France data roaming, mobile broadband tips & info
Sep 19th, 2010, 01:05 PM
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France data roaming, mobile broadband tips & info
This info applies to Internet access from your cell phone when you're in France.
First and foremost: BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL or you can burn through a LOT of money with "data roaming" charges.
Second, use free WiFi when you can to save costs.
If you plan to use your USA (or other local) cell service provider, be sure to read the fine print VERY carefully. Some plans have exclusions and limits in their "unlimited" plans, and you can end up with suprisingly high charges.
Unless you plan to use a plan under your USA cell service provider that you've CAREFULLY reviewed, be sure do disable your "Internet" and/or "3G" roaming feature on your phone. If you don't, your phone may happily connect to a French network and do all kinds of background communication even when you aren't browsing or accessing e-mail.
OK, so now you're going to need a local sim and a PREPAID plan that provides Internet access, data transfer and e-mail.
Using PREPAID plans and adding only small amounts to your account is the safest approach. If you screw up, you might lose 20 euros of credit on your plan, but you won't end up with a $3,000 bill (as one person did), and you won't lose a 100 euros credit.
You will need to have your cell phone "unlocked" so it will use a sim associated with a different service provider. Contact your USA supplier to get instructions.
Many of the clerks in the local stores that cell SIM cards DO NOT understand options and setup steps for using a local sim and prepaid plan. Figure it out before you go. Here is a great place to get info:
http://paygsimwithdata.wikia.com/wiki/France?cb=2655
Be sure your phone will be compatible with the sim (check the providers' Web site).
Be sure you read the fine print on plans. (See example below.)
Currently, you can get an Orange sim and an "unlimited" Mobicarte/"Internet max" access plan for one month for 21 euros. This plan states that Orange can slow down your Internet access speed, if you exceed 500 MB of data in a month. Also POP3 ("client") e-mail is another 9 euros. (Without this option you must access your e-mail through a Web interface, which is fine for many people.) There are some other exclusions in the "unlimited" plan, but this is basically a good deal.
Orange is also running a special of two months Internet access (not including client e-mail) for the same price.
When you pick up your sim, you should be sure to "register", so bring your ID, such as a copy of your passport. Orange for example, won't allow you to activate Internet access without having registered.
Learn how to check your balance in the plan and right after you re-activate "Internet" or "data roaming" features, do a little browsing and check to see how much (if any) your account goes down. Check your balance regularly.
Turn off "Internet" or "data roaming" features entirely uring long periods when you don't need them.
Turn off any unnecessary application background processes on your cell phone that you don't need (e.g., traffic updates).
If you have any additional tips or deals, please post.
-- Paul
First and foremost: BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL or you can burn through a LOT of money with "data roaming" charges.
Second, use free WiFi when you can to save costs.
If you plan to use your USA (or other local) cell service provider, be sure to read the fine print VERY carefully. Some plans have exclusions and limits in their "unlimited" plans, and you can end up with suprisingly high charges.
Unless you plan to use a plan under your USA cell service provider that you've CAREFULLY reviewed, be sure do disable your "Internet" and/or "3G" roaming feature on your phone. If you don't, your phone may happily connect to a French network and do all kinds of background communication even when you aren't browsing or accessing e-mail.
OK, so now you're going to need a local sim and a PREPAID plan that provides Internet access, data transfer and e-mail.
Using PREPAID plans and adding only small amounts to your account is the safest approach. If you screw up, you might lose 20 euros of credit on your plan, but you won't end up with a $3,000 bill (as one person did), and you won't lose a 100 euros credit.
You will need to have your cell phone "unlocked" so it will use a sim associated with a different service provider. Contact your USA supplier to get instructions.
Many of the clerks in the local stores that cell SIM cards DO NOT understand options and setup steps for using a local sim and prepaid plan. Figure it out before you go. Here is a great place to get info:
http://paygsimwithdata.wikia.com/wiki/France?cb=2655
Be sure your phone will be compatible with the sim (check the providers' Web site).
Be sure you read the fine print on plans. (See example below.)
Currently, you can get an Orange sim and an "unlimited" Mobicarte/"Internet max" access plan for one month for 21 euros. This plan states that Orange can slow down your Internet access speed, if you exceed 500 MB of data in a month. Also POP3 ("client") e-mail is another 9 euros. (Without this option you must access your e-mail through a Web interface, which is fine for many people.) There are some other exclusions in the "unlimited" plan, but this is basically a good deal.
Orange is also running a special of two months Internet access (not including client e-mail) for the same price.
