Cell phone service has been available in French Polynesia for many years.
It uses a GSM frequency which is not compatible with US cell phones.

However, you can conveniently and economically rent a cellular phone designed for French Polynesia so you can receive and place calls to anywhere in the world from every island, such as Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Tahaa, Raiatea, Rangiroa (except at the Sauvage), Tikehau, Manihi, Fakarava, etc.  Incoming calls are FREE.

Our French Polynesia Phone Rental Service is much more convenient and cost-effective than paying costly hotel surcharges (up to $18 a minute in many resorts) or international roaming fees.

Even if you were able to use your own US cell phone you would be charged exorbitant roaming and international connection fees (over $3.50/minute.)

Our cell phone already includes a phone number and the access fee for the local provider (most international phone rental companies do not include the service access fee which is about $75).

* Includes phone, phone #, and 4 free days for Delivery and Return. Rental fee will be based on total number of days between delivery and return minus 4 days.
** Equipment rental fee only. Includes phone# and service access, but doesn't include any call time. 

Call time is conveniently purchased locally at regular rate. A refill of 45 minutes costs 4440 FCP.(about US $55.00). The included minutes are local call minutes.  The cost of a call from Tahiti to the US is about $1.70 per minute. Incoming calls are free.

Renting one of our cellular phone couldn't be easier, just fax our rental agreement form, and your phone will be delivered to your home or office within as quickly as 24 hours. 

Included is a charger, instruction manual and connecting instructions.  Once you receive your phone, TahitiTravel’s toll free customer service is available to answer any questions you may have.

We include a self-addressed Fedex airbill in each rental package for the simple return of the cellular equipment.  

The rental fee is for the equipment and the service access.  Call time is purchased by you locally at convenience stores.  We do not mark-up your call charges and you pay as you go at the local rate. Calls to your cell phone are free (the other party pays for the call, wherever they are).

Call time/"refills" for your rented phone can easily be purchased at many convenience stores and gas stations (list is provided) in all the islands as well as some hotel shops. Instructions are in English and very easy to follow. Just scratch a card and enter a series of numbers in your phone. Voila!, you're ready to receive and make more calls to anywhere in the world.

Q & A

Can I use my US cell phone in French Polynesia?
Most of the US phones are NOT compatible. It also depends on what service provider you have, and wether your phone is designed for multiband GSM.
If you own an unlocked multiband GSM phone that you wish to use in Tahiti, you will still have to buy locally a Vini Card Kit for $75 in order to get local service, plus call time.
Should you wish to use your US wireless provider to make calls to and from Tahiti, be aware that you will be charged for international roaming plus long distance plus taxes. Incoming or outgoing calls will be charged at a rate of 3 to 5 dollars a minute.
Why should I use a TahitiTravel cell phone rental service?
Because the phone are made for French Polynesia
Because the number and activation (Vini Kit) is already included
Because you are paying the local rates for calls (no mark-up on your calls)
Because the incoming calls are free
Do the cell phones work in every island?
Yes. you can receive and place calls to anywhere in the world from every island, such as Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Tahaa, Raiatea, Rangiroa (except at the Sauvage), Tikehau, Manihi, Fakarava, etc.  Incoming calls are FREE.
I am taking a cruise, can I call from the ship?
Yes, when the ship is within sight of land (which is most of the time) you can use the phone. 
If I rent a Tahiti phone, how long does it take for me to receive the phone after I fax my order?
24 hours if you have FEDEX delivery service.  We'll ship to the US and Canada.
How do I return the phone?
A Fedex Pak is included, along with a pre-paid return slip.  Use a Fedex drop-off or call for pick-up when you return from your trip.
What is included with the rental?
The phone with activated service and a phone number in Tahiti, the charger, detailed instructions, a Fedex Pak and a Fedex Return Slip.
Do I get to know the number in advance?
Yes, you will be advised of the number when the phone is sent
What is not included?
Call time. You will purchase your call time locally at convenience stores, gas stations, etc.. Call time is sold as a "Vini refill card".  "Vini" is the local cell operator.
How difficult is it to find a store that sells "Vini Refill" cards?
Very easy. Every island has many convenience stores where you can purchase these cards.  Even some hotels shops, such as the one at the Tahiti Intercontinental stock these refills.
How does these "refills" work?
Just scratch an area of the card to reveal a series of numbers that you then enter in the phone. This will credit your account with more call time. Voila!, you're ready to receive and make more calls to anywhere in the world.
Will I understand what to do?
Yes, instructions are in English and very easy to follow.
What kind of cell coverage should I expect?
Very good overall.  Unless you are cruising between islands or exploring the more remote parts of the islands you will have coverage.  Of course, we cannot guarantee coverage in all areas of all islands. 
Can I call anywhere?
Yes, anywhere in the world, and you can receive calls form anywhere (FREE).
How do I get charged for my calls?
The per-minute charge gets debited from the total time you have loaded into your service via the refill card.  Prior to depletion you receive a voice warning.  You can also check the amount of credit left in the account at any time.  You can add more time  to the service at any time from a fresh refill card.
What does it cost to Call?
A refill costs 4,440 CFP (about US $55.00). You can make about 30 minutes of calls to the US per refill.  The cost of a call to the US is about $1.70 per minute.  Incoming calls are free.
What does it cost to rent a French Polynesia phone?

Phone Rental Rates	In US Dollars
1 week trip Rental (minimum) including service and phone number	$69,00
Additional Daily Rental	$10.00 per day
Handling, FEDEX Delivery and Return (Fedex rates apply for Express Overnight)	From $18 Each way
There are no other charges. Call time is purchased locally

YES, I WANT TO RENT A CELL PHONE!!
Rental Agreement Form