Best deals on mobiles in France ?

[les Favets]

Have recently joined the ear muffs and purchased our first mobile phone Buying it in France left us with every info in French Were informed that for 18 euros we would have 5 hours if some of the time not used would be transferred to next month.  Switched it on and received one or two text messages, used it once for 5 minutes ringing France from England and found out no credit was left.  So !! which is the best deal being offered where we will only be using the mobile in emergencies and would like to pay as we go.  Thank you

Favets

[Ecossais]

Hi,

 

From what you say it sounds like you have a French contract mobile?  If that is the case you will be locked into the contract for at least 12 months.

 

If you’re looking for a Pay As You Go solution, consider using a UK network mobile if you really don’t think you’ll use it much.  French PAYG mobiles differ to the UK ones in that you have to top up the phone periodically even if you still have credit.  Although a UK mobile will be more expensive for calls within France, you will not have to top up the phone when you still have credit.

 

There is not a network / tariff which is the best for everyone – it depends on how many calls you make, where you’re phoning etc.  Try and work out how many calls you envisage making and compare the cost of a French PAYG vs a UK one.  You can get all the costs from the network’s websites.  The Virgin network seems to offer the best prices when roaming on PAYG and you can set up a direct debit to pay for the calls.

 

You may find some useful information in this recent discussion:

http://www.livingfrance.com/instantforum/shwmessage.aspx?ForumID=18&MessageID=42947

 

You mention that you get 5 hours of calls for 18 Euros.  Note that international calls are not included in any call allowance you get.

 

The cheapest way of phoning France from the UK with a UK mobile is possibly via “Just Dial” or a similar operator.  You dial a UK national rate non-geographic number (08707 944195), then during the announcement you hear, dial the full French number (or any other country they connect to).