Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE

SFO
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Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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I understand the pilot program had an interruption in September.

The cancelled it but I heard reports it may be back up again. Nothing conclusive on the internet.

Are the pre-paid sims available to foreigners (at the SJO baggage claim #1).

Punta Uva, Costa...
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1. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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According to Prolijo DA for Costa Rica is up and running, his words.

"These "Prepago" SIM cards come in 3 denominations (2500c, 5000c or 10000c or roughly $4.30, $8.60 and $17) and they all have different rates and expiration times. The 2500 is good for 30 days and charges out at 40c/min pleno “daytime” and 32c reducido “nights”. The 5000c is 45 days and 37c pleno and 30c reducido. The 10000c is 60 days and 34c pleno and 28c reducido. So the LOCAL per minute rates come out to between 5-8 cents depending on the card and the time of day. That's not too bad a rate for the convenience of being able to make the call anywhere (assuming there's a signal) rather than having to look around for a payphone and having to deal with prepaid calling cards plus having a number where people can call YOU. In terms of minutes before you need to reload, for the 10K card that comes out to roughly 300 minutes of call time if you made all the calls during the day, which should be more than enough time for most people during the typical trip.

You will receive a text when you have c500 left and then you have 5 days to "top up" to the same amount as originally purchased at any ICE office or agency if you wish (which would also reset the expiration date).

These cards also work for calls back to the US but for that the rates turn out to be no great bargain. I don't have the exact rates for those but believe them to be around $1/min. That's less than half the price of AT&T and probably cheaper than renting a cell phone, but is still much higher than some other alternatives (like prepaid calling cards, MagicJack, etc.). So for that it seems much more of a toss-up whether it would be worth the expense for the benefit of being reachable on your own cell phone. Personally, if I were to use this and received a call from the US, if I'd even take the call I'd get off the phone rather quickly by telling the caller I'd look for a land line and call him right back. Still a benefit for knowing right away when someone was trying to reach you.

The set-up process is pretty straightforward for these cards:

1) First you will need a phone that works on the 1800mhz range (basically any quad band and most tri band phones).

2) Second, the phone must be UNLOCKED. If you got it through a T-mobile or an AT&T plan I can almost guarantee it will NOT be unlocked unless you did it yourself or paid someone to do it. If you're a long-time customer of AT&T you MIGHT be able to talk them into unlocking the phone for you, but usually they're not too cooperative, preferring to try and sell you on their own over-priced international plans. T-Mobile is a little more cooperative. If your carrier won't unlock it for you, there are many companies on-line that will provide the unlock codes and walk you through the process or unlock it for you if you send it in for a fairly reasonable price, OR you can find a local company in most metropolitan areas OR you can just buy a phone that comes already unlocked (cheap ones are available on E-Bay).

3) Third, when you get to the ICE booth at the airport (or any ICE payment counter in Mas x Menos stores), the clerk will take a copy of your passport and lookup the IMEI number from your phone. She then takes a few minutes and enters the info into her computer and gives you a small package with the SIM card and a single page contract with your new phone number circled.

4) After you insert the SIM and turn on the phone it prompts you for the PIN number that’s on a separate card included in the package (you'll need to re enter the PIN when ever you turn the phone on).

.

One thing that might be an issue for some people is that all the paper work, phone prompts as well as conversation with the agent will be in Spanish. Even the menus on the phone change to Spanish with the ICE chip installed (you can change the "idioma" back to English if you can find the phone set-up on the menu). However, since the process is fairly simple and straightforward, I think most people should still be able to figure it all out on their own (even with just broken spanish) or else with the assistance of their hotel clerk as translator to get them started."

SFO
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2. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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I have an unlocked quad phone that has the 1800 mhz frequency as well has HPSA/3G.

Now, I just need to know if they are open late at the airport. I have a late arrival. I found a list of their locations on their website but I prefer to do it at the airport when I arrive.

Philadelphia...
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for Playa Conchal
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I just just returned from CR , having used the prepaid sim. It was all of 5 min. at the airport to get the card, and for 5$ for my two week trip, it was great. Purchased Oct 30.

So now I want to know if I can reload the SIM, or have to start afreash when I return in Feb. I would rather keep the same #.

BTW. Its not too hard to get AT&T to unlock your (anything but i)Phone. Just tell them that you will be overseas for an extended period and you need a local number. They gave me the unlock code over the phone immediately. If you have been with them for a few years, they will have no problem with that. Otherwise, buy something cheap on eBay.

Punta Uva, Costa...
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4. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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You can buy more minutes and keep same phone number. Great to know that ATT can help out. Thanks

carrot34
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5. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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This is really useful information -- thank you! Does anyone know if these ICE prepaid SIM cards allow data access as well as voice access?

Thanks,

Alan

SFO
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6. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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I am in Costa Rica right now.

I got mine at the airport. Remember to get the one that is marked 199 instead of '97. 97 are domestic use only. 199 allows you to call the states and abroad. No data plan. However, I've gotten free wifi everywhere I went.

California
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Where would I buy a Preago SIM in Liberia?

mtburner
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8. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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Was data usage available with the prepaid SIM cards? Heading down there in a few days. Thanks.

NonnaC
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9. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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Did you ever find out how late the kiosk was open at the airport? We aren't getting in until 9:30PM and I am afraid they will be closed.

SFO
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10. Re: Status of Prepago (prepaid cell SIM card) from ICE
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I got there at 8:45pm on a saturday night. I was able to get a card but it wasn't activated until the next morning.

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