Cubacel has branch offices at the HAV airport and their main office is in Miramar on calle 28 between 7ma and 5ta. They also have branches in the major cities around the country. Service is national and coverage is surprisingly good. All plans are pre-paid. Service is pricey at $.90 minute for airtime (incoming and outgoing calls) but worth every penny in a country where communication is difficult as it is. Phones can be rented for $5/day or bring your ATT compatible phone and they will program it. If you're going down regularly get a permanent contract for $120 start-up (though they regularly offer discounts) and airtime at $.40/ minute.

Dooshbag
Thanks, these were questions, I was going to ask before my next visit in January, I do have one additional question though. Can you use a phone that you are currently using in the US or do you need a phone that has no current carrier. Sorry for the stupid question, but I am one of the last holdouts with cell phones, I have one but rarely turn it on. If I can use that phone it would be great, if it will mess something up I can just buy another and use it. After Our trip in October I can definitely see the value of a cell in Cuba.

I'm not sure I understand your question. They will program any compatible phone. As I said ATT phones work as do Cingular. I forget what system that is, maybe TDMA but don't bank on that. If your phone can only hold one program at a time, tell them you want to program it back when you're leaving and they'll take care of that for you.

That answers my question, just didn't know the terminology. I don't know if my phone holds more than one program or not. DonGringo had one of those Motorola flip ups, they are TDMA, and I know where I can buy a used one. Since I already know that phone works I'll just buy the used one and have it for Cuba. Thanks, Sman

Sman
Better to just have a phone for use there.
There's an immediate "edge" to be earned by having one too I'm finding.
Can't wait to get back.
DG

DG
I am anxious to hear how your trip went. You will have to explain the "edge" sometime. I literally count the days remaining until my return, about every two days, pitiful, huh? I went ahead and bought the phone to use in Cuba specifically. About 8 weeks and counting, you should change your handle to Lucky Bastard.
Sman

Dooshbag has "the edge". He's fluent, has a cell phone, usually has an apt w/a private entrance, and knows the chicas kinda well.

I don't speak much spanish, so I can't get too far along this path, HOWEVER, this last trip I spent a lot less time kissing girls' asses and more time letting them know that I was there to have a good time, and they could join me if they wanted. The cell phone gives you the edge by making you easily available, and obviously more knowledgable than some newbie shmuck. A private casa helps too.

I recently located a site that offers phone service (cell phone rental or service through your existing cell phone).

It is through cubalinda. Has anyone ever used this company? They want some pretty detailed information that I am not comfortable giving to someone I don't know. They want dates and times of arrival, other persons names that I am travelling with, and where I am staying.

If you have experience with this service please post.

Thanks

Admin: Post moved from Carribean: Cuba: Cell Phone service in Cuba

There is a thread on cell phones under advive/questions/commentary just above this post. You don't have to use Cubalinda, just wait till you arrive and do it there.

Admin: Post moved from Carribean: Cuba: Cell Phone service in Cuba

Another question that I have about cell phones:

If you rent from say Cubacel, do you get a cuban tel number?

I actually want a regular tel # so that folks in my red white and blue country, who call me, can't tell that I am in Cuba. Is this possible?


Thanks in advance,

Monger

You get a cuban phone number Monger.
Perhaps with the proper call forwarding techniques, you could direct your USA tel calls to your cuban #. Reception is decent in Havana, and patchy throughout the rest of the island, concentrated solely around major urban areas.

I'm no expect on Cuba cell phones. But I would say no. Besides the travel ban on Americans to Cuba, I have heard that you can't even use American credit cards in Cuba. You have to use cash or credit cards issued by foreign banks. So given that, it would stand to reason that there is no way in hell you are going to be issued a Cuban cell phone with an American number. But, however, I am no expect and could very well be incorrect in my assumption.

Thank you DG