Prepaid data/voice SIM for France

rickgans · 02-07-2008, 15:17

UPDATE-

Based on my research, which I must say has been more difficult than I would have imagined for this subject, I have decided to go with the following:

I have purchased an unlocked HTC TyTyn II. I am going to use the SIM from a T-Mobile phone that my company has and rarely uses. I will get voice calls for $.99/minute and data for $.015/kb. My guess is in 3 weeks I will spend about $300-$400 for airtime for both. T-Mobile suggested I check in my airport of departure to France (Boston) for European cell carriers selling prepaid SIM cards and buy one of those for local calls while in France. That was nice of them. They even said to call once I get my HTC phone and they will help me make sure their SIM card works in it. I am pretty impressed with their help and services compared to AT&T, whom I had called with similar questions.

And for Snaimon, yes, Verizon does lend a Blackberry 8830 to its customers at no charge. It may be that I am a 21 year customer or that I have 11 lines of service with them, but that is the deal. They do require a credit card for a deposit and they make money on the airtime. I am guessing this is their way of competing with AT&T and T-Mobile for their customers who travel overseas. Two years ago I got a phone from them for my daughter to use and it was pretty much the same deal, except at that time, they charged $3/day for rental of the phone. Guess they re-thought that policy as that probably cost them customers who travel overseas.

snaimon · 03-07-2008, 02:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickgans

UPDATE-
.......
My guess is in 3 weeks I will spend about $300-$400 for airtime for both. T-Mobile suggested I check in my airport of departure to France (Boston) for European cell carriers selling prepaid SIM cards and buy one of those for local ....

I think you can do better than $300 - $400 with a French SIM. Bouygues Telecom offers Wap GPRS, EDGE: € 2.00/MB (1 KB increments) i-mode® GPRS, EDGE: € 5.00/MB (1 KB increments) all e-mails received (less than 300KB) are free of charge.

If you use 12 MB that is max (12 * 5) = 60 euros or ~ $95 for data.

See http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/francia/bt.html

Use that for data and your T-MO card for calls. Don't forget a calling card and use that if and when you can.

Know any German? Try this:

http://www.teltarif.de/arch/2008/kw2...87.html?page=3

Stan

rickgans · 03-07-2008, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaimon

Bouygues Telecom offers Wap GPRS, EDGE: € 2.00/MB (1 KB increments) i-mode® GPRS, EDGE: € 5.00/MB (1 KB increments) all e-mails received (less than 300KB) are free of charge.

What is the difference between the two types of email/data services? What is Wap versus i-mode? Also would I expect to be able to buy a SIM card for this company in a US airport in the international departures area or in the Paris airport when I land there? Thanks for all of your help.

dg7feq · 03-07-2008, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickgans

What is the difference between the two types of email/data services? What is Wap versus i-mode? Also would I expect to be able to buy a SIM card for this company in a US airport in the international departures area or in the Paris airport when I land there? Thanks for all of your help.

Imode ONLY works with supported phones and is limited to the providers content.
WAP means there is a proxy but it will eventually pass trough more or less services besides mobile websites (very much provider depentant).

In a US airport i am very much sure you will not find it. Also on the airport in paris chances are odd. Usually you can buy the cards in shops of the mobile operators or electronic stores. Sometimes also in supermarkets (mostly only their own brands). The refills though are widely available in many shops.

	(#1)
rickgans (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 3 Join Date: 30 Jun 2008 Location: St. Louis MO Country:	02-07-2008, 15:17 UPDATE- Based on my research, which I must say has been more difficult than I would have imagined for this subject, I have decided to go with the following: I have purchased an unlocked HTC TyTyn II. I am going to use the SIM from a T-Mobile phone that my company has and rarely uses. I will get voice calls for $.99/minute and data for $.015/kb. My guess is in 3 weeks I will spend about $300-$400 for airtime for both. T-Mobile suggested I check in my airport of departure to France (Boston) for European cell carriers selling prepaid SIM cards and buy one of those for local calls while in France. That was nice of them. They even said to call once I get my HTC phone and they will help me make sure their SIM card works in it. I am pretty impressed with their help and services compared to AT&T, whom I had called with similar questions. And for Snaimon, yes, Verizon does lend a Blackberry 8830 to its customers at no charge. It may be that I am a 21 year customer or that I have 11 lines of service with them, but that is the deal. They do require a credit card for a deposit and they make money on the airtime. I am guessing this is their way of competing with AT&T and T-Mobile for their customers who travel overseas. Two years ago I got a phone from them for my daughter to use and it was pretty much the same deal, except at that time, they charged $3/day for rental of the phone. Guess they re-thought that policy as that probably cost them customers who travel overseas.