Internet Service Provider Recommendations

[Coton90]

Our current service contract with Orange will expire soon. I haven't been pleased with them as their advertised "High Speed" connection is anything but and they're unfamiliar with the concept of "customer service".

Last year there were some recommendations for ISPs but this information may no longer be current.

Please indicate who you would recommend and why.

Thanks in advance.

[Ade101]

I use Free.fr and don't have any complaints.

Just done a speed test:

Download Speed: 1138 kbps (142.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 769 kbps (96.1 KB/sec transfer rate)

Anything over 1 mbps is fine for me but obviously this is nowhere near the advertised speeds. The package includes phone and TV for around 30 EUR. I haven't had to call the helpdesk yet so can't comment.

[rynd2it]

Originally Posted by Ade101

I use Free.fr and don't have any complaints.

Just done a speed test:

Download Speed: 1138 kbps (142.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 769 kbps (96.1 KB/sec transfer rate)

Anything over 1 mbps is fine for me but obviously this is nowhere near the advertised speeds. The package includes phone and TV for around 30 EUR. I haven't had to call the helpdesk yet so can't comment.

Interesting - here with Time Warner I get:

Download 25775 kbps (3221.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload 936 kbps (117 KB/sec transfer rate)

Just posting it as a comparison - the speed is OK but Time Warner learned its customer service skills from Ghengis Khan

What does the TV include? How many channels? HD? etc

Thanks, this is a useful thread

David

[Bevdeforges]

You may want to find out if your area is "dégroupé" or not. If it is, you can get Internet service independent of having a phone line (France Telecom, which is Orange) and you can bundle your phone, Internet, mobile phone and television services if you like.

In any event, take a look at SFR and Alice (which is the Italian Telecom). The service side of the various providers varies by region, but SFR seems to have pretty decent customer service (we are a subcontractor for them) and they do set up service appointments pretty quickly.
Cheers,
Bev

[Coton90]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm still in the information collecting phase.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

You may want to find out if your area is "dégroupé" or not. If it is, you can get Internet service independent of having a phone line (France Telecom, which is Orange) and you can bundle your phone, Internet, mobile phone and television services if you like.

In any event, take a look at SFR and Alice (which is the Italian Telecom). The service side of the various providers varies by region, but SFR seems to have pretty decent customer service (we are a subcontractor for them) and they do set up service appointments pretty quickly.
Cheers,
Bev

SFR has been abominable in terms of service. Chat help is always busy, and they have yet to send the installer they promised months ago. They're terrible. Ive spent over 10 hours on hold, and over 7 actually trying to solbve the problem. When the problem still isn't solved, they promise to send someone--and never do, even though thats their big selling point. Stay awa.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Nanook

SFR has been abominable in terms of service. Chat help is always busy, and they have yet to send the installer they promised months ago. They're terrible. Ive spent over 10 hours on hold, and over 7 actually trying to solbve the problem. When the problem still isn't solved, they promise to send someone--and never do, even though thats their big selling point. Stay awa.

As with most things in France, it probably varies by location. As I mentioned, we do installation and repair work for SFR and we (my husband, actually) are sent out pretty much right away when there is a problem. Most repair services in France seem to be sub-contracted out and it very much depends on the sub-contractor, I guess.
Cheers,
Bev

[InspectorClusoe]

It's russian roulette in my experience they are all extememely incompetent. Individuallly everyone knows their job and undoubtedly they have diplomas answering telephones and diplomas in distorting the truth, but collectively its a pile of ... I spent years in a wrangle with one IP company and I have been ripped off by another one but the speed that they offer is good without interruption, I am honestly too tired to change provider.

[Alegria]

I have used freebox too - since August last year- and so far no problems at all. Only complaint is that we do not have access to the TV stations. During the initial connection the help-line was very useful too. Wifi is excellent despite our meter-thick stone walls. About connectivity - I'd give them 9/10.
Margaretha

[Coton90]

Originally Posted by Alegria

I have used freebox too - since August last year- and so far no problems at all. Only complaint is that we do not have access to the TV stations. During the initial connection the help-line was very useful too. Wifi is excellent despite our meter-thick stone walls. About connectivity - I'd give them 9/10.
Margaretha

Hello Margaretha,

You can get TV stations on your computer, e.g Canal +. A popular TV site in the US is HULU. You can't get it with a French ISP address BUT you can get it by using a proxy server. Search Google.

Cheers