[barryd]

I was under the impression that Orange France did a PAYG dongle but I heard recently that it now cost 29 euros and you can only use it for 2hrs per month. This cant be right and if it is its no good to me. We are off to France shortly but I will need to use the internet everyday. This is the one thing on my list I have not sorted yet and I dont think I will be able to until I am in France. I found this link on the website and have tried to translate it but had no success. Can any of you French speakers out there have a look and give me an idea of what they are offering?

http://www.orange.fr/bin/frame.cgi?.../internet_everywhere/fie_avec_engagement.html

I have a Vodafone unlocked dongle so I wonder if its worth talking to Vodafone France or indeed any other 3g mobile internet provider. Any suggestions?

 

[Ian_n_Suzy]

I speak zero French - so I can't help really. But babelfish translates it as follows:

key 3G+ (1) Discover the new key 3G+ and let you try. 1€ with 12 months engagement minimum * Ultra compact * Flow 3G+: jusqu' with 3.6Mb/s * Compatible: Vista™, XP SP2 and MAC OS 10.4 and 10.5 * Plug year Play: connect and you are connected to Internet More on the key 3G+: click here Fixed price Internet Everywhere Monthly price (24 months) Monthly price (12 months) adjustable 2:00 (2) 9,90€ 14,40€ Fixed prices illimités* 1 Go (3) 39,90€ 44,40€ Fixed prices illimités* 4 Go (4) 79,90€ 84,40€ fixed prices Internet everywhere with engagement (1) how it goes 1. To acquire the Key 3G+ and to subscribe to a fixed price, 2. Once in possession of the key 3G+ and dedicated chart SIM, to install your chart SIM in the key 3G+, 3. To contact by telephone the customer service to activate your chart SIM, 4. To connect your key 3G+ on port USB of your laptop (PC or Mac), 5. Surfez on Internet! access to l' international Your fixed price Internet everywhere makes it possible to you to continue to consult your emails, surfer on Internet… in more than 160 destinations. For more d' information on tariffing with l' international click here.

EDIT: I have just read the translation and it is probably easier to understand before the translation, lol - sorry.

 

[barryd]

Yeah I think your right. Thanks for trying though! Im pretty sure they did a Mobicarte Internet Max deal which you could use all the time (with a 500MB limit) but I cant find any reference to that. It has been discussed in other threads recently but I am concerned that Orange France have changed their services just in time for my trip! Anybody actually out in France right now with the latest info?

 

[erneboy]

We have just come back from France. We found data rates very high compared to UK rates (3 in UK 15 pounds or less per month for 3 to 5 GB).
In France all the phone companies seem base their charges on the length of time you are connected for, regardless of how much (or little) data you use. In France we paid 15 euro for a data card which came with 10 minutes connection and could be topped up for additional sessions which as far as I can remember cost 5 euro for each 30 minutes. We took a 30 minute top up as well.

None of that mattered as it seems that 3g connections are not widely available in France and even if they where the card we had always wanted to connect to the provider`s home page. We ran out of time (40 minutes) before we managed to connect to our email.

In the end we just used McDonalds free wifi when we saw a branch. Sorry I am not being constructive, Regards, Alan.

 

[quartet]

Je parle francais

Hi
Barry D from another Barry D
I speak fluent French
Have had a quick look
The nasty word is engagement ie you have to have a contract of 12 or 24 months
39 euros a month unlimited for 24 month contract

this link is for no contract http://www.orange.fr/bin/frame.cgi?.../internet_everywhere/fie_avec_engagement.html

you pay 29 euros 20 mins valid for 24h =
then one month passes vary from 1h=8euros - 6h 24 euros

 

[gaspode]

The information in this thread:
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopic-60151.html
appears to contradict some of the above - or is it me???? :?

Some clear and definitive info would be much appreciated as we're off over the water next week.

 

[andyangyh]

Having lived in France I can tell you that internet access there is a lot more expensive - possibly because there are fewer suppliers and therefore less competition - than in the UK and that applies to both landline and mobile broadband. Using your Vodaphone/Orange/O2 dongle in France is expensive too. I'd stick to free wi-fi at MacDonalds and bars or occasional internet cafe usage.

Wi-fi access is becoming more common in bars/cafes etc in tourist areas but the mobile network is very patchy in France. When we are at our French house (in a little hamlet) the only way we can get an occasional signal - just about strong enough to send a text if the wind is in the right direction - is to prop the phone up in a particular spot on the banisters upstairs. I wouldn't rely on any mobile broadband - either on a French or English dongle - for large parts of rural France (and a LOT of France is rural).

 

[raynipper]

Having lived in France I can tell you that internet access there is a lot more expensive - possibly because there are fewer suppliers and therefore less competition - than in the UK and that applies to both landline and mobile broadband. ).

Hi Andy.
Not sure I can agree with all that.
Part of the problem is the value of the Pound dropping 30%.
We pay €34.90 which was only equivelent to £24.00 when we took it out. This gives us good broadband, free landline calls to 52 countries, free mobile with 10mins inc. but €0.50 a min outgoing calls.
This includes the landline rental.

Not sure if anything in the UK comes close to this?

Ray.

 

[andyangyh]

Not a bad rate that - probably comparable with UK all-in deals - but we found broadband patchy in many areas and France Telecomm a bit of a nightmare to deal with. My main point was that mobile broadband in France is neither cheap or widely usable and I think for a visit I'd stick to free wi-fi hotspots or internet cafes.

 

[raynipper]

My main point was that mobile broadband in France is neither cheap or widely usable and I think for a visit I'd stick to free wi-fi hotspots or internet cafes.

