I. Can I use my US cell phone in France?
First find out what is your situation in the US. You first have to check two items:
Do you have at least a tri-band GSM cell phone? Most European countries are using GSM norm and usually a different frequency than the US typically in France 900 MHz and 1800Mhz (1900 MHz in the US). If you're unsure of what you have, look at your cell phone manual or just Google the model.
Make sure that either your cell phone is unlocked, or your service company has a cross-billing (i.e. roaming) agreement with a French company. Click here to find out more about networks in France and their roaming partners from the US.
To get cell phone service in France: you need both a compatible phone and a compatible account.
Just in case you are wondering, to verify if your cell phone is unlocked, insert a friend’s SIM card from another provider. If it works … then your phone is unlocked.
To find out if it is a tri band GSM check your phone capabilities with the specs of your specific phone.
I have a tri Band GSM cell phone and it is unlocked
I have a tri Band GSM cell phone but it is locked
Case one: You have a tri Band GSM cell phone and it is unlocked? Great! You just have to choose between:
- Using a roaming system if your provider has one with France … very expensive … I would not advise this, unless you have already made prices comparisons and you know for sure that it is less expensive. For example using my cell phone roaming services in the US for 45 mns cost me 300€ above my usual bill…. Because I paid as well for the calls I received.
- Or buy a French SIM card upon you arrival in France (around 20 to 30 Euros) and units of call; you will then use a “pay as you go” service. (See below)
Case Two: You have at least tri Band GSM cell phone but it is locked?
Then you have 2 possibilities:
- Your provider has a roaming service that works with France… very expensive … I would not advise this, unless you have already made prices comparisons and you know for sure that it is less expensive. For example using my cell phone roaming services in the US for 45 mns cost me 300€ above my usual bill ….
-Using the same service as above, then you have to “unlock” your phone. The long way is to contact your provider and possibly your phone manufacturer or… you have now paying services that will do that for you. (I have not tried…)
* If you are lucky, you will just need a code to unlock your phone and it is said that each provider has the manufacturer code. The code is usually a unique number only for that particular phone, based on its serial number (what is called its IMEI) and the service provider who locked it. (Allow at least 4 workdays for that …)
* If you are not lucky, then you will have to have your phone 'firmware' - (operating system software) - to be rewritten to remove the lock. This requires connecting the phone via a special data cable to a special programming unit.
Quoting a former student (Winter 0708) “Doing this is free and painless, at least through Cingular; just call the International Care Center and let them know that you'd like to unlock your phone for international use. I imagine that other providers have similar hotlines.”
Case Three: Your phone is not GSM? You can either buy a newer phone in the US (making sure it is unlocked and it will work in France with a new SIM card!) or wait to be in France and buy a French cell phone!
II. Buy a French phone or a sim card?
Depending on what your answer was in question -I- and what you were able to do with your US phone manufacturer and your provider, you may want to:
a- Buy a French SIM Card
b- Buy a French Phone / and SIM card
c- Buy minutes
1st a small FAQ and a bit of vocabulary, French can be a bit confusing as you will see below:
What are people referring to when they say “carte téléphonique”?
What are people referring to when they say “portable”?
Who are the main providers in France?
Where can I buy a “recharge” and how do I use it?
Do I have to pay to receive international calls?
Can I make an international call?
Are calls expensive in France?
How long will my SIM card be active?
What are people referring to when they say “carte téléphonique”?
They may refer to 3 different items:
1- a recharge card for a cell phone (prepaid calling minutes)
2- a prepaid calling card for any phone
3- a SIM card (which gives your phone a calling number)
To make sure you get the right card, specify either “carte SIM” or “carte de recharge pour un portable” or “carte téléphonique pour appeler moins cher”.
What is a SMS or Texto?
Just a text message. The cheapest way to communicate!
What are people referring to when they say “portable”?
It can be either:
- A cell phone
- A laptop
To be on the safe side make sure you say “ telephone portable”
Who are the main providers in France?
There are 3 main network / service providers in France for the mobile phones based on card usage:
They all offer pay-as-you-go mobile service which is what you should go for, WE STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST SUBSCRIBING FOR A LONG TERM PLAN, EVEN IF THE SALESMAN ENCOURAGES YOU TO DO SO. YOU WILL END UP HAVING NO END OF TROUBLE CANCELING YOUR AGREEMENT.
