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French PAYG Sim Cards
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18days
29-05-2010
my balance has kept going down very quickly and the internet keeps stopping until I add credit again.

Maybe this is a reason why. Aparently you can not use pop or smtp traffic within the tarrif.

Wish I new that sooner.

I think that their may be many other hidden little gems like this (I officially dislike ft / orange at the moment)

http://prepaid-wireless-internet-acc...et+max+changed
skreepers
04-08-2010
I'm going to France next month.

My iPhone is on o2 at the minute. If i was to get a french sim card on orange would it work in my o2 iphone?? would i have to unlock it before i go?

what are the best deals that orange etc do in france? especially regarding internet? any possibility of say 20€ for unlimited internet and texts? or just internet? anything!!

thanks.
18days
05-08-2010
If you google iPhone unlock o2, it will take you to the official o2 unlock page. It takes up to 2 weeks for the unlock to go through, then follow the instructions and connect iPhone to iTunes etc.

I found the easiest way to subscribe to the tarrif (when not speaking French) was via the iPhone keys itself. If you get an orange mobicart sim make sure that it comes with the original packaging because inside are some instructions on how to top up. I can not remember the keys you press now, but it is something like #123# on the iPhone and it brings up a screen that we don't use in the Uk (on pay monthly at least). Once this screen comes up, click on Bon plans then multimedia. Once in the click on the Internet tarrif that you want to buy. I payed €5 a day for unlimited usage from 02:00 until 23:59. I think the other tariff was €5 a week for unlimited usage between 20:00 and 06:00 or something like that. Using the iPhone screen was a million times easier to subscribe than listening to the recorded message. Btw if you buy a €25 phone card from the supermarket, you get €30 of tariff. And don't use the iPhone email client as it will eat your cash in seconds. Make sure you use webmail.
AD
05-08-2010
Apologies if I break any rules by posting this, but it would seem this would answer many of the issues of people posting here.

I have 3 of these available;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUAWEI-E585-UN...item3f020857de

They are unlocked and so will take any sim card you happen to put in them.
It sends out a normal WiFi signal just like at a WiFi hotspot and connects through the sim card you put in it.

You switch off data roaming on your iPhone. You don't need to get it unlocked and because you keep your normal sim card in your iPhone, you can still make and recieve calls on your normal number!
skreepers
08-08-2010
Originally Posted by AD:
“Apologies if I break any rules by posting this, but it would seem this would answer many of the issues of people posting here.

I have 3 of these available;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUAWEI-E585-UN...item3f020857de

They are unlocked and so will take any sim card you happen to put in them.
It sends out a normal WiFi signal just like at a WiFi hotspot and connects through the sim card you put in it.

You switch off data roaming on your iPhone. You don't need to get it unlocked and because you keep your normal sim card in your iPhone, you can still make and recieve calls on your normal number!”

hi that's interesting. How does it fit onto your iPhone? Like does it plug in through the charger slot? And really you can use it in France for free without changing my o2-uk sim card?

How many have u got left in stock ?

Thanks.
AD
08-08-2010
Originally Posted by skreepers:
“hi that's interesting. How does it fit onto your iPhone? Like does it plug in through the charger slot? And really you can use it in France for free without changing my o2-uk sim card?

How many have u got left in stock ?

Thanks.”

There is no physical connection to your iPhone, it recieves data via 3G and transmits it as a WiFi signal!
To up to 5 devices at a time!

If you switch off data roaming on your iPhone, no charge for data from O2.
You just pay for data usage on whatever SIM card you put in this.

It also nicely gets around the problem if you have an iPhone 4 or iPad 3G of trying to obtain micro SIM cards, as it takes a standard size SIM.

I currently have only 3 left, listing ends today.
skreepers
08-08-2010
Originally Posted by AD:
“There is no physical connection to your iPhone, it recieves data via 3G and transmits it as a WiFi signal!
To up to 5 devices at a time!

If you switch off data roaming on your iPhone, no charge for data from O2.
You just pay for data usage on whatever SIM card you put in this.

It also nicely gets around the problem if you have an iPhone 4 or iPad 3G of trying to obtain micro SIM cards, as it takes a standard size SIM.

I currently have only 3 left, listing ends today.”

OK that's cool.

Just wondering though..it says on your page that it works with all those UK networks. Would it work with a french sim card (eg. Orange France)?

