CELL PHONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

I have purchased an AT&T "Go" phone for use on our trip. The cost of $28 plus purchased time is very low in my experience. After extensive research I have found that this phone is the best solution to our communications challenge. Verizon phones (most of us have) will work on a limited basis in the USVI. I do not know if T-Mobile or others work at all. I am told to expect a Verizon phone will not work in the BVI's. The only phone that works with any degree of coverage and reasonable cost is a Cingular or AT&T phone. The local phone company in the BVI's is CCT. They are extremely expensive ($200+ to purchase a phone + up to $4 a minute to the states) to use on a short term basis, and we don't want a one year contract.



This AT&T phone we now have will work on the local BVI CCT phone system. Our AT&T phone will cost $1 each day it is used + $0.10 a minute to use in the states and the USVIs. I am told by AT&T if we purchase the $3.99 per month "World Traveler" upgrade the cost of use in the BVI's will be $1.99 per minute instead of the normal $3.49 per minute. Still expensive but we can communicate if we need to. This phone is a "pay as you go" phone. We will purchase a limited amount of "time" to use the phone. We can buy more any time we wish. We cannot get a "big surprise" bill as we will know how much credit is left on the phone account after each use.



I will have good knowledge of the coverage the phone receives after my trip next week. I will share this with you upon my return.



You may wish to give this phone number to people at home that may wish to call you while you are gone. Those needing to get in touch with you should also have the number at VIP Charters. The new cell phone # is 206-304-3150. The number for VIP is 370-774-9224. If we cannot be reached by our cell phone, VIP will be able to reach us and relay a message to call someone.

Pat