PrePaidGSM.net Forum (Archived) - View Single Post

Marc · 14-04-2006, 04:57

Hi Michelle,

I hope you bought the (a) phone. Looking at how long you're going to be in France and the rental prices, either on-line or through US cellular carriers, buying a phone is more cost-effective. As people have pointed out already, with a tri-band you can use the phone as a back-up here in the States, or, even if you're not going back to Europe for a while (and how do you know that?), you could lend it to a friend going overseas and have them eternally in your debt.

Buying the phone separately will also avoid being overcharged for your SIM card. The one rental place you mentioned doesn't seem to rent you a phone without your also buying the start-up SIM from them--at $60 was it?!! My start-up SIM package purchased in Paris was only 15 euro, and included 5 euro of call time.

As Effendi mentioned, you're going to have to recharge whatever SIM you do get. Even though the French companies all charge by the second, it's a rare call that stops under a minute. Those initial few euros of credit won't last long. If you're calling ahead to a hotel, think of the seconds flying by as they find your reservation record, look it up . . . ask someone a question about it . . . answer a question from someone else. You get the picture. Also, you'll find other uses for the phone. It's always a good idea to make restaurant reservations, if you can. And when you're tired from running around, it's nice to be able to call a shop or a sight to be sure they're open before you trek out to them.

The fact that you're gonna use the phone more than you expect also rules out international roaming with your US carrier. My carrier, T-Mobile, I think has the lowest international roaming rates of the big carriers--but they're still 99 cents/minute, and they charge you for incoming as well as outgoing. (Other US carriers run as high as $1.49/minute.) The French prepaids are all in the 0.50-0.60 euro/minute range (60-70 cents), and DON'T charge you for incoming calls.

There's detail on a few of the French cards in the sticky at the top of this European forum.

Have fun.

Marc

	(#15)
Marc (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 20 Join Date: 17 Dec 2005 Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan Country:	14-04-2006, 04:57 Hi Michelle, I hope you bought the (a) phone. Looking at how long you're going to be in France and the rental prices, either on-line or through US cellular carriers, buying a phone is more cost-effective. As people have pointed out already, with a tri-band you can use the phone as a back-up here in the States, or, even if you're not going back to Europe for a while (and how do you know that?), you could lend it to a friend going overseas and have them eternally in your debt. Buying the phone separately will also avoid being overcharged for your SIM card. The one rental place you mentioned doesn't seem to rent you a phone without your also buying the start-up SIM from them--at $60 was it?!! My start-up SIM package purchased in Paris was only 15 euro, and included 5 euro of call time. As Effendi mentioned, you're going to have to recharge whatever SIM you do get. Even though the French companies all charge by the second, it's a rare call that stops under a minute. Those initial few euros of credit won't last long. If you're calling ahead to a hotel, think of the seconds flying by as they find your reservation record, look it up . . . ask someone a question about it . . . answer a question from someone else. You get the picture. Also, you'll find other uses for the phone. It's always a good idea to make restaurant reservations, if you can. And when you're tired from running around, it's nice to be able to call a shop or a sight to be sure they're open before you trek out to them. The fact that you're gonna use the phone more than you expect also rules out international roaming with your US carrier. My carrier, T-Mobile, I think has the lowest international roaming rates of the big carriers--but they're still 99 cents/minute, and they charge you for incoming as well as outgoing. (Other US carriers run as high as $1.49/minute.) The French prepaids are all in the 0.50-0.60 euro/minute range (60-70 cents), and DON'T charge you for incoming calls. There's detail on a few of the French cards in the sticky at the top of this European forum. Have fun. Marc