Cell Phones

[doctor2007]

Does anyone know, is Cell Phone service available on the island? Thanks

[Stiches]

well, i think that depends on what kind of cell phone you have. There are some GSM phones that will work anywhere in the world. My GSM phone, however, will not work outside of North America. So talk to your supplier. Since i haven't actually been to the island yet (sept '04), this is all i know.

cheers.

Jie

[ResearchingGuy]

Yes, reasonably priced and reliable cellphone service is available on the island. I cannot give you any particulars about it except that people usually buy phones here instead of bringing them from home.

Unfortunately, there are also a number of rude and/or remarkably ignorant people who leave them on in class. :evil:

Bottom line - you can get a cell phone here.

BUT -- Do everyone a favor and turn it off when you're in class ( I don't care how "catchy and novel" your "ring" is).

Best of Luck!

[Stiches]

thanx for the info researchguy, i had no idea saba had cell phones. For long distance calls, it's still cheaper to use a calling card, correct? Do they sell those here on Saba as well?

[docsmile]

With respect to buying a cell phone on the island, when I came to visit Saba the cell phone company told me that I should buy one from St. Maarten or bring a world phone from home. If I recall correctly, it is very expensive to call Canada from the cell phone. The only advantage I see is the fact that incoming calls are free :wink: so people from home can call you and you wont have to pay for the airtime.

Hope this helps
Doc :D

[ResearchingGuy]

There are various ways to save when you call home. I use a call-back service that is about 24 cents per minute. I have had no luck using prepaid phone cards like we have in the US but they recently installed "International" Payphones next to most of the regular payphones on the island and I think they might take them.

You can buy a Satel card and use it in the local payphones to call home for about 56 cents per minute. It's not cheap but it is fairly convenient and a good way to budget. You buy a card for $5, $10 or$20 dollars and you know that your call can't possibly go over that limit. :wink:

Another option some folks use is the internet and things like net -2-phone. Internet service is something less than 10 cents per minute, so you can talk for an hour for about $6.

Best of Luck!