 Internet and telephone in France
Internet Connection in France & Service Providers Information on the many companies offering Internet access in France.
There are many options for broadband Internet (ADSL) connection in France. But before getting an Internet connection, a telephone line is needed; this must be supplied by France Télécom. To get a line installed contact France Télécom.
France Télécom: English-speaking service open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00.
Call toll free: 0800 364 775
Call from outside France: + 33 1 55 78 60 56
Broadband Internet Service
Once a line is in place an ISP (Internet Service Provider) is needed to supply Internet access. This can either be France Télécom or a third party. There are many providers in France, each offering a slightly different package, see the list below of Internet Providers in France.
Note: Before being able to get connected with broadband Internet, availability to the property or area needs to be ascertained; some rural or inaccessible places are not able to receive ADSL. Find out if access is available to a telephone line or an area:
The website http://www.ariase.com (entirely in French) has comprehensive information on ADSL availability, price and service comparisons. Dégroupage (unbundling)
This is the separation (partial or total) of the Internet line from the fixed line telephone supply. It means that a household may have Internet access independently from France Telecom. It is generally only available in high-occupancy areas and each independent supplier will have a package it offers.
Options for Areas with No ADSL Broadband Availability
In areas where ADSL is not available high-speed connection can be achieved by:
- Satellite (either to an individual location or shared by a group)
- WiMax
- 3G/HSDPA
- CPL (Courant Porteur en Ligne).
- Microwave connections are an option where a link to a backbone network is bridged between two microwave dishes.
- Lan Extension Services (LES) are available for guaranteed private high speed synchronous connections but as they involve cables being laid between the location and the nearest backbone exchange they can be quite costly. (Government grants are available in certain areas to assist in this.)
Dial-up Internet access
Dial-up is a slow connection which can be used via the analogue telephone line. Higher performance is available with ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) supplied by France Telecom as Numéris. This provides two digital lines, available for voice or data, each operating at 64Kbps speed. The two channels can be bonded together to achieve 128Kbps speed. In France it is called RNIS (Réseau Numérique à Intégration de Services). Internet Providers in France Alice
Formally Tiscali and the largest provider in Italy, Alice is one of the main providers of broadband Internet access in France, offering connection speeds up to 20Mbit (20 megabits per second) and services such as free telephone and TV via Internet.
Alice website Cegetel
Cegetel currently offer one of the lowest tariffs for broadband internet access for 512 kb/s (Kilobit per second) and has no fixed contract lengths which can be an advantage to long term visitors in France. Cegetel website Club Internet
Club Internet is part of the T-Online group and is growing as an ISP in France. Currently offering speeds of 20Mbit plus inclusive telephone services.
Club Internet website Darty
The electronic retailer Darty sells a DartyBox with Internet, telephone and television packages through a link up with the Completel network. Internet speeds of up to 20Mbit are available and phone calls to local, national and some international land lines are free. The television option offers over 40 channels including TNT and is HDTV ready.
DartyBox website Free
The number one independent provider in France, free offers two services depending on your "Dégroupage" status. Dégroupage is the term used when independent telecom service providers are able to connect their clients directly to their network without passing through the national provider. This usually brings with it additional services (TV and telephone) at reduced prices. If you are "dégroupé" you can benefit from 24Mbit broadband including telephone and TV services. There is also an option for ADSL without a telephone subscription if the last occupant of your property had a telephone subscription utilising the "freebox".
To find out if your area is "dégroupée" see website DegroupTest.com (in French).
Free website Noos
Noos offers ADSL packages from 1 to 10Mbit with introductory offers lasting 12 months. Also available is TV via Internet.
Noos website Orange
Part of the France Telecom Group, Orange (formerly Wanadoo) is the largest provider of Internet access in France and offers arguably the most reliable service because of this. It also offers slightly higher tariffs than the competition for the MAX2+ option with 18Mbit speeds.
Orange website
Orange's (France Télécom's) ISDN service is called Numéris, and various options are available for home and professional use. Tele2
Tele2 offers two tariffs for 20Mbit ADSL broadband access with rates and packages depending on whether you are "dégroupée", with "dégroupée" customers paying more per month.
Tele2 website Teleconnect
Full service telecommunications (mobile, fixed line and ADSL broadband Internet services) specifically catering to anglophones living in France.
Teleconnect France website |