You will be responsible for canceling your agreement with your phone company BEFORE your departure. You cannot attend to this from abroad. Neither the Center nor your host family can intervene in any way concerning the contract you signed. Bills and letters will be forwarded directly to you and will not be opened.
Where can I buy a “recharge” and how do I use it?
You can buy a recharge at any tobacco store (“tabac”). These stores are easily recognizable by the big red diamond-shaped sign outside. Ask specifically for your provider recharge. They will propose several options (10 Euros, 20 Euros or more). They will sell you either a plasticized card or a receipt with several numbers.
1. Dial the calling number on the phone.
2. You will be prompted to enter a pin number (marked on the recharge)
3. Verify that you entered the right number.
They may ask you to validate by pressing the pound key (dièse in French #) or the star key (* étoile in French)
4. You will be prompted that you have “X” Euros credit on you cell phone.
5. Hang up
6. You are ready to call.
It is the cheapest way to send a message to your friends. Just use the text option on your phone and send the message.
Most cell phones have several options available. Read the manual of your cell phone carefully.
What will be my phone number?
Except if you use a foreign SIM card. You will have a French phone number beginning with (06) (all mobiles in France have a number beginning with “06”). Reminder, you phone number is linked to your SIM card NOT to the phone you are using.
Do I have to pay to receive international calls?
Incoming calls from abroad are free of charge for you on a French mobile number.
Can I make an international call?
Yes, if your phone is registered, i.e., if you have sent to your provider a copy of your ID.
Note When you buy a SIM or a phone it takes 2 to 3 business days (not verified) to be able to make calls abroad (time for the provider to register your ID)
Are calls expensive in France?
It is more expensive than in the US.
How long will my SIM card be active?
Usually, as long as you put minutes the validity of your SIM card will be renewed. If do not buy units of communication, your number (your SIM card) will typically be valid 6 months.
a- Buying a French SIM Card
Now, you know that you will have to say “Je voudrais une Carte SIM avec carte de recharge s’il vous plait”
* A SIM card will cost around 20Euros.
* You'll need to show your passport when buying your SIM card or at least send your ID to your provider to register.
* Once you have the card, you will need to buy the minutes, some provider include in their offer free minutes of calls (5mns) when buying a SIM card. Then just follow the guideline in “Where can I buy a “recharge” and how do I use it?” You get three tries, so don't mess up! If you do, you will lose the minutes.
Using a US cell phone has one drawback: France uses 220V.
To recharge your phone you will either need a plug adapter / or buy a new battery charger. A good place to do so is a store called 1001 piles http://www.1001piles.com/
They have all kind of battery and charger. I recommend calling them before going there, since they may not have in store your exact model. Anyway there is a 1001 piles stores 5 mn away from the Center.
So you'll need to recharge your phone in France, not in the United States. I recommend fully-charging it before you leave, so you can use it when you step off the plane on your next visit, if you need to.
b- Buying a French Phone and SIM card
Just Like in the US there are many kind of phones that you will have to choose from depending both on your budget and your use. Note that “Pay as you go” phone are slightly more expensive. If you are planning on taking it back to the US again, mind the frequencies accepted by your phone and the fact that you will have to use it with 110V. Most “pay as you go” phone start at 69 Euros and then you have to buy minutes.
To buy a phone you will need to show your passport at least send your ID to your provider to register. Beware: Certain phones are not compatible with a “pay as you go service”.
The most basic phone is a “disposable phone” called “BIC”. The Bic phone has all basic options, which are calling and receiving calls from France and abroad and text messaging. It costs 49 Euros at any “tabac” store. This phone includes 1 hour of communication (10 Euros available right away) and 23 Euros unlocked when you send in your ID. This phone number will be valid one year. You can add minutes with Orange mobicarte. Orange is the provider of Bic’s Phones.
c- Buying minutes
When you buy minutes, listen to your options. There may be “plans” that will allow you to save money. If you use for example the option less expensive on evening and weekends.
How often do I have to buy minutes?
When you buy minutes they are valid for a given time usually two months (but it can go from 7 days to 5 months), if you don’t use them up and you have a specific option they will add up to your new “minutes”. If you use them up, your Sim card will still be valid, you won’t be able to make calls but you will be able to receive them for usually 6 months.
Voilà! You have now the basic information to find out how to stay in touch by cell phone in France! Cell phones are very useful and worth the trouble….
If you have other tips and want to share them do not hesitate to write me back: [email protected]