Yep, agreed. I have just been researching if there are any free Wi-Fi hot spots near the Le-Mans track when we go there next month.
So far apart from McDonalds about 3 miles away there are several hotels about 1½ miles away but these are usually only free to guests. Might have to 'way-lay' a exiting guest and ask the password. :idea:

I will be close to the airport but this is a pay scheme at €29 a month.

Ray.

 

[DocHoliday]

The information in this thread:
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopic-60151.html
appears to contradict some of the above - or is it me???? :?

Some clear and definitive info would be much appreciated as we're off over the water next week.

Well, I hope they haven't closed the Mobicarte Internet Max service I used so successfully - I'm going back in the autumn. It would be nice to know of anyone still using Internet Max in France.

 

[raynipper]

Hello remedi.
I bought a USB Wi-Fi extender last month before coming to UK in my van. It was about £59 pp. But it comprises of a small 8" antenna that plugs into the laptop USB and definitely brings in lots more wI-fI signals from 200m.

It also came with a larger 5 x 12 box type antenna for securing outside the van and again it did bring in more distant signals.

I would be a little sceptical about the 2km claim as 500m might be more likely.

Ray.

 

[geraldandannie]

Re: Why not get a WiFi Magnet

Cost of a magnet is £80-£150 incl VAT, special delivery.

Sounds damned expensive to me :? I think I'd rather park in McD car park, TBH.

Gerald

 

[barryd]

Re: Je parle francais

Hi
Barry D from another Barry D
I speak fluent French
Have had a quick look
The nasty word is engagement ie you have to have a contract of 12 or 24 months
39 euros a month unlimited for 24 month contract

this link is for no contract http://www.orange.fr/bin/frame.cgi?.../internet_everywhere/fie_avec_engagement.html

you pay 29 euros 20 mins valid for 24h =
then one month passes vary from 1h=8euros - 6h 24 euros

Many thanks for the translation. 29 euros for 20min????? What has happened to the Internet Max Mobicarte option as mentioned in the other posts? It would be cheaper just to use my UK Vodafone dongle at £10 per 24 hour period. There must be a cheaper way. Wireless hotspots are fine but I never know when I may need to do some work. The last thing I want to do is if we are parked up in the middle of nowhere is get a call and say to Michelle we have to upsticks now for a couple of hours and head to McDonalds! I have a week or so to resolve this and from earlier posts I thought the internet max solution would suffice now it just seems impossible. Is there anybody out there in France right now with a solution. Would be interested to hear more about the wifi magnet as well. Is it completely USB powered and doesnt need 240v?

 

[barryd]

Re: Why not get a WiFi Magnet

I'm a new member still looking for a MH yet being in the comms business and a regular visitor to France I have a possible solution - a WiFi Magnet. "Does what is says on the tin", it attracts you to a WiFi HotSpot that can be around 2Km away so no need to park @ MacD's as you can go to somewhere more pleasant. Simple to use, just power via a USB socket and place on the roof and point in the general diretion of the HotSpot (+/-40 degrees). Works like a dongle yet often free. Cost of a magnet is £80-£150 incl VAT, special delivery.

Need any more info, just post.

Remedi

Hi Remedi

Being having a look around and found this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SU2410-USB-Ma...e-booster_W0QQitemZ220407262421QQcmdZViewItem

Is this the kind of thing you mean? If you have a product that you can recommend I would be interested to hear about it as it looks like it may be the only option plus it will also work in any country, not just France.

REgards
Barry

 

[barryd]

I had another thought. So much for an early night!

As I am on Vodafone with my phone and they are wavering all roaming charges for June - end of August I could simply use my phone as a modem. Connect it to my laptop, Dial a UK number for my service provider and get online that way. I think however it will be really slow but may be ok for just checking emails via webmail.

 

[lebesset]

join FON

if you use BT as an IP you can turn your router into a FON spot , otherwise buy the small FON add on wifi router and then by letting others pick up from your wifi [ which blocks access to your computer ] and you , in return , can use theirs

1.25 million members now , and growing rapidly in france

of course you should make yourself a cantenna so that you don't have to be right on top of your fellow member ...and use one of the wifi spot finders [ free on the internet ] like netstumbler
my cantenna is a usb wifi dongle fixed to a strainer[with a usb extension cord ]which was 50p from a chinese bazaar , I just switch off the built in wifi and use it instead

 

[barryd]

Interesting idea. I suppose combinded with an antenna it may have its possibilities but most of the time we are going to be away from populated areas so my guess is that Fon spots will be few and far between

 

[DocHoliday]

Do not despair - someone on this threadwas still using Orange Internet Max on 23 May, so give that a go, using my instructions that Gaspode linked to earlier in this thread. It's way cheaper than other phone solutions and more flexible than wi-fi.

 

[barryd]

Do not despair - someone on this threadwas still using Orange Internet Max on 23 May, so give that a go, using my instructions that Gaspode linked to earlier in this thread. It's way cheaper than other phone solutions and more flexible than wi-fi.

Hi Doc

Hopefully this will be the case! I think I have figured it out. The 29 Euro for 2 hours link is for a USB dongle with just two hours use. The Mobicart Sim is for mobile calls with a 12 Euro data add on. Is this correct so far? You call the numbers you said and specify the Internet Max option and away you go. I suppose then I could either use my Vodafone USB dongle or My Nokia N95 phone via a usb cable. My issue is that I am going to be at the mercy of which ever Orange Shop I stroll into and I dont really speak French. I am not confindent about this at all!