Sao Paulo - Post Report Question and Answers
Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I use Google Fi as it's convenient for whenever I travel to other countries too, but it's not that cheap. That being said, in one year we've already had to replace 3 google Fi SIM cards that have just randomly stopped working, so that's been kind of disappointing, and one always then has to wait a few weeks to receive the replacement SIM in the mail. Perhaps I should just stockpile some SIM cards. - Jun 2024
I use a local provider (VIVO). Cost is MUCH cheaper than US.-about $5US/week for calling/texting and 3g of data using a prepaid plan. - May 2021
I use a local provider because it is very cheap. We pay 60 reais for two cell phone lines and data. Many people have Google Fi for convenience but economically it makes sense to have a local provider. - Apr 2021
Bring an unlocked smart phone and get a local plan. A bit cheaper than in the US but with more data. - Aug 2019
Use an old phone when you are out and about due to frequent robberies. You will need to contract with a local carrier in Brazil (no home country plans seem to work there). Unless you open a Brazil bank account you will need to pay your mobile bills in person at the store or partner bank locations. - Nov 2017
Use a local provider. 4G is reliable and affordable. If you get a Brazilian bank account you can pay your bills online. Otherwise you have to pay at the bank at the Consulate. - Apr 2017
Like internet, quite difficult.You need a CPF. - Jan 2017
Lots of mobile phone carriers are available with in-country and international options.
WhatsApp is popular in Brazil... It is used to make local and international calls on the internet. I highly recommend it! - Jan 2017
Get an unlocked phone, and get a plan here. Most people choose Vivo or Net. - Aug 2015
Bring an unlocked phone and get a SIM card here. Plans are cheap, phones are expensive (triple the price in the States). - Aug 2013
I brought my quad-band unlocked phone from the US and used a local microchip. You can get a cell phone or SIM card through the consulate with a really cheap plan, but sometimes that can take a while (it took a month for me). So, you can always get a pay-as-you-go SIM if you prefer. You have to have a CPF number (like a social security number) in order to sign up for a prepaid or postpaid plan. I used my CPF to get a chip for my sister (under my name) when she visited. Smart phones are available, but much more expensive compared to US prices. Many Americans from the Consulate have a Blackberry or iPhone and use that here. I have heard you can get them unlocked here for $50 USD. - Dec 2012
There are many providers. - Jan 2012
Easy to figure out--can bring a universal type phone from US and buy the chip here - Jan 2012
Service is good, but expensive. Best to bring an unlocked phone, and use it as a pay-as-you-go phone. Chips can be purchased here for about $10. - Jan 2012
TIM seems to have the best coverage but Claro is cheaper. A word of warning--landlines here treat calls to cell phones like long-distance, so you might call your friend across the street at a local cell phone number and spend almost 50 cents a minute, where a call to the U.S. from your cell phone might just be 20 cents. It's ridiculous but true. - Oct 2008
You can bring your American cell and they'll unlock it for you. - Aug 2008
