Could something happen that would make a cell phone worthwhile? Yes. Is it likely? No. Pretty much a judgement call--cell phones are mostly an expensive convenience, but, again, it is possible that an unusual circumstance could arise that would make it come in handy. Agree with above--if you don't need one at home, you probably wouldn't need one in France.

I recently upgraded my cell phone to a Motorola V400 World Phone. (I was told a Quad Band would be best because I can use it in Italy and in the US.) I posted to a site on the internet that specializes in cell phone questions because I too was confused about certain issues.

One of the issues I had was the cost of calls. Cingular charges quite a bit for international calls. I was told that once I get to Italy I can buy a card to use in my phone and that this would be cheaper way to make calls. Since I would be removing the card that comes with my phone any calls people make to me on my phone number would have to be left on my voice mail and when I want to check my messages I would re-insert my original card.

Actually, I am not the best person to explain this but if you go to:

http://www.howardforums.com/

you will find all kinds of info.

I know...blow outs on motorways don't happen....cars suddenly won't start etc.

This is the year 2004; so much of technology has changed, for the most part for the better. I'm sorry if you disagree but I simply can't conceive of getting into an automobile and not having a mobile phone just in case. I can't conceive of commuting and having delays and not have a mobile phone to call home and tell them I will be delayed and not to worry.

I can't conceive of being on holiday and seeing you're going to be late and calling ahead to the next hotel to tell them you'll be a little late. Or meeting somebody who recommends a restaurant for dinner and suddenly having to look around for a pay phone; many of which don't operate on coins anyway.

I guess there is a technology gap where people, in all due respect to anybody, just don't want to grasp the fact the world has changed. Even at home in the US, you don't find pay phones that work as often as you used to. Mobile phones have been a way of life in Europe for a while; people text message each other all the time confirming, cancelling appointments. I know text messaging is catching on a bit in North America with young people but in North America we are somewhat behnd in embracing this technology.

To me, a mobile phone is a necessity even if only for the peace of mind that in a pinch, you can call out for help.

My son just left for italy for 6 weeks. We bought a tri-band UNLOCKED phone for $100 on Ebay. When he got to Italy, he bought an Italian sim card (40 euros, including 20 euros worth of call time, then it can be recharged). Calls in Italy are .12 euros per minute, and to the US are .5 euros per minute, but incoming calls are FREE, so he calls us and we call him back (using a cheap international calling card from the US). He has an Italian cell phone number. When he gets back, we'll either keep the phone for future travel, or sell it again.

If you're traveling around Europe (multiple countries), the website Telestial sells something called a "hop aboard" sim card, which allows multiple-country roaming.

DMLove, would you be willing to include a link to the product you purchased?

Thanks,
Kat

gracieb, if you're still around, can you tell us which company was your 'cell phone provider'? Your solution to the cell phone debate sounds pretty reasonable to me, and I'd like to learn more. Thanks, J.

AT&T and T-Mobile rent world phones to their customers.
I use T-Mobile for both U.S. and Europe. Bought a Sony Ericsson on Amazon.com, signed up w/ T-Mobile, activated international roaming, and pay $0.99/minute for all overseas calls, both in/outgoing. (U.S. plan at $29.99 for local and nat'l long distance). We only use phone in Europe for brief checks to pet-sitter, not for casual chatting. This is not the best thing for you unless you want to change providers and you want to use phone for multiple visits to Europe(vs. a one-time need).

Kat, I'm not sure which website you're referring to. However, we bought the unlocked world phones on ebay (one used, one new - the new one is not charging properly, but the used one is working fine). We tried to buy the SIM card here, but they were held up in customs. There are several websites you can go through - http://www.telestial.com/prepaid_sim_cards.htm is the one that has prepaid cards for individual countries, as well as one that allows multi-country roaming. The prices and rates are different for each.

If this wasn't what yu were looking for, please post again.

DMLove, I was referring to the Ebay page for the phones you bought so that I could see the specs for the phone.

Of if you could just list the make and model of your phone.

Thanks,
Kat

Ah, Kat. I found the phone by going into ebay, then "consumer electronics", then "cell phones/phones only", then under features, click on "world tri-band" and at the same time in the search field, type in "unlocked". I just did it and came up with 1988 items. You can also narrow it down by brand. The ones I bought were the Motorola V60g (that's the one that is with my son in Italy, and I know it works), and also a Motorola V66. Here's the link to the page I'm on:

http://search.ebay.com/unlocked_Phon...ertyZ2QQsotrZ2