In France, with the privatization of telephony, the telephone physical network became the property of France Telecom. However, many Telephony Service Providers may offer their interconnect service over these lines.  Any Internet Service Provider can do the same. So, you can have as many as three subscriptions: one from France Telecom for the physical connection, another from a Telephony Service Supplier and a third from an Internet Service Provider.

Also, degroupage (literally ungrouping) is common in the large cities. So, when you ask an ISP, you are likely to get a package deal that includes telephony and you need not contact France Telecom.

When you want only a telephone line, you must go to the France Telecom office closest to your home. The various addresses are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone directory. When you arrive, go to the accueil (reception desk), and tell them you would like a new service or that you have a problem with your telephone. There is usually someone in the office that speaks English.

You will then be asked to  wait in the reception area for a representative. It is not unusual to have to wait 20-30 minutes. If you feel confortable enough with your French, you can call customer service at 0800 10 14 31 (or 1014 if you call from a telephone). In case of a problem with your line, call 0800 10 13 31, (or 1013 if you call from home).

Hint: When subscribing to any service that requires a recurrent payment, such as Fixed or Mobile Telephony, or DSL interconnect, or Gas, you are wise to opt for Direct Debiting by your bank (called prelevement automatique) for  service payment. If you ever miss a payment by check, your service will be discontinued and you will need to battle with the after-sales service to get it reconnected, which is highly unadvised! Direct Debiting will require you to sign your contract as well as supply bank information (of the checking account to be debited), which is typically supplied on your RIB. The RIB is typically attached to your check-book or, perhaps, bank statement and contains all pertinent information regarding your bank account. (It is therefore also useful when making international transfers to your account.)

Now that you have a telephone line, you can chose your Service Providers. You need not take France Telecom. For national, long distance and international calls, you may want to research alternate solutions. Many price-competitive companies are available such as CEGETEL, TELE2 (le 4) and BUDGET TELECOM — which can all be found on the Web. There are no subscription fees for these services, and you only pay if you use them.

Notice also that the cheaper all-in-one packages  (telephony, Internet, etc.) work over an Internet Protocol. Budget Telecom works over the established telephone network. The quality of the communication can differ on the Internet, depening upon the time of day.

You can also chose the equipment you wish to use, from France Telecom or any other supplier of certified compatible telephone equipment  (such as the handset, a fax, a DSL connection).

For DSL connection, there are also a number of ISPs available. However, as regards DSL, do be careful of the following. DSL interconnect is distance dependent. This means that the speed decreases with distance from the local telephone switch. This is not a great problem in larger cities, but in the countryside it does get problematic. If you are thinking of living in the suburbs or even farther out in a small village, be sure to ask (at the City Hall) where the telephone switch is, called a Centrale Téléphonique.  If the distance between your prospective residence and the switch is more than 5 kilometers, you are likely to have a diminished Internet speed.

FRANCE TELECOM-CERTIFIED TELEPHONES AND FAXES

Although telephones and faxes can be brought from the USA and will work in France, using a voltage adapter, there are French regulations concerning the use of “foreign” telephones and faxes. A green sticker marked agréé, affixed to the base of the telephone, means that it is France Telecom-certified and therefore meets French regulations.

Should you have a problem with your telephone line requiring service and you are not using certified telephones, you could be subject to a fine and possibly be held liable for any damage caused to the telephone network. For UK telephone equipment, it is difficult to source the necessary adapter plug, so it is often considered simpler to buy French equipment in France.

CONNECTING YOUR TELEPHONE SERVICE

If you are having a new telephone line installed by France Telecom, you must bring the following information when ordering your service:
• Some form of formal identification such as a passport or carte de séjour
• Proof of residency such as an electric bill or rental or lease contract
• The number of telephone(s) and the style(s) you would like. (You have the option of providing your own telephones if they have a France Telecom-certified agréé sticker).

