Fellow border blogger, Ms. Anna Cearley posts on her blog  Across the Border that the Telegram survives in Mexico because it serves the communication needs of remote villagers throughout Mexico; that the most common non-essential telegram is for remittance notifications.  While in the States the need for the telegram is now obsolete.  The existence of the telegram infrastructure highlights the ongoing need for communication options to remote areas deep within  Mexico. Living along the border region (we are only 15 minutes from the San Diego Border) we have had our share of shocking cell phone bills because we rely on a US issued cell phone and pay the expensive international roaming rates. Along with dealing with international Country codes, making calls from Baja is not only expensive but tedious.

The Challenge:

How to communicate while in Baja?

The Goal:

  1. From Baja: Cheap calls to the USA and within Mexico.
  2. From the USA: We have friends, family, and colleagues back in the States. We want affordable cell phone options.  We need to be able to receive phone calls throughout Mexico not just Baja.
  3. The phone calls should be as affordable as possible and mobile is preferred.

Solution:

Sprint / Nextel International Direct ConnectSM – The leading push to talk (PTT) phone network is the primary choice for Baja. Why? Because they offer sufficient regular cell phone coverage in the States and an  outstanding product known as International Direct ConnectSM.  The key features of affordability within Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

This ability to communicate back in forth from multiple countries.  Nextel’s no non-sense communication solution has worked great for us. Most Mexicans vendors are aware of the growing number of Nextel users in Mexico and usually have an optional Nextel number. Nextel in Mexico is available for a 50 dollar monthly fee with unlimited usage to other Nextel phones.
Key Benefits
Fast. Enjoy the same speed as you do for your local connections. Simple. No country codes, operators or calling cards required. Just push the Dirct Connect button. Cost-efficient. International Direct Connect calls cost a fraction of international cellular rates.
Unlimited International Direct Connect add-on (optional and can be added after selecting a new phone and plan)
The bad: Sprint phone network is ok. From my experience the network lags behind ATT and Verizon on the cell phone coverage front.

Other

Google Voice aka Grand Central – Another option that we have implemented is the usages of Google’s internet phone service. This service gives us a local USA area code number which we can access our messages over the internet. The service allows you to forward your web button calls straight to voice mail or to any phone number or you can listen in and pick up the call directly. Lastly, Google Voice offers excellent rates for making out going calls.

Conclusion:

Since moving to Baja, we carry only one cell phone/plan  (Sprint/Nextel States plan with International Direct Connect) and we provide our friends and family back in the States with our local Grand Central number which is usually forwarded to our phone or voice message and is checked regularly.  Since this is not an exhaustive list of options, I would like to hear from you? What do you use to communicate while in Baja?

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