My daughter is getting ready to leave for college in Paris. We are wondering if anyone has any suggestions for the reasonable and reliable cell phone service in Paris? She spent 10 months in Italy and used an Orange SIM card in her unlocked cell phone from the US. This worked OK, however she would have to go to the tobacco shop every time she ran out of data and pay to add more. We are hoping to avoid this process in Paris, as we would all feel more comfortable if she had data available consistently for use for navigation, etc.! Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Here are some more options for prepaid SIMs in France besides Orange. Looks like SFR also requires you to buy top-ups at retail stores - online recharge only accepts European credit cards, according to the Wiki below:
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2542 posts
To qualify for regular (not incremental) service with a French phone company, your daughter will need to sign a one year contract and have payments made through automatic withdrawal (RIB) from a French bank account.
Otherwise, she may either use a prepaid service through SFR, Orange, or Bouygues or use an existing service from home configured for European calling.
Posted by
Paris
6883 posts
The one year contract is no longer required, there are plenty of at-will plans (B&You, Free, Sosh, Red) affiliated to major phone companies that cost about 15-20 euros/month for basically unlimited data. But you do need a French bank account, and for a French bank account you need a permanent address (and a bank that will agree to open accounts for US persons).
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I've done Orange twice and SFR twice in my last four France trips. I now give the nod to Orange because SFR stopped selling SIM cards at their stores (you have to get them from a Tabac). I prefer having them installed and working at the store before I pay. I've also had service issues with SFR than I haven't had with Orange. Orange, however, made you add value at the store on their Holiday SIM - which is a little inconvenient.
If she's staying longer, she may be able to get other options. If it was me, I'd start with Orange.
My most recent trip was to Ireland, I used 3 Mobile. It was the best deal I've had to date and worked fine, unlimited everything, in Ireland, N. Ireland and England. If they're available in France (don't believe they were my last trip). They might be worth looking into.
Posted by
madison wisconsin
70 posts
T Mobile (owned by Deutsche Telecom) has free texting and free data when in Europe. Calls are I believe 25 cents/minute but she could use WhatsApp for free to call others who also have that app downloaded.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
She's going to be in Paris for almost a year. T-Mobile isn't going to like that - may shut her off. Their roaming service is not intended for extended stays. (Plus, the "unlimited data" is 2G speed and a bit slow - she's probably going to find that very frustrating to use for ten months.)
Posted by
752 posts
Hi tt,
To get your daughter started, she may want to consider an Orange Mobicarte SIM and load a Recharge Max (1 month) for either 2 or 10G (also includes text and calls) Orange has boutiques all over Paris, no need to use a Tabac. This would be more convenient, she would only need to recharge once a month by phone using the code on the recharge.https://boutique.orange.fr/mobile/recharges-mobicarte
Once your daughter settles in and meets other students, she may get more ideas on mobile service from them...particularly foreign students. She will also know more about her data needs vs WIFI for class work.
May I ask which university your daughter is attending? They may have an orientation manual for foreign students that includes technology requirements and advice on mobile/internet plans.
For example, the American University of Paris manual suggests a Free Mobile monthly pay as you go plan that includes generous data plus text and calls in Europe as well as to US. for about €20. Not the best 4g service but adequate and well priced. Although the Free website is directed more at French clients, my AUP contact suggested a visit to their store at 8 rue de la Ville-l’évêque in the 8th arrondissement.
For the long term...AUP has an arrangement with a Paris bank for multi-year students pursuing a degree, to help them get a French bank account. Perhaps your daughter’s university has something similar for foreign students, if she is in a multi year program.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
You need mobile data to use Google Maps "offline" unless you are driving. Does not work for walking or public transit directions. Mobile data is pretty cheap - can't imagine wanting to do without it.
Posted by
OP
toledo
28 posts
Thank you all so much for your replies. She is going to a 4 year american university in Paris and they will be helping her set up a french bank account, etc. So I am thinking that once this is set up then she can go about getting a good cell phone plan. I think she will be able to reload her current Orange sim card until then.