sfsteach

I am taking a group of high school students to London and Paris at the end of the month and was thinking of trying to get a cell phone that I could use while there. In the past we have had kids get separated or ill and I would like the peace of mind that they could find me no matter what.

Is there a way to buy a prepaid cell for use there in the States or would I need to order one online? I am comfortable paying $100, but I have no idea if this is possible.

Thanks for any input.

rex

Buy it there. There are tons of choices in pre-paid phones; no contract - - you buy the time "up front" on a card or chip, and just re-purchase when you need more minutes.

I think you will be very pleased at what 70-90 euro will buy you. Typically incoming calls are free, and the first 25 euro will likely be included in the purchase price. You might never use all that up.

And then come back here and "sell it forward". I have done that, and I recommend it enthusiastically.

Best wishes,

Rex Bickers
Westerville, Ohio
[email protected]

Alec

A cheaper and better alternative than a cellphone is a European walkie-talkie. Don't bring over US family radio sets as they operate on a different, illegal frequency. I have seen them on sale at virtually every airport electronic/camera shop and most high street outlets in France and UK. They start from around $50 a pair, and you can get better quality ones with 4 handsets for around $150. In town the useable range is about half a mile, and up to 2 miles in open air.
A pair of pay-as-you-go cellphones will cost more, and the ones you buy in London may not be useable in Paris, and vice versa.

Eric

Here's another option. I just replaced my old Motorola Startac with a Siemens S46. It is what they call a multiband, next generation, world phone, meaning it can operate on TDMA, GSM or GPRS networks. i.e. I can use it at home, or overseas. Calls from France to the U.S. cost $1.29 a minute with my provider ATT Wireless. Not sure what the rate is from the U.K.

Jacqui

If you do buy a pay as you go mobile, incoming calls will only be free when you are in the country that it was purchased.

For example, if you buy the phone in London, if people wish to contact you while you are in Paris, they will have to dial a UK number and you pick up the bill from the UK to France.