When you pick up your sim, you should be sure to "register", so bring your ID, such as a copy of your passport. Orange for example, won't allow you to activate Internet access without having registered.
Learn how to check your balance in the plan and right after you re-activate "Internet" or "data roaming" features, do a little browsing and check to see how much (if any) your account goes down. Check your balance regularly.
Turn off "Internet" or "data roaming" features entirely uring long periods when you don't need them.
Turn off any unnecessary application background processes on your cell phone that you don't need (e.g., traffic updates).
If you have any additional tips or deals, please post.
-- Paul
Sep 19th, 2010, 02:13 PM
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Logos999 -- This not adverting; nor is it a commercial post. It is information that addresses a very challenging problem that travellers to France have encounter in recent years.
If you review my prior posts, you'll see I'm a regular traveller and periodic contributor.
The link is not to an advertiser's site, and the site contains factual info on several vendors' services.
The mention of Orange is a helpful pointer because it is VERY hard to figure out info on viable alternatives, including on Fodor.
The Fodor forum guidelines say:
4. This is a no-advertising zone.
Commercial postings (including links by advertisers to business e-mails and commercial sites) aren't allowed here and will be removed.
It don't see anything that in my post that violates this guideline.
-- Paul
If you review my prior posts, you'll see I'm a regular traveller and periodic contributor.
The link is not to an advertiser's site, and the site contains factual info on several vendors' services.
The mention of Orange is a helpful pointer because it is VERY hard to figure out info on viable alternatives, including on Fodor.
The Fodor forum guidelines say:
4. This is a no-advertising zone.
Commercial postings (including links by advertisers to business e-mails and commercial sites) aren't allowed here and will be removed.
It don't see anything that in my post that violates this guideline.
-- Paul
Sep 19th, 2010, 03:25 PM
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I have an iphone and had my 3Gturned off the entire time we were in France. ATT does have an international plan for 3G, but it is very expensive. I was able to access the internet a couple of times in cafes outside of Paris (Normandy and Loire). And in Paris, our hotel had free wifi so I was able to download emails via it.
I also used my skype at the hotel to communicate with family.
You can get a phone in France, but for us it didn't make sense.
I also used my skype at the hotel to communicate with family.
You can get a phone in France, but for us it didn't make sense.
Oct 31st, 2010, 03:59 PM
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A quick report on my recent experience with data roaming in France.
The steps provided at http://paygsimwithdata.wikia.com/wiki/France?cb=2655 worked great!
I got the unlock code from T-Mobile for my Samsung Galaxy S v 2.1.
Took my passport to an Orange store in Paris on Oct. 11. Bought an orange card and additional funds to cover Mobicarte "Internet Max" and e-mail.
I removed my T-Mobile SIM, put in the Orange SIM. Powered up. Entered T-Mobile unlock code. Followed printed Orange instructions to activate the SIM using the 14-digit code.
It took about 12 hours before the account showed funds available and I could follow the #123# menu sequence above. I followed the sequence above and within a few hours, the services were active. No problems!
I used data roaming for Web browsing, e-mail using the Android client, and Google-Maps-based GPS. We were in Paris and then drove about 1000 km down the Loire to the southern coast of Brittany, NE to the Brittany coast, then to the Normany coast, then back to Paris.
Service was generally available in all areas, although there were a few brief "no service" periods while driving in less populated areas. Service seemed reasonably fast, but I didn't benchmark. When we had access to free Wi-Fi, however, the Wi-Fi was noticeably faster (as expected).
I used the services regularly for 16 days. I don't know how much I transferred, or whether I exceeded the max; but I never experienced slow-down (throttling).
I actually got _two_ months of service because of a special Orange was running if you added 25 euros to your account (which we used for lots of local calls prompted by the strikes).
Having cheap, "unlimited" data roaming was a very helpful resource on this trip.
On the plane flight to Seattle from Paris, I reinstalled the T-Mobile SIM, and when we landed I was up and running on my normal service.
The steps provided at http://paygsimwithdata.wikia.com/wiki/France?cb=2655 worked great!
I got the unlock code from T-Mobile for my Samsung Galaxy S v 2.1.
Took my passport to an Orange store in Paris on Oct. 11. Bought an orange card and additional funds to cover Mobicarte "Internet Max" and e-mail.
I removed my T-Mobile SIM, put in the Orange SIM. Powered up. Entered T-Mobile unlock code. Followed printed Orange instructions to activate the SIM using the 14-digit code.
