Using Cell Phones in Brazil

[Exec Talent]

Has anybody used their android phone / MP3 (or I-phone) in Rio to browse the internet? The phone would obviously not work. But what about internet access?

My assumption is that we can use our wireless devices in Rio as long as there is a signal. Our computers work in Brazil, so I assume our WIFI mobile devices will, too. But

Since I am not a tech geek, I thought I would ask you all.

And, if you have used one of these devices, how available did you find free wifi?

I know some women I speak to online use free WIFI in coffee shops via their phones. I was just wondering whether any of you all have taken a device down with you for

Use. I hear there is free wifi on Copacabana Beach.

SS

IPhones work with no issues.

[Sunset Strip]

Has anybody used their android phone / MP3 (or I-phone) in Rio to browse the internet? The phone would obviously not work. But what about internet access?

My assumption is that we can use our wireless devices in Rio as long as there is a signal. Our computers work in Brazil, so I assume our WIFI mobile devices will, too. But

Since I am not a tech geek, I thought I would ask you all.

And, if you have used one of these devices, how available did you find free wifi?

I know some women I speak to online use free WIFI in coffee shops via their phones. I was just wondering whether any of you all have taken a device down with you for

Use. I hear there is free wifi on Copacabana Beach.

SS

[Cathyacur]

I have been using cheap calling cards from oneandus. Com from last 6 months and found the good quality services as well as cheap international calling cards rate for USA, UK, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, India, Mexico and beyond.

[Ricker]

I have been using TIM for several years. If I remember correctly, the Pre-Paid SIM was approx. R$25, included R$5 credit. I would not rec. using DATA on your 3G phone, it will suck up your credits! Be advised.

As rec. by fellow ISG bros, get a quad band phone. Make sure it is UNLOCKED. Also, I would get a SIM that is specific to the area spent most.

Good hunting.

I bought an unlocked, Quad band, and Dual sim card, cel phone on E-bay for about $50.

I usually insert both my TIM and Oi sim cards which I find to be the most popular among my friends in Sao Paulo which I visit frequently.

I actually bought sim cards from all 4 operators in SP.
TIM, Oi, Claro and Vivo and can insert 2 at time in my cel.
Calls can get expensive when calling friends from unlike services and run fairly inexpensive to same service.

Works well for me.
The sim cards are cheap at about 10-20R and come with some credit.

I don't mess with data-service so don't know about this.

Boa sorte ...

[Dave132]

Does anybody know of data packages for prepaid? In some countries you can I. E. Buy 500 MB of data valid for one week on a prepaid chip. Unfortunately I don't speak any portugese, so I can't research myself on the operator's websites if any offers such a possibility.

[Amerioca]

i'm planning to get a sim for my unlocked gsm cell phone so i can communicate with the locals while in brazil. my research has suggested getting something from tim, oi, or claro. does anyone have a recommendation on what's best? can i get a sim and load up at the airport in sao paulo?

also, vivo, tim, and claro offer a 3g "minimoden" to access the internet from a laptop over the cell network. i've used these in asia and africa and they worked very well. i have a unlocked 3g usb modem that i'd like to use in brazil. does anyone know anything about these for brazil? is the speed/coverage/stability reasonable? are they available prepaid?

i have been using tim for several years. if i remember correctly, the pre-paid sim was approx. r$25, included r$5 credit. i would not rec. using data on your 3g phone, it will suck up your credits! be advised.

as rec. by fellow isg bros, get a quad band phone. make sure it is unlocked. also, i would get a sim that is specific to the area spent most.

good hunting.

[Erectus Indicus]

Gents, here is the price comparison table for various VOIP services operated by Betamax (including voipcheap) for all countries.

http://backsla.sh/betamax

A word of caution : Apparently there are some issues with customer support (i.e. non-existent) and in some forums there are complaints that credit cards got charged without authorisation. I generally use these services with a debit card or a service like iDeal and hence no problems till date.

