Cell phone providers page 2 - Dominican Republic forum

Cell phone providers

15POSTS

4 years ago

I suggest you look into MagicJack, Its a little match box size device that you attach to your router and plug in a landline phone. When you make a call it originates from the US servers.聽 Since I have a North Carolina number the call is from North Carolina to any US or Canada number.

I am retired now and still have my MagicJack, but when I traveled to Latin America I would take my MagicJack with me and when we went out to dinner I would call home and then pass my laptop around so we could all call home. We did this almost every night.

This device is dirt cheap, and here at home I used it for my FAX machine and it is hooked up to my home alarm system. Been using it for more than 10 years with zero problems.
Look into it.....

3 members reacted to this post

freeperson Serial expat

201POSTS

4 years ago

#42

you can leave the magicjack attached to ur router back home and install the MagicJack app on ur cell

4 members reacted to this post

Jonnie San Pedro Member

12POSTS

4 years ago

#43

Some may find this a bit off topic, but my feeling is the most important aspect of cell service in the DR is mobile data because there are many ways to voice call or video call without placing a traditional phone call. WhatsApp is practically the default way most folks place calls in the Dominican Republic and many other places worldwide. It uses only data, not traditional voice service, and when you are connected to WiFi, it uses that and not your mobile data plan. Same deal with Skype and other similar products (mostly free), including the Magic Jack smartphone app. For some, WhatsApp or Skype, etc . . , will not be an easy solution, because the pool of people one calls may not contain enough users with a comfort level high enough to use apps on their smartphones. My mother just gave up her flip phone at 80+ years old, for example, and I am not introducing her to WhatsApp to preserve her sanity. As for DR cell providers, I only have experience with Altice and it is ok, but not great in terms of coverage and signal strength in my anecdotal experience. I would give Claro a shot in a do-over. I know people who use Magic Jack and swear by it, so not knocking that at all. There are other porting services that take advantage of VOIP too and they have been discussed here in the telecommunications thread. Magic Jack and other porting services do not require users to use any particular app because they support typical phone calling and all the business about VOIP and porting are invisible to callers. On a final note I have GoogleFi on my US cell phone and get great coverage and speed in the DR for no additional cost. It does not appear to be throttled at all, connecting mostly at 4G. This is basically an alternative to TMobile that does the same thing. It is my understanding, however, that users can run into trouble with Google Fi if they are using their phone outside the USA excessively without using it much in the USA. I think the original poster and I would agree that there are great ways to make free (or super cheap) international calls without placing traditional international calls. I have been very long-winded in saying that the quality of your mobile data (and/or home WiFI)聽 is key to using any of these solutions as they all use the Internet (VOIP).

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rosemarierhodes Member

2POSTS

4 years ago

#44

rms171 wrote:
As the last poster said it depends on where in the country you are. Generally Claro and Orange (now Altice) offer the best coverage.聽 My wife has used both and found Claro to be better. Our usage has been basically in Puerto Plata and in the Capital. We use prepay more out of convenience that anything elsein addition use the .

Thank you for sharing this information with me

Terryo Active member

43POSTS

4 years ago

#45

Thanks for the magic jack info, coming to D.R in a few weeks for 3 months just ordered a magic jack
to bring with me so l can call back to Canada and the U.S. thanks again , Terry.

2 members reacted to this post

Riva31 Serial expat

264POSTS

4 years ago

#46

Terryo wrote:
Thanks for the magic jack info, coming to D.R in a few weeks for 3 months just ordered a magic jack
to bring with me so l can call back to Canada and the U.S. thanks again , Terry.

for Claro users the app works without internet service, so is not an issue to top the prepaid service.

I recommend textnow app, you can have a 2nd. phone number from USA or Canada and works very good, also can send and receive text messages.

Ian1272 Contributor

137POSTS

4 years ago

#47

I read Unclebucks reply about using Textnow.

I did an online chat with TextNow and their online customer service said they don鈥檛 do that.

Can you help me out @UncleBuck with how you did this please ?

Thanks

)

Riva31 Serial expat

264POSTS

4 years ago

#48

ihopkins1272 wrote:
I read Unclebucks reply about using Textnow.

