14 replies to this topic

[mungoanne]

Vonage works great when connected to computer BUT can not get on line
on computer! Spent one whole day (Vonage says it is a TelNor problem while Telnor says it is a V0nage problem) and the Router (linksys) people in India (barely speaking English) had me either on hold for ever or inadvertedly disconnecting me weveral itmes. Eech new linksys tech had me doing something different than the one before. When I finally gave up in frustration and unplugged Voange/linksys compltetely, still unable to get online. Had to call Telnor and call Tel Nor and call Tel nor until finally an English speaking tech was availble who put me through a series of faitly intense steps and the VOILA I was back on line.

I need Vonage but the thoughjt of repeating ysterday's manuevers is a bit of a turn off. Anyone have any bright ideas? My neighbor has Vonage with Cablemas. He got the router plugged it in and was up and running. Unfortunately I have a contract with Tel Nor ( began in January) so switiching to Cablemas is not an option. HELP PLEASE ANYONE???
Thanks

[Pieancho]

I have Packet 8 or 8x8. I works great. I have it connected to the DSL with Telnor. So I have to have a Mexican phone and internet with them. EXPENSIVE!!!! But I kept my San Diego numbers.

[sdc]

Have vonage set it up myself and never had a problem work get right out of the box....

[mungoanne]

I switched to Cablemas and Vonage was immediately installed no problems and works great, no internet problems. Of course I have to pay Tel Nor a penalty as I have a contract. Cablemas helps that as they gave free installation, 2 months free service and the installers were great. THe first one ran into problems although he certainly tried his best. we hd a language problem as I did not speak Spanish I.m learning! I'm learning!) . That was on Saturday. I was planning to telephone ttem on Monday to arrange for further assistance, figured I would have to get on their schedule again when Sunday morning about 10 am Cablemas was back, different service person who finished the installation successfully. Installation was much more neatly done that Tel Nor.

I have to keep Tel Nor a couple of months then I can bail out for $60. Thiis is how I understand that situation I was (finally) given the calling plans I wanted after a great deal of confusion and not having any plans for the first six weeks I was here which resulted in unbelievable phone bills. I asked for plans, I
was supposedly given them following 2 separate visits to Tel Nor with a translator and finally got them (I think) on the third visit about mid Februiry. If I drop Tel nor internet, I will be charged full fare on any calls I made while on the plan(s). It was suggested (not by Tel nor) that I pay the tel nor phone bill (which I am now no longer using) for Feb and again in March, pay the internet with tel nor March and then pay the $60 cancellation fee. and completely bail out of Tel nor. I don't know if this will work but I am told that ii is SOP for avoiding excessive retro fees with Tel Nor. They have much too much of my money already.

I am so delieriously happy to be from Tel Nor it will be worth it.

Vonage gave 2 free months because of installation problems.

An interesting side bar to Tel Nor and the phone problems I had. I wanted a
limit on the phone bill. THe last go round I had with them I was told I had sent them an email raising my limit on January 22nd to $300. I had not done this but they insisted, "it is in the computer!" No argument pervailed against that. I don't cocmmunicate in Spanish and I don't know their email address but it is 'in the computer!".

Bottom line: I am very pleased with Vonage and with Cablemas. Idon't have a Mexican phone line now (for calling 66 (corresponds to 911) but I do have Cinguylar (619) which works great in Playas so who needs Tel nor?

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. You all are great.

[Chiquito]

You live about 3 inches from the border and can connect to the San Diego Cingular sites. A little further south in Playas and you go on roaming.

Before I had North America plan on Verizon, when I had a long US call to make, I would drive up and park behind the bullring so I could lock onto the US side signals. But at my house it's usually on extended network (roaming).

[sdc]

I liv really close tot he border as well with Verizon and the only place I have a problem with service in my apartment complex I have no service what so ever almost anywhere else in TJ I'm fine...

[Scooby]

You live about 3 inches from the border and can connect to the San Diego Cingular sites. A little further south in Playas and you go on roaming.

Before I had North America plan on Verizon, when I had a long US call to make, I would drive up and park behind the bullring so I could lock onto the US side signals. But at my house it's usually on extended network (roaming).

How long ago was it that Verizon worked for you there in Playas?
If it's been more than a year, tower reception might have worsened even with the best cell phones.
I've recently tried my Cingular there in Playas and in the past did so with Sprint and Tmobile, all without success.
Higher elevations, say in Mirador might work but the distance from there still may be to far.
Even Soler proved quite far.

[Chiquito]

I'm about half a mile south of the border in Playas now. I have the Verizon North America Choice plan that includes Canada and Mexico as local service when on Extended Network. My house is 2 floors. Upstairs, the cell phone often tries to connect to the US sites but can't and doesn't work. Downstairs the US sites are more blocked by houses and I easily connect to the Mexico sites on extended network which is considered local calling in the plan. Upstairs if I remove the antenna it works better.

Anyone know where to get a hi gain Yagi for CDMA cell phones? Of maybe I'll make one if I have the time.

[mungoanne]

My cingular works in and around Tijuana central, the border and the Playas area. I do live about 1/12 blocks from the "fence" which is a factor.
I took a border shuttle from the Tourista Terminal on Revolution between 6 and 7, no problem and I have used it while in the 'village" of Playas no problems. One could get a prepaid cingular and try it out. I dn't pay any roaming charges.

I don't know exzctly where else I have been in Tijuana but so far the Cingular has worked when I visited in a home somewhere that is some distance from here.

[PLAYAZ]

I signed up with www.iconnecthere.com
Similar to Vonage..
Except Vonage isnt designed to work from Mexico, iconnecthere is.
I had no problemos yet, actually Ive been using it for about a year from different countries as well.
$24.99 per month unlimited with a phone number and free adapter....well watevas on offer at the moment.

My internet is on telnor, my local line stopped working, and they come to check it outside and dont come in to make sure its really workin...tec service is kinda wacko!

[mungoanne]

I lke Vonage. You can get it in Mexico if y ou have the modem sent to a USA address which I did no problem. Unfortunately their tech support is in INDIA. I had trouble with a setting on mine. When you start out you have an option on some sort of performance setting (I have forgotten what) and i chose "maximum" which made sense to me. BUt I had some conversations drop off etc. I was told that setting should be "medium".
This makes no sense whatso ever but it did solve the problem. Dealing with heavily accented personenl in INdia who could not undertand me nor I them was a trip. I finally asked for a second level and cot conected to
some one in New Jersey. I hope I never have to call them again. But the phone itself is great.

I had Telnor and LEFT them I have internet on Cablemas. It is so much etter than Telnor and I 86ed the Mexican land line. I have Vonage and Cingular cell. I don't need the grief that I had with Tel Nor.

[Alicia]

I have Vonage now, too, and love it -- I haven't had any call drop and I like the price: $24.99 for unlimited calling USA. ISP is Cablemas!

[Aztec Eagle]

Heyy guys@!!! sorry to revive this old thread but just wanted to tell you guys that i can provide you with VONAGE phone service at only 24.99 a month the advantage of getting it with me are that i wont ask you for your S.S # or nothing to tie you down and i can provide you with a FREE month of service!!! all you need is a high speed internet,  you will be able to make UNLIMITED CALLS to the U.S. and CANADA and ALL OF MEXICO!!! NO HIDDEN CHARGES   ....CALL ME 664-374-9880

[Cyanide41]

Isn't that the regular price?

[Aztec Eagle]

Isn't that the regular price?

yES!  But no one gives you a FREE month of service!!! AND NO SS#  required! AND ITS IN TIJUANA! no need to cross the border..