What is the best phone and mobile network to use in south america?

Question

What is the best phone and mobile network to use in south america?

Answer 1

nokia 3310

Answer 2

Agree with Mr. Mills. Claro (Mexican company) has the best deals for South America and really the best coverage. I'm in Boston and I talked to a friend in the Urubamba valley (Cuzco Peru) the other day! I could hear her loud and clear.

Answer 3

Claro seems to have a good coverage and works well - most of the time.

ps

I brought my phone from England - but I had to get it re-programmed here (very cheap) and it works well.  I also have a deal with Claro  for 20 Soles per month (about £3.50) and I get 100 minutes of International calls - pretty good!

Answer 4

Get a GSM unlocked phone and buy a pre-paid card when you get there.  This is true for all of South America.  Make sure your phone is unlocked in the USA because you'll have less hassles.  Your alternative is to buy a cheap phone when you arrive ($30 or so).

Then buy a pre-paid SIM card.  All you do is enter a code after dialing a number on your phone and you're all charged up and ready to make and receive calls for a fraction of what you'd pay if you were roaming.  When your minutes run out, buy more at any street corner.

In Peru, I've used both Claro and Telefonica and they both have their plusses and minuses.  Claro is more reliable and has better service, but Telefonica has more coverage and is cheaper, so now I generally go with Telefonica.