Purchasing SIM card/phone service

[janetnj]

I will have an unlocked GSM iPhone for my upcoming trip and would like to get local service. Can anyone share perspective on the best way to do this?

I found the Mobicarte on the Orange.fr website with unlimited calls & texts for 10 euros per week or 30 euros for a month. There's an Orange store near my apartment so this would be convenient.

boutique.orange.fr/ESHOP_mx_ft/?tp=php&donnee_appel=FTASN&IDCible=1&type=4&code_rubrique=5-504008

Is this a good way to get service? Would I need a SIM card in addition to this, or does the fee include the SIM card?

I didn't see any mention of Internet access. Is there a way to get this as well? I don't expect to use it often, but it would be nice to have.

Any advice or perspective is appreciated. Thanks!

[konza]

In June, I bought a SIM card at The Phone House store on rue Cler. It cost about 25€ which I believe, gave me a month's worth of phone use including data (the internet). The SIM card worked great and it was a pleasure to be able to access the internet pretty much anywhere we went in Paris.

[janetnj]

Thanks Konza. That's cheaper than Orange. I'll look into it.

Still trying to get AT&T to unlock the phone so I can use a French SIM card. We shall see...

[sdtraveller]

I read recently that everyone using a mobile phone in France (or maybe just in Paris) needs to register it with some office within two weeks of first use. Does anyone know about that and whether it is a problem for a visitor?

[sunshine817]

could you post the link?

That's not something I've ever heard of -- you can walk into a store and buy a pay-as-you-go phone and start phoning right away....or just go buy a PAYG SIM card an use it immediately.

And lots of people visit with foreign phones all the time.