The big cities in France have a highly developed and competitive internet system. In rural areas it’s less developed and much less competitive.
What’s dégroupage?
Dégroupage is the French term for ‘degrouped’, in this sense it means that companies other than France Télécom (Orange) can connect your telephone line. Most cities and towns in France are degrouped, while small villages and rural areas aren’t and must use France Télécom for their phone line. If you live in an area that is not degrouped and you want to go with someone other than Orange, you will need to pay €16 per month for your phone line.
So what are my options?
Orange (France Télécom)
France’s formerly public telecoms company. They offer internet, television and telephone service for €39.90 per month. On top of this you need to add €3 to rent your router and €49 up front as caution.
Internet – 18 mbps
Television – up to 75 channels
Telephone – Free to French metropolitan landlines. Calls to mobiles, DOM/TOM, and abroad will cost extra.
Why? They’re everywhere, and if you’re in an area that isn’t degrouped, you may not have much of a choice.
Why not? Too expensive, and international phone calls aren’t included.
Neufbox (from SFR)
Degrouped areas: Internet + television + telephone = €29.90 per month.
Non-degrouped: Internet + telephone: €34.90 per month
Internet: 20 mbps
Television: 130 channels
Telephone: Free to landlines in France and over 90 countries.
Why? Comfort of a large company, and less expensive than Orange.
Why not? Not as fast as some other companies, fewer channels than others, fewer countries for free landlines.
Alice
Internet + television + telephone = €29.95 per month.
Internet: 28 mbps in degrouped areas, otherwise 22 mbps
Television: 150 channels
Telephone: Free to landlines in France and 87 other areas (including certain DOM)
Why? Offer looks interesting. Also decent customer service when setting up the service.
Why not? Quality of network is poor. CNN isn’t included, and BBC World News isn’t even offered.
Free
Internet + television + telephone = €29.99 per month.
Internet: 28 mbps
Television: 150 channels included, 150 others optional (CNN and BBC World will cost €0.25 per month each)
Telephone: Free to landlines in 100 countries, including France.
Why? Large range of services included, others on option.
Why not? A bit technical to set up.
Numericable
Internet + television + telephone = €31.90 per month.
Internet: between 30-100 mbps
Television: at least 120 channels included, other packages available.
Telephone: Free to landlines in over 50 countries.
Why? You want your internet fast. Numericable is big on fibre optic internet, which is gradually being rolled out in major French cities.
Why not? Limited television choices. Fewer countries included in telephone service.
