I don’t know about you, but for me the greatest thing about France is the rich culture. As soon as you arrive in Paris, you will notice just how invested the country is in culture and entertainment. From the arts to the local cuisine, Paris will give you one of the richest cultural experiences life has to offer. However, as an expat living in France, you probably can’t wait to connect with friends and family back home.
To share that beautiful picture you took at the Eiffel tower and offer the story behind it, you will need a reliable mobile service. Well, the good news is that France has excellent 4G coverage. It also has many mobile service providers so just need to choose one that best suits your needs. They also offer amazing SIM and mobile options for expats so finding one shouldn’t be a problem.
Mobile Phone Services in France
While in France, connecting to people will be a walk in the park thanks to the availability of a good quality mobile network. The country relies on a GSM network so you won’t face any challenges connecting to the local network. From almost anywhere in France, you can access 4G or 4G+ connectivity. So, staying in touch with your new French friends should not be a problem for you even while on road trips.
Also note that connectivity will vary depending on your mobile service provider in the country. You should search the internet for the list of available providers in your area to identify one with the best network. Some rural parts of France may have a few connection challenges. But you will still be able to find 3G connectivity in most of them. What’s more, cities like Paris have a 5G network.
Mobile Service Providers in France
France has a very competitive mobile sector with a large number of providers that increase every other day. Due to the competitive environment, providers have been forced to create more affordable mobile services to their consumers. However, finding an operator must sound daunting given the many available options.
The trick therefore, is to ensure that you find value for your many by all means necessary. After all, moving to France is already expensive enough so you need to save costs whenever possible. Your best bet is to find one operator for mobile, home internet and TV services. Most providers will offer huge discounts and package deals for such subscriptions.
Some of the popular mobile service operators in France include; Bouygues Télécom, Coriolis, La Poste Mobile, Lebara Mobile, Lycamobile, Orange, Prixtel, Réglo Mobile and SFR. Orange has the most number of subscribers in the market. You should check if most of your friends are using it since calls to the same networks are cheaper.
Choosing a Mobile Service Provider in France
The providers with the largest number of subscribers in France are Orange, SFR, Telecom and Free Mobile in that order. This also means that they often have the best coverage in the country. However, one thing you will love about these providers is that they also have home internet and TV services so you can subscribe to one package for all.
The other providers rely on these four networks to provide mobile services to their customers. However, the quality of their services is just as good so it’s not like you shouldn’t consider them. They are a good option if you live in a big city since they are cheaper anyway. You can use comparison websites such as Edcom to find a provider in your area.
Similarly, to confirm the coverage in your area, you can use NPerf or Arcep. This will ensure that you are not stuck with a provider and contract with poor coverage. Remember sometimes cheap can also be expensive. I would recommend a larger operator if you live in a rural area to avoid any future difficulties.
Signing a Mobile Service Contract in France
While in France, you can either sign a prepaid or mobile contract. The easier and quicker option is prepaid SIM cards. However, it is best if you are not planning to stay in France in the long-term. They include SMS, calls and data though they are generally more expensive than mobile contracts.
Mobile contracts are your best bet if you are a frequent mobile phone user. They also give you more security and opportunities to save costs. So, if you are going to be here for long, it is the best option. You should also know that with a mobile contract, your provider also gives you a smartphone of your choice.
Charges accrue depending on the tariff that you are on but you will have a predetermined amount of calls, texts and data. Similarly, there are two types of mobile contracts. One is SIM-only while the other includes a handset.
Mobile contracts in France are usually between 12 to 24 months and involve a one-time activation fee. Payment methods will differ from one provider to another. However, monthly direct debits are the most common ones. You will need proof of identity, address and bank account details to get a contract. Remember to read the fine print before signing any contract.
