Sevendaver

This is a plea for help. I took my unlocked (was Rogers Canada) Blackberry 8310 Curve (BB) to Le Clerc today to buy a new SIM card and use their service. After buying the SIM card a very nice fellow (Tony) that spoke English helped me install the card and attempt to fire it up. The persistent message is "SIM not provisioned:2". After numerous attempts to connect Tony (good guy) suggested that I try to connect a few times in the next few days. He said that if it does not connect to return the SIM, with the phone, to the store, by then we had spent 45 minutes turning the BB on and off attempting to get a signal. They tried to convince me that the SFR SIM is not compatible with my BB however I was as my greying head would suggest was not born yesterday. If I return it to the store they will call SFR (provider of SIMs for Le Clerc). The fine print suggests that if a connection cannot be made then I should call a number. I do not speak French well enough to do this and I would rather never have a phone than go through what I have watched others endure when dealing with telecom problems in France. Before you laugh Canada is not much better. I brought it home and slotted in an old Boygues Telecom SIM that I have in an old phone and it worked in the Blackberry. I took the new Le Clerc SIM card and put it in the little old Boygue phone and the message was that the SIM would not register. Has anyone had this experience? If I take the BB to a SFR outlet in Puget at Carrefour will they speak to me and help me. The SIM is SFR but the purchase was done at Le Clerc in Cogalin which is 30KM from me in Roquebrune S/A?

I am from the country which is directly north of the USA, Canada.  Canada is an offially bilingual country that embraces and has for 1.5 centuries embraced French culture, traditions, religion and education rights as well as language.  The marriage is not without its problems however we try.  Enough of this.  Does anyone know of a solution to my health care coverage concern.  I accepted prior to moving to France in September 2010 that I would have to purchase Private coverage.  The plan that I chose after due diligence and consideration is called the Jefferson Plan, administered by the International Health Services Association.  The annual fee for myself 60 years old with no pre existing conditions and my 57 year old wife same no pre exix... was to be 4314 Euros commencing January 1, 2011.  Today December 22, 2010 I received the official letter that the plan administrators had raised the cost for 2011 by 55% across the board.  This makes my fee for 2011 6692 Euros.  Needless to say I am on a drive to find an alternative and an explanation but of course it is Christmas and the brokers are on holiday. Apart from that we came to France to start a new life in a great little house that we bought with most of our assets.  We are enjoying ourself immensely and would like to continue to do so.  My wife was born in the UK and holds a UK passport however she has never worked in the UK.  My wifes family moved from the UK when she was quite young.  I have applied for residency and have read a lot about forms E101, E106, etc but frankly I do not think much other than the 5 years of residency rule applies to us for health care coverage.  Everything is centred around British expats. I am not working in France but I am not retried officially in Canada.  I am able to sustain myself but I am far too active and capable to sit and vegetate.  I am a 5 time Ironman Triathlete and fitness instructor.  I spent many years in the finance and insurance business in Toronto.  I need and expect answers.  Is this the place to get them lets see?