France then Ireland - 3 weeks

jpezz · **France then Ireland - 3 weeks -** 23-02-2009, 19:02

We are leaving for France next month then on to Ireland. total of 3 weeks. when we were in Italy, we used Italian SIMs and it worked wonderfully but it seems a SIM/country might be overkill and wasteful. We need 2 DIMS - one for each of us.

Our use will be mostly SIM to SIM in the same town so when we separate, we can communicate. There would be a few calls to local hotels, etc. We don't expect to have to call home but might get an emergency call. We have Skype on the Notebook so that would be used for any pre-planned calling. At no time would we even be in separate cities much less countries.

We were thinking of getting an Irish SIM and using it (minimally) in France. The advantages are that we'll be spending more time in Ireland by a few days and all the information/help/voicemail commands would be in English. O2 seems the best deal but they won't sell you a card until you get there and we go to France first.

I am looking at Bouygues as seeming to have the best deal. However, they have no email contact much less email info on English pages.

Recommendations:
Would one country SIM with roaming to the other be the best?
Bouygues the best choice?
Can we refill once we get to Ireland?
Any information/help/voicemail commands available from them in English?

PhotoJim · 23-02-2009, 20:56

One possibility...

Since you each need a phone but you could probably live with texting if you separated, why not get a SIM from each country?

One of you can have one, the other can have the other.

Make your calls on the SIM that is native to where you are. Receive calls the same way, if you can tell your calling parties where you'll be.

If you have an emergency and have to pay roaming rates with the wrong SIM, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

jpezz · 23-02-2009, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhotoJim

One possibility...

Since you each need a phone but you could probably live with texting if you separated, why not get a SIM from each country?

One of you can have one, the other can have the other.

Make your calls on the SIM that is native to where you are. Receive calls the same way, if you can tell your calling parties where you'll be.

If you have an emergency and have to pay roaming rates with the wrong SIM, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Good thought but I can't get Irish SIM until I get to Ireland!

PhotoJim · 23-02-2009, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpezz

Good thought but I can't get Irish SIM until I get to Ireland!

Could you use a US postpaid SIM in the meantime?

Alternatively, can you get an Irish SIM from eBay or some other source? I got my O2 UK SIMs before I went to London, and activated them from Canada.

DRNewcomb · 24-02-2009, 14:30

Do you plan to be in only The Republic or do you plan to also visit Ulster?

jpezz · 24-02-2009, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRNewcomb

Do you plan to be in only The Republic or do you plan to also visit Ulster?

Republic only.

I have been looking at TravelSIM although the cost of the minutes is higher than the national operators, when counting in the cost of the SIM itself (initial cost minus credit) for a French card and an Irish card but the net card cost is the same.

snaimon · **If -** 24-02-2009, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpezz

Republic only.

I have been looking at TravelSIM although the cost of the minutes is higher than the national operators, when counting in the cost of the SIM itself (initial cost minus credit) for a French card and an Irish card but the net card cost is the same.

If you would be traveling abroad again in the next year or so, the TravelSIM might be a good, more versatile option. I have one and found it quite reliable in FR and DE. Of course, conditions can change.

I made the mistake of investing in too many single country SIMs in the past.

Another consideration would be the resale value of whatever you purchase. A plain UK British SIM is almost worthless in the US -- judging by what I have seen on Ebay. I think the FR cards have a better resale value. Have not seen or tracked any from Ireland, however. I bought a used TravelSIM off Ebay at a considerable discount from the value of the balance. I doubt you will find two used SIMs on Ebay US or anywhere else.

I might consider selling you mine; it has a small balance, around 11 euros, but I would have to check. Have not used it since August 2008. Send me a PM if you are interested. I would need to think about it; it's NOT a firm offer -- "I might consider."

Stan

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	(#1)
jpezz (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 5 Join Date: 27 Aug 2007 Country:	France then Ireland - 3 weeks - 23-02-2009, 19:02 We are leaving for France next month then on to Ireland. total of 3 weeks. when we were in Italy, we used Italian SIMs and it worked wonderfully but it seems a SIM/country might be overkill and wasteful. We need 2 DIMS - one for each of us. Our use will be mostly SIM to SIM in the same town so when we separate, we can communicate. There would be a few calls to local hotels, etc. We don't expect to have to call home but might get an emergency call. We have Skype on the Notebook so that would be used for any pre-planned calling. At no time would we even be in separate cities much less countries. We were thinking of getting an Irish SIM and using it (minimally) in France. The advantages are that we'll be spending more time in Ireland by a few days and all the information/help/voicemail commands would be in English. O2 seems the best deal but they won't sell you a card until you get there and we go to France first. I am looking at Bouygues as seeming to have the best deal. However, they have no email contact much less email info on English pages. Recommendations: Would one country SIM with roaming to the other be the best? Bouygues the best choice? Can we refill once we get to Ireland? Any information/help/voicemail commands available from them in English?

	(#2)
PhotoJim (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 389 Join Date: 10 Dec 2006 Location: Regina, SK, CA Country:	23-02-2009, 20:56 One possibility... Since you each need a phone but you could probably live with texting if you separated, why not get a SIM from each country? One of you can have one, the other can have the other. Make your calls on the SIM that is native to where you are. Receive calls the same way, if you can tell your calling parties where you'll be. If you have an emergency and have to pay roaming rates with the wrong SIM, it wouldn't be the end of the world. CA: SaskTel, Wind postpaid; Rogers, Bell postpaid iPad flex plans; US: T-Mobile postpaid data, prepaid voice; PureTalk (AT&T MVNO) prepaid voice/data; AT&T prepaid iPad plan Hardware: Too much but notably iPhone 5, iPad Mini Retina LTE, Moto G LTE (N.A. version), iPhone 4. All unlocked.

	(#5)
DRNewcomb (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Professionist Posts: 1,465 Join Date: 27 Feb 2004 Location: Mississippi, USA Country:	24-02-2009, 14:30 Do you plan to be in only The Republic or do you plan to also visit Ulster?