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Free Mobile data theft: clients in France warned to look out for scams

The mobile phone provider was hit by a major cyber attack in October

France to trial 'no mobile phones' in 200 secondary schools

The scheme could be rolled out to all collèges if successful

Options and rates for prepaid SIM cards in France as Bouygues cards end

You can transfer your old phone number to a new operator. We look at the options

magazine

France starts to phase out 2G and 3G networks

Older mobiles and devices face becoming obsolete as operators wind down older technology

Push to reduce 200 more no-reception phone zones in France

A total of 200 sites are covered by a new decree. You can search a full list online to see if your area is included

French mobile phone contracts drop in price: Should you switch?

Tariffs can vary hugely between networks, but the more expensive deals often include more ‘extras’

This quick step could stop cold calls to your French mobile

Tool can generate a letter to prevent your data being passed on by network operators

Cheap French phone contract options

4G no contract deals and pay-as-you-go offers are available from €2

France’s 5G network is faster than in US, Japan and UK, claims study

The country came top of G7 countries for mobile internet speed for the second year in a row

Can I call the emergency services in France with a UK mobile phone?

It is important to know how to call the emergency services in France, so we review how to do so with a UK phone

Free, Orange, SFR: which mobile operator best covers France?

See also how to find the best coverage in your area

Where can I safely dispose of my old mobile phone in France?

Learn about the various environmentally conscious methods available in France for disposing of your old mobile phone

Another UK company brings in mobile roaming fees for clients in France

EE will now charge pay-as-you-go customers to use their smartphones in France and elsewhere in the EU

We prefer no phone masts in our unspoilt French valley – and no signal

Villagers say they will continue to oppose masts in the Alpine beauty spot and use walkie-talkies instead

Will France’s FR-Alert warning system work with foreign phones?

In case of a serious incident such as a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, people could receive a warning notification under this new system. We explain how it works

5G antennas in France do not present risk to health, agency confirms

The update comes after the French health authority’s report said the same in April

How can I find the internet speed potential of our home in France?

A new online tool lets you search the search the internet speed for any property in the country

Will Brexit mean mobile roaming fees for UK-France travel?

Several UK and French mobile operators have stated that they will not introduce extra roaming charges for people travelling between the countries after the Brexit transition period.

How did the French government get my phone number?

Millions of people have received an SMS encouraging them to download the Covid-19 tracing application

Will French mobile companies reintroduce UK roaming fees post-Brexit?

Two of the UK providers are bringing back charges for some customers - we look in reverse at what Orange, Free and other French firms plan

Mobile network SFR confirms major outage in large French cities

The network responded to complaints and reports from users that the service was ‘down’, but did not reveal the source of the problem and has not yet officially confirmed a fix

Orange launches commitment-free French mobile contracts

New offer is aimed at customers who do not want to commit to a phone contract for 12 months

Leasing deals take some of sting out of smartphone costs in France

Leasing has been a popular way to get a new car in the UK and other countries for years, and telephone operators in France are now also following suit

Vodafone’s new £2 a day roaming fees to hit customers visiting France

New and upgrading users will be charged from January 2022 as mobile operator joins competitor EE in bringing back fees

UK phone operator brings back roaming fees, will French firms do same?

UK-based EE says it will charge £2 a day for new customers travelling in the EU and some other European countries from January. This is possible due to the UK no longer being bound by EU rules

France’s 5G rollout presents no new risks to health, agency finds

The government is aiming to have the mobile technology functioning in 3,000 places by the end of 2022

French study finds 5G increases risk to climate

Deployment of the new mobile internet technology is likely to cause a 'significant increase' in greenhouse gas emissions, an independent climate council has found

Best and worst prices for fibre internet in France revealed

Comparison site Ariase has revealed the highest and lowest internet prices in France, with over €10 difference in monthly costs between providers

96% of France now covered by at least one 4G operator

As well as 76% of the territory now having access to 4G via all four of France’s main operators

Orange to launch 5G next week in 15 French cities

Nice became the first city in France to have the new technology when SFR launched its services last week

France switches on 5G, but mobile white zones remain

Since 2018, some 2,066 so-called 'white zones', where there is little or no mobile phone coverage, have been identified

France to increase safety tests on 5G waves

The aim is to reassure the public and local officials before technology is rolled out across country.

France to release ‘more interactive’ StopCovid app

The new track and trace app is being launched in France on October 22 after only 2.6 million people downloaded the first version.

