Internet whilst at LM

[termietermite]

For some time now I've been wrestling with 3g over here in an attempt to find a PAYG provider which I can use without having to buy a top-up card every month to avoid losing credit.  I know it's something which taxes those of you who want an internet connection during the race at an affordable price.  

Anyway, although it's somewhat lugubrious for non-residents and doesn't solve the problem altogether, I think I might have cracked it at last!

Leclerc's have now introduced a mobile internet package for 9.90 a month (250Mo) or 13.90 (500).  Once the month of June is up then you can move over to a calls only package which charges a monthly fee of 1.50 until your credit runs out, at which time you can dump it.  Yes, I know it's a bit long winded but with a SIM-free 3g dongle it should work.  Just pop into a Leclerc's supermarket and the staff will sort the thing out for you (don't forget your passport though!)

I'll let you know how I get on!

http://www.leclercmobile.fr/formules/options-sms-internet.html

[landman]

Sounds good, but my experience last year was that despite having 25Mb a day to use courtesy of dear old [tax dodging] Vodafone I could not get a signal as the system was at/over capacity.

Suspect that it's better to just watch the race rather than trying to Facebook/Tweet/Upload/etc etc etc

Paul/Landman

[Stu]

I bought a Three dongle with 1MB 30days for £20. My intention now is to just buy a sim from ebay when I require one for which you can get 90 days 3MB for around £12 (UK use).
eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Three-3-Pay-You-Go-Mobile-Broadband-Sim-Card-3GB-Data-90-Days-/230713894010?pt=UK_Mobile_Home_Phones_Sim_Cards_CV&hash=item35b79ea47a

So, can you get similar internet only sims on Ebay france which I could get for next year which would cover the 24Hr and also the Classic?

[LuxExpat]

Suspect that it's better to just watch the race rather than trying to Facebook/Tweet/Upload/etc etc etc

*nods*
Yes, Paul - sitting in a pub whilst 5 mates are all on their iPhones is 'kin annoying, I can tell you!

[termietermite]

E-bay France is pretty cr*p, Stu, and has nothing like the popularity that the Brit and US sites have.  So I still think a Leclerc SIM is the answer.  Buy a 20€ top up card and a SIM and that will buy you two months' internet then you can dump the thing post Classic.  There's another company called Le French Mobile but you need a French address, whereas LeClerc's willl sell you the thing and register you on the spot if you bring i.d. with you.

[Stu]

Cheers for that Debs, I'll be looking in to it.

[termietermite]

I have ordered my SIM-free dongle and once it turns up intend to alter my Leclerc contract to an internet one as an experiment so I'll let you know how it performs.  It's easy for me as it won't affect me too much if it fails to work since my phone's with them already anway.

[termietermite]

The Leclerc account actually needs quite a bit of faffing about which I'm not sure will suit the occasional user.  However, this lot seem tailor made, at least on the face of it, and are English speaking:

http://www.lefrenchmobile.com/

[Barry]

Happy New Year Deb.
I hope that your 2012 is less eventful than recent years.

[termietermite]

HNY 2U2!

[Lorry]

HMY2U22

If I've read the lefrenchmobile tariff correctly its 50-60 cents a mb, but whats that.  I currently use over 100mb a day all in, if BT are to be believed.

I think I've got enough to do already anyway

[termietermite]

You're right - hard to believe what they appear to be charging! 

The Leclerc deal looks better on the face of it, as does SFR payg which I'll be trying it out when I go into hospital on 9th so will report back.   The problem with most of the better value deals over here is that you have to register with a copy of your passport or they cut you off so you need really to go to one of the specialist shop which is probably a step too far unless you have a real need for access (like those in previous years who've needed to send their pics etc) in which case the download limits are bonkers and it's probably easier just to go to McDo!

The stystems are still antedeluvian here whilst the government does its best to regulate everything into oblivion.