Also, if the answer is that it isn't compatible with french sims what is the likelihood of an o2-uk sim in the mifi working in France?

Thanks for answering the questions it's just that if I can't use it there then there's no point in me buying it.
AD
08-08-2010
Originally Posted by skreepers:
“OK that's cool.

Just wondering though..it says on your page that it works with all those UK networks. Would it work with a french sim card (eg. Orange France)?

Also, if the answer is that it isn't compatible with french sims what is the likelihood of an o2-uk sim in the mifi working in France?

Thanks for answering the questions it's just that if I can't use it there then there's no point in me buying it.”

It will work with an O2 sim or any other UK sim, the downside is you will be charged roaming data rates, so check which UK network is cheapest.

It will also work with any foreign network's sim card.
All that you need to do is set the APN settings for that network.
It is easier to do in advance and when done the MiFi auto selects. If you wanted I could pre-program for orange France.
It is really easy to do anyway.
AD
08-08-2010
Forgot to say, only two left now and relisted http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUAWEI-E585-UN...#ht_3929wt_920
skreepers
08-08-2010
Ah right I get you now.

Is there any way to set it open for all UK and France networks as I don't know if it will be orange france i'll be dealing with (haven't yet had the chance to look at their 3G deals), although it will be a french network as I don't want the roaming charges?

Is this the latest model? Newer than the huawei e5830?
AD
08-08-2010
Originally Posted by skreepers:
“Ah right I get you now.

Is there any way to set it open for all UK and France networks as I don't know if it will be orange france i'll be dealing with (haven't yet had the chance to look at their 3G deals), although it will be a french network as I don't want the roaming charges?

Is this the latest model? Newer than the huawei e5830?”

Newer than the E5830, with an Oled screen which usefully displays usage!
Also has longer battery life.

I could program for all the French networks that I can find settings for.
skreepers
08-08-2010
Originally Posted by AD:
“Newer than the E5830, with an Oled screen which usefully displays usage!
Also has longer battery life.

I could program for all the French networks that I can find settings for.”

That would be great if you could pre programme it to as many UK and French networks as possible.

I'll get in touch with you via eBay.
AD
09-08-2010
Originally Posted by AD:
“Forgot to say, only two left now and relisted http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUAWEI-E585-UN...#ht_3929wt_920”

One left!
Any Takers?
AD
13-08-2010
Last one, relisted one day......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...#ht_4000wt_920
Anne-Sophie
07-10-2010
I have just come back from France. I took a small Asus netbook with me. (It's a French version bought in France 2 years ago)

I ordered an Orange mobile dongle prior to going over (Cle 3G) and it was waiting for me on arrival there.

Unfortunately, the dongle only works on Wiindows or Mac and the Asus uses Linux. Apparently neither SFR or Bouyges dongles would be compatible withLinux either.

My neighbour offered to let me latch on to their wifi but we couldn't get it to work. Orangefr told me the only solution was to install windows on my netbook.

Just to warn others who might be contemplating buying a local dongle to use on a netbook.
AD
07-10-2010
Originally Posted by Anne-Sophie:
“I have just come back from France. I took a small Asus netbook with me. (It's a French version bought in France 2 years ago)

I ordered an Orange mobile dongle prior to going over (Cle 3G) and it was waiting for me on arrival there.

Unfortunately, the dongle only works on Wiindows or Mac and the Asus uses Linux. Apparently neither SFR or Bouyges dongles would be compatible withLinux either.

My neighbour offered to let me latch on to their wifi but we couldn't get it to work. Orangefr told me the only solution was to install windows on my netbook.

Just to warn others who might be contemplating buying a local dongle to use on a netbook.”

Should get a MiFi!

No physical connection to the netbook involved, so no drivers need to be installed.
So doesn't make a blind bit of difference whether running Linux or Windows
trigpoint
07-10-2010
Originally Posted by prking:
“Orange charge €0.30 per 10kilobytes.”

At those prices it would be cheaper for me to buy a 10 Pound Eurobooster from T-Mobile UK and get 50Megs that lasts up to a month.
trigpoint
07-10-2010
Originally Posted by Anne-Sophie:
“I ordered an Orange mobile dongle prior to going over (Cle 3G) and it was waiting for me on arrival there.

