Internet connection advice

[Fred]

I'm looking for advice on internet connection. At the moment I'm stuck with dial-up, but we are looking at moving to where it is available.

So what can you tell me about about getting connected?

I would like:

• Fast internet connection.
  
• WIFI so I can use internet without cables in the house.
  
• Phone preferably keep same number.
  
• Be able to use phone and internet at the same time.
  
• Use two computers at the same time.
  
• Unlimited connection time.
  
• Unlimited upload/download.
  
• Occasional phone calls to France land line & mobiles.
  
• About 1 hour a week phone call to the UK.
  

T.V is not needed as we only watch UK

Do we have to stay with ORANGE or can we go elsewhere?
Do we rent or buy the necessary equipment?
Rough idea of costs?

Any information or advice please.

Thanks.

[Admiral]

Not asking for much then.......

Actually Teleconnect tick all your boxes plus they offer unlimited free calls to the UK. Of course they're not "free" because you pay a small subscription for them but nothing compared to the actual cost if you make quite a few UK calls.

You don't rent the modem from them. It's their property and if you cancel they want it back.

Average cost is about €38 a month for everything you're looking for. BUT....if they test your phone line and discover you're out of broadband range then end of story....

You don't live in the middle of a converted haystack do you?

Trying to be helpful for once, why not try Lewis Edginton as a starting point in your quest? He runs Edge Informatique shop in Lathus - opposite the disused bar on the Le Dorat road and is more than well up on everything computer. His number is 05 35 54 14 54. And yes he is English with fluent French. If, for some reason he can't help, he'll know a man who can. Nice guy.

PS: Don't give up your France Telecom landline. I know too many people who've signed it over to other, cheaper, providers and if anything goes wrong FT don't want to know and you're left 'phoneless.

[Fred]

Actually Teleconnect tick all your boxes plus they offer unlimited free calls to the UK. Of course they're not "free" because you pay a small subscription for them but nothing compared to the actual cost if you make quite a few UK calls.

You don't rent the modem from them. It's their property and if you cancel they want it back.

Average cost is about €38 a month for everything you're looking for.

Thanks Admiral, I had a look at their site and it said €31.90 a month with 120 minutes of calls €5 more for unlimited. Though phone calls are not important as we only use 30 minutes every other week.

So that would be 31.90 + €16.90 line from Orange = €48.80 a month.

BUT....if they test your phone line and discover you're out of broadband range then end of story....

You don't live in the middle of a converted haystack do you?

At the moment we do live in a haystack and can only get dial-up, so I can't put the number in yet till we get a new line somewhere else. Hence me asking for advice / opinions.

Trying to be helpful for once, why not try Lewis Edginton as a starting point in your quest? He runs Edge Informatique shop in Lathus - opposite the disused bar on the Le Dorat road and is more than well up on everything computer. His number is 05 35 54 14 54. And yes he is English with fluent French. If, for some reason he can't help, he'll know a man who can. Nice guy.

Thanks will keep it handy, though I like to try and go it alone if possible.

PS: Don't give up your France Telecom landline. I know too many people who've signed it over to other, cheaper, providers and if anything goes wrong FT don't want to know and you're left 'phoneless.

Good tip thank you, I must admit I'm thinking of staying with them at the moment. Not that I want to, but if you have to keep your line with them I'm thinking I may as well keep it all with them.

Just checked on the Orange website and their Livebox Zensounds like it could do the job €28.90 + €16.90 line = €45.80

But still open to suggestions if anyone has more, or comments for/against staying with Orange.

Thanks.

[Admiral]

Another useless bit of bit of goss re broadband interweb connections....

I've recently heard tales of several people, who also live in haystacks, who have kept their France Telecom 'phone line AND receive broadband via a satellite dish.

Quite how this works, who installs it and how much it costs, I haven't a clue.

My investigations continue.....but they ain't easy

[Fred]

Receive broadband via a satellite dish.

Someone near us tried it and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Very expensive and although it starts off fast it ends up slower than dial-up, he also said it often stopped working do to weather conditions.

[Admiral]

Receive broadband via a satellite dish.

Someone near us tried it and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Very expensive and although it starts off fast it ends up slower than dial-up, he also said it often stopped working do to weather conditions.

Oops. Told you it was potentially useless info.

[Fred]

Oops. Told you it was potentially useless info.

No it's not useless info, it's sharing. That's what it's all about, just because I don't like it doesn't mean you have to dislike it.

I don't like wearing Red Rupert Trousers, but you do.

[Admiral]

Oops. Told you it was potentially useless info.

No it's not useless info, it's sharing. That's what it's all about, just because I don't like it doesn't mean you have to dislike it.

I don't like wearing Red Rupert Trousers, but you do.

You keep away from my Rupert Bear trousers. I like them as a way of repelling wasps etc. In fact I've been told I look a vision of loveliness in them. OK, probably by someone on day release but.............

[Clubby]

Receive broadband via a satellite dish.

Someone near us tried it and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Very expensive and although it starts off fast it ends up slower than dial-up, he also said it often stopped working do to weather conditions.

Hmm, hoped this was going to be a good option. Better rethink !

[Fred]

Hmm, hoped this was going to be a good option. Better rethink !

Hello Clubby, if you put your phone number in this website: https://www.degrouptest.com/ it will tell you what's available for you.

* It's up to you but I just put my phone number and Untick the box's so as not to get pestered by sales offers. Also when you click "TESTER" a window now pops up asking which one you want, go for "DegroupTest" you will probably get another window with some other offer just close it and the test will begin. Scroll down and you will see what is available.

Hope it helps.