I did an online chat with TextNow and their online customer service said they don鈥檛 do that.

Can you help me out @UncleBuck with how you did this please ?

Thanks )

Hello, I use textNow, what you says they do not do?

UncleBuck Serial expat

563POSTS

4 years ago

#49

ihopkins1272 wrote:
I read Unclebucks reply about using Textnow.

I did an online chat with TextNow and their online customer service said they don鈥檛 do that.

Can you help me out @UncleBuck with how you did this please ?

Thanks )

I'd love to help, if I can.聽 It's probably best to do that privately some don't clog the thread with details not needed by everyone.

1 member reacted to this post

Ian1272 Contributor

137POSTS

4 years ago

#50

Hi UncleBuck.

Thanks for your willingness to help. I am new here, so I don鈥檛 have enough posts to allow me to message you. Would you start the messaging with me please as I will be able to reply to you.

Thanks so much

1 member reacted to this post

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

4 years ago

#51

Great info on this thread for newcomers and telephone service.聽 Personally, I have been using magic jack for Canadian and US telecommunications from the DR for more than 10 years.聽 I use whatsapp predominantly in the DR and also with some Family in Canada.聽 I use FB messenger for family and contacts in Europe and have not had a need for anything else.聽 All work well and do not use your data plan as long as you are connected to the internet.聽 Also I use Magicjack both on my mobile (app) and connected (mj device) to my home network through a series of portable phones.

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Solar39 Active member

70POSTS

3 years ago

#52

T-Mobile --

Does anyone have T-Mobile in the US and can I use it in DR.聽 I'm going down for two weeks in Sept.

GuestPosterR2506 Guest

0POSTS

3 years ago

#53

Yea I have TMobile works just find just be careful with outgoing calls you get charge like .25 minute.聽 Download WhatsApp is free

2 members reacted to this post

Solar39 Active member

70POSTS

3 years ago

#54

@Rich1162

Thanks for taking the time to reply.聽 Appreciate it.

1 member reacted to this post

GuestPosterR2506 Guest

0POSTS

3 years ago

#55

Very welcome and enjoy your time in the Island if you ever in La Romana. don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out for a cold presidente

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Stacy ST Active member

35POSTS

3 years ago

#56

@Solar39聽 T-Mobile is great in the DR because you get free texting and 2GB data. If you have wi-fi calling on your phone, you can use that for free, just be careful you don't lose wi-fi while on the call, otherwise they will charge you. A way around that is to turn your phone on airplane mode, and then turn wi-fi on. Or like Rich1162 said, you can use whatsapp for calls, but I know not everyone in the US has whatsapp.

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Solar39 Active member

70POSTS

3 years ago

#57

@Stacy ST

Thank you, good to know.

Tippj Serial expat

615POSTS

3 years ago

#58

@Solar39

聽聽Yes I have it and Rich is right cost .25 cents a minute because your calling out of network , you will get a notification from t- Mobile when you land telling you what to expect鈥︹€�

Best is to get WhatsApp鈥�.. now remember you probably won鈥檛 get a signal when

leaving the airport聽 because your running on 2-3 G鈥檚 here you do get a signal periodically in the towns -city for the most part and I have used Waze here ,

And every restaurant and hotel has internet and you can ask to be added even if you go and buy a water 鈥� drink鈥�. in a bar good luck you鈥檒l figure it out鈥�..馃愤馃

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Solar39 Active member

70POSTS

3 years ago

#59

@Tippj

Gracias.

Profe Agayu Active member

74POSTS

3 years ago

#60

@SFP203 I live in Santo Domingo and I found the both Claro and Altice work well. However, since nearly everyone in my circle has Claro, I choose to use Claro.

