Can I use a cell phone from the USA in Peru?

Question

I am traveling to Peru from the US soon and want to know how I can best use a cell phone to stay in touch with people back home.

Answer 1

It depends on the phone you get - you will need to make sure that you have whats called " quad band" that has

(850/900/1800/1900 MHz  - and then you have to add international calling on your cell plan - T Mobile is offering their pebble free with service - and the international calling option is free to add on your plan - however double check with any cell phone carrier - as most likely you will have to pay roaming charges which can get very expensive - along with international charges per minute

Answer 2

If you have a network that follows you and covers you were you go then yes you can use it down there

Answer 3

Usually yes. It will depend on the cellular system your phone uses (CDMA, TDMA, GSM) and the frequencies it operates on (850 MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHZ and 1900MHz).

I have a Peruvian GSM cell that operates on 3 of the 4 frequencies and I can use it with T-Mobile in the US, just by buying a new chip. You do need an unlocked phone to do this.

Answer 4

Whether you can use your current phone depends on the carrier and whether your plan is enabled for international roaming. Almost all carriers will work in Lima but many do not outside the capital city.

Your question, however, is how to BEST use a cell phone to keep in touch with the people back home. The answer is to buy a prepaid phone while you are in Peru. The cost is lost (around $25-$35 for what will meet your needs) and it is the least expensive way to call the USA from a cell phone. The two carriers are Telefonica and Claro. Telefonica is slightly cheaper for calls to the USA right now (Approx. 30c/minute). Just get a prepaid phone at any of the Telefonica centers and you can purchase cards on any street corner to "recharge" your phone and spend as much or as little as you need. Even better, give your phone number to those who need to reach you from the USA because they can call you cheaper than you can call them.

Even if your carrier works in Peru, it is MUCH more expensive than just purchasing a phone and using it for the duration of your stay there.