Best way to get cell service in Bahamas?

[pstadt]

We spent last winter cruising the Bahamas with ATT "Passport" service for our phones - very expensive. I know lots use sim cards that they buy from Bahamas Telephone service.

How do you change sim cards on an iPhone 6S and will I have to do that again for each country as we venture down the Bahamas, through T&C, DR, US and BVIs (and further)? Is it easy to switch back to regular ATT service when we return?

I know lots has been written on this subject already so if someone can please point me to that thread, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Vasco]

Is your phone unlocked? Some newer S6's are. If it is you just replace the sim with a BTC sim in the Bahamas. If it's like older iphones just stick the paper clip thingme or a paper clip in the small hole in the top and the sim pops up.

If you got your phone cheap with ATT it's probably not unlocked.
https://whytheluckystiff.net/how-to-unlock-iphone-6/

[wfetter]

I can tell you that the major providers have coverage in the USVI but you have to be careful as it's easy to pick up BVI antennas sometimes. You can find instructions for the SIM Card drawer in your iPhone here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201337#iphone.

[CarlF]

Our solution is to use an old verizon Iphone 5S. All Verizon Iphones from 5 and beyond were unlocked from the start (most others were too but not ATT). The 5s and above supports the GSM frequencies (e.g. not just the old CDMA frequencies) so they work anywhere in the world on any carrier. These cost about $120 on ebay.

I put a prepaid BTC sim (I've also used SIM's in Europe) in the phone. The SIM costs about $25. No setup is usually required but the nice folks at the BTC ofice will install it and check it for no charge. This phone then gives me a local phone number which is really handy calling around the island.

I then use this phone as a hotspot on the boat for all the phones, tablets, and laptops. The BTC data is only $10 for 2GB - much cheaper than in the US. There's no contract. Just buy another 2GB online with a credit card when you run out. The data expires after 30 days so you can't stockpile it. But at this price, who cares. And in areas with a weak signal, I put the 5S in a plastic bag and hoist it 20 feet up. Better than most amplifiers.

[CarlF]

A totally separate option is to get a Google Fi phone. If you travel a lot outside the US these are a really good idea. Calls are cheap everywhere including between countries. The data is $10GB - it works just about everywhere in the world and is full speed (not throttled like T-mobile). It can be used as a hotspot with no limits (of course you are paying the $10/GB). If you don't want to worry about cell service - this is the answer.

[Jeanneau 45.2]

Carl F: Thank you for the clear and precise explanation and instructions. We are waiting for weather window to cross, so your post is timely. Alan

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by CarlF

And in areas with a weak signal, I put the 5S in a plastic bag and hoist it 20 feet up. Better than most amplifiers.

Wow, great idea. Never tried it but don't know if I dare (too much wind usually) even though I carry 3 phones with me now as my "unlocked" Samsung suddenly got locked again while in the Bahamas last year and nothing could unlock it. Problem with using old Craigs List phones, the former carrier sometimes locks them again. Got it unlocked when I got home and then it got locked again. That's why I now have three.

[pstadt]

Thanks all, much appreciated!

I've been having the IMEI.info site checking my phone for the last hour to see if it's locked (screen on site says please wait, it could take up to 2 minutes....).

Carl, with your three phones you do you now have three distinct phone numbers?

[Vasco]

I use the same sim for all three. 2 are unlocked and one is a locked BTC phone I bought last season in the Bahamas when my Samsung got locked. In the states I have a Canadian snowbird sim in Bahamas a btc sim.

[Vasco]

One us number one btc number. In Bahamas incoming calls are not charged so the kids call us. Outgoing is still pricey in Bahamas.

[pstadt]

Great info, thanks!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, wfetter.

[Sojourner]

I don't use voice cell too often, data and VOIP phone service instead.... so I got this little guy. Looks awesome on paper, haven't run it yet but the reviews are great. Basically 8 bucks a day for high speed wifi for up to 5 devices/computers in over 100 countries....

https://www.skyroam.com/solis-global...EaAtHFEALw_wcB

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Sojourner

I don't use voice cell too often, data and VOIP phone service instead.... so I got this little guy. Looks awesome on paper, haven't run it yet but the reviews are great. Basically 8 bucks a day for high speed wifi for up to 5 devices/computers in over 100 countries....



https://www.skyroam.com/solis-global...EaAtHFEALw_wcB

Just a quick look as I was interested, it seemed to say that the price was as low as $8 a day, which seems to tell me it is often higher, and $8 a day, is $240 a month, and possibly much more.
When you actually try it and get the bill, will you report back?

[Matt Johnson]

We got a GLocal2Me hotspot that also has a universal sim card so you can use it right away in just about every country on earth. You then get a local sim and put that in once you've established yourself. Signal strength is great, but we also have a Weboost cell amplifier for further locations.

Take a look at the Glocalme U2 frequency list.... I haven't found many devices that offer more coverage options than this device (especially for price)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Matt