Mobile

[bixy]

Something we hadn't thought about before getting French sim cards was network coverage. We bought sim cards from Carrefour, who use the Orange network. Result - no coverage at all where we live or anywhere near. Trawled the net and came across the Bouyges telecom site which gives  you the opportunity to check the coverage in your area - four bars they said. Somewhat sceptically ordered a phone and sim and voila - four bars. Not expensive either - phone, sim and some credit for 39 euros [payg]. Of course it is not a bells and whistles phone but we do not need one. The recharges seem pretty reasonable too. Hope this info is useful to someone, as we spent a long time looking around to find what we needed but this seems to be it.

Patrick

[Pierre ZFP]

Just be aware that the recharge credit will expire over a short time - use it or lose it.  Also I think you have to make/receive at least one call every 3 months or the number in disconnected

 

[sueyh]

Yes agree with you, we had spoken to friends who called at the house with SFR phones and Orange phones which would not register a signal.  I looked on my english O2 phone and it was picking up Bouygetel no problem so we went for that and it is great.  Just hoping it will work in Spain, when we go there for a holiday in the winter!!

Suey

[Pierre ZFP]

Well I hope the O2 phone will work in Spain.  It's a Spanish company after all

[tenniswitch]

[quote user="bixy"]Something we hadn't thought about before getting French sim cards was network coverage. We bought sim cards from Carrefour, who use the Orange network. Result - no coverage at all where we live or anywhere near. Trawled the net and came across the Bouyges telecom site which gives  you the opportunity to check the coverage in your area - four bars they said. Somewhat sceptically ordered a phone and sim and voila - four bars. Not expensive either - phone, sim and some credit for 39 euros [payg]. Of course it is not a bells and whistles phone but we do not need one. The recharges seem pretty reasonable too. Hope this info is useful to someone, as we spent a long time looking around to find what we needed but this seems to be it.

Patrick
[/quote]

Can you post the link for checking coverage via the Boyges site?  I can't seem to find it.

[BJSLIV]

http://www.couverture.bouyguestelecom.fr/eci_11/couverture/index.asp

[tenniswitch]

[quote user="BJSLIV"]http://www.couverture.bouyguestelecom.fr/eci_11/couverture/index.asp[/quote]

Thanks.

[AnOther]

Somewhere in you mobile phone there will be an option to scan for networks or something similar. This will pick up all available networks and, depending on your service provider and other factors, you might be able to switch to the strongest service.

[Ecossais]

One way to work out the best French network mobile to buy is to first try a British or other “foreign” network mobile in your house / area.  A “foreign” network mobile should constantly seek the strongest available network when abroad so keep an eye on what network name is shown on the screen when the phone is in standby when in your locality.

Coverage maps are only an indication of signal strength and especially in rural locations may not guarantee good service.

Suey – you may already be aware of this, but in case not, if you’re using your O2 mobile in Spain there is a “bolt-on” which makes your calls cheaper.  “Chosen Country – Spain” costs £5 per month and makes outgoing calls 25p per minute and incoming calls free – so you pay no roaming charge if someone calls you.  You can have it on PAYG or contract mobiles for a month as required.

Details here - http://www.o2international.co.uk/callingfromoverseas/chosencountry.aspx