internet in France

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ean_p

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In France during September and mobile in a camper...... so what's the easiest/ cheapest internet connection that can be had on a pay as you go basis or otherwise please? looking to go on line with a Nexus 10 and have available 2 smart phones and a 3 dongle and an Azeri Nar (vodaphone) dongle!
Any ideas/tips please?
 
If you have BT broadband at home you can log on to the internet via BT Fon(or the French equivalent, I can't remember the French BT partner) for free - which I have just done when on a friends boat in the West of Scotland recently. Also done it when in France.
 
If you've got a good wifi aerial then Netabord is not a bad deal - €10 for 6GB usable over 3 months. However Netabord is only available in a limited number of marinas so more applicable to cruisers in Normandy and Brittany.
 
As per the linked thread, easiest for us during our couple of months through France has been an Orange Pass Lets Go prepay SIM. The SIM cost €8 and the "recharge" is €20 for 2GB that expires after a month. We've been using it it in our unlocked dongle we brought from the UK (it's what's providing the ability to post this reply, in fact!). The SIM came from an Orange shop and that's where we get the recharge coupons. You can't get them through the internet, sadly. Apparently, you can also buy the recharges in newsagents and places like that, but I have yet to find one that does.

Being a BT Internet subscriber back in the UK, we also have access to Fon, but found that the few Fon hotspots we found would not accept our login details. Having done some research, it appears the whole Fon system is a farce.
 
When I went to France I took a Vodafone Dongle. I dont make many mistakes. (apart from women,boats,cars) and I assumed that Vodafone were in France. I should have realised when I went to the Isle of Man which according to Vodafone is "Overseas" and they are not there either.
So Vodafone do a deal with FSR (who are there chosen partner) The fact that at our house in Brittany we cant get FSR as there is no signal is really irrelevant. The Signal from Orange is perfect but as Orange are not their chosen partner I could not log on.
And when I did log on to FSR the speed was dreadful, but that did not stop me getting a bill on my return as if I had 4G and watched movies.
So next time I go I will put weight on as I will have to go to a McDonalds every day, and get Free WiFi.
 
I second the orange dongle.
We threw ourselves on the mercy of a very nice man in the orange shop and got one as described. We are now in and out of France and use it all the time. Now and again we can get marina wifi but rare and often slow.
 
Cardo said:
As per the linked thread, easiest for us during our couple of months through France has been an Orange Pass Lets Go prepay SIM. The SIM cost €8 and the "recharge" is €20 for 2GB that expires after a month. We've been using it it in our unlocked dongle we brought from the UK (it's what's providing the ability to post this reply, in fact!). The SIM came from an Orange shop and that's where we get the recharge coupons. You can't get them through the internet, sadly. Apparently, you can also buy the recharges in newsagents and places like that, but I have yet to find one that does.

Being a BT Internet subscriber back in the UK, we also have access to Fon, but found that the few Fon hotspots we found would not accept our login details. Having done some research, it appears the whole Fon system is a farce.
Click to expand...
+1
 
Cardo said:
As per the linked thread, easiest for us during our couple of months through France has been an Orange Pass Lets Go prepay SIM. The SIM cost €8 and the "recharge" is €20 for 2GB that expires after a month. We've been using it it in our unlocked dongle we brought from the UK (it's what's providing the ability to post this reply, in fact!). The SIM came from an Orange shop and that's where we get the recharge coupons. You can't get them through the internet, sadly. Apparently, you can also buy the recharges in newsagents and places like that, but I have yet to find one that does.
Click to expand...

+1. I did that €20 deal for one month, was good. Others might like to know that there is also a similar Orange Pass Lets Go deal that lasts for longer - €35, 3gb, valid for 6 months.

I went to both Orange shops in Rochefort to get that 're-charge' for my ipad sim card and BOTH shops had 'sold out' of recharges! Some kind of rationing in force? Anyway, down the street and visited the tabac. He was willing to rummage around in his electronic display till until he found a screen with the €35 deal. He didn't know it was in there till he searched. In return for your €35 he just gives you a till receipt. Printed on that is the 14 digit number you need to recharge your sim card.

To recharge by phone, I also needed the 10 digit 'phone' number of my ipad sim card, which was handwritten on another receipt when I bought the card. Just seeing her handwriting again brought back memories of the beautiful young lady that sold it to me at some city near l'Aberwrach ... that's modern romance, Orange sim cards and hazel eyes.

Armed with both these numbers, I phoned 0 800 224 224, keyed in the 2 numbers as directed and minutes later the iPad was back in business. Think I might have had to shut down the iPad and restart it too. Lots of detail here, hope it helps someone.
 
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