Lille issues ‘moratorium’ on 5G technology

Lille mayor Martine Aubry has confirmed a moratorium on the controversial technology pending a 2021 report on its possible implications for health

France begins 5G mobile technology frequency roll out

France has today (September 29) opened up billions of euros worth of more 5G frequencies to mobile phone operators, as the country starts rolling out the controversial technology.

Macron: France ‘will adopt 5G’ as a ‘country of innovation’

France “will adopt” 5G and will continue to be a “country of innovation”, French President Emmanuel Macron has said, hitting back at critics of the new technology who would rather an “Amish model”, he said.

4G coverage for French communes with no reception delayed

The roll-out of 4G mobile coverage across France has been hit by delays due to Covid-19, says a consumer watchdog – and there are fears that 5G is being rushed in.

Better phone signal in France: Is your town on 2020’s list?

The French government has published an official list of communes across the country that are set to receive improved mobile phone signal coverage - including 4G - by the end of 2020.

Dozens of 5G antennas vandalised in France during lockdown

Dozens of 5G antennas have been vandalised across France, including four in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne, Occitanie) in recent weeks, with the damage attributed to anarchist groups, amid wider scepticism of 5G.

Covid contact tracing app: a risk to rights?

An official opt-in phone app to trace whether you have had contact with someone infected with Covid-19 is under review. Some say the risks are too high if rushed in

French App in focus - WeWard

WeWard: the app that pays you to walk

Cross-border banking is a mobile app away

SMS phone location system to launch in France

An enhanced mobile phone location system that will automatically transmit a caller’s location to emergency services is to launch in France before the end of the year.

Why are calls to mobiles cheaper?

My French mobile phone company has reduced the cost of calls to UK mobiles. Is this due to an EU law? G.S.

French NGOs demand stop to ‘out of control’ 5G network

A group of French NGOs is calling for a moratorium on the rolling out of new super-fast mobile phone cellular network 5G in France, saying it could cause “out of control” consequences for society.

French SMS scam targets online shoppers

Phishing scam tells people who have just purchased something online that they need to pay VAT to avoid customs charges

Drivers in France warned over phone use while driving

Drivers in France are being warned over using their mobile phone while driving, with rising numbers of motorway accidents being linked to illegal mobile use while on the road.

‘Difficult to apply’ new no-phone French driving law

A new law which would mean a suspended licence for drivers committing an offence while using a mobile phone will be difficult to apply, say lawyers.

5G mobile revolution is launched in France

The super-fast next-generation 5G mobile phone network is to launch in France next year.

Drivers using phones in France may risk losing licence

Drivers in France who are caught using their mobile device while driving could soon face losing their licence with immediate effect.

New app for reporting issues in Paris sparks criticism

A new smartphone app from the Mairie of Paris is enabling residents to report problems around the city, despite criticism that it is encouraging “denunciation” behaviour.

What changes in France in September

Minor changes this month include another rise in gas prices, no more halogen bulbs, a mobile phone ban in schools, and a new mandatory training course for drone pilots aged 14 and up

Google fined billions for 'abusing Android dominance'

Internet giant to appeal against massive European Commission fine

Billed for not using phone

Orange recalls phone over radiation concerns

Budget flip phone exceeded European limits on electromagnetic radiation levels

Metrowide 4G delayed until 2019

Technical difficulties have meant roll out of 4G service across Paris Metro are three years behind schedule

‘Free’ mobile 4G service is not so free

The appealing offer comes at a non-quantifiable price

New pledge to get rid of mobile blackspots

Plans to enable mobile access everywhere go ahead

Late-running 3G on RER...

Statement causes mockery

Deal over nationwide 4G coverage

Government and big four telecoms firms reach agreement on three-year plan to ensure universal 4G coverage

Smartphone and internet use in France soars

Smartphones are the number one device in France and are growing fast, with over three quarters of French people said to own one and use it to go online almost daily, a new study shows.

Smartphones make forests easy to use

Toulouse Metro to get full 4G coverage within a month

Following €10m investment, Rose City will be the first in France with full mobile coverage on its underground lines and stations

Fair trade reaches mobile phone market

It's easy to repair and is made using sustainable raw materials

No signal? Just 60% of France gets good coverage

Just 60% of France has “very good mobile phone coverage”, according to analysis of a new website showing which mobile phone companies offer the best signal.

Revealed: Quality of mobile coverage in your area

Telecoms watchdog Arcep launches interactive map that it says shows genuine mobile coverage levels across country accurate to 50m