How to use a US cellphone in Ecuador??
 

Hi everyone,

I am currently studying abroad in Ecuador, and brought along my cellphone from the United States (Sony Ericsson, T-mobile) to use. The phone is unlocked so it can be used in Ecuador and all that, but I am unsure as to what exactly my cell phone number is here. Do I omit the first 3 digits of my US cell phone number so that I am just left with the last 7 digits, and tack on 593-9 to the beginning of the number? I read that Ecuadorian cell phone numbers have 9 digits in the following format: 9?-???-????, but how does this work with my US number? For example, say my US number was 347-123-4567. If someone in Ecuador is calling me, what is my number?

Thank you in advance!

CEF,
If I understand things correctly, and I may not. Unlocking the phone allows you to use one of the local SIM cards in your phone. So...unless you change the sim card your phones number is the same as it was in the US . ie 1-(555)-555-5555. However if you buy a sim from Movistar or Claro your new number will be whatever your new sim card gives you.

For one of your friends in the US to call you they will need to dial
011 (for international calling from the US)
593 (ecuador's calling code)
09 (Ecuadors cell phone code)
xxx-xxxx (your number from your sim card)

or 011 593 09 xxx-xxxx

Hope that helps
Best
Greg
Amazon-Andes-Sky

If you use the SIM that is in your phone, and therefore your existing number, you will pay roaming rates. It will be expensive. The alternative is to buy and install a local SIM, which will come with a local phone number, as explained in Greg's post.

The sooner these "global" cellphone companies offer " global" services the better. The roaming charges are truly horrendous.

Thanks so much!