Telephone & Internet in France

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Telephone & Internet in France

France Télécom is the dominant national supplier of landline telephone lines, cellular telephone, Internet packages and TV. France Télécom services are supplied by Orange.

English-speaking Service

France Télécom/Orange has an English-speaking customer service helpline open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00. Calls are free of charge from a France Télécom landline:

• Tel (from France):  09 69 36 39 00
• Tel (from abroad): 0033 969 36 39 00 / (0800 364 775 number is being phased out)
  • Press 1 for Commercial support
  • Press 2 for Technical support (Please note: this service is for broadband problems including ADSL, TV and telephone, but not for France Telecom line-related problems)

Getting Connected: Telephone

To have a domestic landline telephone installed, connected or reconnected, apply at the local France Télécom office or Freecall: 1014. 

• To find a local agency use the search box and enter France Télécom under "Quoi, Qui" and the name of the nearest main town under "Ou" in the French Yellow Pages: Pages Jaunes 

When requesting a line installation or connection the following are required:

• Proof of identification
• Proof of address: a recent electricity bill, a tax bill or a rental contract

If a property has a line installed, the account can be transferred to the name of the new occupant; re-connection can be arranged.

Bills (factures) include VAT (TVA) at 19,6%, and are sent every two months. They can be paid by direct debit, in cash at a post office, by cheque or TIP (Titre Interbancaire de Paiement) or online.

Registration for online payments requires the France Télécom client number printed at the top of an invoice, and a RIB from the back or ATM. Payments can be made monthly or bi-monthly by credit card.

• Interactive map to find address and contacts of local France Télécom agency: Click here

Second home in France

A landline telephone service in a second property or holiday home (résidence secondaire) can be made temporarily dormant in times of absence. This service is available regardless of whether the principal residence is in France or not. 

Temporary line suspension: In order to qualify for the second home line service (service ligne résidence secondaire) it is essential to: 

1. Have a permanent subscription (Abonnement Principal) with France Telecom. 
2. Prove that it is a second home (this can be done with an insurance contract or tax document indicating the main address, or through proof of residence abroad).

A request is made for temporary suspension of the line (this does not affect Internet service - payment for that will continue, although it won't be usable while the line is suspended). There will be no charge for subscription fees, other service rental charges may apply. The service can be suspended for one to 12 months, and up to six times a year. Calls can be forwarded overseas.

• To deactivate or reactivate the service, call giving instructions at least 48 hours before departure/arrival
  Tel: 1014 or 3000 
• Further information: Click here (in French)
• For information on call forwarding: Click here (in French)

Getting Connected: Internet

• See this AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Getting an Internet Connection in France & Service Providers

Handy Numbers

• The Orange website (in French) has comprehensive information on all services: Click here

A number of telecoms companies provide landline services. These are often part of an Internet package and may include telephone, Internet and digital television. Prices vary from one company to another and depend on the chosen package. In most cases it is possible to subscribe online, by telephone or at one of the customer services centres or shops. 

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Getting an Internet Connection in France & Service Providers

Telephone Directories

Every year the Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes) directory of businesses and the White Pages (Pages Blanches) directory of private numbers are issued by the post office. In most regions these phone books are delivered to the door. The directories are organised alphabetically by town/village name. Find the appropriate town first, and then look for the name or service in that town.

Online directories

• Use the Yellow Pages to find businesses and services: Pages Jaunes 
• To find private numbers or addresses use the Pages Blanches 

Opt-out preferences (sales and marketing calls) 

France Telecom/Orange provides an opt-out register where a telephone subscriber can register their preference to not receive unsolicited telesales or marketing calls. This is the Liste Orange. 

• For information on Liste Orange: Click here (in French)
• To subscribe (souscrire) to the free service complete the formulaire de souscription: Click here enter the telephone number concerned as well as an email address and contact number 

Note: This service is only available to France Telecom/Orange subscribers. It is not available to (for example) subscribers of Neuf or Free.

Being Unlisted or Ex-directory

There are two ex-directory/unlisted options which can be subscribed to. Both are free services and registration can be made online by entering the number concerned, along with an email address and contact telephone number.

1. The Liste Rouge removes all details of a subscriber's telephone number from the directories issued by Orange, both printed and online. Additionally the telephone number will not be divulged by telephone number services. 
   • For more information on Liste Rouge: Click here (in French)
2. The Liste Chamois removes details of the telephone number from the directories by Orange but it can still be communicated to the emergency services and by directory enquiries companies: 
   • For more information on Liste Rouge: Click here (in French)

Mobile Telephones

France operates on a GSM network. Mobile telephones that are not GSM compatible may not work in France.

There are numerous types of mobile telephone subscription. Subscriptions are taken out for a minimum duration, usually 12 or 24 months, depending on the offer. Subscriptions are automatically extended on expiry. Bills are paid monthly by direct debit.

There are also prepaid offers available, or pay as you go, which do not require a subscription. After buying the prepaid card, calls can be made immediately. Prepaid cards are sold in many shops, supermarkets, bar-tabac and newsstands (presse).

The main mobile telephone providers are

• Bouygues Telecom
• Orange
• SFR

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Getting an Internet Connection in France & Service Providers
• UK Telecom has a comprehensive booklet on French telephone and Internet (in English) available for download: Click here

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