[zten]

I'm going to be traveling a friend told me cell phones aren't allowed in Cuba, does anyone have experience with this or has been there. I want to bring my 9900 or z10.

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[raino]

I don't know what's been going on there recently, but two recent threads (here and here) seem to suggest there are no roaming partnerships between American and Cuban carriers (due to a tiny detail called the trade embargo ) However, unlocking and using a local SIM has worked for people. WiFi's your friend too, if you can get on it at the hotel.

In the Caribbeans, you shouldn't have any problem. The biggest issue for you in both locations might actually be network compatibility i.e. whether your phone has the proper bands to get 3G or not. Otherwise you'll at least get 2G...which is better than nothing, but painfully slow.

[keith1000]

Absolutely not true. Roaming rates are expensive. Keep data off.

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[zten]

I was more concerned with it being illegal to have one there. I know I can make it work with wifi which is what I plan on doing. As long as I can have it there without breaking some laws. Also I'm from Canada.

Thanks for the info folks!
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[madx80h]

I was more concerned with it being illegal to have one there. I know I can make it work with wifi which is what I plan on doing. As long as I can have it there without breaking some laws. Also I'm from Canada.

Thanks for the info folks!
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From http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba

"All electronic devices with Global Positioning System technology, including cellular telephones, are illegal and may be confiscated upon entry to Cuba."

It's up to you if you want to risk your phone, tablet, etc getting confiscated upon entry. I'm also not sure if your Z or Q10 from Canada would work with CubaCell as they're a GSM only provider from what I remember (2G) and I can't recall what frequencies they use.

FYI (from the same page) if you're going to rent a vehicle while there, if you get into a traffic accident regardless of whose fault it is its considered a crime. Just something to keep in mind if you plan on renting a jeep or anything!

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[anon(3987448)]

Went to Cuba in March, brought my cell phone and had no issues

It connects to "Cubacell" but I only used txt, didn't bother trying a call because their networks aren't the greatest

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[zten]

From http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba

"All electronic devices with Global Positioning System technology, including cellular telephones, are illegal and may be confiscated upon entry to Cuba."

It's up to you if you want to risk your phone, tablet, etc getting confiscated upon entry. I'm also not sure if your Z or Q10 from Canada would work with CubaCell as they're a GSM only provider from what I remember (2G) and I can't recall what frequencies they use.

FYI (from the same page) if you're going to rent a vehicle while there, if you get into a traffic accident regardless of whose fault it is its considered a crime. Just something to keep in mind if you plan on renting a jeep or anything!

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That's intense lol thanks for finding that out!

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[anon(3987448)]

and there is no WiFi, at least not at the Riu Varadaro when I stayed.

Internet is no where near high speed, still dialup and they block most social networking

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[drjames05]

Was in Cuba 6-7 months ago, cuban customs turned on my 9800 to see if I got service.. i didn't, and that was it. They turned it off and handed it back to me.

Went to the Bahamas last fall, 8900 worked fine there. No issues.



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[RandomSkratch]

I JUST got back from Cuba a few weeks ago. I didn't have any issues. Got a roaming pack from Bell and it uses their network. It's actually now LEGAL for Cubans to own cell phones (our tour guide told us this) but you can't buy them there. If you actually have spare phones that you're going to get rid of, bring them as gifts. You will be greatly thanked!

[zten]

Maybe I will bring my 9900 and my PlayBook do they allow the playbook??

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[Hup55]

I used my unlocked Z-10 in St.Lucia in February went into the city first day there. Picked up a digicell SIM card with unlimited data. Worked great for 4 hours then stopped. Was on the phone 2 days in a row they couldn't figure it out. Gave up put my Telus SIM card back in and came home to a extra $290 roaming charge. The Caribbean roaming charge is apparently the most expensive.

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[RandomSkratch]

Zten yeah I saw tons of tablets. Should not be an issue.

[jagrlover]

Maybe I will bring my 9900 and my PlayBook do they allow the playbook??

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I was there 2 months ago with a Z10, 9800, 8130, and 3 PB's without any problems.

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[Douken]

If you go to Puerto Rico you don't need a passport if you are a US citizen. Asides from that T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint and Verizon work just fine over there. No SIM change or roaming required.

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[SwissCuban]

It will work with Cubacell, not a great service though, and to make phone calls is useless, but you can take calls, and text SMS.
I'd advise you to take 9900 as I did years ago, just in case it gets lost in some else's hands.
Have a good vacation, but take care of yourself and what you do with a cell in Cuba, this system is so ****ed up, you could land in Jail for having a foreign cell phone there( check Alan Gross)
If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me.
Cheers.

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[zten]

That's stressful thanks for the info everyone!

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[Titti Potesta]

I travel every month to Cuba an never had a single problem with electronics, I just traveled last week with my Z10 and iPad.

Just keep away from roaming, as it is really expensive, Wi Fi in hotels work, but is usually really slow as there is no broadband opened to the public.

So just go and enjoy the ride, and if you have old cell phones they are great gifts for the locals as they can't buy them on the island.

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[Baked]

No wifi in cuba, only cuba cel which is run by the socialist party, roaming is outrageously expensive. I'm from Ontario and take my cell with me every year to Cuba.

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[jagrlover]

I've been to Cuba 7 times and never seen wifi. Maybe I visit the wrong resorts?

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[Titti Potesta]

I usually stay at the Melia Cohiba, they have wifi, but it's really slow.

[EchuOkan1]

From http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba

"All electronic devices with Global Positioning System technology, including cellular telephones, are illegal and may be confiscated upon entry to Cuba."

It's up to you if you want to risk your phone, tablet, etc getting confiscated upon entry. I'm also not sure if your Z or Q10 from Canada would work with CubaCell as they're a GSM only provider from what I remember (2G) and I can't recall what frequencies they use.

FYI (from the same page) if you're going to rent a vehicle while there, if you get into a traffic accident regardless of whose fault it is its considered a crime. Just something to keep in mind if you plan on renting a jeep or anything!

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This is is you are bringing a few for sale there (which is a common practice).

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