Need help on making phone calls in Cozumel

[gopbroek]

I actually thought there were other companies that had done this before AT&T.

A couple years back T Mobile started treating all of the USA, Mexico and Canada as a single service area. You just use your phone, its all included. This subsequently forced Verizon and ATT to throttle back on some of their abusive overage charges, but if you listen to their ads, it sounds like they still have 'got you' clauses in the contracts (like they are still run by bean counters that can't really quit screwing their customers) .
Around the time T-Mobile started this, back in the hey day of 'got you' charges at the big carriers, I had a friend who's plane out of Cancun returned to field and he pulled out his ATT phone and spoke with Alaskan customer service for about 20-30 minutes getting his down line flights straightened out, as a loyal ATT customer for many years he got hit with a $240 bill.
I have used my T-Mobile phone all over Mexico and multiple trips into Canada, never have I been charged for calls or data, I just pull out my phone and use it (including local #'s via the international calling exchange). I visited Curacao and had free roaming data and free WiFi calls a couple months back. Last night I got back from a couple days in Zacatecas MX, phone worked when ever I needed voice or data.
I have 3 lines of unlimited data and calling plus 10 G tethering on each and the total bill (all in) is $100 a month.

 

[mediumone]

QUOTE="mstevens, post: 8009746, member: 43307"]switched from Sprint to T-Mobile, [/QUOTE]

Our experience with Sprint was positively maddening - I lasted 6 or 7 months, and also switched to T-Mobile. It's been wonderful, and a lot less money.

When in Mexico, your T-Mobile phone remains a US phone. If calling a US number, you would make and receive calls as though you were still at home. If you want to call a Mexican number, you would dial the same digits as you would from your home in the US. There are no roaming charges calling to/from the US, Mexico and Canada.

I have heard that, if in a 90 day period, more than 1/2 of your data usage occurs in Mexico, they will suggest that you choose another carrier.

Edit to add: Posted before I saw gopbroek's post. Sorry for the duplication.

 

[BRT]

Yes you are correct it is present on plans of greater than 10GB and so then let me rephrase that so that everyone is happy.

IF you have a FAMILY PLAN or a plan with an allowance of greater than or equal to 10GB of data please sign up for the FREE Mexico Roaming plan which is ABSOLUTELY FREE with ABSOLUTELY NO hidden charges other than the 3G/4G/LTE that you use will be deducted from your monthly allowance. I can confirm after three trips that there were absolutely no additions to my bill and that the cost of the plan is FREE.

As to tridacna's comment that he used to work for AT&T and that it was not a free plan. I submit that it is possible that perhaps and I mean just perhaps, the plan has changed from its prior format when he worked there as a consultant? Tridacna I am also sure you weren't suggesting that I am an ignoramus incapable of reading a phone bill both as far as the services I have as well as my monthly fees before, during and after a Mexico trip.

,,,

 

[mstevens]

In terms of WhatsApp on computers, whether through native apps or the webapp, it still depends on having WhatsApp running on your phone, which must be on, have access to data, etc. All the computer gives you is a bigger screen and keyboard.

Facebook Messenger is something you can use on any device with data, so it will run on your computer without requiring a phone.

I have heard that, if in a 90 day period, more than 1/2 of your data usage occurs in Mexico, they will suggest that you choose another carrier.

That may be, but what's usually said on US expat boards is that this happens if over 50% of youstong r calls originate outside your home region.

I'm also of the belief that they "suggest" you move by throwing you off of their network.

 

[Satrekker]

A couple years back T Mobile started treating all of the USA, Mexico and Canada as a single service area. You just use your phone, its all included. This subsequently forced Verizon and ATT to throttle back on some of their abusive overage charges, but if you listen to their ads, it sounds like they still have 'got you' clauses in the contracts (like they are still run by bean counters that can't really quit screwing their customers) .
Around the time T-Mobile started this, back in the hey day of 'got you' charges at the big carriers, I had a friend who's plane out of Cancun returned to field and he pulled out his ATT phone and spoke with Alaskan customer service for about 20-30 minutes getting his down line flights straightened out, as a loyal ATT customer for many years he got hit with a $240 bill.
I have used my T-Mobile phone all over Mexico and multiple trips into Canada, never have I been charged for calls or data, I just pull out my phone and use it (including local #'s via the international calling exchange). I visited Curacao and had free roaming data and free WiFi calls a couple months back. Last night I got back from a couple days in Zacatecas MX, phone worked when ever I needed voice or data.
I have 3 lines of unlimited data and calling plus 10 G tethering on each and the total bill (all in) is $100 a month.

^This. I was in Cozumel 2 months ago. Free with zero hassle. I'm in Canada ATM, also free. 2 lines, unlimited talk and text... $100. It's a no-brainer.