Cheapest way to get a french phone number?

Life Hacking
1

Hi!

I was wondering if anybody has a cheap way to get a french phone number. Anything goes, mobile prepaid or VoIP. Usage is minimal, just receiving a couple of calls per year. Just looking for the the cheapest option.

Boring background: I have an apartment (without phone) and need some installation done, apparently some french workers can only call french numbers, swiss numbers are not an option. I already have data roaming for Europe (thank you spusu.ch!), so I can do without a mobile prepaid offer, I’m just looking for the cheapest option so they can call me.

Right now what I have found is this: ovhtelecom.fr has french numbers (both mobile and geographical numbers) through VoIP for 1.19 EUR/month, the connection is done over internet and an app on the mobile phone. Pay per usage. VoIP has the advantage that if the call is redirected to a different country (e.g. Switzerland), I would not pay extra.

I was hoping to find something like phonestar basic with 0 monthly costs and only pay per usage. But apparently my search skills are too weak or it really doesn’t exist.

Maybe someone in this forum has a great advice or insight?

Thank you!

2

Of course they can call your swiss number, they are just too cheap to pay some cents extra :sweat_smile:. Maybe ask them if Whatsapp call (or any other online/social app) over internet is possible?

Besides, AI got the following:

Absolute Cheapest: OVH Telecom VoIP number (€1.19/month) if you’re comfortable using an app or SIP client and don’t need a true mobile number (meaning no SIM).

Cheapest Real Mobile Number: Free Mobile SIM (€2/month), available instantly at kiosks in France, no French address required.

3 Likes
3

Have you checked Lycamobile.fr?

I’ve used Lycamobile.ch during the last years and I can recommend it. I guess that the French counterpart will work as well.

With them you can order a +33 SIM card for free, and top-up only and if you want to make calls or use data. Receiving calls (even when the SIM is in Switzerland!) should be free according to: Roaming addons

4

Yes, OVH Telecom VoIP seems to be the cheapest so far. Looks like I’ll go for that one. Cheap enough for a mostly unused number.

I checked both Lycamobile.fr and Bouygues Telecom but it was more expensive.

I get a sense that the baseline for french offers is always above 0, nothing is free.

I would use Whatsapp, but the problem is that I’m getting Internet over Fiber installed and usually the installation is done through some subcontractor so I that I don’t even have their contact. A neighbor went through the same issue, there was apparently no way around getting a french number (he used Lycamobile.fr).

Thank you for the feedback.

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