Cell phone plans... je ne parle pas francaise maintenent :((

Your best bet is going to be to wait until you get to France and then go to one of the shops that handles mobile phones. There is a chain called the Phone House, or any of the big hypermarkets does phones. In any event, find someone there who speaks English and can help you.

Trying to sort it at distance over the Internet is going to be a nightmare if you don't speak French. Once you're in France, you can either get someone to go with you, or if you're in Paris, you may be able to find a sales person in the shop that speaks English and will help.
Cheers,
Bev

FT Orange have an English-speaking help-line. Try that.

hils said:

FT Orange have an English-speaking help-line. Try that.

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You won't get an impartial advice - just hard sell by commission-driven sales force.

Joppa said:

You won't get an impartial advice - just hard sell by commission-driven sales force.

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Possibly, but at least you'll have some info in a language you understand.

\h

Orange has a one year plan, and so do other service providers. Most of them do not advertise for it (as they prefer to rip you off with 24 month contract). Ask for it and compare prices.

Local mobile phone shops might your best best as you would find english speakers and they would be delighted to assist (not more the 20 mn). Large Service providers customers platforms monitor their staff very tightly : each salesperson has to conclude a sale in less than 15 mn. If not they could be fired. If you want general advice, they will give you a brochure to get rid of you.

You might also find reliable sources of information and advice in supermarkets (Auchan, Carrefour, ...) and home appliances supermarkets (Darty, Saturn, Pro & Cie, ... ) found in most suburbs and shopping malls.

Orange offer is here (in French)
http://www.orange.fr/bin/frame.cgi?...ge/high/v2_reperes_mobile/reperes_mobile.html

I would say go to a local store (Orange, SFR, etc.), and see if you can find someone who speaks English. I went to the local mall here in Nantes, lucked out, and one of the salespeople at SFR spoke English. I told him what I was looking for and I was in and out of there in 10 minutes. Now I was only looking for a mobi carte, so that's not too complicated, but just go to the store.

2 yr plans w/orange

chicagoan said:

I am still learning french and haven't quite got the hang of it yet.
The websites for all the telecom operators are in French and I am clueless as to what to do and how to hunt for the right plans. I managed to decipher a bit of Orange's plans, but they all seem to be 2 year plans... I am looking for a 1 year plan with unlimitied data, preferrably w a smart phone... anyone can suggest something?

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I found out the hard way and have been signed up with Orange for a 2 yr plan when I didn't want one. I was trying to get my blackberry on a decent unlimited plan.... forget it as it does not seem to exisit. I am of no help except to confirm your intuition.

yes, I just found out online that Orange's unlimited data plans are very limited

does anyone know if SFR or Bou have really unlimited plans?

chicagoan said:

yes, I just found out online that Orange's unlimited data plans are very limited

does anyone know if SFR or Bou have really unlimited plans?

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SFR has unlimited data plans with only 1 year of commitment - but the prices strike me as pretty outrageous. These plans start at about 50€ a month with only 1 or 2 hours a month of phone time. (Though admittedly, that's only outgoing calls. You aren't charged for incoming here like in the US.)

There are some minor discounts (5 - 10%) if you are a student or under age 26. Details are here: Les Forfaits SFR, téléphones portables et mobiles : SFR

Then go down to the bottom of the page where it says FORFAIT ILLIMYTHICS 3G+ FULL INTERNET

Cheers,
Bev