France Guide: Telephone & Internet

Getting connected is often one of your highest priorities when moving to a new country. Our telephone guide explains how to get a fixed phone line and how to avoid roaming fees when using your mobile.

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  Introduction

  Calling, prefixes and phone directories

  Using the telephone might work a little different in France than in your home country. Our guide will give you all the information on making calls without paying too much money.

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  Fixed lines

  How to get a phone line in France

  The French telecommunication market is dominated by Orange, the former state-owned monopolist, who provides all fixed lines. However, there are several other alternative telecommunication providers in France that make use of the Orange network.

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  Mobile phones

  How to use your mobile phone in France

  Like all European and many other countries, France operates on a GSM network. This means that if your current phone is GSM-compatible, it will probably work in France. If you are coming from North America or some parts of Asia you will probably have a CDMA phone, which will not work in France.

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  Mobile plans

  How to choose the right calling plan

  If you decide to use a French mobile, the most obvious question is which company offers the best deal. The proposals are very complex and not easy to compare. However, there are some basic points you need to consider for choosing the right deal.

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  Glossary

  Common French telecom expressions

  When working out a calling plan or ordering a phone line, you will probably encounter some complicated vocabulary. This glossary will help you out with special telecom terms.

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  Calling Cards

  How to save money on international calls

  International calls home can be really expensive. One of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with your family and friends is to use an international prepaid calling card.

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  Choosing

  Choosing a prepaid calling card

  Working out which prepaid international calling card to buy is difficult. There are many cards available; tariffs and conditions are really complicated.

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  How to use

  Using an international phonecard

  Using prepaid calling cards is straightforward once you understand how they work. All you need is the right access number to dial and a PIN number.

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  Internet in France

  How to get the access to the net

  Internet usage in France is high. If you're studying at a university in France, you will probably have free internet available there, although computers might be limited.

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