Sorry as I know its been done before but am away Wednesday and any news on cheap deals for 3g data plans with SFR or Orange gratefully received. At the moment I hope to use WiFi as much as possible but, as back up, will also buy a prepaid data card for 3g access so any deals out there that members know???
Thanks...
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Yes Steve sorry did not make it clear I want to buy it in France from SFR, the French telecomm company, or Orange France who have both been recommended elsewhere.
I have always understood that you have to have a French address to buy a mobile/sim/dongle in France? Perhaps thats not the case now. Don't forget that the EU, from the first of July, has forced networks within the EU to reduce their data charges by quite a big margin and you might find your home network has some reasonable offers that might suit when you can't get site WiFi. When I have looked at prices of French dongles/mobile broadband they have always seemed much more expensive than what we pay in the UK although I expect with the popularity of smart phones this cost must be falling in France.
David
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Tesco Mobile have reduced their roaming data costs from £4 (yes, £4) per MB to 69p per MB. Still can be expensive though. I just checked my useage for the last three weeks and I've used 270MB of a 1GB allowance. That could cost me £186.30 in France. Its not as though I'm a heavy user either as I have wi-fi at home and at work. I think when we are in France the data and 3G will be switched off. If I need to use t'internet I'll find some free wi-fi somewhere.
Am now in France and bought a mini sim for an iPad for 9.90 euros from Sfr which included three days unlimited Internet access. Since then have bought a 1 gig. Recharge for 35 euros which was on offer doubled to 2 gig. Now primarily using wifi but the 3G access is a useful addition when needed providing I avoid hefty downloads of video etc. Had to visit an SFR store to make the purchases and paid cash as the only card they accept in a French Carte Bancaire. All easy to set up, insert sim and it was connected, then when the three days ran out (actually got four days) got a message on the ipad browser from SFR that I needed a recharge which I had already bought. that was activated by telephone auto response to key in the given code issued to me. Worthwhile back up for me...
Sorry to sound thick but how long will the 1gig (now 2gig) last?? Is it like here where it'll last until you've used all that down load or does it last for so many days like your original purchase of the sim card (you got 3 days)
We looked at these in francecbut couldn't work out how long theyd last, one salesman contracted the others.
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I got really caught out last year brand new iPhone and not a clue - result in a bill best but not easily forgotten. I had an orange bundle this year for my phone which let me use 30mb a day for £3 a day. I never got anywhere near that most I used was 16mbs one day and that was leaving roaming and 3G on and just using email and v light browsing such as a quick google for information.
OH's iPad used more because the very nature of an iPad lends itself to more Internet usage so he was probably using on average around 30 mb a day as he needed to keep abreast of work stuff. 1 gb is an awful lot but seemingly better value than my £33 for 330mb over 11 days.
Wifi at the site was pretty dreadful so we were glad of our bundles