Here is perhaps an easier solution to the frequently asked question of how to obtain cell service in France.
Towards the end of next month, Orange, the cell service of France Telecom will launch the Bic phone. It will be sold as a ready to go prepaid cell phone with the number inside the box already set up for the prepaid Mobicarte service.
According to the press release:
The BIC® phone pack will be easy to find. It will be sold over the counter, in major supermarkets and local convenience stores (tobacco shops, newsstands, train stations, airports…).
More from the press release:
The BIC® phone offer in detail:
1. The BIC® phone offer includes 60 free minutes, valid for 2 months from the time the phone is activated.
2. The telephone number, which is included in the pack, is valid for at least 12 months from the time the phone is activated.
3. The BIC® phone is manufactured by TCL which sells its mobiles under the Alcatel brand.
4. Suggested retail price: €49 including tax.
Before we get too excited, this would not be a French product, or certainly not one from France Telecom, without this puzzling note:
"In order to receive all 60 minutes of free time, clients must identify themselves to Orange service agents." ("Pour bénéficier de l’intégralité des 60 minutes de communications offertes, le client doit s’identifier auprès du service clients Orange.")
How one will do this is unclear. Some years ago, in order to use a Mobicarte phone
for international calls, you had to register yourself at a France Telecom office
in person with some acceptable ID like a passport. Obviously buying a "disposable" phone at CDG and then having to go to an office is somewhat self defeating, but we shall see.
The press release
in English and
en français.
[Mods: If you want to combine this with the
"How much is a European SIM card, exactly?" sticky, that's fine with me. I would appreciate, however, if you want to send this to a different forum, that you delete it instead.]