Pay As You Go Internet

Some readers have asked questions about the Telcel 3G card that I will attempt to answer. It is a prepaid system with no service contract. They took no credit card information. I use it until my prepaid 30 day period is up or until I use up my 3 GB, whichever comes first. I then simply buy more time at a Telcel kiosk in a mall or at any OXXO store. There is no problem turning it off for the summer. I just buy some time when we get back to Mexico.

I get Internet wherever I have cell service and Telcel has very good coverage!

I agree that the 3 GB should be enough as long as I stay off YouTube and Limewire. I know Skype works with it but I will have to see how much bandwidth it uses. I will not use the video feature on Skype.

Anyway, so far, so good. I installed the software (in English!) on both computers and it is working great!

Note: Dave from Guadalajara tells me that I still have a very slow 125 KB service if I use up my 3 GB before the month is up.

On Line Again!

I drew the line at paying the usurious rates for a WIFI connection here at the park. Today PJ, Claudia, Norma and I took a drive to Playa del Carmen in search of a Telcel 3G Card. We found the Telcel store and joined a very long line to see a representative. After about 3/4 of an hour we reached the front of the line and found a rep who spoke English! We explained what we wanted and applied for service. She explained the cost and filled out the paperwork. As a measure to limit the drug cartels ability to communicate over the cell phone network some precautions have been taken. When you apply for service and are not a Mexican citizen, you must show them your passport and allow them to copy it or record the number. This makes it easier to track down people abusing the network and was not a problem for me at all. Whatever I can do to help... I wish everyone had this attitude.

Eventually we were directed to the cashier and paid our $903 pesos which included the hardware and the first 30 days service. Additional time can be purchased as we need it at OXXO stores for (I believe) about $500 pesos ($45 CAN). There is no WIFI at Cancun or at Merida so We will get full use of the card over the next month or so.

She explained to me how to initiate the card with my cell phone and I asked her to do it for me. This was no problem for her and I was glad she did it as it was not as easy as I thought. When we got home I plugged the USB card in and away it went! It installed the software, found a signal and when I opened the browser I was connected! The USB device is actually a tiny cell phone with a SIM card. I am allowed 3 GB up/download per 30 day period. I am not sure how much that is but I will probably be well under it as long as I don't use it to download music or send large photos.