Phone Service

I have lived abroad for several years. I found the best way to call the States is with a Magic Jack.  It gives you a US number and using VoiP technology will provide unlimited calling to any number in the US.
It costs about $20 and $20 per year for service.

We use Vonage, same principle as MagicJack both work well.

Hi,

You may find things a challenge here as I do. Also where you live matters too. I no longer live in the city, but even in the city I had numerous problems.

I use ACN & even when I had to use MJ for the 2-3 weeks while waiting for a replacement ACN adapter, it was horrific. People on the other end couldn't hear me at all & were quite ticked off.

Haven't used Vonage.

I have had ongoing stressful problems with Cableonda where my phone is statically or I can't dial out properly or have calls directed to me.

Cable & Wireless is slightly better, but not by much.

They had to change the modem THREE times & I moved shortly thereafter, so I don't know if the problems were ever resolved.

Unfortunately I have to say with certainty these ISPs have NO clue what they are doing. Their staff are usually beyond being very uneducated, can't solve simple or complex problems, refuse to take responsibility for anything & it's gotten to the point where they don't even know what a ping or blacklist is.

Their IPs are constantly put on Baracuda b/c of the horrendous spam that comes out of Panama, so I have problems e-mailing others & last week I had ongoing issues b/c a site I normally frequent blocked my IP address.

Cableonda was blank. I won't say what I thought of them, but you can take a guess. This went on for over a week & I couldn't do work because of it. I finally had to get a proper proxy & contact that site & get them to remove me from their block list.

So far every time I've had a problem, I have to get North Americans to solve the problem b/c Cableonda has no clue what they are talking about.

Before I arrived here I too inquired about Internet & was told by all expats that things were fine. Well they aren't. The odd few people have no problems, but I have to hazard a guess that they are the exception, not the rule.

You also have to remember that most expats here don't work like you & I do, they are seniors who are retired & use their internet for social communication plus not all need a US phone line. For others that work in Panama, they aren't working online. I only know of one other person who works online & has no problems - Lucky Him.

If you are using wireless (I have to have wired for 2 reasons), you will have more options, because there are a lot more ISPs that are wireless than wired. But you will be lucky if you can get higher than 1, maybe 2 MB.

I too work from home, & had I known what I know now, I never would have moved here. The stress just isn't worth it.

The choice is yours of course.

You can contact me off list if you wish.


Michelle

Michelle, thank you for such a lengthy reply.  Very helpful.  I'll pay it forward when I can.  Thanks!!!!!!!

After using Cable & Wireless (aka Crappy & Worthless) for cellphones and Cable Onda for internet we shut both down.  We use Vonage and have a U.S. number.  With Cable Onda internet service, the quality of the telephone calls varies, but most of the time there were dips and crackling - that's when the internet was actually working.  This is totally unacceptable for conducting and participating in global conference calls, not to mention sometimes the internet can be down for only a few hours, sometimes a few days - not good for business so adios to Cable Onda.  The best provider in the city is PaNETma (panetma.com).  We pay $100 per month for 3 mbps and never have had any problems.  You may also get faster speeds at higher prices.  This is quite a bit more than the usual cost of internet service in Panama it is dependable and customer service is outstanding.  Note: If you go with them you also receive a U.S. IP address, which means that you can use Roku, etc to watch English TV (bonus!).

As for cellphones, the easiest and cheapest way is to bring yours from North America as the quality is not good down here, whether it be Blackberries, etc.  Go to a "chino" (Chinese store/grocer) and have them replace the SIM for about $50.  You will then have a local number.  You just need to purchase telephone cards (that are available everywhere)to give you minutes/texts, etc.  We do business globally from Panama via email and telephone and this set-up is perfect for us.  While travelling in the U.S. or Canada you can buy SIM cards at Best Buy and while on the plane switch them in your cell.  Works like a charm!

Cell phone service...we have Movistar. Purchased a SIM card at the airport for $5 and added $40 worth of minutes and data. Now monthly we purchase either telephone cards or stop in and add minutes. We have had no problems with cell service here in Panama.

We also have Cable Onda as our cable and internet provider. Could be better but I guarantee you that our cable company in the states was just as clueless when it came to solving a problem. Keep in mind you are in a 3rd world country and everything here moves at a different pace.