[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III General] mborzill:
I first used my unlocked Tilt in Panama in August with no trouble whatsoever (right in the middle of the rainy season). In late November though (which this year proved to be the tail end of the rainy season), I used my tilt for two days and it randomly started acting funny so I opted to reset... upon doing so, I got locked into the multi-colored SPL. I was convinced that my Tilt was done for good, but was able to flash a new SPL fix once I got home and everything is back to normal in the states. My father had his 3g iPhone with him, not only was his reception better and data faster, but even with me running Quick GPS, his GPS with Google Maps locked in on our locations a full 30 seconds faster. We were both on AT&T with the international roaming package and 20MB of data. I have the AT&T compatible radio installed, and I was concerned that this might have caused some of my problems since the network was switching in and out from Movistar to another all throughout my most recent trip. I don't know enough about radios to know if this can even create a conflict, all I do know is that my Tilt didn't survive the trip, and it wasn't until I was on the airplane home that I got it to successfully boot... i didn't turn it off again until I could flash a new SPL.

Now concerning Skype:

There's a lot of misinformation on the internet concerning VOIP in Panama. There's a lot out there that claims Panama's nationalized service (I believe it's now just called Cable & Wirelesss) blocked the ports commonly used by VOIP. I think that's old information. My attorney uses Skype in Panama City with no issues, panamanian number. I've had no problems using skype from the States to reach mobiles and computers in Panama and vice versa. I have a US skype number that still rings in Panama whenever it's called, so I'm pretty confident you won't have any issues. Even if you have problems, changing the ports is a simple enough enough process for even the most inexperienced users. In the few days I had before my HTC died down there, I did manage to use Skype mobile. It connected successfully, but as you're likely aware, the sound routes through the speaker so after my test call, I didn't use it again.

When it comes to Navigation on your HTC.... there is only one decent map that I know of at panama zone (linked above from another user) for mobiles, and it works only with Garmin (mobile XT) software... the map is pricey, and you won't find a pirated copy anywhere. Frankly, if you're considering an unlimited mobile data plan and expect to be in regions with good cell coverage, google maps works just fine.... I used it throughout panama city and pretty much all along the route to the southeastern tip of the azuero peninsula with no problems whatsoever. Most major roads will be pretty accurate.

On mobile service, I'll have to let you know. I'm moving to Panama in mid January for good. I've purchased an unlocked GSM phone from motorola just in case I have problems with my tilt again. I plan to start just using the prepaid sims until I can figure out the available packages, but in the past six months there have been major changes in wireless carriers in Panama. I am fairly certain that movistar, if they aren't already, will be offering an unlimited data plan. I'm still learning spanish, but if you can decipher it, check out http://www.movistar.com.pa/

If you're a big skype user, I do have a suggestion if you're looking to talk a lot in to people in the states. Since most prepaid mobiles have free incoming calls, I have set up skype to forward calls to my panamanian number when I'm not at my desk (in panama). Now when people from the states call my Washington DC skype out number, it rings in Panama (and if I answer at my computer, the call is free if it's not long distance for them to call DC) if I'm not there, it forwards the call to my mobile in panama and it's at a rate of 19 cents a minute... which is pretty good for calling a mobile number in Panama from the USA, though it does charges my skype account, not whoever is trying to reach me in the states. There are all kinds of options with call forwarding and multiple numbers, and skype mobile to avoid high call charges... a little annoying to set up, but with the savings it pays for itself in no time.