Cell phone rental in Paris

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Jan 9th, 2002, 02:22 PM

Jennifer

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Cell phone rental in Paris

I'm looking to rent a cell phone while in Paris. So far, every company that I've found on the web has a UK-based phone number. I'd rather have one based out of Paris since that's where I'll be making the vast majority of my calls. Preferably, I'd like to receive the phone here (because I'm first flying to Amsterdam and then Antwerp before Paris). Does anyone know of any cell phone rental (hire) companies that are specifically Parisian? Thanks, Jennifer

Jan 9th, 2002, 02:31 PM

Fred

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Here are a bunch of companies that rent cell phones. In addition to renting a phone from the following companies, here's another idea: For the same cost as renting buy a phone in Paris which is used with pre-paid calling cards. The phone has no subscription or monthly service fees. A Nokia phone is sold at FNAC (multiple locations) for about $135. Service starts in minutes; 30 minutes of service is included. Voicestream (formerly Omnipoint) Tel: 1-877-OMNI-2-GO CELLHIRE 45 Broadway, 20th Floor New York, NY 10006 Tel: (212) 376 7373 Fax: (212) 376 7383 Toll Free number : 1-888-476-7368 http://www.CellHire.com/ This one can be used from any country Rent-a-Cell Express Suite 440 116 bis Ave des Champs Elysees 75008 Paris Tel: 011-33-1-53-93-78-00 Works all over Europe Reserve from here Go to: http://www.cellconcierge.com?referrer=FGTOenews2/ works all over International Phone Rentals 1-888-252-4837 Univercell Tel" 877-991-CELL. Rentaphone Tel: 888-309-8560 They will deliver the phone to you before you leave. FONEHOUSE (sp?) at different locations in Paris One of them is Rue des Mathurins near Rue Auber. GLOBAL PHONEWORKS: Tel: (800) 556-0530 CELLULAR PHONES: http://www.kemwel.com/index.html ACTION CELLULAR RENT-A-PHONE: Tel: 415 929-0400 For more Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

Jan 9th, 2002, 02:33 PM

Fred

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Jan 10th, 2002, 01:42 AM

Vincent

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You would be better off buying a pay as you go cell phone, it's actually cheaper than what Fred suggests (? 70-80), and it does work on the spot. France has three main cell phone operators: Orange, SFR and Bouygues. All have informative web sites where you can check the prices and the rates. Once in Paris, there are cell phone shops every 100 meters or so, so you won't have any difficulty buying a handset ! The most efficient chain might be "The Phonehouse" (also on the web, check for branches throughout Paris), the French subsidiary of the British-based "Carphone Warehouse". However, pay-as-you go rates are quite high in France (about ? 0.50 a minute), so I would suggest you mainly use your cell phone to be called and use the ubiquitous (and now, thanks to widespread cellphone use, empty ! ) telephone booths to place calls with a Carte France Telecom available at most newspaper kiosks and all tobaconists.

Jan 10th, 2002, 04:24 PM

jane

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i hear that you can't use cell phones in paris...

Jan 10th, 2002, 04:32 PM

Ana

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Why wouldn't it work in Paris? I took my GSM phone to Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey, and it worked like a charm everywhere I went. Cost of international calls $ 1.80 / min. Local calls $ 0.40/ min. Ana

Jan 11th, 2002, 01:26 AM

Vincent

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In the 60s, Americans used to bring their toilet paper to France, now they "hear" that people can't use cellphones in Paris. Another century, same ignorance... However, Jane, if you were travelling on a Paris bus, or sitting in a Paris cafe, you would wish cell phones were not working in Paris... BTW, I just read that the number of cell phone users in France has now reached 37 million (total population: 60m)

Jan 11th, 2002, 04:29 AM

Robert

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I use Voicestream as my cellur provider here in the US. In preparing for my trip later this month I checked with them and they "say" my phone (which is a dual band GSM phone) will work fine all over France. Even people who call me from the states won't know where I am , but the phone will find me in France! Rates are a flat $.99 regardless of whether I call around the corner or back to the states. I am assuming they know what they are talking about and it sounds like a pretty good option to me. A little coslty buy easy.

Oct 28th, 2004, 03:43 AM

LuizGrant

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I rented a phone from their office in Paris and CELLHIRE completely abused us. We were simple tourists and they simply took advantage of me with all their hidden charges.

I complained and they never responsed, I contested the charge thru MBNA and CELLHIRE had the last word.

Say away from CELLHIRE in France.