Texting in Europe
Jun 20, 2010, 3:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 389
Texting in Europe
I am interested in options for texting while here in Europe (mostly France).
Here is my set-up...
Android smartphone
French SIM card
no data connection
When I bought my local SIM card it said 'unlimited texts',
but no luck sending or receiving so far.
Is there an app or some type of work-around for this basic problem?
Thanks from Cannes
Here is my set-up...
Android smartphone
French SIM card
no data connection
When I bought my local SIM card it said 'unlimited texts',
but no luck sending or receiving so far.
Is there an app or some type of work-around for this basic problem?
Thanks from Cannes
Jun 20, 2010, 6:45 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 578
You should be able to send/receive texts. It's not dependent on data. Which number did you try to text and how did you enter it. Also, the number that tried to text you, how did they enter it? It needs to be in the format intn'l dial code+countrycode+number. Entering the + wil take care of the intn'l dial code. So, to text the UK for example, it needs to be +447879991111, US will be +13125551212.
I am interested in options for texting while here in Europe (mostly France).
Here is my set-up...
Android smartphone
French SIM card
no data connection
When I bought my local SIM card it said 'unlimited texts',
but no luck sending or receiving so far.
Is there an app or some type of work-around for this basic problem?
Thanks from Cannes
Here is my set-up...
Android smartphone
French SIM card
no data connection
When I bought my local SIM card it said 'unlimited texts',
but no luck sending or receiving so far.
Is there an app or some type of work-around for this basic problem?
Thanks from Cannes
Jun 20, 2010, 8:31 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
Also, have you set the message centre number? This is often pre-populated from the SIM card but check in your phone options to see if it is entered correctly. You'll need to check with the operator to determine what it should be, will be +33xxxxxxxx
Jun 20, 2010, 10:03 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
The message centre will be the one for that carrier. Using another carrier's message centre number will not work.
Jun 20, 2010, 2:50 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
Jun 25, 2010, 2:50 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 578
Jun 26, 2010, 5:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
Trouble shooting this...
Yes, I can place and receive calls with my local French SIM
My number is 06 64 35 XX XX
I see the possibility for problems somewhere in here. If anyone is trying to text you, the number they need to use is 33 6 64 35 XX XX. Note well that would be 6 and not 06.
It seems sometimes I can text (both in and out) and at other times cannot.
Any ideas?
Yes, I can place and receive calls with my local French SIM
My number is 06 64 35 XX XX
I see the possibility for problems somewhere in here. If anyone is trying to text you, the number they need to use is 33 6 64 35 XX XX. Note well that would be 6 and not 06.
It seems sometimes I can text (both in and out) and at other times cannot.
Any ideas?
Where did you buy the SIM card?
Jun 27, 2010, 4:30 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 389
I bought the card at a dept. store called Auchan (in France) and refilled it with more credit
at a local tobacco shop.
I have not called Bouygous customer service as I dont speak French.
The wireless coverage seems excellent. Almost everywhere I have been here I
have 4 or 5 bars of signal.
Many sites and threads led me to believe that getting data on my smartphone
over here would be a problem and super expensive. That has not been true for me.
With this pre paid SIM card the pricing is OK and no nasty bills when returning home.
at a local tobacco shop.
I have not called Bouygous customer service as I dont speak French.
The wireless coverage seems excellent. Almost everywhere I have been here I
have 4 or 5 bars of signal.
Many sites and threads led me to believe that getting data on my smartphone
over here would be a problem and super expensive. That has not been true for me.
With this pre paid SIM card the pricing is OK and no nasty bills when returning home.
Jun 27, 2010, 4:52 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
I bought the card at a dept. store called Auchan (in France) and refilled it with more credit
at a local tobacco shop.
I have not called Bouygous customer service as I dont speak French.
The wireless coverage seems excellent. Almost everywhere I have been here I
have 4 or 5 bars of signal.
Many sites and threads led me to believe that getting data on my smartphone
over here would be a problem and super expensive. That has not been true for me.
With this pre paid SIM card the pricing is OK and no nasty bills when returning home.
at a local tobacco shop.
I have not called Bouygous customer service as I dont speak French.
The wireless coverage seems excellent. Almost everywhere I have been here I
have 4 or 5 bars of signal.
Many sites and threads led me to believe that getting data on my smartphone
over here would be a problem and super expensive. That has not been true for me.
With this pre paid SIM card the pricing is OK and no nasty bills when returning home.
1.
34 bd Carnot 06400 CANNES
Tel. 04 93 38 27 26
2.Tel. 04 93 38 27 26
19 r Serbes 06400 CANNES
Tel. 04 93 39 32 26
Tel. 04 93 39 32 26
Go to one of them with your phone and talk to them. Cell phone shops tend to attract the kind of techies who speak English, at least enough to understand what the problem is.
Jun 27, 2010, 2:34 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
I have frequently seen issues where replying to a text I've received from another country doesn't work unless I forward the message to the same recipient from my address book. I believe it's related to how the number is presented to the phone - when it tries to send a message back to the same number it's being rejected.
Does this at all relate to what you've been seeing? Or is it truly random in terms of when you can send/receive messages?
Does this at all relate to what you've been seeing? Or is it truly random in terms of when you can send/receive messages?
Jun 27, 2010, 3:37 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 389
Not really sure.
I am using both the 'Messaging' app that came loaded on my Android Nexus One
and 'Handcent SMS' which I downloaded before I left the states.
Will try to watch it more closely and let you know.
Thanks to all for the suggestions!
I am using both the 'Messaging' app that came loaded on my Android Nexus One
and 'Handcent SMS' which I downloaded before I left the states.
Will try to watch it more closely and let you know.
Thanks to all for the suggestions!