Bonjour y'all! I don't own a cell phone, but I do have an iPad that I use regularly. I make my phone calls via Instagram. I'm considering buying a cheap phone and using eSim with the idea that the phone will be my hotspot to enable me to use my iPad. Does this make sense?
I understand that I need to be looking at "quad band" phones (?). Merci for any feddback!
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2642 posts
Quad band refers to normal voice calls (yes and 2G), something you may not need if you want to continue to use VoIP (internet calling). The bands are 900/1800mhz used in Europe, 850/1900mhz used in N America. They are unlikely relevant to your objectives unless you intend to make regular phone calls.
Assuming you just want a phone to connect your iPad to the internet, if the iPad is SIM capable, it can connect to the internet using 3G, 4G, or 5G technology. You will not need a phone. But, if your iPad is not SIM capable, you will need a hotspot to provide a Wifi signal.
If you want to purchase a mobile phone to setup as a hotspot, you'll want to know what data frequencies your provider is using, then match the phone's reception capability the the protocols used by the provider.
Visit a provider when you arrive in Paris and they can help you. Choices include: Orange, SFR, Bouygues, and FREE.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
@tocard
My iPad does not have Sim capability, hence the reason that I'm going in the direction of having a cell phone as a hotspot. I thought that the "quad" element meant that it would work with the various frequencies (?) I really only need the it to work with the frequencies in France, not the US.
Thank you for your input.