It took about 12 hours before the account showed funds available and I could follow the #123# menu sequence above. I followed the sequence above and within a few hours, the services were active. No problems!
I used data roaming for Web browsing, e-mail using the Android client, and Google-Maps-based GPS. We were in Paris and then drove about 1000 km down the Loire to the southern coast of Brittany, NE to the Brittany coast, then to the Normany coast, then back to Paris.
Service was generally available in all areas, although there were a few brief "no service" periods while driving in less populated areas. Service seemed reasonably fast, but I didn't benchmark. When we had access to free Wi-Fi, however, the Wi-Fi was noticeably faster (as expected).
I used the services regularly for 16 days. I don't know how much I transferred, or whether I exceeded the max; but I never experienced slow-down (throttling).
I actually got _two_ months of service because of a special Orange was running if you added 25 euros to your account (which we used for lots of local calls prompted by the strikes).
Having cheap, "unlimited" data roaming was a very helpful resource on this trip.
On the plane flight to Seattle from Paris, I reinstalled the T-Mobile SIM, and when we landed I was up and running on my normal service.
Oct 31st, 2010, 04:41 PM
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So how much was the total cost for the SIM and the credit?
Did they activate the Internet Max for you for did you have to do it yourself (send an SMS to a special number)?
Did you use any laptop data?
I think a Mifi might be more useful when you have more than one device which needs connection. But the mobile aspect is intriguing, to be able to use GPS for turn by turn and other useful apps.
Did they activate the Internet Max for you for did you have to do it yourself (send an SMS to a special number)?
Did you use any laptop data?
I think a Mifi might be more useful when you have more than one device which needs connection. But the mobile aspect is intriguing, to be able to use GPS for turn by turn and other useful apps.
Oct 31st, 2010, 04:56 PM
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scrb11
Total cost was about 30 euro. This normally covers one month, but I bought additional credit (for phone use) and got two months through an Orange special.
I activated the service using the instructions at the link I posted above. Be sure to read that info.
Not sure I understand your question about laptop data. I did copy numerous .doc and .pdf files to the phone's micro-SD card for use during the trip (e.g., restaurant lists).
If you're "techie", you can "tether" other devices using your smart phone; however, this may not be authorized by the service provider.
Total cost was about 30 euro. This normally covers one month, but I bought additional credit (for phone use) and got two months through an Orange special.
I activated the service using the instructions at the link I posted above. Be sure to read that info.
Not sure I understand your question about laptop data. I did copy numerous .doc and .pdf files to the phone's micro-SD card for use during the trip (e.g., restaurant lists).
If you're "techie", you can "tether" other devices using your smart phone; however, this may not be authorized by the service provider.
Oct 31st, 2010, 08:18 PM
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Was curious if you were using a laptop with that SIM, because laptop can consume more data than smart phones.
It's cool that T-Mobile unlocks the phone for you. Also surprised that the Samsung made for T-Mobile in the US can get 3G speeds in Europe because they use different bands of spectrum.
That's a pretty good deal though, because mobile plans in France, both voice and data, are more expensive than neighboring Italy, Germany and Spain.
Good to know, thanks for the detailed account.
It's cool that T-Mobile unlocks the phone for you. Also surprised that the Samsung made for T-Mobile in the US can get 3G speeds in Europe because they use different bands of spectrum.
That's a pretty good deal though, because mobile plans in France, both voice and data, are more expensive than neighboring Italy, Germany and Spain.
Good to know, thanks for the detailed account.
Jul 31st, 2011, 11:00 PM
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Hi Paul
Do you know of any latest offer in France for :
- a local sim, and
- a PREPAID plan that provides Internet access, data transfer and e-mail?
Can the same plan also be used in Italy?
Am intending to go to both countries & would be good if there is a cheap plan out there that can cater for both countries.
Tx
Do you know of any latest offer in France for :
- a local sim, and
- a PREPAID plan that provides Internet access, data transfer and e-mail?
Can the same plan also be used in Italy?
Am intending to go to both countries & would be good if there is a cheap plan out there that can cater for both countries.
Tx
Jun 10th, 2012, 11:17 AM
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Disclaimer: I work for the company
In order to avoid paying for data roaming, there is the possibility to rent wifi hotspots (think Mifi). Much cheaper than data roaming, and still a permanent internet connection
Check the website: FrenchConnection.fr
In order to avoid paying for data roaming, there is the possibility to rent wifi hotspots (think Mifi). Much cheaper than data roaming, and still a permanent internet connection
Check the website: FrenchConnection.fr
