Hi everyone. We are leaving for Paris next week, and need to figure out what to do about a phone plan. We have 2 iPhones and AT&T unlimited data plan for home. We want to be in touch with another couple we'll be meeting mid-trip, and with each other while in Europe. We'd also like to have limited contact with family at home. We know we can use email at wifi hot spots, but how can we get limited phone, messaging and data (to look up maps, restaurants, etc.) when there's no wifi? What is the best way to go?

Are your iPhones unlocked? If so, you could buy a SIM in France. Or a SIM from telestial.com or ekit.com that will work abroad without roaming charges. If not, you need to talk to AT&T about an international plan, or about unlocking your phone. Note that you can also use Skype when you have wifi.

I bought a limited text plan from my local provider and used Skype to call home.

Husband had telestial which didn't work well. He could text me and we decided that was all we really needed to communicate.

It would have been much cheaper to have two text plans from home.

AT&T sells roaming data plans, but they are expensive. I've never hAD to use data roaming while traveling. WiFi is widely available, and you can always send texts. If you want to use all your phone's functions while abroad, it's going to cost you. Though TMobile is planning to do away with international roaming soon.

Anybody hear if AT&T will follow T-Mobile? I doubt it, since AT&T is so much larger.

T-Mobile's new plan is a game changer and as soon as frequent travelers realize how much better and cheaper it is, they will leave AT&T for T-Mobile.

I saw the T-Mobile commercial. Sure hope so as we have AT&T. We are going with the texting plan next month. cheaper to receive than send. I had to use my phone a lot in May while in Italy and wow, did I have a bill but who knew there would be an emergency.