Will any US smart phone work in Argentina?

[mko2]

Hello,

I'm a tour guide from Argentina and soon I will receive a group of 30 tourists from the USA. Most of them will bring their smart phones unlocked and they are wondering if they will be able to replace the SIM card for a local one (pay as you go plan). They won't get a data plan, they will just use internet connected to WIFI from their hotel.

Will any unlocked US smart phone work for making calls in Argentina just replacing the SIM card?

Thank you in advance for your help.

MK

 

[Digital Controller]

Hello,

I'm a tour guide from Argentina and soon I will receive a group of 30 tourists from the USA. Most of them will bring their smart phones unlocked and they are wondering if they will be able to replace the SIM card for a local one (pay as you go plan). They won't get a data plan, they will just use internet connected to WIFI from their hotel.

Will any unlocked US smart phone work for making calls in Argentina just replacing the SIM card?

Thank you in advance for your help.

MK

First of welcome to the site mko2


It all depends on what frequencies the radios run on over there. Some phones are capable of switching over easy. People on Verizon & Sprint will probably not be able to do much with there devices.

However, a quick fix to still be able to use their phones over Wifi is use Google Voice with a VOIP service this way they can still text/call people over Wifi.

Hope this...somewhat helps.

 

[gtbarry]

Anyone using an unlocked phone on AT&T or t-mobile in the USA has a GSM phone and will be able to place a local SIM card in their phone to use in Argentina. I've done this on my trips to Buenos Aires. Those who use Verizon and Sprint cannot.

(I do not know nor care about micro-SIMs and other non-industry standard SIM cards).

The local SIM can include data or not, depending on what you buy. Just be aware that the local SIM cards have a local number. Therefore, your tourists will have a local number and not their USA numbers and will not receive or make any calls from their USA number.

Also, be aware that it is very common to buy phones from the carrier in the USA and therefore many are locked.

Before the tourists travel to Argentina, please tell them to check with their carrier if their phone is unlocked. If it is not, tell them to ask for the unlock code (many carriers will try not to do this but will if asked).

If any of your tourists use Verizon or Sprint, recommend to them to get an unlocked pay as you go GSM phone (can also be called "burner phone"). These can be somewhat inexpensive and they can use it when they arrive in lovely Argentina.

Go River!