You will be asked:
• Whether you would like to be listed in the annuaire (telephone directory) or wish to be liste rouge (unlisted number).
• Whether you want a Minitel, a computer terminal useful for obtaining a wide variety of information. (See “Minitel”, page 51).
• Where you would like your billing sent and the payment method you prefer (check or a bank debit). (See Chapter 11: “Banking”, Relevé d’Identité Bancaire section). If you would like a facture détaillée (itemized bill) that lists all calls, request it at this time, as calls are not usually itemized; this service is free-of-charge.

Installation will take a few days. Costs for the installation vary according to whether the housing is new or has been vacated for less/more than two months. Billing is every two months and includes the cost of equipment rental and the summary cost of all calls. Calls are not itemized unless you request a facture détaillée (itemized bill); this service is free of charge.

Annuaires (telephone directories) are issued yearly, usually in late November or early December. If you live in Toulouse, your directory may be delivered to your home by the Post Office. If you live in the suburbs, you will receive a letter telling you when and where to collect your new directory (usually the local Post Office). Take the letter and the old directory to the Post Office and you will be given a new directory in exchange.

DISCONNECTING YOUR TELEPHONE SERVICE

To disconnect your service, send a letter to the Service Commercial (listed on your billing statement) and advise them of the date when you want service to stop. To ensure that there is no misunderstanding, it is a good idea to send your request registered with an avis de réception, which is the equivalent of a return receipt. You may find that it is easier to visit the agency directly to terminate service. Remember to take your most recent telephone bill with you. If you are moving to another area in France, you may ask for a recording free-of-charge that states your new number when the old number is dialed.

CABINES TELEPHONIQUES (PAY TELEPHONES)

There are three types of pay telephones commonly found in France: 1) those that only accept coins (becoming quite rare), 2) those that only accept a télécarte (described below), and 3) phones that accept either a télécarte or debit/credit card such as carte bleue or VISA (most common). The booth will be marked to tell you what it accepts. If you do not have a télécarte, you can usually find a point phone (coin phones) in cafés and restaurants. A coin telephone can only return the coins you place in the slot which weren’t used. (For example, if you place two 0,50€ coins in the telephone for a call that costs 0,30€, you will receive one 0,50€ coin change. Had a 1,00€ coin been used, no change would have been returned.) See page 52 for a translation of the instructions that commonly appear on-screen.

You can place a collect call by dialing 3006, but the system is automated and speaks French. Basically you have to enter the number you wish to call and while it rings through it will ask you for your name which it records for use in the message the recipient will hear when asked to approve the call.

Télécartes (Telephone Cards)
Télécartes (telephone cards) can be used in most public telephone booths. A télécarte can be purchased at France Telecom offices, post offices, tabacs, presses and anywhere you see a sign “télécarte en vente ici” (“télécarte on sale here”). They are available in 50- or 120-unit denominations; one unit is comparable to one local call. Cards are disposable (and even collectable) when all units are used. For maximum convenience, it is recommended that you carry a télécarte with you at all times; you may also want to give one to your kids as well. Télécartes are easy to use – just follow these instructions:

Vocabaulary for using a télécarte, carte bleue or VISA in a pay phone:

Décrochez  ……………………………………………………… Pick up the receiver
Introduire carte ou faire numéro libre ………………….. Insert the card, face up (note the direction of the arrow) or dial a toll-free number
Fermez le volet SVP  ………………………………………… Close the door/flap over the card. (This message seldom appears, as phones now have a slot into which the card is inserted)
Solde: xx unités  ………………………………………………. The calling units remaining on the card
Numéroter  ………………………………………………………. Dial the number or toll free number
Numéro appelé  ……………………………………………….. The number dialed appears on screen as well as the number of units remaining on the card
Retirez la carte  ……………………………………………….. Remove your card.

TELEPHONING IN FRANCE

To make calls within France, dial the 10-digit telephone number directly. The first two digits are, in fact, area codes. The area code for the greater Paris area is 01, with the four other area codes (located in approximate geographical regions): 02 northwest, 03 northeast, 04 southeast and 05 southwest. Mobile phones, regardless of province, begin with 06.

