Hello there, does anyone know where i can get hold of a French mobile Broadband modem for my laptop close to Port of St Malo? - and where I can also park the motorhome to access the shop! I also need a French SIM card for the mobile. As it's FAR too expensive to hook up to the net via UK provider, i need to sort this out to enable 3 weeks of internet/e-mail/Skype access via laptop + mobile phone usage.
Any know? I can't be the first to need to do this!
Thanks :)
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Do you have wifi on your lap top?
If so, you can use the site's system or go to a MacDonald's and buy a coffee (no need to eat the junk food),
or look here
Thanks yes, I do use wi-fi. But it's not available everywhere (I am running a business whilst away) and a lot of my stopovers will be at Aires not sites. I will need to hook up when the kids are in bed, so driving to a Macdonalds not an option. And it will not help with mobile calls for those not on Skype.
Anyone know of a shop/source??
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
You can use SKYPE just as a phone for people who dont have SKYPE. Dial their home landline phone or mobile and use the microphone on your laptop to speak to them.
Preload a few pounds worth of credit and the costs are 3p connection charge and 1.6p per minute to any landline anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world. Calling mobiles are more expensive, 3p connection charge and around 14p per minute I think. Still probably cheaper than using your mobile. Calling landlines is definitly far cheaper.
Thanks for that. But you still need to be able to connect to Skype in the first place - hence my need to find a source to buy a mobile modem to hook up to French network when I'm not in a wi-fi area.
In the past you have always had to have a French address to get a French dongle. However I have heard that Oranage FR and SFR have recently introduced PAYG dongles where there is not the requirement for a French address. You tend to buy time rather than a download limit and generally its more expensive than the UK. Most big shopping centres have similar to The Carphone Warehouse and the big supermarkets also sell them so therefore plenty of space to park!
The only thing I would add is that just as in UK, speeds (and costs) are far better using hot spots so I would only use a dongle where there is no possibility of a wifi connection
Not sure where you are going but if it happens to be the Vendee I use this
Thanks everyone - I've gone for the rent a stick/pay for a month option. And yes, makes sense to sue wi-fi where it's available.
Relief to have sorted it in advance!
:)
What phone have you got? also which provider in the UK?
You may be able to use your phone as a modem (Android phone/ iPhone) and pay less to your current provider... also worth a look would be a MiFi device bought here and using roaming as that'd be cheaper than what these guys are offering.
Take it from someone who knows - the SFR dongle isn't worth squit. SFR as a service company are less than useless. If you're a non-French speaker, it'll be even worse as I guarantee they will NOT help you. I can't speak for the Orange dongle service, but I DO have experience of the SFR one. No coverage in many places.
Hi, I've gone for the Orange France dongle - needed it to be simple and sorted out up front before I'm mithered in France by my kids and can't think straight!! Cost was not primary consideration as it's to support my business.
If it's c**p I'll post a comment whilst travelling! - that's if it works!!!! :).
For what it's worth, Orange UK (my mobile provider) printed off prices for me for use via UK dongle and said "Don't do it, it will cost you a fortune - you really need to sort out a French one".