activating a cell phone in bogota

Hi all,
it's been a long time since i've posted here(cartagena forum) and just as long since i've been in colombia but i hope to go to bogota instead of cartagena at the end of the year and wanted to know if anyone has ever taken their cell phone and activitated there. I've been told that one can get short term service (probabaly prepaid). i have an at&t phone, it's tdma that works on the 800/1900 digital and 800 analog system. Would any tdma phone work there? any insight will be appreciated.
thanks

[Laredo]

What IS the current situation with the cell phones in Bogotá? I know that changes have gone on since 2003 here in the States. What ARE the major cell phone companies?

[Colombia Vacations]

The three major cell phone Co.'s are Bell South, Comcell & Ola. A couple of years ago I read that Bell South was the largest provider, (could be true, I signed a contract for two phones a received a free TV) Ola is fairly new and structured similar to Sprint.

Glad to see the board is back up!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the U.S.

Bob

[Mountain Man]

Hi Bob,

This is Eric. Can our NA cell phones be programed to work down there?

Yes it is great to see the board up but I think many people are having a tough time logging on. When I log on it says my identity does not exsist but I am logged on ...... Hmmmmmmm

[Colombia Vacations]

Hey big guy!

I have both Bell South and Comcell here & also had Bell South in the U.S, I found out they are not compatible to work with each other and could not be re-programmed even after Bell South said "no problem". I've heard of some guys having their phones re-programmed but never talked to anyone personally that had any luck or didn't have some sort of problem so I decided just to have service in both countries and not have to hassle with trying to save a few dollars.

It was such a hassle I just bought a Virgin Network phone for when I travel back to the U.S. that works on the Sprint network, it works about like the cell phones I give out to the guests here, it's prepaid and I don't lose my telephone number.

Several guys also have bought the same service here to have their own cell phone when they return, I am storing several phones for guys when they return.

Logging on: I received a notice yesterday the board was back up and decided to see if all was working normal again. I had the same problem you did but actually was logged on. Hope this board gets back on it feet again and they will update their book, it used to be a great tool if nothing else just giving a lot of good advise and options.

Stay warm!!!

Bob

[LAI]

BELLSOUTH is no longer owned by the US bellsouth company. They have been nought out by another company but will continue using the trademark name.

Nelson
LatinIntro.com

Good to see you guys back! Everything should be back to normal.

[LAI]

If anyone is interested, we have cell phones (comcel) for rent for $7.95 a day. You just have to buy the prepaid cards. We will offer weekly and monthly plans.

[Mountain Man]

When I was in Bogota last time I saw the "pay as you go" phones for 250,000 pesos (a nice Panasonic). I have been told you can buy them for as little as $200,000. The you just need to buy the cards. I think Ola is the most economical but does not work in some more remote places. Can anyone comment on Ola? I think you can buy used phones for about $100,000? Chao.

[Bill123]

Eric is right.... find the phone company you want to use and simply buy a used phone and then buy the minutes or a calling plan if you are living there. No need to rent the phone on a daily basis.

I've seen used phones all over down there for very inexpensive.

Remember, that the inbound calls are free and the outbound calls you pay for, at least on the pre-pay method. I'm not sure on the regular plans though.