So as I understand it from all the helpful posts on micro sim card use in Europe it is country specific and cards should be purchased separately.

Data roaming is very expensive.

Fair?

Please explain what a FSR store is in France. Lived there for many years, but have not been in Paris for several years

Thanks for information!

tHANKS FOR INFORMATION!

My experience obtaining an iPad microsim card in France. Here is my story.

1. Called AT&T. They have an international data plan that costs $200 for 200MB. Yes you read that right. It's outrageous but not as bad as regular roaming charges.

2. Emailed Orange France (France Telecom) and they told me they could provide a min sim card and 2 GB data for 39 Euros (one month). OK fine.

3. Arrived in France and immediately visited the Orange Boutique in St Jean de Luz. No one there could speak much English. The one salesman who could speak a little English told me that the 2GB data plan for 39 Euros is only available to someone with a French credit card. They wouldn't take my American credit cards or cash (Euros). Struck out there.

4. Next day went to another Orange Boutique this time in Bayonne. There was a woman there who spoke flawless English (but she was the only one). What's more, she hadn't handled an iPad so she took an interest in helping me. No one in the store knew much about iPad data plans. After several phone calls she learned that it is true about the French credit card for the 2GB plan. The reason is that this plan is not prepaid but has monthly billing. Fortunately, she found one plan that is prepaid. I could have that one. It was 8 Euros for the first day (unlimited) and then 10 MB before it has to be refilled. The refill that best fit my need was 15 Euros for 200 MB good for one month. She was able to install the mini sim card but couldn't do the refill on the same day. I had to do that after the 10 MB was used up. I was now up and running with a French Sim card.

5. Next day the internet stopped working. Hmmm. Guessed that my 10 MB was used up. No messages on the screen. I called the toll free French phone number they gave me for ordering a recharge. Got a recorded message in French. No option for English. Out of luck.

6. Went to a French Tourist office in St Jean Pied de Port where I was fortunate to find a nice lady who spoke perfect English and was willing to help me. She called the recharge phone number and she was able to speak with a service rep. She then informed me that I couldn't recharge over the phone with my credit card. Instead I had to go to a tobacco shop or a magazine stand and purchase a 15 Euro recharge ticket, then call back.

7. Fortunately there was a magazine stand across the street from the tourist office. I went there, pointed to a written description of the 15 Euro Orange recharge and the clerk recognized it immediately. I paid the 15 Euros and the clerk printed a cash register receipt with an authorization number.

8. Back to the tourist office. My lady once again called the Orange iPad recharge phone number and again spoke with the service rep. She read the number off the printed cash register receipt and the number of my iPad sim card. Voila, they recharged the iPad and I'm now back in business (at least until the 200 mb runs out and I need another recharge). And now I know the drill.

9. Whew!

Is there a better guide as to how to secure a PAYG microSIM for my iPad while in Paris next month?

Is there a single microSIM card I could purchase for my iPad2 that would work in all four countries? If so, which ones, and where might I get them in Warsaw (first stop)? Thanks

Yes - but you'll pay roaming charges when you move from country to country. So it's better to purchase country-specific PAYG microSIM cards to avoid this.

Tim

Just bought the "3"1gb sim from Argos £4.99 (30 days) they do a 3gb (up to 90 days) for £19.99.Thought it might have to be activated in an iPad (my iPad is Vodafone carrier locked),even asked in a "3" shop and they said it had to be activated,but stuck it in an unlocked "3"MiFi and was away no problem.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...EMICRO+SIM.htm

Hi. Try "holiday phone.co.uk" Very good Price with added extra's. Including 3 hours of call forwarding.

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by lwilson1313

Will be traveling in the UK France and Spain.

Any suggestions re micro SIM card availability, cost etc.