Can You Hear Me, Now?!

A while back I went over some of France’s basic phone facts. Now I will attempt to demystify French cell phone use.   Cell phone use everywhere is on the rise. For many, they are an alternative to the usual “phone in the wall” scenario. For the frequent traveler to France, there are many cell phone options. I will name a few that are popular and then I will explain how I got my cell phone and what plan I used on my last visit to Paris. To the average person who travels abroad often, it would seem that having a cell phone that could be used in both the United States and France would be extremely convenient. Unfortunately, “standardization” of anything seems to be a foreign concept to the global community at large. It’s not that they don’t make cell phones that would work in both countries, it’s just that the fees to use these “tri-band” phones are absolutely prohibitive! For example, let’s say “Joe Businessman” owns a tri-band phone in the United States and travels to France frequently. If his phone plan is in the United States, he can make and receive phone calls while in France (anywhere in the world for that matter) for the heart-stopping rate from .99 cents per minute to 1.34 per minute! And that’s afterpaying the monthly fee (from around $25) and setup charge (I’m assuming most of Mr. Businessman has lost interest in this option, so I won’t even bother quoting a rate). So, “Joe B” wants to explore other options (and do you blame him?). Well, on my last trip to France, I simply brought along the telephone I used when I lived in France and bought a SIMS phone card “sans abonnement”, or a “pay as you go” plan. A SIMS card is a “smart card” (see last week’s column) that has the cell phone number embedded in it and connects to the phone service of your choice (in France, there are many mobile phone services. Some of the more popular ones are France Telecom, Bouygues Telecom, SFR, & Cergetel). “Pay as you go” plans usually require knowing how much talk time is needed and whether or not one wants to listen to ads (commercials) in return for more talk time, or a lower per minute rate. Plans range from a “small” card to “medium” and “large” cards. The higher the size of the card, the lower rate paid per minute and the longer the talk time. Be aware that normally, the per minute rate for calling out on the cell phone is substantially less than receiving calls on the cell phone and rates vary from company to company. When the minutes are expired, just go to a local tabac that sells the cards, or another phone store, or set up to automatically “recharge” the card by giving the phone company a valid credit card at the time the phone is set up. Setting up the cell phone is easy. After choosing a phone company, go to any phone store and request a phone card “sans abonnement.” When I did this in November 2002, the set-up fee was 15€, 30€ for the SIM card, and I requested a “large card” for 44€. When I called the United States, I used the special long distance phone card I bought at the airport for 7.5€ (The actual face amount on the card was 15€ and basically, it lasted all ten days. Remember to ask the salesperson if the card will work with your “mobile”) In the end, I spent 96.50€ for my ten day stay in France. The phone number I purchased is dedicated to my phone for six months, so if I return to France within that time, I will have the same number I had this trip (and save 30€ it takes to purchase a SIM card)! Caveat: The phone company I used (Bouygues Telecom) did not accept American credit cards (a credit card without a “smart” chip), so I had to pay cash for the set up fee, and my large card, 89€) If “Joe Businessman” doesn’t have a cell phone like I did, there are several options. He may purchase a tri-band phone (a phone that will work in the United States, and France), without the expensive US calling plan, and, after ensuring there is no “lock” on the SIM card (if the SIM card is locked, SIM cards cannot be changed), he can purchase a “pay as you go” plan once he gets to France. He may also purchase an inexpensive mobile phone in France with a “sans abonnement” card. They run the gamut in terms of prices, but I would say they run anywhere from about 50€ on up. You may also want to rent a phone. For about 60 $ you can rent a phone from Auto Europe, who will deliver it to you in the US. If you’d like to buy a pre-paid French SIM card before leaving try Planet Omni. They also have unlocked GSM phones designed for overseas use available to rent or buy. That way you have your phone before you leave and don’t have to worry about finding one once you get there. So there’s the cell phone wrap up. When I lived in France, several of my friends had a cell phone for their primary number! They are convenient, and may be a cheaper alternative to regular phones (depending on the usage). Last week, I promised you some useful French phone numbers. Please remember, try to speak French when using these numbers: Firemen/Paramedics: 18Ambulance: 15Police: 17Information (411 in US): 12SNCF (timetables/reservations): 08.36.35.35.35RATP (metro, bus, & RER): 08.36.68.77.14 Until next week, happy dialing! Cat the Expat Ask Cat the Expat [email protected] asks, Hello, I’m an American who’s been living in Paris for about 4 years now. I have a doctor, but needless to say, I don’t feel that comfortable with French doctors and I wouldn’t mind meeting one that speaks English. Do you happen to have a list of doctors (generalist)…