Nextel cell phones

[nycruiser1975]

has anyone used a nextel cell on board or in ports. My possible itinerary is st thomas, kings wharf and tortola. If I need to call home to check on son, any suggestions.?

[WrenchHeadCruiser]

I have not used Nextel, but was able to get cell service through Cingular in St Thomas & St Maarten. I would venture to bet Nextel will work there. Also recently many of the ships have added cell antennas; so you may even have service on the ship.

[Walterswife]

Sprint works well in St. Thomas, so Nextel should be fine since the companies are one and the same. I was not able to use the phone in Tortola last November.

 

Happy sailing.

[bakechef]

has anyone used a nextel cell on board or in ports. My possible itinerary is st thomas, kings wharf and tortola. If I need to call home to check on son, any suggestions.?

Nextel will not work. Although sprint bought nextel they are still using different systems. Nextel uses a proprietary system called IDEN that is only used in the US and certain small areas of canada, and mexico(this is why they never roam, there is no other company to roam on). Sprint uses CDMA a more widespread system that is shared with Verizon, Alltel, US Cellular although theirs is a little different, they all have phones capable of roaming on each other. Cingular uses GSM, similar but not the same as what is widely used in europe and asia, and is the most capable for roaming while abroad. If connecting with home is desired you may want to look into prepaid calling cards, call from the ports, it may be your best deal.:)

 

hope this helps (I do way too much research when I am choosing a service or buying a product)