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Riva31 Serial expat

264POSTS

3 years ago

#61

@SFP203 I live in Santo Domingo and I found the both Claro and Altice work well. However, since nearly everyone in my circle has Claro, I choose to use Claro.
- @Profe Agayu

To have Claro postpay service has the advantage that you can travel and use roaming service for free.聽 They let you use your phone with same benefics of your plan here in more than 30 countries in America and Europe.聽

UncleBuck Serial expat

563POSTS

3 years ago

#62

To have Claro postpay service has the advantage that you can travel and use roaming service for free.聽 They let you use your phone with same benefics of your plan here in more than 30 countries in America and Europe.聽
- @Riva31

Claro roaming is far from free, in Canada at least.聽 You need to call Claro to get roaming unlocked, and purchase internet for the days you are out of the country.聽 Despite all the promises and information to the contrary, it is not free, and it is not easy.聽 And you HAVE to do it before you leave the DR, and buy the internet package for a few days ahead of time, too.聽 And this is assuming you can access your Claro account online, which I couldn't, because they add 2 zeros to the end of you passport and won't telly until you hound them for access.聽 Adding funds to the Claro account is fun, too.聽 It is strange how difficult and counterintuitive they make it.聽 But it can be done!

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Riva31 Serial expat

264POSTS

3 years ago

#63

To have Claro postpay service has the advantage that you can travel and use roaming service for free.聽 They let you use your phone with same benefics of your plan here in more than 30 countries in America and Europe.聽
- @Riva31

Claro roaming is far from free, in Canada at least.聽 You need to call Claro to get roaming unlocked, and purchase internet for the days you are out of the country.聽 Despite all the promises and information to the contrary, it is not free, and it is not easy.聽 And you HAVE to do it before you leave the DR, and buy the internet package for a few days ahead of time, too.聽 And this is assuming you can access your Claro account online, which I couldn't, because they add 2 zeros to the end of you passport and won't telly until you hound them for access.聽 Adding funds to the Claro account is fun, too.聽 It is strange how difficult and counterintuitive they make it.聽 But it can be done!
- @UncleBuck

Your are talking about Prepaid and Control plans, I have post pay plan with Claro, 2Gb and 200 min plan, just cameback from Colombia and used my phone to make calls to Colombian phones and Dominican phones, also received calls from DR and I got my bill and the charge was 0.00, they registered the calls as roaming calls and the total charge was negative number.聽聽Internet data plan use also was from my local GB as If I were here.聽 At the moment of my trip I had 6 GB with the rollover of the Data in my plan.

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

1948POSTS

3 years ago

#64

I have a Claro "Smart Postpago" plan (just confirmed in the Mi Claro app) and I have to purchase roaming when I go back to the US. We've been told it's supposed to be free, but like Uncle Buck says, no matter how many times I've called, the only thing that works is to add money to my account and buy a roaming plan. Fortunately, it's not too expensive (less than getting a US sim and prepaid plan) and I'm typically on wifi most of the time I'm traveling.

2 members reacted to this post

Liam H Active member

26POSTS

3 years ago

#65

have you tried Holafly, which we are using for the DR,聽

[link moderated]/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIKYBhC6ARIsAGEds-L4wASBwnLKm4ERuwyVhzs9L9gUvJ7pt0Cww9pvlrvaByiQDjEYN6UaAm_DEALw_wcB

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17772POSTS

3 years ago

#66

Looks like the link isn't working.聽 Just Google Holafly for info!

Riva31 Serial expat

264POSTS

3 years ago

#67

I have a Claro "Smart Postpago" plan (just confirmed in the Mi Claro app) and I have to purchase roaming when I go back to the US. We've been told it's supposed to be free, but like Uncle Buck says, no matter how many times I've called, the only thing that works is to add money to my account and buy a roaming plan. Fortunately, it's not too expensive (less than getting a US sim and prepaid plan) and I'm typically on wifi most of the time I'm traveling.
- @ddmcghee

The roaming free works with the GB of your plan, if the the moment that you travel you have use all the GB of your base plan and is using the bonus then you have to buy Data package.聽聽When I traveled with the rollover I had 6 Gb and聽 my internet worked good and also calls.聽 Bonus do not apply to be use while in roaming

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

1948POSTS

3 years ago

#68

@Riva31 I have a 3G plan and my last trip to the US started on the first day of my new month so I had lots of data left but still no roaming until I found wifi and purchased the plan.

TienesUnMapa Member

18POSTS

3 years ago

#69

Wow. I am at PUJ right now, and despite a Freedom Mobile roaming plan, got an alert that I owe over $1,000.00. Ouch. I have to figure something out.

