TDMA Cell Phones SHUTTING DOWN by ICE as of Feb. 14, 2011 in Costa Rica

Do you still have an active TDMA Cell phone/line? 

Without FIRM advance notice (well - 1 full business day), ICE, the current phone monopoly, is FINALLY COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF ALL existing TDMA cell phones as of THIS Mon., Feb. 14!!!

I find it SAD as TDMA has been THE MOST reliable system I've found in this country (of course they'd shut off something that WORKS) and ICE is a FAR way from ironing out the kinks with 3G (don't EVEN get me started on the GSM system and how BAD that's been for MANY people [ask a taxi driver up in Escazu Centro that misses a LOT of his calls hence business/$$!!)!!!! 

YES - we KNEW it was coming but that’s NOT the point.

As of Wednesday ICE (at least at the new Sabana Sur office by the Comptrolaria) still had some FREE basic 3G phones for TDMA users that hadn't switched yet.    Bring your cedula or ORIGINAL passport with you.

HINT that MAY help you if you still have a cell phone in TDMA BUT NOT in YOUR Name:  

MANY people that aren't residents have purchased lines/phones from people.  Of course in times like this you can be screwed unless you can track the original owner down.  I know a few people that had been paying their cell bill online through their bank for years so they just took in a few years of bank statements in to ICE and were able to get an employee that were kind enough to switch it over to their name.  So MAYBE this MIGHT help for you (or not [more proof that life goes further when you're NICE to people!!  PLUS it makes YOU feel good to be nice doesn't it?!?!?!!!]).

Vicki

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