View source for DebConf12/MobilePhonesAndData

= Mobile Phones and Data Plans =

some questions about how to use mobile phones and data in Nicaragua - still open Questions are marked with "TODO"):

The DebConf12 Website mentions some information on it there: http://debconf12.debconf.org/local-information.xhtml#phone-internet


== how to actually book a data plan (for movistar and claro)? ==

* General explanation: booking the data plan works by sending a text message to a specific service number that contains a text with a code for the plan you want to book. You always need the according credit on your account, naturally.
* Claro: 
** "internet mobile" (data only?) http://claro.com.ni/wps/portal/ni/pc/personas/internet/internet-movil/internet-movil - it's expensive and something With Quasi-4G (no real WIMAX, according to xamanu) - you rather want the latter:
** If you buy a chip to put in your cell phone (make sure it's a "chip intelligente", as it comes with 500Mb free to be used within 7 days). Once this bonus is over, you send a code (like "50", "100", "500" or "1GB") by SMS to 8833. those codes are explained [http://claro.com.ni/wps/portal/ni/pc/personas/internet/internet-movil/En%20tu%20Celular here] (click on  the tab "Paquetes  de Internet Movil Prepago"). 
* Movistar: General pricing info is available here: http://movistar.com.ni/Personas/Internet/Oferta.aspx
** In addition, you can elect a "Movistar OnLine Full" plan with unlimited data for 1 USD plus tax per day.  They are currently running a promotion with the first 5 days free, so if you're only staying in the country for a week this is not a bad deal at all.  To activate:
*** dial '*SALDO' (*72536) to notify the system that your SIM is active.
*** text the string 'correo' to the number 2233
*** wait for the response welcome message
*** text the response 'B' (for non-BlackBerry devices)
*** wait for the response
*** text 'OL' to choose the OnLine Full plan.
*** Manually configure the APN with the following settings:
**** APN: internet.movistar.ni
**** username: movistarni
**** password: movistarni
** You must have a minimum balance on your phone to be able to purchase this plan in the first place, despite the 5-day promotion.


== how to I check my account balance? ==

* Movistar: dialing "*SALDO"  gives spoken information in spanish - sending a text message with "SALDO" to 611 gives it as text message ([http://movistar.com.ni/Personas/AtencionClientes/PreguntasFrecuentes/consultasaldo.aspx help])
* Claro: dialing *812 - gives spoken information in spanish - sending a text message "Consulta" to 821 gives it as text message, costs 0.07USD+tax ([http://claro.com.ni/wps/portal/ni/pc/personas/movil/prepago/numeros-de-servicio help])

== What's the Voice Mailbox Number? ==

* Claro: *855
* Movistar: *86

[[Category:DebConf12]]