PatD

Need a cell phone fo 7 weeks, Italy than France this summer, returning in a year for a one year stay in Paris. Best advice on renting or buying a cell phone that I can use now, and maybe again when I return? Looked up previous threads- no specific advice.

WanderingTexan

Nextel. And no I don't work for them. We use it here in Texas and when we travel, get an international card for the same phone with the same number. You don't need to pick another plan either.

Cobos

I'm quite sure if you do a search for my name or some of the other posters here you will get a lot of good advice...but here goes...
You need a GSM phone then... and since you will both stay for a long time and probably travel around in France I would get a dualband or triband phone bought in Europe so you get 900/1800 bands covered. It should be unlocked and either buy a prepaid plan in France for this visit and roam in Italy with it, or buy a prepaid plan in each country...
Then for your 1 year long visit next year look carefully at what plans you can get, you might be able to get one of the not prepaid plans then which usually are cheaper for active use than the prepaid ones... Especially for calling the states f. inst. They usually requires some kind of permanent residence in the country though so check with the provider...

Cobos

rex

You looked at this thread? - -http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34493355 - - because it has very specific advice about buying from Orange.

Best wishes,

Rex

tpatricco

PatD, don't know where you're from or who your carrier is, but via Verizon here in NJ, you can borrow a GSM phone for use while travelling and I believe even have the same phone number as you do in the US. Not sure if there is an additional charge for this (seems likely) but it's probably cheaper than buying a phone in Europe, plus you have the convenience of having your same phone number if people in your home country need to reach you while you're away. Verizon has info on their website, so whomever your carrier, they probably do too. Let us know how you make out.

rkkwan

7 weeks is too long to use a "rental" service, and definitely not a year.

Therefore, like Cobos says, you want to get a GSM phone, tri-band or quad-band so it will work all over Europe and the US.

rex

I find it hard to believe that PatD doesn't already have a cell phone (and presumaby a provider, and a contract) for use here in the US (assuming US residency) - - but maybe I am mis-interpreting "that I can use now, and maybe again when I return".

Assuming no need for one phone that would REPLACE the existing phone (and service), I think that the advice for buying a tri-band or quad-band to be overkill.

Buy the cheapest pre-pid you can find - - maybe even two of them, one for France (don't pay the extra for "unlocked&quot, and one for Italy. Then sell it forward (or both of them) here on this forum.

When you return for your one year stay, then you are more lkely to benefit from a NON-prepaid phone (i.e, DO get a one year contract), I would think. Not to mention the change in technology that will occur in a year. You msy want a PDA phone, or a camera phone, or who knows what?