French PrePaid phones

[sgmidf]

A friend of mine in in France and bought a prepaid phone for use there. When she gets back, can I take the sim out and use it later in my unlocked phone or is it somehow restricted to the specific phone?
Thanks

[inquisitor]

That will work however you should be aware of the extermly short validity of French prepaid SIMs, which depending of the amount of recharges may be deactivated within few weeks.

[sgmidf]

I know the value runs out but isn't the number active for a while? I was thinking of asking her to pick up some 10 euro recharge vouchers and adding them just before I went in July.

[inquisitor]

Depends on the provider. E.g. an Orange mobicarte's validity cannot be prolonged by more than six months and € 10 will forfeit after just 12 days (Orange - Mobicarte - Rechargement).

[sgmidf]

As I understood it, if I recharge an Orange mobicarte sim 10 euro every 6 months it should stay active. I may be mistaken though.

Thanks. I checked out the link and it's very helpful.

[inquisitor]

Indeed, it will remain active for 6 months but the credit will forfeit already after 12 days. I hope free, France's recent entrant into the cell market, will launch some prepaid product suitable for visitors soon.

[sgmidf]

I just noticed some posts on LeFrenchmobile which uses the Bouygues network. Have you heard anythin good/bad about this? At this point, we intend to be mostly in Paris with a trip to Normandy so hopefully the service should be good with all carriers. It's appealing becase you can keep it valid for little cost.
Thanks