#73139 - 05/22/08 09:05 AM
Communication
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haredi
Junior Member
Registered: 05/03/04
Posts: 34
Loc: FL
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Hi all! Finally am working out the booking for our trip. Has anyone ever taken a satellite phone with them to cut the costs of calling back to the states? We are leaving the kids, and I would prefer to have an easy way to call them daily. I am also bringing the computer, I suppose I could use SKYPE to talk to them through the internet. Any suggestions???
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#73231 - 05/24/08 12:00 PM
Re: Communication
[Re: haredi]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Skype is very popular in FP, and most of the cybercafes are set up to use it. Second option is to buy a FP phone card to use at the many many payphones everywhere -- it's the cheapest way to phone home (besides an internet-based service like Skype.) Hotel phones are the most expensive way to call home. You can also bring un unlocked GSM 900 cell phone and buy a SIM card from the local provider -- Vini -- which will give you a local Tahitian 6-digit phone number and free incoming calls (even from the USA). For more info on getting a local number, check out this website:
http://www.vini.pf/wps/portal?SYMBOLNAV=webVisIntlEng
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#73241 - 05/24/08 02:14 PM
Re: Communication
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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Ditto Barbi, when calling us it is appr. 190 cfp/min. The vinicard with sym to use in your own phone is 4400 cfp.
You can also buy an internet prepaid card from Mana (only provider here) for 1,3 or 10 hrs (5300 cfp) which you could use at the so called "Manaspots" wifi connection (only available in areas of Tahiti and Moorea) Internetcafé is appr. 500 cfp 10-15 min.
_________________________
* with sunshine *
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#73267 - 05/25/08 01:58 PM
Re: Communication
[Re: Poehere]
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haredi
Junior Member
Registered: 05/03/04
Posts: 34
Loc: FL
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Thanks for the info. Signed up for Skype so we can contact that way, but also still considering the satellite phone. Last time we just bought a calling card, but it was such a hassle getting to town from the Pearl to make a call. It's going to depend on how "available" we really want to be!
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#73271 - 05/26/08 09:43 AM
Re: Communication
[Re: haredi]
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travelintom
Member
Registered: 05/06/04
Posts: 469
Loc: california
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new twist on communications... try magicjack.com use your computer or laptop to talk anywhere in the world.less than 20.00usd per YEAR.!!!!
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#73297 - 05/27/08 02:47 PM
Re: Communication
[Re: travelintom]
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haredi
Junior Member
Registered: 05/03/04
Posts: 34
Loc: FL
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Thanks travelintom. We also inquired about the new world blackberry. Verizon said they could unlock the phone so we can buy a vini card.
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#73299 - 05/27/08 03:51 PM
Re: Communication
[Re: haredi]
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Poehere
Expert Advisor
Registered: 08/18/07
Posts: 2362
Loc: FP
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haredi, blackberry and Iphones don't function in FP (apart from making calls)! Maybe in 2010...
_________________________
* with sunshine *
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#73313 - 05/28/08 09:45 AM
Re: Communication
[Re: Poehere]
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Pacific Andy
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 4278
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Need to purchase the unlocked phones from Ebay
The I phone will work since its part of the AT&T network which has a deal with Vini. You just cant get email or search the web.
_________________________
Once You Go You Get It
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#73316 - 05/28/08 10:15 AM
Re: Communication
[Re: Pacific Andy]
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tambir9
Member
Registered: 12/18/06
Posts: 210
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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We used my husband's blackberry for phone calls with no problem or modifications, last November.
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#73319 - 05/28/08 11:35 AM
Re: Communication
[Re: tambir9]
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YvesC
Administrator
Registered: 07/10/01
Posts: 408
Loc: Los Angeles
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This isn't as easy as it seems...
It's not the brand of phone that matters, it's the cellular system your cell provider uses, and the frequency they use. It has to be GSM system, and the phone has to be able to operate in the 900 mhz frequency, and be unlocked if you want to use the local Vini card. Also, if you use a US cell provider to make calls from Tahiti, they'll charge you high roaming fees for both coming and outgoing calls.
Be careful what you buy on eBay, re the frequency and the unlocked issue. 900 is not standard.
Also, re satellite phone - They ONLY work outdoors. You have to have a clear view of the sky to send and receive calls. And the calls are expensive.
If you go on the home page of this site you'll find a link to cell phone rentals. Phones already include the Tahitian service and use local call rates. It works-out to be cheaper than buying a phone in the US and then buying the local access kit.
Y.
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