The Roaming Zone - Setting Up Your Mexico Phone

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SETTING UP YOUR MEXICO PHONE
A step-by-step guide for inexpensive wireless phone service in Mexico

No matter which cellular carrier you have, or even if you don't have a wireless phone, follow these steps to set up your own economical Mexico telephone service for traveling south of the border. The least-expensive options use either AT&T GoPhone or Cricket Wireless.
Also, read about plans with other carriers that include Mexico roaming at no extra charge.

Option 1: Steps for using an AT&T GSM GoPhone either by itself, or forwarded from another phone:

	Step 1: Get an AT&T GoPhone or SIM. Our recommended phone service for roaming in Mexico uses the GoPhone. In Mexico, the GoPhone's rates are .25 per minute for both incoming and outgoing calls to any US or Mexico number, including Long Distance charges. If you already have GoPhone you can skip to Step 2. If not: Buy GoPhone Online: You can purchase a nice model, or the cheapest. Buy GoPhone at a Store: An AT&T Store or any GoPhone retailer including Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, etc. Buy a GoPhone SIM-only Online: You can insert the GoPhone SIM in your current or old AT&T phone, or any unlocked US-band capable GSM phone. Get Discount GoPhone Refills instead of paying full price at retailers. Step 2: Activate Your Account: Once you have your GoPhone handset or SIM, you will need to choose a home location and a plan. The location (Zip Code) should be local to your current wired or wireless phone. The lowest-cost plans are Simple Rate Plans. Once you are activated and have an assigned number, contact AT&T and make sure "Mexico Roaming" is activated. Don't let the agent sign you up for any special Mexico roaming plan, they only need to check a box on their screen, if it isn't already checked. Step 3: Direct Your Incoming Calls to the New Phone: Just before leaving the US, choose the way to have your calls find you: Activate Call Forwarding from your home or wireless phone to the GoPhone. It should be local call. If your regular wireless phone is from AT&T, the calls should count as "Mobile to Mobile," if not, minutes will be used as Forwarded calls. or, Tell your callers to call your new GoPhone number. or, Activate a new or existing Google Voice number. You can program where calls are directed online. You can also use the Google Voice voice mail which can be reviewed online without using minutes on the phone, then return calls on the GoPhone. Step 4: Test Your Connections: Make sure calls work as intended. You could take your "regular" wireless phone with you just to make a test call or have a stateside friend call you. Make a call before you leave the US and another once you arrive in Mexico. Fortunately, if something is wrong, you can call AT&T customer service free at 611 from the US or Mexico. If you are Forwarding calls from another wireless number that carrier's customer service should be able to also change your Call Forwarding status, but it won't be a free call.


Option 2: Steps for using a Cricket Wireless phone either by itself or forwarded from another phone:

	Step 1: Use or set up a normal Cricket account. There are no contracts and you can purchase monthly service or a pay-as-you-go account. You can buy monthly Cricket and PAYGo phones online. Mexico roaming applies to Voice calls only, there is no Data or Text Messaging available. Step 2: Activate Roaming to Your Account: Once you have roaming capability added to your plan, you need to call 228 within Cricket service before leaving your unlimited coverage area. You also need funds in a "Flex Bucket", includes an amount of roaming minutes. If you have used all the roaming minutes included in your roaming 'bolt-on', you can buy additional roaming bolt-ons or you can use your Flex Bucket to pay for roaming minutes a la carte. If you activate, refresh, or change to a NTT plan after May 5th, 2011, you do not need to add the roaming bolt-on. It will be automatically provisioned. However, you will always need funds in your Flex Bucket. If you’re a Cricket* PAYGo customer, you need to dial 228 before leaving your unlimited coverage area, and you need funds in your account balance. Discount Cricket PayGo* refills are available. Get complete details about Cricket Mexico Roaming. Step 3: If you Call Forward to this phone from another: Just before leaving the US, choose the way to have your calls find you: Activate Call Forwarding from your home or wireless phone to the GoPhone. It should be a local call. If your regular wireless phone is from AT&T, the calls should count as "Mobile to Mobile," if not, minutes will be used as Forwarded calls. or, Tell your callers to call your Cricket Wireless number. or, Activate a new or existing Google Voice number. You can program where calls are directed online. You can also use the Google Voice voice mail which can be reviewed online without using minutes on the phone, then return calls on your Cricket phone. Step 4. Test Your Connections: Make sure calls work as intended. You could take your "regular" wireless phone with you just to make a test call or have a stateside friend call you. Make a call before you leave the US and another once you arrive in Mexico Fortunately, if something is wrong, you can call customer service free at 611 from the US or Mexico. If you are Forwarding calls from another wireless number that carrier's customer service should be able to change your Call Forwarding status but it won't be a free call.

	Additional Considerations: Be sure to check Mexico Calling Procedures Get online DISCOUNT Refills for AT&T GoPhone and Cricket PAYGo instead of paying full price at retailers. When you return you still have a working prepaid phone with some balance on it that can be used in the US. If you don't live in an AT&T or Cricket area, you should be ready to provide an address and Zip Code in an area that is. Your transaction will be all online, you won't receive any bills at your supplied address. At an AT&T or Cricket store you'll need to show some ID which may complicate the process. Be prepared. You can use the above steps to activate other wireless phones such as T-Mobile Prepaid or Page Plus, but expect higher rates.