Vocabulary – Telephone Conversation

Toll free call (green number)  ………………………………………………………… Numéro vert
I wish to call collect.  …………………………………………………………… ……..  Je voudrais téléphoner en P.C.V.
Could you tell me how much that costs? …………………………………………  Pourriez vous me dire combien ça coûte ?
Can I dial direct? …………………………………………………………………………   Est-ce une ligne directe ?
I wish to speak with ……………………………………………………………………   Je voudrais parler à . . . .
Could I speak with your wife?  ……………………………………………………..  Pourrriez-vous me passer votre femme ?
When will she be back?  ……………………………………………………………..  Quand sera-t-elle de retour ?
I’ll call again later.  ………………………………………………………………………   Je vous rappellerai plus tard.
What number to you want?  ………………………………………………………..   Quel numéro demandez-vous ?
You have the wrong number.  …………………………………………………….  .Vous vous êtes trompé de numéro.
Excuse me.  ……………………………………………………………………………….. Excusez-moi.
I have made a mistake.  ……………………………………………………………….  Je me suis trompé de numéro.
Would you ask her to call me? ………………………………………………………  Demandez-lui de me rappeler, s’il vous plait.
Would you tell her that I called?  ……………………………………………………  Pouvez-vous lui dire que j’ai appelé?
I am …..  …………………………………………………………………………………….  Je suis …..
They have moved. ……………………………………………………………………..   Ils ont déménagé.
They no longer live here.  …………………………………………………………….  Ils n’habitent plus ici.
Who’s calling please?  ………………………………………………………………..  Qui est à l’appareil, s’il vous plaît?
I can’t hear you.  ………………………………………………………………………..  Je ne vous entends pas.
I can hardly hear you.  ………………………………………………………………..  J’arrive à peine à vous entendre.
Speak up, please.  ……………………………………………………………………..  Parlez plus fort, s’il vous plaît.
I don’t understand.  ……………………………………………………………………  Je ne comprends pas.
What was that?  ……………………………………………………………………….  Je n’ai pas entendu or Comment ?
Would you repeat that, please?  ………………………………………………….  Voulez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît?
Speak slowly please  ………………………………………………………………..   Parlez lentement, s’il vous plaît.
Help me!  …………………………………………………………………………………..  Au secours !
Come quick!  ……………………………………………………………………………..  Venez vite !
Don’t hang up/ Hold on. ……………………………………………………………..    Ne quittez pas.
The line is busy.  ………………………………………………………………………   Le poste/La ligne est occupé.
There’s no answer. ………………………………………………………………….   Ca ne répond pas.
She is just coming. …………………………………………………………………..    Elle arrive.
I’m going to find her.  ………………………………………………………………..   Je vais la chercher.
She is not here.  ………………………………………………………………………   Elle n’est pas la.
She is out.  ……………………………………………………………………………..   Elle est sortie.
She is doing errands.  ………………………………………………………………   Elle fait des courses.
She is at the market. …………………………………………………………………   Elle est au marché.
I heard you and understand.   ……………………………………………………   Entendu.
What is your fax number?  ………………………………………………………..  Quel est votre numéro de fax?

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

When calling from outside the country, drop the first 0 in the 10-digit number and replace it with the country code (33) for France. (For example, to reach “05 61 12 34 56” from the USA, dial “011 33 5 61 12 34 56”.)

Telephoning the UK

To call the Royaume Uni (UK), dial 00 followed by the country code (44) for the UK and then the area code, omitting the first digit (For example, for a number beginning with the area code 01244, dial 00+44+1244, followed by the full telephone number.) Lowest rate calls to the UK are from 21:30-08:00 weekdays, 14:00-08:00 Saturdays and all day Sunday. You cannot dial 01800 freephone numbers from France.

Telephoning the USA

Calling from France to the USA can be more expensive than a call made from the USA to France. Although France Télécom has become more competitive for international calls and even offer some “discount” rate plans, it is recommended to shop around for a long-distance provider (i.e. CEGETEL, TELE2 or BUDGET TELECOM). Price information for calling any country outside France (without using ATT or MCI) can be found in advertisements appearing in newspapers and magazines, as well as on TV and the radio.

