cell phone in Argentina

I wanted to take a minute to describe how I easily and painlessly got a cell phone in Argentina for cheap. In general cell phones are expensive in Argentina so when I say cheap, I mean I use it infrequently, but easily.

I have a Droid2Global phone by Motorola.  It has a SIM card and is global ready.  It is possible to simply pay to use (Verizon or other) service in Argentina but it is insanely expensive (like $5/min).

Instead, I unlocked my phone and got a prepaid-SIM card from a local cell phone company.Here's how:

1.  First I called Verizon, before I left the states and I asked them to please tell me the unlock code.  It was not perfectly easy to get the right person on the phone, but it wasn't terrible.
For Verizon Call : Global Customer Support Team at (908) 559-4899.  I think I needed to speak with technical support. I said something to the effect of "I am travelling abroad where I will not be able to use Verizon service.  I would like the code to unlock my phone. I am prepared to aggree to the terms and conditions," (such as, I can't call Verizon for help when I have another SIM card in my phone, duh?!)

2. I showed up at the main Movistar branch in Salta (I expect that this would work at Personal or Claro as well)  I went to reception and asked for a prepago chip (aka a prepaid SIM card).   With a little bumbled spanish and english, but plenty of smiles, the woman got me a chip an a phone number. We put the chip in my phone, turned it on, it asked me for the unlock code (make sure you have your unlock code available) and I was all set.  It cost me nothing.

3. Next I went next door to the telefonico (or something close to that) and I handed her a piece of paper with my number on it and I said I wanted to recharge it (recarga).  It was possible to charge either 30pesos or 60pesos.  Be warned that the charge does expire after about a month.


So for about 30min of time or less, and 30pesos ($6.67USD) I have a cell phone that I can use to get in touch with people here.  Calling is still much more expensive, although I think it is free to receive calls, and texts are about 0.60pesos.