Phone switching from TelCel to Cruise Ship

dagunny
dagunny Sep 28, 2017 8:40 AM
  • Member Since: Sep 28, 2017

    I travel internationally frequently.  Recently, in Cozumel, I would get TelCel, the text message Welcome to Mexico, free 2G, et al.  I would get 4GLTE data with the roaming on, which is normal.  As soon as I get that the phone switches back to 3xxxx, which is cellular at sea.  It appears the ship tower is trumping the local carrier.  Is there a way to block the ship from taking over my access to TelCel or, will I be charged or not for access as I did get the Welcome to Mexico and it switched without my knowledge?  I was under the impression that Cellular at Sea turns off when in port.

     

    Not sure how T-Mobile works when a switch happens like that.  I immediately turned the roaming off because cruise ships charge $15/mb.

     

    I want the local 4GLTE and not the ships services.

     

    Thx!

    • 1023 Views
    • 1 Reply
    • Latest reply on Sep 29, 2017 8:07 AM by drnewcomb2

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      • drnewcomb2

        Re: Phone switching from TelCel to Cruise Ship

        drnewcomb2 Sep 29, 2017 8:07 AM (in response to dagunny)
        • Member Since: Mar 9, 2014

        I thought I replied to this yesterday.

         

        You could manually connect to TelCel and that should stick until you lose signal and the phone re-scans for a new carrier. You might want to mention this to TelCel. They may be able to get the cruise line to stop cutting into their business.   I don't think the cruise ship should be running their cellular system when in port. Maybe the Mexican authorities have decided to turn a blind eye. I don't know.