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Using a Cellular Telephone in Paris
It used to be that having a cell phone for use in Paris and the rest of France was a tricky and/or expensive endeavor. While not everyone knows the b
s and tips,bIt used to be that having a cell phone for use in Paris and the rest of France was a tricky and/or expensive endeavor. While not everyone knows the b
Conventionally, having a cell phone to use while you were abroad was
considered not only an expensive luxury, but also somewhat of an
inconvenience to acquire. In recent years--and although this perception
remains--rates and procedures have become such that virtually anyone
traveling abroad can afford to have a cell phone, including those going to
Paris or anywhere in France for that matter. There are two well-known
options for obtaining cellular service in France, both of them rather
expensive. There is, however, a lesser-known yet much more cost- effective
way to make and receive cellular phone calls while in this popular country.
Ironically, the most common way to obtain cell phone access in
France--renting a cell phone--is also the most expensive and inconvenient.
There are many cell phone rental companies that offer service for France.
Typically, you will need to rent a handset for the required amount of time
plus pay for the airtime usage. Airtime rates do vary but they average
approximately $1.50-$2.00 per minute for incoming calls or calls placed
within France with calls placed internationally running slightly higher.
With your rented phone, you'd receive an international phone number, usually
from the UK. You will need to sign a contract with the cellular rental
company plus leave a deposit. Cell phone rental agencies are commonly found
in most international airports. Renting a cell phone may be a practical
solution for those who decide they need a cell phone at the spur of the
moment and for those who didn't have time to make other less-expensive
arrangements.
Another alternative is to "roam" with your current US or Canadian carrier -
provided they offer international service. Depending on the carrier, rates
will be slightly less expensive than the cell phone rental option and the
procedure is usually also less cumbersome. Unless you are with a GSM carrier
and have what is known as a tri-band cell phone, they will need to provide
you with a GSM phone that is compatible for use overseas. They will either
rent or sell you an international phone and you will be billed directly on
your statement. Keep in mind that you will retain your US number. While this
might sound convenient, inevitably you will be receiving non-essential calls
while you are in France -- calls that will be quickly running up your bill.
This approach is most suitable for those who absolutely need to be reached
at their US cell phone number and at any expense. It is very important to
note that with this option every outgoing call will be an international
call! If you want to make a reservation at the quaint bistro down the
street, that's an international call. If you want one of the locals to reach
you, you'll be asking them to make an international call. So much for
U.S.-French relations.
The third approach, although the least known, is by far the most
cost-effective for obtaining cellular service while in France. Basically,
this solution is to use one of the cellular providers in France. As in most
countries, France has several cellular providers. The one we strongly
recommend and distribute is Mobiho which was designed specifically for the
foreigner student, tourist or business person traveling to or living in
France.
One of the greatest benefits with this option is being able to receive
unlimited free incoming calls from anywhere in the world. Just this single
aspect alone makes obtaining a cell phone worthwhile for many travelers
needing to stay in touch while in France. These other benefits include
pay-as-you-go service (no contracts), low outgoing rates and fantastic
coverage and reception. As of this writing, rates are just 0.18 Euro cents
per minute to call the US and local rates from 0.19 - 0.39 depending on if
you are dialing a landline or another Mobiho cell phone. Using the French
cellular system means you will have a French phone number. If you meet
French locals and want to give your phone number out, they are not forced to
dial an international number.
In order to obtain the same service that the French use, you will need to
have two basic elements--a GSM cell phone that is compatible for France and
a French SIM card. In France, as in over 200other countries in the world,
cellular service providers have elected to utilize the GSM system (Global
System for Mobile Communications). GSM is the world's predominant mobile
phone standard, which was first adopted in Europe and then spread throughout
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim (Australia, New Zealand, etc.). This
explains why the same cell phone that works in Paris also works in
Johannesburg, Beijing and Sydney. The United States however did not
standardize and it was left to the competing wire carriers to create
whatever standard they wished including CDMA and TDMA. Only recently has the
US aggressively embraced the GSM standard. Carriers such as T-Mobile,
Cingular and AT&T; now use the GSM standard in the majority of the markets
they serve. However, even the GSM standard that we use in the US and Canada
is not compatible overseas. This is why many US outbound travelers have
difficulty getting wireless coverage when they are overseas without paying
$1-$7/minute. Once you have a GSM phone, at least if it has the capability
of working on all three of the GSM frequencies, you can use it virtually all
over the world - as long as it is not "locked." A locked phone means that
the phone will only accept a SIM card from a specific carrier, hence it is
"locked" into that carrier. Many cellular providers around the world engage
in this practice, including every GSM carrier in the U.S. Therefore, if you
do get a tri-band GSM cell phone, make sure that it is unlocked so that you
can freely use it the way you please in any country featuring GSM service.
The other necessary element for having cellular service in France is the SIM
card (Subscriber Identity Module). This electronic chip is what gives you
the service for France, including the low French cell phone rates. Once you
have a SIM card for France, you simply slip it into your GSM phone and you
are automatically on the French system. Once your initial talk time is used
up, you can add more minutes to the SIM card by purchasing a recharge card,
available in various denominations at most convenience stores and magazine
stands. You must, of course, be in France to get the benefits of the French
system including the low rates and unlimited free incoming calls. However,
obtaining a French SIM card is not as simple as just walking into a cell
phone store in France and picking one up. You must have residency in France
and demonstrate documentation to purchase one. If you have French relatives
or friends, perhaps they can pick one up for you. Furthermore, the Mobiho
SIM is not available in all cell phone stores as it is geared toward ethnic
and foreign markets.
The easiest solution is to order a French SIM card and an unlocked GSM phone
from Cellular Abroad, based in Playa del Rey, California
(www.cellularabroad.com). They will sell you a SIM card and either rent or
sell you a GSM phone. If you are planning on going to France for a short
visit and do not plan on traveling overseas again and have no use for a GSM
cellular phone in the US or Canada, then renting is the better option.
Cellular Abroad offers convenient package deals with a tri-band GSM cell
phone and a French SIM card along with all the plug adapters you need, all
at a low, discount price. If you purchase a tri-band GSM phone, not only can
you use it in France but anywhere in the world where the GSM system is used.
That way, next time you go to another destination, you only need to purchase
a SIM card for that specific country. Plus, if you do happen to use one of
the domestic cellular carriers who utilizes the GSM standard, you can travel
the world with just one phone, simply swapping SIM cards from country to
country in order to take advantage of the local rates.
Cellular Abroad is offering a $10 discount to all Paris.org visitors. Be sure to
mention Paris.org when you call (1-800.287.3020)
or, if ordering online, enter promo code Paris.org. Go to
www.cellularabroad.com.