EVDO Internet Access in Playa del Carmen - BAM

[John]

EVDO service is available in Playa del Carmen from a carrier called Lusacell. Their service is called BAM, or Banda Ancha Móvil.

Lusacell's website: http://lusacell.com/
MX tollfree: 01 800 303 1111

They have an office at Plaza Las Américas in Playa del Carmen. In March, we spoke with one of the agents there. Her contact information is
Adriana Garc?*a Patiño
office: 984-113-7483
cell: 984-120-4449

I've scanned in the brochures for your viewing pleasure.
Brochure Page 1
Brochure Page 2
USB Key Pricesheet
Contract Requirements (in Spanish)

[mnmz]

Hi, can you please post the BAM info. I am about to loose my computer connection here and I am scrambling to find what is available for my use. Cablemas is not available in my area and I do not have a telmex account. Thanks

[Kami]

Originally Posted by John

EVDO service is available in Playa del Carmen from a carrier called Lusacell. Their service is called BAM, or Banda Ancha Móvil.

Lusacell's website: http://lusacell.com/
MX tollfree: 01 800 303 1111

They have an office at Plaza Las Américas in Playa del Carmen. In March, we spoke with one of the agents there. Her contact information is
Adriana Garc?*a Patiño
office: 984-113-7483
cell: 984-120-4449

I've scanned in the brochures for your viewing pleasure.
Brochure Page 1
Brochure Page 2
USB Key Pricesheet
Contract Requirements (in Spanish)

Thanks John! This is VERY helpful information.

[mnmz]

I guess we were previously posting at the same time . Can you possibly explain the BAM info in english. What is it , how does it work, cost and what do you get for that and anything else you might find useful for those of us in need to know about this BAM. Thanks

[Kami]

Originally Posted by mnmz

I guess we were previously posting at the same time . Can you possibly explain the BAM info in english. What is it , how does it work, cost and what do you get for that and anything else you might find useful for those of us in need to know about this BAM. Thanks

This site might help you translate some of it...at least to give a basic idea of what it is saying.
Yahoo! Babel Fish - Text Translation and Web Page Translation

[John]

mnmz,

EVDO is a wireless internet technology that works over cell phone network. If you can get a cell phone signal where you are, chances are good that BAM or another EVDO solution may be an option for you.

I probably wouldn't do the translations justice, so I'm opting not to do a verbatim translation at the moment. If you have specific questions, I may be able to help you with them.

Anyhow, Lusacell offers two types of service plans, one for moderate usage, and one for unlimited usage. According to their brochure, these prices are $300 pesos and $650 pesos a month, respectively. The moderate usage plan has caps in place, where if you exceed them, you will get charged for the additional usage. More info on pricing below.

In addition to the service plan, you will also need to purchase a device to utilize the service. Lusacell offers you three options: PCMCIA (or PC Card), ExpressCard, or USB. The only pricing I have is for the Franklin USB device. That price appears to vary based on whether you rent it or purchase it from them, and also depending on the duration of your contract.

They state that the original cost of the USB device is $2490 pesos (sounds like a huge markup to me!), but they will sell it to you for $1450 with a 12 month contract, $990 for a 18 month contract, and give it to you for free with a 24 month contract. The rental prices shown on attachment #3 do not make sense for renting the USB device (although that's what it looks like!), so I assume that it is the real monthly cost of the service: $899 (12 months), $799 (18 months), or $699 (24 months).

Please note, the USB adapter can only be used on one machine at a time. If you have multiple machines (laptops, routers, voip phones), you will need to purchase an EVDO router that you can plug the purchased device into. I doubt they will sell you one of these, but maybe they can point you to a store that does sell them here. Or, have someone mule one down for you - it'd be cheaper than buying one locally.

Hope that helps!

[raquelle261]

Hmmmmm, John, looks like you might have been right then (not that I ever doubted you were). Where did "they" get that $1000 pesos for a month figure that I got stung for from....... Thieving shits.

[Kami]

Originally Posted by John

mnmz,

EVDO is a wireless internet technology that works over cell phone network. If you can get a cell phone signal where you are, chances are good that BAM or another EVDO solution may be an option for you.

Do you know if this works against your cell minutes? If not, this seems like a very viable option to many because it's so mobile.

[John]

That is a very good question that I unfortunately do not have an answer to. This is probably something that someone at Lusacell could answer for you quite easily. How's your Spanish?

[Kami]

Originally Posted by John

That is a very good question that I unfortunately do not have an answer to. This is probably something that someone at Lusacell could answer for you quite easily. How's your Spanish?

I will contact Lusacell and see what I can find out.

I've had a Spanish tutor for the last four months but since I do not use it often in Dallas, I'm having a very difficult time retaining what I'm learning. I think I will probably not have any problems learning quickly once I am emmersed in Spanish but my poor husband is another story! He knows...Hola.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Kami

Do you know if this works against your cell minutes? If not, this seems like a very viable option to many because it's so mobile.

The plan is totally separate from any phone plan.
For 650 pesos (taxes included) you have unlimited access.
There is a special now... 18 months for 24 month benefits: Free equipment, cheaper monthly rate (18 month rate is normally 800 pesos) and the 19th month is free.
There have been issues with Vista...they say.
You must have an FM3, proof of local residence to qualify.

[Kami]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

The plan is totally separate from any phone plan.
For 650 pesos (taxes included) you have unlimited access.
There is a special now... 18 months for 24 month benefits: Free equipment, cheaper monthly rate (18 month rate is normally 800 pesos) and the 19th month is free.
There have been issues with Vista...they say.
You must have an FM3, proof of local residence to qualify.

Very good to know; thanks. I will be there next week so I may go ahead and sign up. Will not hurt to at least give it a try...It will be one less thing on my list to do.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

The plan is totally separate from any phone plan.
For 650 pesos (taxes included) you have unlimited access.
There is a special now... 18 months for 24 month benefits: Free equipment, cheaper monthly rate (18 month rate is normally 800 pesos) and the 19th month is free.
There have been issues with Vista...they say.
You must have an FM3, proof of local residence to qualify.

All of this sounds like exactly what I need....until I got to this part! arrghh!! I plan on just living on a tourist visa cause I'll be coming and going every 3 months.

[Libby]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

All of this sounds like exactly what I need....until I got to this part! arrghh!! I plan on just living on a tourist visa cause I'll be coming and going every 3 months.

Hi Vanessa, You'll want to find a place that already has internet service installed, and you can just take over the payments. It's actually pretty common here. Unlike in the U.S., utility accounts here are in the name of the owner not the occupant and stay with the address.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Libby

Hi Vanessa, You'll want to find a place that already has internet service installed, and you can just take over the payments. It's actually pretty common here. Unlike in the U.S., utility accounts here are in the name of the owner not the occupant and stay with the address.

Thanks Libby! I just thought the EVDO might be ideal for me as sometimes I might be able to work at alternate places....say from the beach club restaurants...

[Libby]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

Thanks Libby! I just thought the EVDO might be ideal for me as sometimes I might be able to work at alternate places....say from the beach club restaurants...

Ah, sounds wonderful, doesn't it! If you ever figure how to make that work, PLEASE do share it with me!!