When calling the USA, check to see if the rate is timewise variable, or the same 24/24.  Most USA 800 toll-free numbers are now accessible from France; however, the call is not toll-free from outside of the USA and is charged as a normal international call. (There is usually a recorded warning before the call is completed, allowing the caller to hang up if they choose not to be charged for the call).

To the USA, dial	00 1 + area code + 7 digit USA number
To the UK,  dial	00 44 + area code + UK number
Telephone Information in French	12
Reverse Charge Calls (PCV)	10
Information for USA	00 33 12 11
Information for UK	00 33 12 44
English-speaking operator	00 33 12 13    (wait for the French recording to end)

To call American operators from France, dial:

ATT	0 800 99 00 11
MCI / WORLDPHONE	0 800 99 00 19
SPRINT	0 800 99 00 87

If you keep your Provider based in the USA, UK, Germany or elsewhere, the calls will usually be charged at an international calling call rate, which is extremely costly.)

Here below are five traditional Internet providers mentioned below. They will send literature upon request to help you decide which provider will best meet your needs.

Provider	AMERICA ON LINE (AOL)
Language	French link to AOL in the USA
Location of Provider	Access via 08 36 number at local rates
To get connected	Telephone:  01 69 19 94 80 – bilingual
Help line	Telephone:  01 69 19 94 50 – bilingual

 

Provider	COMPUSERVE
Language	French of English
Location of Provider	French  National number
To get connected	Telephone:  08 03 00 60 00 – bilingual
Help line	Telephone:  08 03 00 90 00 – bilingual

Provider	ORANGE (formerly WANADOO)
Language	French
Location of Provider	Toulouse number
To get connected	Telephone:  08 03 83 33 14 – in French
Help line	Telephone:  08 03 83 33 14 – in French

 

Provider	CLUB-INTERNET
Language	French
Location of Provider	French national number
To get connected	Telephone:  08 01 80 09 00
Help line	Telephone:  01 55 45 45 45

 

Provider	WORLDONLINE
Language	French or English
Location of Provider	French national number
To get connected	Telephone:  08 21 07 21 07 – bilingual
Help line	Telephone:  08 21 07 21 07 – bilingual
Web site	www.worldonline.fr

However, the offering of ISPs has expanded greatly, so do not hesitate to shop around. The Newcomers are: TELE2, ALICE, NEUF, DARTY BOX, FREE, NOOS, NUMERICABLE (for cable).

CYBERCAFES

Downtown Toulouse has many cybercafés where you can surf the Web or read your emails while having a drink; (the main post offices in the greater Toulouse area also offer Internet access). Here are a few (check that they are still in business before you go if you can) :
•    Espace Internet Wilson – 76 allées Franklin Roosevelt
•    Resomania – 85 rue Pargaminières
•    Microshop Informatique – 10 rue Gabriel Péri
•    Bloodstation – 42, rue Pargaminières
•    Toulouse Internet Club – 1, rue du Périgord.

MOBILE TELEPHONY

To obtain a mobile telephone, you need only go as far as a local telephone shop in town, or to some supermarkets or, even, just order it over the Internet. There are three main suppliers and, now, a growing number of alternative suppliers as well.

The historical main suppliers are Orange (that belongs to France Telecom), SFR and BOUYGUES. These companies established the present network of mobile telephony in France. However, they have since been required to resell mobile network capacity to other service providers.

Thus, the offering has expanded to: VIRGIN, TELE2, TEN MOBILE, MOBISUD, BREIZH MOBILE, UNIVERSAL, NRJ, NEUF MOBILE, DEBITEL, CORIOLIS and BUDGET TELECOM.

The tariffs are therefore varying and much to complex to explain here. You must simply make the effort to find out which offering suits you best.  Warning: Not all networks are alike in total geographical coverage. Some networks work less well in the countryside.