Francewithfive

We will be in France and Italy for 5 weeks. I need advice for having a phone to use there,
I want to be able to phone within Europe and would like to be able to text to Canada. I may make or receive an occasional international call from Canada. Internet isn't necessary
My choices seem to be: take my iphone and buy a SIM card in advance from somewhere (where??)
Buy an inexpensive phone once we get to France to use there.
Suggestions? Companies to use?
It's trickier being in Canada. I am on Roger's here,
Thank you.

Piccolina

Phones in CAnada are locked so you can't just buy a SIM card to pop into your phone to use in France.

You have to buy an unlocked phone in order to use a SIM card that is not linked to the provider.

YOu could try buying a cheap no-frill second hand or even a brand new cell phone (can't imagine it costing too much) that is UNLOCKED so you can use overseas.

My friend is with Rogers and she signed up for a one-time $50 travel package that included 1 hour (I think?) of talk time overseas and some data services. Ask Rogers about it. This is something you could consider if you only want to use the phone for emergency

raincitygirl

Did you buy your iPhone yourself from Apple or get it from Rogers?
I have an unlocked iPhone which I bought from Apple and have no trouble using it in Europe as is.
You should speak to your provider to see what sort or travel package they have and make sure they tell you what to turn off on your phone to avoid huge charges.

Francewithfive

I can pay to have my phone unlocked for $50 so that is ok. The packages from Rogers are hugely expensive. That is the problem. I am debating the SIM card (where to buy??)or buying a cheap European phone (where to buy??) once we get there.

Truffles

I bought SIM cards for my iPhone & iPad from Wind in Italy. TIM is another option, but I went with the first carrier I saw when I got off the train.

It came with 2 gigs of data (phone), and 8 euros worth of calling to Canada @ 20 cents per minute. There was texting and calling within Italy (can't recall how much as I didn't need that feature, I was more interested in the data), but I wasn't able to text to Canada.

For calling home, I downloaded the Magic Jack app, which worked both over cellular and wifi, and was free.

StCirq

Buy a cheap (I got my for $26 on amazon.com) unlocked, dual-SIM, quad-band, GMS phone. Go to lebara.com and order a free starter French SIM card, which they'll mail to you in Canada. Pop the Lebara SIM into the phone. Be sure to register the SIM online, and you're good to go in France. In Italy, pop into a TIM store and buy a SIM there and pop it into the second SIM slot. They'll register you right there at the store (have your passport with you).

ParisAmsterdam

>>>You have to buy an unlocked phone in order to use a SIM card that is not linked to the provider.<<<

Rubbish! Look at Kijiji.ca or Craigslist and find a place to unlock your iPhone. It will cost a max of 50 bucks and likely less. There are a dozen places or more in Ottawa who do this... there will be where you live unless you're in Nunavut!

Once unlocked follow the advice above and get a Lebara SIM. Just add Canada in the line for 'state' on their online form.

TIM is often recommended for Italy. Much better to have your iPhone with all it can do than to spend money on a cheap junky phone.

Francewithfive

Thank you for all of the GREAT advice. I think I have a plan now. I am going to pay to have my iphone unlocked and then buy the SIM cards.

Elizabeth_S

I think it's better to pay Roger's the $50 than use one of the unlocking services - it's a factory unlock which means you can still do upgrades, etc.

When you buy the SIM card check the roaming fees for your next destination (Italy after France?) or are you planning to buy a separate SIM for each country?

Also be sure your plan permits international calling - sometimes that has to be enabled.

Have a great time!