Mobile Phones in Tobago

[Dave Schofield]

Glyn,

Glad you managed to get your phone unlocked.

I must say the TSTT network on Tobago is very poor for a new network. Although calls were o.k. neither text messages or data (dial-up or GPRS) worked. These really should work on a newish network.

However by day three I had stopped trying to make things work, by day seven I couldn't have cared less and by the end of the holiday I had totally forgotten about it!!!

In the end I was glad Tobago is so phone unfriendly, it was really nice not to hear them ringing all the time.

As for PAYG SIM cards I think they might now be available, I had planned a trip to Courts in Scarborough to buy one but in the end the holiday got in the way of me doing that but in a small shop opposite the airport terminal they were selling Liberty top up cards which leads me to believe that they may have been launched.

Dave

[Alex J]

Just to let people know took my T-Mobile phone out to Tobago, 1.40 a min though i might add. Also had good reception whilst there apart from down the Carribean side of the island!!

i.e. When they hire car broke down at Englishmans Bay, couldn t get any coverage there but thanks to some fantastic local people we got on our way!

I'm not a saddo honest, had the 'old man' in the shop for 2 weeks, hes been retired for 5 years, so working was a daunting prospect for him!!!

Alex

[Glyn Kirpalani]

Hi Dave

Apparently the Liberty pay as you go sim cards are not for GSM network 'phones but the predecessor. Also, I am told that the previous network coverage was good, and GSM area coverage is sketchy now but spreading. The old network will be phased out I believe in favour of GSM.

Don't ask me whay any of this means, except that I am awaiting the launch of GSM pay as you go cards and will keep the site posted, since I am told that Liberty cards won't work in my 'phone (???). Has any Euro zone dweller managed to get a Liberty card to work in their European mobile?

Cheers
Glyn

[Dave Schofield]

Glyn,

What you say makes a lot of sense and is almost certainly correct. I have tried to check on the TSTT website and although it is quite flashy it doesn't provide too much info.

The GSM PAYG SIM cards are definitely the way to go and this could provide a good little sideline for a Tobago business. They could buy a couple of SIM's and rent them out so that visitors to Tobago have a local number (no expensive incoming call charges and less likely that people back home will ring knowing they have to pay for the call!) This could be arranged before the visitor arrives so that they know the number. Alternatively someone could buy and resell SIM's to save visitors the hassle of tracking them down.

Anyhow sooner they are available the better.

Dave

[Glyn Kirpalani]

Dave

Good ideas! Thanks, I will explore these options, although the easiest way to be contactable and to be able to contact people is to rent accommodation with telephones - it just so happens that I can help out in that department, although I am not allowed to advertise (my new catchphrase, I use it so often).

TSTT rules will inevitably require some sort of licensing arrangement to rent out SIMS, so actually publicising this service may be tricky, but what they don't know... Still, worth looking at for a few dollars for those who like to make and receive calls when in the field.

Regards

[Steve Fifield]

Glyn,

Some time ago I noticed a conversation about possible mobile phone SIM rental in Tobago. We came a few times before and ended up in TSTT in Scarborough. After about an hour waiting, we gave up and didn't bother.

Do you know if it has become any easier to buy a PAYG SIM in Tobago now, or has any operator started offering them?

Steve, Claire and Jack

[Steve Wooler]

As I understand it, you still cannot buy a PAYG mobile across the counter anywhere in Tobago. You still have to go to the TSTT office in Scarborough and "sign up". The process between 1-3 hours. Not the best way to spend valuable holiday time.

[Andreas Kasner]

In September 2004 I didn't get a connection with my T-Mobile Germany SIM (found the TSTT net, but wasn't authorized to connect - most probably no roaming agreement, which corresponds to what T-Mobile does - or does not - write on their website).
E-Plus SIM worked perfectly.

[Steve Fifield]

Good News All!

I'm here in Tobago, and just bought a GSM TSTT mobile phone SIM from "Mobile Hut" just next to PennySavers in Bon Accord / Cannan. The process takes about 10 minutes.

The SIM costs TT$207.50, and includes TT$50 of calls. Calls cost TT$1.79 per minute peak, TT$0.79 off peak and TT$0.35 for a local text. It makes it very easy to keep in touch locally, and book restaurants and trips without worrying about the call charges. The down side is that if you don't use the SIM for 60 days, your account will be disabled. I have heard that on your next visit, you can have the number re-enabled for only TT$100.

Steve, Claire and Jack.

[Marko C]

Hi everyone
I checked at my mobile operator and the best way to make calls from/in Tobago is to use a satelite phone.
In 10 days we fly to Tobago and I rent a satelite mobile phone.I use my SIM card with my personal number and work all ower the world.
Costs are for calling out from Tobago 1min/4.50 U$ and from other part to Tobago 3.40 U$.One SMS costs 0.50 U$(148 caracters).
For renting phone you need only return air ticket and pay nothing.

very friendly operator


has someone information is alowed to use satelite phones on Tobago

[Steve Fifield]

Marko,

Well at last I've heard from someone who has a Satellite phone! Those rates are very high The GSM network in Tobago is now very good, and call charges are very low by comparison. 1.79TT = £0.15 or US0.27$ approx, so why spend 6 times as much, as your call will end up on the GSM network anyway? Get the local SIM - it works well in your handset providing that it is not network / SIM locked . Don't Mobitel have a GSM network in Slovenia?

Steve F.

[Marko C]

Yes sure we have GSM network and very good but Mobitel didnt make roaming contract with T&T.So this is a main problem.And second is locked GSM phones.
btw. In Slovenia is only 2.000.000 inhabitants and Mobitel sell 1.800.000 phones so we have still a world record phone/inhabitant.
I think about possibility to unlock my phone.
Can I buy a SIM card in pennysaver near airport and how is with price.

Thanks

M.

[Marko C]

Sorry Stive now I see back on posts and discover that you allready anounce everything about SIM costs and penny saver.

Regards

[Pamela Sutcliffe]

I have been in contact with my service provider which is Vodafone and have been assured as I have a dual band mobile phone it will work perfectly in Tobago.
Similarly from last year I was able to use it in Barbados.

[Steve Fifield]

Pamela & all,

To summarise this thread so far, you should have no problems using your GSM mobile in Tobago providing that it is Dual Band (and most of those sold in the last 2-3 years are), and that your mobile operator has a roaming agreement with Tobago, and that your contract supports roaming (ask your operator before you go, as some PAYG agreements don't). UK Vodafone and O2 (formerly Cellnet) certainly do. I'm not sure about Orange, as a friend of mine had problems with his phone.

I tend to use my mobile almost exclusively for local calls (booking tours, retaurants and arranging meet-ups) whilst there, so I use a local SIM, which gives you a local number and local call charges which are quite cheap in Tobago. If you don't have a local SIM, you will pay call charges as if you were calling from your home country, which will work out very expensive.

To use a local SIM, you need to make sure that your phone is not SIM locked, which may be the case if you haven't had the phone long on a contract (especially PAYG). SIM locking is a method to ensure that you don't get a cheap mobile and then swap to another operator, as they like to re-coup the value of your phone on call charges.

For local SIM and call charges, please see the earlier posts.

Cheers,

Steve F.