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Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
Paris
Mobile phone option
Posted: Sat December 6, 2008 08:13 PM UTC
A US family will spend 10 days in Paris (leaving next week). They want to know the best way for the four of them (all adults) to use cell phones while in Europe, just in case they get separated or lost.

Their cell phones are all unlocked from their contractors.

What are the options and the best?
1) Replace an European SIM card with the existing phones. But do they need to activate At&T's international roaming feature in order to use the SIM card? Anyone happens to know how AT&T charges international roaming?

2) Would it be better if they just buy a temporary phone there instead (what are the cheapest phone, brand and price?)?

What they are looking for is the most reliable and economic way for them to keep in touch with each other.

Thanks for any help!
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[Reply]

Paris
Re: Mobile phone option
Posted: Sat December 6, 2008 08:56 PM UTC
If it's a US (SIM unlocked) phone, make sure it is tri/quad band as the frequencies in Europe differ from those in the USA.
If that's the case you could buy a pre-pay SIM card from a local operator.
Another option (or if your phone is NOT tri/q band): buy a cheap pre-pay cell phone locally. So compare prices.
European cell phones can be bought from 20 euros and up.

In both cases: no need to bother with your US operator. Let them be.

International roaming is normally very expensive. I always buy a local pre-pay SIM card wherever I am (my phone is tr-band) and let the people at home know my local number-by email or SMS.

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Paris
Re: Mobile phone option
Posted: Sat December 6, 2008 09:11 PM UTC
<<<2) Would it be better if they just buy a temporary phone there instead (what are the cheapest phone, brand and price?)?>>>

Starting with question 2 - If they already have unlocked, GSM phones there is no need to purchase additional phones.

For others who may not already own an unlocked GSM phone, you may either purchase one on eBay (around $50) or purchase one in France at somewhere like FNAC or Darty.

<<<1) Replace an European SIM card with the existing phones.>>>

Depending upon the amount of calls one plans to make, this is a good option. SIMs are widely available, I use one from Virgin but here is a complete rundown:

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/france.html

<<<But do they need to activate At&T's international roaming feature in order to use the SIM card?>>>

Changing the SIM takes AT&T (or any other US carrier) out of the picture. You will now have a local phone number and service through a local carrier. The phone must be unlocked allowing it to function with a SIM other than the one provided with the phone when originally purchased.


<<<Anyone happens to know how AT&T charges international roaming?>>>

AT&T Standard International Roaming charge is $1.29/minute

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 Sarastro [Reply]
Paris
Re: Mobile phone option
Posted: Sun December 7, 2008 04:00 AM UTC
I have used this service last year in France and was very satisfied with it. You pay only for the calls you make and they will bill you later. I talked to the owner of the company several times before I left (he is French but based in New York) and everything went very smoothly. I even bought an inexpensive cell phone from them for $20 but you won't need to buy a phone since you already have your own.
Check them out at:
http://www.callineurope.com/cgi-bin/cie.cgi?b=google&p=how_it_works.html
I intend to use their services again when I go back to France next year.
Bon voyage
Jeannette

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Paris
Re: Mobile phone option
Posted: Sun December 7, 2008 07:36 AM UTC
Both 2 posters above state:

>>>>>>you won't need to buy a phone<<<<<<<

I say again:

That is correct but only if their (USA) phones are able to use the (European) GSM 900/1800 frequencies. The USA uses GSM 850/1900.
That's why the phone needs to be a tri/quad band GSM phone.

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