Alexis Goldberg of the FranceBuyingGuide.com helps readers with their questions about buying and living in France. If you need a question answering, email france@overseasguidescompany.com

 

We’ve recently moved from the UK to Charente in France, just east of Confolens. We are very nearly settled in but are still undecided as to which provider to choose for our internet and telephone lines? Please can you help? We would like to know who are the best value and most reliable service providers. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Where to start? There are now several telephone and internet providers operating across France. Although some smaller villages still await broadband connection, the vast majority are up and running so you shouldn’t face any problems obtaining a decent package.

Here is a list of some of the more major providers, all of whom offer an internet, telephone and TV package:

• “Alice” used to be known as Tiscali . They are a relatively large company who offer several options depending on your needs – most of which require signing a contract. You can have a look at all the available packages on their website www.aliceadsl.fr.
• SFR is another large company but unlike Alice, they don’t require you to sign a minimum contract. Many French towns have an SFR shop so it’s a good idea to pop in and have a chat with someone about what they can provide. You can also visit their website www.adsl.sfr.fr.
• Orange is the largest company in France and the one which we have chosen to go with. We have what is called a “Livebox” for which we pay approximately €35 per month. This includes full internet service and an hour’s worth of free telephone calls to international numbers. We’re happy with this and think it’s a pretty good deal! Again you will find Orange shops in most French towns or you can visit their website www.hpp.orange.fr.
• There is now a UK provider for French expats. I haven’t tested their service but you may want to enquire as to what they offer. Their website is www.uktelecom.uk.net and their phone number is 0805 631 632.

As I said at the start, in addition to internet and phone lines, these companies offer TV packages. I would advise you to grab yourself a copy of The Connexion, the English language newspaper and look for adverts posted by people who can install your Freeview TV box and put up your satellite dish. Sometimes something that seems so complicated when explained in French will all become clear when you hear it from a fellow countryman. Confolens is such a lovely area and I do wish you luck with your move. I sincerely hope this has been of some help to you.

For details of properties for sale in France, visit the French listings on Rightmove Overseas. One way to save money when buying in France, or moving there, is to use a currency specialist when transferring your pounds into euros to complete the purchase of your property. For more information on this, contact Smart Currency Exchange.

To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in France, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘France Property Buying Guide’