INTERNET

In recent years, the number of subscribers to high-speed Internet ADSL has grown rapidly. France now has a large number of Internet providers offering a wide variety of packages and special offers.

Teleconnect caters to the expat community by offering all its customer and technical services in English. Its high-speed Internet service, AngloPack, comes with 2 hours of free digital calls per month to the UK, US, Canada, Ireland and Australia, as well as competitive rates for regular long-distance calls.

GETTING CONNECTED

First of all, you need to establish whether you live in a 'degrouped' area. If you're in one of the few remaining zones that are non-dégroupées, you can get ADSL service but not at the highest speeds. To find out the status of your phone line, you can consult the telephone authority's dégroupage map.

In some areas, you still need to set up a phone line with France Télécom before you can get Internet. You can then sign up with any high-speed Internet provider, but be aware that it may take several weeks to set up.

A number of broadband Internet providers now offer packages that deliver phone service, Internet access and digital TV through your phone line.

The Ariase website (in French) offers a detailed comparison of services and pricing for the various Internet, broadband, cable, satellite and digital television services available.