Thread: Selling cell phones in Panama

I know some people who made money selling cellphones. Do you think it would be a good business in Panama?

well, this kind of business usually works perfectly in small countries where industry is in developement so... i think it should also work in Panama, but you must find out what legal issues you have to fulfill before starting a cellphone shop.

Usually the cell phone sellers make their money through the commissions they get from selling the phones.

and well if you want to sell something to one panamanian... you definetely need to know spanish

That's true, especially since non-Spanish tourists aren't going to be interested in buy a cell phone.

What anglophonic tourists do want when they get to Panama are SIM cards to put in their own cellphones from home; its a ~$5 purchase with a rechargeable minutes plan that gives you the freedom to use your own handset and gives you a Panamanian phone number. It is cheap, easy and is available in lots of places, from the downstairs chinos to the big malls.

Opening a retail shop/operation that sells the actual phones would be a tricky conglomeration of red tape and an instant education in the Panamanian small business law. If you want to try it, let the rest of us know how it goes!

Cheers.

Very true, not only that you would have to "rent" a retail license. The last time those were available was 1972 so those are a little bit pricey to just "rent".

You'd probably make more money selling cell phones online to people in the United States and getting paid commissions.

Hello

Whether eco-tourism or business is fueling your next trip to Panama, your suitcase is not complete without a satellite phone. Out here, cell phone service is sparse, making cell phones obsolete.

If you've priced satellite phone rentals for your Panama trip, you may have been shocked by the price. Many companies charge outrageous amounts of money to rent satellite phones, but not Mobal.

Wow, thanks for the advert, Trave! If you've got a line on a satphone service that doesn't require one to use radio call signals (like: copy, roger, over...,) then by all means do tell! I've never had a problem with cell service in Panama City--but then again, everywhere else in the country, I've always relied on landline service since satphones usually have an annoying delay and static-y sound.

This is the service that our new friend, Trave was mentioning:
Satellite Phone Rental

Info for those unfamiliar with satellite phones:
Satellite phone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of satellite phones - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers.

I do not want a satellite phone. They seem too complicated.

Originally Posted by coolandhot

I do not want a satellite phone. They seem too complicated.

If you can check your email and use this forum, then you can use a sat phone. If you have a cell phone, you can use a sat phone. If you have a VCR or a DVD player and know how to use that, then you can use a sat phone. They are not complicated at all--just expensive for an initial purchase. If your life depends upon it (like you are up a mountain, in the jungle or on one on the poles--then a sat phone is necessary,) then it is not expensive at all.

However, if you are just somewhere in Panama--get a cell phone instead, it is much cheaper.

Cheers.

I just checked out that website for satellite phones, and they are indeed pricey!

Especially the rates for using them. But safety comes first, and your life is priceless so it's still worth getting of those phones, but only if you go to some really rural area. I've never used one while traveling, but in the future I'll keep it in mind if I go to a rural spot.

Most places in Panama get a cell signal fairly easily. I have driven the country twice, not much problem.

If most places get a cell signal fine, then why would a person want a satellite phone? Why not just get a regular phone?

For instance, where my parents live in Boquete, they just aren't putting in any new landlines for a while. So, while ppl move in, they can't get any new phone numbers, thus everyone has to use cellphones, and the reception is spotty.

Some are lucky and the home they have bought already has a landline. The thing is, the further one gets from the Interamericana, the spottier the reception gets, and the hills and valleys don't help with that at all. So, its a matter of the lines even being available to be installed.

Cheers.

Well I think the satellite phone is more practical for security reasons. For example if you were to ever need assistance and you know that the regular phones/cellphones may fail on you, in order to get help the satellite phone would be your best solution and even your life saver.

So I doubt anyone would want to use it for everyday use, plus it's a bit pricey and doesn't even look good (referring to the phone designs).

We are coming for a month and staying in Boquete. We have our cellphones in Canada but they do not use sims so we will have to rent in Panama. Any idea if there is an unlimited plan for a month as I will be calling back to Canada frequently. Also is Vonage an option ? I''m considering getting it in Canada and
their long distance from panama is 11 cents a minute. Any other suggestions much appreciated.

Dave

In regards to cellphone calling to Canada I am not sure. I do currently use skype on my computer and am able to call back to the states for $0.02 cents a minute. The quality of sound could be better but as long as the internet connection is good it works.

This raises a question I didn't think of before. Are Panama's cell phone systems all GSM? Or are there CDMA networks? If I bring an unlocked phone with is GSM capable will I be able to use it?

Can't find any mention of cdma so assume all gsm. Just replace your sim card in panama and it will give you a local number as long as your phone is unlocked. Check with your carrier before leaving !

Originally Posted by canadeh

Can't find any mention of cdma so assume all gsm. Just replace your sim card in panama and it will give you a local number as long as your phone is unlocked. Check with your carrier before leaving !

I use a French 'Orange' network Quadband GSM phone in Panama, and it works fine. Plenty of GSM-networks at least in the Panama City area. Certainly, the rates/minute on roaming calls are outrageous, more than $2.00 minimum a call, even for local calls and only a few seconds online. Subsequently, local SIM cards are adviseable!