Be aware that United Mobile doesn't work with all unlocked gsm quadbands. When I try calling out from my Motorola v190, I see "network busy" on the screen and then the call dies. This occurs no matter what network I use and it isn't helped when I call from the United Mobile calling menu. On the other hand, United Mobile does work with a Mototorola v3 and a Nokia 6610.

	(#4)
andy (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Prophet Posts: 2,128 Join Date: 10 Dec 2004 Country:	29-04-2007, 18:03 I'd look at getting a local SIM in the Bahamas http://www.btcbahamas.com/main_flash.html Then use callback, perhaps in conjunction with cheap VoIP forwarding. Most of the Betamax brands charge in the range about 4 cents a minute, though one is 0c so with a bit of work you might make free calls, unless the BTC network charge incoming calls (which I can't actually figure out on their website)

	(#6)
djhak (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 19 Join Date: 29 Apr 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Country:	30-04-2007, 12:18 Thanks for everyones input. Here is what I think that I will do: Buy a UM sim ($.49 outgoing calls/free incoming), to make it easier on incoming calls, forward my existing Verizon cell # to a voicestick number, and forward the voicestick # to the UM sim. Callers will not incur a charge to call me and I will end up paying approx. $.05 per min for incoming calls. Sound like it will work?

	(#8)
MATHA531 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 869 Join Date: 15 Oct 2004 Country:	30-04-2007, 13:30 You will be disappointed in voicestick rates to Liechtenstein mobiles...if you're using voicestick for forwarding you might do much better with one of the Isle of Man cards. Also don't know what company you use for your landline....Mine is verizon and they seem to be one of the few that allow setting remote call forwarding to foreign numbers and, although I haven't checked it recently, the AT&T $1/month plan has calls to Liechtenstein at 10¢/minute with a 1¢ surcharge to Liechtenstein mobiles...that's the way I do it. But almost all the call forwarding such as kall8 etc. charge an arm and a leg to call Liechtenstein mobiles.