Unfortunately, the dongle only works on Wiindows or Mac and the Asus uses Linux. Apparently neither SFR or Bouyges dongles would be compatible withLinux either.

Just to warn others who might be contemplating buying a local dongle to use on a netbook.”

I have an Orange Mobile Dongle and it works perfectly with linux, Fedora & Ubuntu anyway.

Actually I have been doing some experimenting with different distros, my dongle and my N95.

The conclusion I have drawn is with Fedora and Ubuntu Mobile Broadband will just be picked up by NetworkManager, select your network and its all go. Easy than windows as you don't need any drivers, in fact I got online with both using a live CD.
rasseru16
13-06-2015
Anyone had any luck with ordering an ''la pochette prêt-à-surfer 4G" from an Orange France shop? Basically it's just a pay as you go mobile broadband sim card with 4G/4G+ access.

http://boutique.orange.fr/tablette-e...ternet-prepaye

Translated version: https://goo.gl/GgAxOD
AD
15-06-2015
Originally Posted by rasseru16:
“Anyone had any luck with ordering an ''la pochette prêt-à-surfer 4G" from an Orange France shop? Basically it's just a pay as you go mobile broadband sim card with 4G/4G+ access.

http://boutique.orange.fr/tablette-e...ternet-prepaye

Translated version: https://goo.gl/GgAxOD”

In France now, didn't bother doing anything with data.
My iPhone is on 3 and with their feel at home you don't pay roaming and get to use your data allowance in the "feel at home" country.
It won't let me tether, but as there is wifi where we are staying it's not a problem. If I were to need to connect other devices I would just get a PAYG SIM data SIM card from 3 in the UK and put it in my MiFi.

I will check out what offers Orange France have, but when I weigh up the hassle it doesn't seem worth the bother anymore.
culabula
15-06-2015
Nota bene

why bother getting a French SIM any more when you can simply bring a Three UK SIM with you and use that?

If you need a French number, get a SIM from Toggle Mobile and forward your existing UK number to its default UK number and then set up a French number on it.

French SIMs can be both difficult and expensive to run.

In my experience SIMs do not reach their destination either sent from or sent to France. The French post office typically removes them in transit, just as it does cash. On the other hand, some of these online retailers may hold stock outside of Metropolitan France.

If and when I use a French SIM, I use SFR as I can get a gig for around 10€ for a week (which is outrageously expensive compared to Irish SIMs ). The only advantage is that you can use it to stream media, which you can't with the Three UK SIM while abroad. Even then, it's problematic. Shops don't always have the same term for the top up as SFR use -you must ask for "connecté partout" to get the correct top up as the exact same purchase won't top up a SIM for say, iPhone, but will for say iPad (internet mobile vs connecte partout). The other major issue then is to actually apply the code! You're supposed to be able to do it by SMS but typically this fails (probably because you haven't got any credit !) DOH!
culabula
15-06-2015
Originally Posted by rasseru16:
“Anyone had any luck with ordering an ''la pochette prêt-à-surfer 4G" from an Orange France shop? Basically it's just a pay as you go mobile broadband sim card with 4G/4G+ access.

http://boutique.orange.fr/tablette-e...ternet-prepaye

Translated version: https://goo.gl/GgAxOD”

Now, that actually seems interesting. Cheaper than a three UK data SIM, offers 4G and will work in a Mifi. I'm in France in the morning, will pick one up.
rasseru16
15-06-2015
Originally Posted by culabula:
“Now, that actually seems interesting. Cheaper than a three UK data SIM, offers 4G and will work in a Mifi. I'm in France in the morning, will pick one up.”

Can you let me know if you have success getting one?

As others have said I'm fully aware I could take my 3 mobile broadband sim to France but I don't mind paying extra for 4G speed which is what I'd like and of course to use the data exactly how I want: streaming
culabula
15-06-2015
Originally Posted by rasseru16:
“Can you let me know if you have success getting one?

As others have said I'm fully aware I could take my 3 mobile broadband sim to France but I don't mind paying extra for 4G speed which is what I'd like and of course to use the data exactly how I want: streaming”

Will head straight to an Orange shop in the morning on arrival and let you know.
lightspeed2398
15-06-2015
Having a look I saw this as well: https://www.bouyguestelecom.fr/forfait-internet-mobile

I'm presuming Sans Engagement means without contract. 6Gb for €14,90 doesn't look bad.
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