Verizon no longer rents international cell phones and my current phone is not upgradeable and I am not elible for a cheap global phone. I know about cyber cafes, but two things: is there a good brand name phone card that I can buy in Paris to call back to the US and/or is there a reliable company here in the US to rent a phone that we can use in Paris if we choose to go that route?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Charles,
You might have a look at the "travel phone" firms such as Call In Europe, Roam Simple, Cellular Abroad, Mobal or Telestial to see if one of their products might work for you. They rent and sell GSM phones for travellers.
These firms also sell SIM cards for those that have their own GSM quad-band, unlocked phones. You could always buy a phone off E-Bay or similar sites and keep it for future trips.
Be sure to review their rate structures carefully, so that you have some idea what your costs might be.
Good luck!
Posted by
Wilmington, NC, USA
1 posts
I use Verizon, and they were very helpful in spelling out a very (I thought) reasonable plan. I paid for the shipping of a global-enabled "loaner" phone, and any calls I make while abroad are subject to a roaming rate. But I get to keep my same phone number and have all of my contacts with me.
Details are here: http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Travel/index.html
Posted by
Honolulu, HI, USA
408 posts
I have a 1st gen. iPhone that won't accept the v4 upgrade. (I'll get a new phone in June/July.) One piece of "what to do with an old iPhone" advice suggests 'unlocking' (right term?) it and using it abroad with a SIM from there.
Rick's phone page says, "Once your phone is unlocked, you can buy and change SIM cards as you travel. Rather than using your American number, you'll have a European number...and pay cheaper European rates." so I assume that's the general idea.
Once ATT has my phone-number assigned to the new phone, is this SIM card thing something I do myself to the old phone -- just deal with it over in Europe? Also, it looks like there's a different SIM card for each country - is that correct? And, does a SIM card last from year-to-year, or will I need to buy a new one each year? (I really am a weenie when it comes to the iPhone as a phone.)
Posted by
Piedmont, nc, usa
316 posts
Everything I've seen lists roaming rates at $1.99 per minute. Way too expensive for me. It's always been easy to purchase phone cards that come in 5-10 Euro denominations and make all the calls home I need for a two week trip. Last year in Germany, though, they were hard to come by and difficult to find a phone to use them. Does anyone know what the range of per minute rates is using a phone with a SIM card? I think it's about time for me to get into this century instead of looking for cards/phones but don't want to spend a fortune to do it.
Posted by
OP
Arrington, TN, USA
2 posts
Thanks for all the many good suggestions. I decided to bite the bullet and ordered a phone from Mobal. The rates are expensive, but I plan to use the phone only for emergencies. Advantages: you do not have to change SIM cards when you change countries. Incoming texting is free everywhere. Incoming phone calls in the UK are free. I bought the $99 phone and got a call credit of $40. I am just about to leave for Paris and I will post a followup as to how well the phone worked. Again, thank you.
Posted by
san diego, ca, us
4 posts
i dont know if calling cards are that good of idea, if you cant find one or some of them have way to expensive rates, why dont you rent a phone? they are some companies that have the rental less then a 2 dollars a day, and if you rent a local french line, incoming calls would be free, why dont you try http://www.phonerentalusa.com/index.php