Cell Phone information for visits

Belize now has both GSM and CDMA cell phone systems nationwide. If you have an unlocked multiband cell phone, or buy one on eBay, and your service provider uses the GSM 1900 digital system (AT&T and T-Mobile phones do) you can use your GSM phone in Belize on the Belize Telemedia Ltd. DigiCell network. (In late 2010 BTL also introduced a CDMA system, mostly for internet services and voice service in areas not currently served by its GSM system, but I won't get into that.)You’ll need a new SIM card, which costs US$25 plus 12.5% tax. The SIM card comes with a prepaid card with US$5 worth of time and a local phone number. You’ll pay US 30 cents per minute for the first five minutes of outgoing cell calls within Belize, and then US 12.5 cents after that. (Rates subject to change.) Incoming calls are free. If you don’t have an unlocked GSM phone, you can rent one from BTL for US$5 per day. The same outgoing call rates apply. Both rental cell phones and prepaid phone are available at the BTL office at the international airport, near the rental car offices across the airport parking lot. BTL prepaid phone cards and SIM cards also are sold at some other BTL offices around Belize and at private shops and stores in the country.Another option is Smart, which operates a cell phone system using CDMA technology (like Verizon in the U.S.). At any of the Smart offices—in Belize City, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, Belmopan City, San Ignacio, San Pedro or Benque Viejo—you can have your CDMA phone reprogrammed for use in Belize. There’s an activation fee of US$20, and you’ll need to purchase a prepaid plan with per-minute rates for outgoing calls of US 22 1/2 cents to US 35 cents (incoming calls, text messages and voice mail are free).Depending on what carrier you use back home and what plan you have, you may be able to use international roaming in Belize on your existing cell phone without buying a SIM card for your GSM phone or having your CDMA phone reprogrammed, but be prepared to pay dearly for it – you may have to pay up to US$2-$3 a minute.--Lan Sluder