Having a cell phone while studying or living abroad is not a bad idea. In my first couple of weeks here, everyone communicated using email or Facebook but it got to be kind of troublesome. Then we got cell phones. There are 2 popular companies you can choose from here in Mexico. One is called Telcel and the other Movistar. Both offer similar services and have about the same coverage. When you go to get a phone you can choose a monthly plan or (more common) a pay-as-you-go plan. For about $400 pesos you can purchase the phone and get $100 pesos put on your account at the first of the month for 3 months. Not too bad of a deal for about $38 dollars. When you have used up the credit on your account you will receive warning texts to let you know. Even if you don’t have credit, the company will let the other person you try to contact know that you tried to call or text but don’t have credit. You can add more credit in just about any store. Using “Tiempo Aire” (Air Time) you give your number to the cashier and tell them the quantity of credit you want to add. Using Tiempo Aire gives you some benefits like extra credit, double the credit you purchase or free credit to those who have the same company. The other option is to buy “fichas” (phone cards) to add more money to your account. These cards can be found in many places including smaller family stores.
When you go to buy your phone you will need your passport and the address in which you are staying. Registering the phone yourself can be tricky. You have to call a service number and the people who answer tend to speak really fast and are hard to hear. When getting your phone ask if they can register it for you in the store.
Each phone comes with a chip inside. This chip is your account and phone number. You can put it in other phones, in case your phone breaks or your battery dies and you borrow a friend’s phone. Some phones from other countries use chips too and you won’t have to buy a new phone and can use yours from back home.
Sending texts is cheaper than making a call and is the typical way to communicate in today’s society. Making a call is not too much more than texting and you won’t be charged unless the other person picks up or you leave a voicemail.
Getting a phone can be a good idea depending on how long you are staying. It’s not too hard to do and can be an easier way to communicate with your new friends from abroad.
