Mobile Phone Usage in Europe
 

Are there any Aussie travellers that have taken their GSM mobile phone with them to Europe & purchased a SIM card with limited calls.
If so, could you please explain the details, i.e how much does it cost, where can you purchase from, any difficulties etc.

Just like at home, depending on the country, prices differ a little. SIMs start at about 5€ per SIM incl. 5€ calling credit, activated online or via telephone.

Easy, no need to worry about it before you arrive.

Purchase at the supermarket, ask the cashier for a SIM. :-)
As long as the phone is unlocked, it will work. Don't listen to the frequencies/channels hogwash someone will post. You'ready to go.

Thanks for your reply - we shall travel with confidence after your comments.

Logos is right...if your hone is unlocked you don't have to worry about anything else...

Getting a prepaid sim card is very simple depending on what country you're in...you can get them most anywhere.

What European country are you going to first?

France (Paris) will be our first destination

logos may have a better solution of just what you can do but to be faithful to what I must do..

French sim cards as well as French mobile rates are among the most expensive in the world.

You will be able to get a French sim card at a mobile phone store but unlike other European countries, French sim cards are expensive and what these thieves do is after a set period of time, they steal your credit and it is very hard to keep the card active for future trips unless you purchase recharge slips while in Paris.

I know this complicates matters a bit and like I said, maybe logos has a better suggestion (British sim cards can be free although they come with no credit but the card can easily be kept active indefinitely for future trips).

The good news is that because of the enlightened eu, you will be able to use the card relatively inexpensively throughout the rest of Western Europe.

Well, if it has to be a French card, it won't be that cheap.

http://www.teltarif.de/arch/2008/kw3...02.html?page=3
Just look at the chart, not cheap.

I would get a Solomo.de and have it sent to your French hotel. Costs 9,95€, calling credit is 5€, but since it's a german card incoming will cost too (19ct) and outgoing to Australia is 29ct from France.

Or you could use "Vodafone Passport"