An an aside. Some of these queries could be good business ideas. Why not open a multilingual Claro reseller business to cater to tourists/snowbirds/expats etc.?

Riva31 Serial expat

264POSTS

3 years ago

#70

@Riva31 I have a 3G plan and my last trip to the US started on the first day of my new month so I had lots of data left but still no roaming until I found wifi and purchased the plan.
- @ddmcghee

Then something must be wrong with your service.聽聽Me and my friends just camback from Colombia, all of us has postpay plans, all of us used the roaming data with no charges, also we had to make calls between us and all calls the charge was 0.00, What I can think right now is maybe your phone pick up diferent company than Claro or in the case traveling where there is not Claro Company is connected to the one that the data roaming is not free.聽聽 Next time ask wich company you must be connect to have the free roaming.

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Tripp789 Contributor

176POSTS

3 years ago

#71

Related question about linking Credit cards to Claro:

We have Claro SIM cards and MiClaro accounts (postpaid accounts) for them.聽 Despite Claros claim the local bank cards hook up immediately for payment, I have been unable to do so.聽

I attempted to link my US MasterCard and was told to enter the approval code on my CC account provided with the 鈥渢est deposit鈥�.聽 Got the code but can find nowhere on MiClaro to enter the link!聽 Does anyone know how to do that?

In the meantime I pay Claro for the base service through my bank account, but adding data etc. when needed requires a trip to a claro stand.

Any help, advice or assistance would be appreciated!

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

3 years ago

#72

Just go back to the same place that you entered the new credit card information (under your profile, credit cards) and click on validate.聽 There will be a pop up asking for the 4 digit code.聽 The code will be on the test deposit that they initially sent...

Profe Agayu Active member

74POSTS

3 years ago

#73

@Tripp789 From my experience, I believe you need a debit/credit card in pesos. When I was in the Claro store, I remember the lady had told me I could only pay in pesos.

Also, I was never able to link my Banco BHD debit card for some reason. However, I was able to link my Banco Santa Cruz debit card.

Hope this helps.

Tripp789 Contributor

176POSTS

3 years ago

#74

@DominicanadaMike

Thanks. The problem is that when I go there I can鈥檛 see anyway to enter anything.聽 There is an alert telling me the card is pending validation, but 鈥淓ditar tarjeta鈥� only allows me to change the expiration date.

Does anyone know of an English speaking Claro customer service number or chat line?聽 While I鈥檓 taking lessons, I鈥檓 far too limited to have this conversation!!

Tripp789 Contributor

176POSTS

3 years ago

#75

@Profe Agayu

I鈥檝e had this travel card linked back when I had a prepaid sim and it worked then.聽

I may have to get an account at another bank as you did!聽 Lol!

I guess the other alternative is to use one of the pay services mentioned in some other posts.聽 I pay the primary service from my BP account and reall only need the card for recharging data, etc.聽

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

3 years ago

#76

It's not a problem, a little tricky but I just did this a few days a go.聽 Canadian credit card.聽

It will take you to a page with 2 tabs on the left side.聽 Mi perfil and mis tarjetas.聽 Click on "mis targetas.

Then you will either have a pending card or you will have to start again by adding a new card.聽 to add a new card click on "Agregar targeta".

Enter your credit card information.聽 They will send a 1 peso credit to your credit card account.聽 Review this transaction in your online banking.聽 In the transaction you will find the 4 digit code.聽 Copy the code, go back to Mi Claro, enter the code and click on ...

That's it.

Cheers,

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

3 years ago

#77

@Prof: not necessary.聽 Paying in pesos has nothing to do whether you have a Dominican or "other" credit card.聽 Always pay in pesos and let your credit card company do the exchange.聽 Paying in dollars creates multiple exchange fees and the owner of the credit card receptacle can charge whatever they feel like as a service charge.

1 member reacted to this post

DRVisitor Serial expat

772POSTS

3 years ago

#78

Just revisiting this thread on who is the best for cell phone service if you wanted service strictly in DR - contract or not just quality service without outages.