Getting an Internet Connection in France & Service Providers

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Getting an Internet Connection in France & Service Providers

There are many options for broadband Internet (ADSL) connection in France. The following is a guide to which providers can supply these services.

Broadband Internet Service

There are many providers in France, each offering a slightly different package for roughly the same price, 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.

Website Ariase.com (entirely in French) has comprehensive information on ADSL availability in France, 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.

• To find out if an area is "dégroupé" enter the telephone number or postal code: Click here

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
• 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 28Mbit (28 megabits per second) and services such as free telephony and TV via Internet.

• Alice website
  Tel: 1033

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
• Tel: 32 34

Free

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 "dégroupée" 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
  Tel: 32 44 or 08 92 13 51 51

SFR

SFR (incorporating AOL, Neuf telecom and part of the Cegetel Group), offers one of the largest independent services. Services provided are speeds of up to 100Mbit where fiber optic connections are available, TV over Internet and free telephone calls. There is also no minimum fixed- term contract.

• SFR
  Tel: 1023

Numericable

Formerly Noos, Numericable offers ADSL packages from 1 to 100Mbit with introductory offers lasting 12 months. Also available is TV via Internet and telephone subscriptions.

• Numericable website
  Tel: 08 26 20 20 00

Orange

Part of the France Telecom Group, Orange 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
  Tel: 1014

UKtelecom

Telecoms company in France which specialises in supplying a full range of services to English-speaking expatriates. Both total degroupage and non-degroupage services are available. Technical support is free and unlimited via a free calls telephone number. A full range of line rental and call packages is also available allowing customers to have all their services on one bill.

• UKtelecom website
  Tel: 08 05 63 16 32