Thread: Cell Phones/Service in Grenada

Originally Posted by htaghiof

Is it worth buying an unlocked GSM cell phone from the States and taking it with me to Grenada or is it better to just buy the phone in Grenada? I guess if I take it with me it will be taxed at customs, so it might not be worth the expense. And what kind of data service is available in Grenada (EDGE, 3G, etc) Is LIME better than Digicel? I know LIME has a myFaves type plan that would come in handy since I'm moving to the island with my wife and we'd be able to keep in touch cheaper that way. I've tried finding this info on the websites but wasn't able to. Thanks so much to all of you who have been helping me with the transition. This forum is amazing.

Hello, it doesn't really matter if you bring an unlocked phone or not. Ive always spent like around $90EC ( ~ 36 US) on a phone from LIME which comes with $10EC on it already. The cell phones on the island are majorly prepaid. Incoming calls are free. Digicel to LIME calls or vice versa are always expensive. Ive always stuck with LIME and have never had any issues. Where as many of my friends with digicel admitted to having many issues (but thats just people that I know...everyone will have their own opinion). I did eventually bring down an unlocked razor phone at one point, and then within the past year an unlocked iPhone. I didn't use the iPhone much, I guess I was just paranoid that someone would see it n just snatch it out of my hands :P But thats just my paranoia. A lot of people have iPhones, Blackberry etc.

The cheapest priced phones you get are obviously not all high tech. So if you are okay with just having a phone to make calls, and not all those cool features then I think you'd be totally fine with a phone from LIME or digicel.

During the 1st week or 2 of orientation and classes, there are usually tents set up on campus from various companies i.e LIME, digicel. So you can totally get a bit of a discount if you purchase a phone/SIM card then. I believe if you ONLY buy a SIM card its about $30 EC??

Also in the beginning of the term they have something called "double bubble". If you add $50 EC worth on your cell, it doubles. But there are some restrictions to it i.e only LIME to LIME, use it with in a certain amount of days yada yada. I believe digicel does that as well.

I'd def go with LIME. But again thats my opinion.

No one will charge taxes on your unlocked phone, you show them your laptop and that's it. I unlocked my iPhone down here, and have been using it since Term 1. I have a prepaid plan since I don't use many minutes + at campus and home I have wifi, so 3G is not really needed. I think they have only Edge down here at the moment anyway.

I like Digicel actually I couldn't care less, I would wait and see what your friends are getting Lime vs. Digicel, and go with that crowd as otherwise it'll be crazy expensive to call each other.

Hey guys - I know this is a very old thread but I'm having trouble finding what I'm looking for elsewhere, so I figured maybe someone who checks in on this thread will know.

I am cruising from Grenada to Canouan and back, and we will be on a boat the whole time, not on islands. What are the odds that either Lime or Digicel will have coverage for data out on the water? My impression is that service can extend some miles offshore in the right conditions, and with all those islands, there should be cell towers dotted along that route. If anyone has actual experience using a cell phone (data coverage specifically) out in that area, I would love to hear any advice. Thanks!

Originally Posted by cameronjpu

Hey guys - I know this is a very old thread but I'm having trouble finding what I'm looking for elsewhere, so I figured maybe someone who checks in on this thread will know.

I am cruising from Grenada to Canouan and back, and we will be on a boat the whole time, not on islands. What are the odds that either Lime or Digicel will have coverage for data out on the water? My impression is that service can extend some miles offshore in the right conditions, and with all those islands, there should be cell towers dotted along that route. If anyone has actual experience using a cell phone (data coverage specifically) out in that area, I would love to hear any advice. Thanks!

I would be incredibly impressed if this turned out to work for you, considering there are times that I'm ON the island and I can't get a good cell reception, let alone data.

Originally Posted by tkm2323

I would be incredibly impressed if this turned out to work for you, considering there are times that I'm ON the island and I can't get a good cell reception, let alone data.

Ah... that's not a good sign! But the boat operator says that it should be workable (they're not trying to sell me anything, so I don't think they have a conflict of interest), so I guess I will have to wing it and try to remember to come back here and let you know how it worked!