Cell Phone

From my own experience, T-Mobile not only doesn't have coverage in the USVI, they don't even know they exist. Supposedly they have some roaming contract with somebody under their "WorldClass" international program at either $.49 or $.59 per minute, but I've called several times and their second level reps can't find it on a map, much less tell me what the deal is. Honest to gosh, when I asked about the United States Virgin Islands, one person asked me what country it was in. If you visit T-Mobile's website (www.t-mobile.com) you will find that such hotbeds of cellular activity as St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, The Isle of Man and Guernsey (in the Channel Islands) have detailed maps showing how well covered they are, but Puerto Rico and the USVI are mentioned only in passing.

Based on people I've talked to and what I've read on these boards, cellular service in the USVI is subject to dead spots which vary from carrier to carrier. In one location one carrier works while another doesn't but ("Can you hear me now?") in the next spot it's the other way around. Sprint, Cingular, Innovative and Centennial all have service in the USVI, but none of them cover the BVI (although I understand there are places in Jost Van Dyke that are in the fringes of STT coverage). Cable & Wireless has coverage in the BVI, but I don't know who they contract with for roaming in the USVI, if anyone. AT&T treats Canada, Puerto Rico and the USVI as international (and therefor roaming), but for $9.99 per month they will waive the roaming charges on all three.

Several people who have tried more than one carrier in the USVI seem to like Centennial for local coverage, others prefer Sprint and Cingular for their nationwide calling plans or for GSM features.

Great Answer SailAway 🙂 your answer was better then what I have gotten from some Cellular Sales People - LOL!

ptjd - I have tried Cingular and Sprint - I favor Sprints service and plans - primarily because they have a nationwide plan so no long distance or roaming charges within their large US network. Like SailAway mentioned different cell users have different likes and dislikes about each provider.

--Islander

I have been satisfied with Cingular. The Cingular Nation plan roams all of the USVI without additional long distance or roam charges to anywhere in the States. They do not cover the BVI with this plan. My signal generally is good on St Croix. not great...
$49 per month for two phones and 500 rollover minutes.

Thanks a lot! You all helped answer a lot of questions.

What abourt Verizon? Do they have any coverage in St. Croix?

Hi,

Just to let you know Sprint PCS has the best coverage in St. Thomas. You can get a nationwide plan to has roaming included, free Long Distance and Nights and Weekends that start at 7pm.

Check It Out @ www.sprintpcs.com

Thanks, now for land lines is calling the BVI from USVI considered a International call?

Yes calling the BVI islands from the USVI is long distance/international.

--Islander