yackie mobile review

[GadgetKen]

Originally Posted by AndreA

walkie-talkie? Is it Iden?

No, I don't think so. The model numbers and US coverage map corresponds with Sprint CDMA handsets that work on North American frequencies but also have a walkie-talkie function called Ready-Link. Think Azteca is using the native network of Sprint in the USA and of CDMA carriers in Mexico (think maybe iusacell and unefon).

Actually there is a different prepaid offer called Boost Mobile that has limited iden coverage in Mexico. You can place calls or PTT to any Mexican Nextel iden handset from the USA but can only place calls in Mexico from Baja Mexico. http://www.boostmobile.com

[GadgetKen]

Originally Posted by VladS

WOW. Azteca Mobile sounds great! I already ordered a refurb Sanyo handset for $30.

Thanks for the info!

Glad this will be of help for your upcoming trip. Agree it looks like a very good offer for US/Mexico travel.
Please note on their offer you will be charged the daily PTT fee unless you cancel it (depends on whether you need this feature or not).
Also I think the Sprint coverage in the US is only their native Sprint network; not the extended roaming network roaming on Verizon, AT&T and others(typical arrangement for an MVNO). But Sprint still has a pretty big digital network in the mainland US, Hawaii, PR and USVI. Coverage in Mexico also looks pretty decent (I'm guessing it's mostly on iusacell and unefon).
Only time I've ever seen a flat rate for US and Mexico (the no borders 30 cents/minute plan).

[Effendi]

Back from Belgium and Holland, I used my Yackie Mobile simcard mainly for receiving. No problems in Belgium, while I had several issues in the Netherlands... i.e. it seems to work well only on KPN network (both 2g and 3g), while if for some reason you are roaming with other Dutch networks you usually don't receive any call... and if the phone rings you hear nothing... I had problems also in making calls, callback seldom worked, the only successful calls were with KPN network once again.

A small info for Hungary travellers or Hungarian users.

The +354380... numbers where not available from the Pannon network until today. After my nice conversation with the technic guys at Pannon, now it is possible to call YackieMobile from the Pannon network.

[VladS]

Originally Posted by VladS

We'll give you a stay of execution for a week to give 09 a chance to update their Mexico rates.

Well, it's been a week and the 09's incoming rate to Mexico is still free.

Originally Posted by VladS

... Dominican Republic.

As of 12/04 the incoming call rates are:
09 - free
Yackie - $1

As for the incoming rate comparison in the DR, Yackie didn't even bother to comment.

[YackieMobile]

I will be you, i will use the card as much i can because they are losing money every call......and they will not let this append for a while

[GSM_student]

YackieMobile, our friend and really expert member Effendi report that had several issues in the Netherlands. Can we know if this issues will be solved or it is only up to 09 and there is nothing that Yackie can do?
I understand that works at KPN networks, but in this case may be should have a list with the best networks, for each country, at Yackie webpage, don't you think?

[meir]

It works here fine. Usually roams on T-Mobile or Vodafone network. You couldn't reached the direct Icelandic number when calling from O2 mobile, it did connect on T-Mobile.

One more thing to mention. I have tested to call direct Icelandic number by using Rebtel some time ago and it just didn't connect, but done yesterday night again and it works very nicely. The price is good as well.

[GadgetKen]

Just added US$50 to my Yackie Mobile account for a trip to Grand Cayman in early January(satisfied with November tests I did in Grenada). For security purposes, used PayPal rather than directly providing my credit card information. Account was immediately credited and received confirmation emails from PayPal, Yackie, and World Wide Web Owner(obviously a private labeled 09 Iceland account balance email from the .is domain).
Rate for Grand Cayman to US mainland seems very reasonable--outgoing to fixed line US$.45/min, incoming via US call-forwarding number US$.29, direct dial incoming to Iceland number free.
If my CECT M800 watch phone comes from Hong Kong in time, I'll see if Yackie works in it(sounds like something out of a James Bond or Dick Tracy movie!). Otherwise will use the Yackie chip in my Motorola Razr.
Backup will be a Digicel-Bermuda prepaid sim or an Iridium satphone.

@GadgetKen ... would you give me a short info if and how the combination M800 and YM SIM works? Thank you!