Need to buy a prepaid cell phone in Manila when I get there
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$3 Answers
AT&T has some very good prices for a refurbished phones and pay as you go, but you have to sign a two year argreement and activation. Might be worth checking out.
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/prepaid-phones.jsp#sku3820266_a|||
This might help out a lot too. It is a rental for phones and purchaseing cards once you get to Manila http://www.planetomni.com/RENT_INFO.shtml
Here is a site that might help you decide which phone you will want to purchase. http://www.untwistedvortex.com/2008/08/23/cell-phones-in-the-philippines/.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$www.mobal.com
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$When you fly into Manila, you'll see booths and small stores in the airport that look like this:
These small businesses have SIM cards that are assigned with a local number and are prepaid with airtime. You just pop one in your phone and dial away until your prepaid limit runs out.
Beyond the airport, a lot of small "convenience" stores and markets stock these cards. While they're a little tough to negotiate, you may be able to find a better rate than at the airport. However, it's pretty easy to fly in and instantly have a local number.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Oh as an alternative... you could just pick up a cheap cell phone here at home too. You can find used phones all over the place. One of your friends or family has likely either purchased a cell phone in the past little while and has an extra they don't use, or you can buy one here cheap.
Folks usually just toss out their old phones or stick them in a closet hoping to re-purpose them someday.
The same parent company (globe) sells phones as well as well as SIM cards. Globe supplies many of these booths and small stores. Cell phones aren't hard to come by in Manila.
http://site.globe.com.ph/web/
My local wireless store is exceptionally friendly. The first time that I traveled to Europe on business, I knew that I would need a mobile phone. I didn't want to pay the crazy rates (because I knew I would be on the phone for hours at a time) and my phone at the time didn't have a SIM card. My wireless store gave me a loaner phone they give folks who bring in phones for repair. It worked out great - I took the phone with me and picked up a SIM card. Something like this may work for you.
However, I might consider 2 things... unlocking your phone isn't hard - it might be worth it. Also, how much time will you be on the phone? Are these just calls home? If so, skype works really well too and Manila is wired for broadband.
One more detail - my current phone is an iPhone and I don't want to go to the trouble of unlocking it, therefore I need to buy a cheap phone there in addition to the SIM card (I think).
