[Gocamino] rental cell phones

[Robert Spenger]

In the past, I had not seriously considered using a cell phone on the camino. Cards purchased at the tabac shops and post offices seemed to be the best way to go - but times have changed. Public telephones are becoming quite scarce and the ones that can be found often have unexpected problems. In France it is a special problem since it helps to have a portable telephone to make or revise reservations.

Our own cell phone service at home is relatively cheap. The phone itself was purchased 7 years ago, so it no doubt has antique status by now. We use it only for emergency calls, so the expense is minimal. I checking into upgrading and found out that the phone we have cannot be used for any of the more up to date services and certainly not for overseas use. I don't want to sign up for an up to date service with a new phone here - it wouldn't be worth the expense. All I want is one to use for about 6 weeks in France, so I have been looking into the possibility of short term cell phone rental.

I have the data from one rental company in the U.S., PlanetFone, and I would appreciate any feedback from any member of these forums who has had experience that company. There is also the possibility of getting something after I get to Europe. Again, I would appreciate any information about cell phone rental services in Europe in general and in France in  particular. I tried to get information on the net, but the website of the major French company (Orange?) was all in French and my own command of French was not adequate for deciphering it.

Bob S.