If you want to avoid the VAT, use a number and a country where there is no VAT but then the methods of payment offered might differ.

[Jan 156]

I'm planning to get a SIM for my unlocked GSM cell phone so I can communicate with the locals while in Brazil. My research has suggested getting something from TIM, Oi, or Claro. Does anyone have a recommendation on what's best?

I tend to use TIM. But remember that as soon as you move outside the city where you bought it, you will incur high long distance charges - if you mean Brazil rather than just SP - so it becomes near useless till you get another. Remember nice phones are also mugger bait in many locales. Unless I am solely frequenting posh places I know to be fairly safe, I tend to have a cheapie disposable phone for carrying around and local use. A good phone with bells and whistles is happier near a hotel safe. Hope this helps.

[Minnesotah]

I was recently using something similar.

www.virtufon.com

I too had a local number that rang here in the US. I guess it depends on your personal needs. The concept itself is very good, not only for Brazil, but other international destinations.

ryjer

Different companies use the same concept, but if I am correct, all of them require you to make a US (domestic) long distance to call the US number linked to the foreign line. So, let's say that you're in a in city/town X, you might still need to pay for a long distance call to NYC, L.A., Seattle or anywhere else. In that case, you need to add up the US long distance to the international call. It is not bad, but it seems that setting up a foreign local line with Skype, Vonage or anyone else is probably cheaper and more simple to use.

[J Falcon]

i'm planning to get a sim for my unlocked gsm cell phone so i can communicate with the locals while in brazil. my research has suggested getting something from tim, oi, or claro. does anyone have a recommendation on what's best? can i get a sim and load up at the airport in sao paulo?

also, vivo, tim, and claro offer a 3g "minimoden" to access the internet from a laptop over the cell network. i've used these in asia and africa and they worked very well. i have a unlocked 3g usb modem that i'd like to use in brazil. does anyone know anything about these for brazil? is the speed/coverage/stability reasonable? are they available prepaid?

[Java Man]

The only problem is that after the first minute you are billed in 6 second increments. That makes a minute $1.50.

Where or how did you find that out? And is that for landline, cellphone or both?

[Cho 637]

Cheap International rates.

From US to Brazil landline 0.015
From US to Brazil Cellphone 0.149

Here's what makes them unique:

Enter your friend's international number and Rebtel gives you a unique local US number for you to call them. The call appears as a Local Brazil number on your friends caller ID. They can then call that local Brazil number to call you, thus avoiding international rates. Local rates still apply.

This is not just for Brazil, but Global. I've made calls to Australia too.
The connection is better that Tel3.com

www.rebtel.com

The only problem is that after the first minute you are billed in 6 second increments. That makes a minute $1.50.

[Ryjerrob]

Cheap International rates.

From US to Brazil landline 0.015
From US to Brazil Cellphone 0.149

Here's what makes them unique:

Enter your friend's international number and Rebtel gives you a unique local US number for you to call them. The call appears as a Local Brazil number on your friends caller ID. They can then call that local Brazil number to call you, thus avoiding international rates. Local rates still apply.

This is not just for Brazil, but Global. I've made calls to Australia too.
The connection is better that Tel3.com

www.rebtel.com

I was recently using something similar.

www.virtufon.com

I too had a local number that rang here in the US. I guess it depends on your personal needs. The concept itself is very good, not only for Brazil, but other international destinations.

ryjer

[Java Man]

Cheap International rates.

From US to Brazil landline 0.015
From US to Brazil Cellphone 0.149

Here's what makes them unique:

Enter your friend's international number and Rebtel gives you a unique local US number for you to call them. The call appears as a Local Brazil number on your friends caller ID. They can then call that local Brazil number to call you, thus avoiding international rates. Local rates still apply.

This is not just for Brazil, but Global. I've made calls to Australia too.
The connection is better that Tel3.com

www.rebtel.com

[Eros74]

...That's why americans need quadband if they want to use those 3 operators.

Perkele thanks for short but good explanation, now it is totally clear