Phones for groups around French Island (7)

I believe the answer is:

mobiles

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'phones' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'groups around french island' is the wordplay.
'groups' becomes 'mobs' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'french island' becomes 'ile' ('island' in French).
'mobs' enclosing 'ile' is 'MOBILES'.

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mobiles that I've seen before include "decorations" , "American's cells" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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