Cheapest way of accessing internet in France...

WoodyAllenJesus

Hello All, I'm brand new here so please be gentle

This is sort of an internet/phone crossover so I tried to place in most relevant forum.

I currently spend 3+ months of the year in France and have a need for internet there. I've looked into cost of installing internet over there and it would cost some vast sum to get a line installed and then something ridiculous like 60 euros per month for line rental and wi-fi. I don't want to pay this when I'm not even there for most of the year.

So I am wondering if I can sort something out via phone/3g. As I understand it there are a few options:

1) Use my current contracted phone (vodafone) and pay for the European Data Traveller option which I believe is £10 per month. I assume I would have to pay this every month regardless of whether I was using it or not, once I bought this option. My contract is now due for upgrade anyway. The data limit is 25mb per day.

2) Buy a French pay-as-you-go Sim and use that to access internet. I have no idea how much data I would get for my money and I would appreciate it if anyone has done this if they could let me know so I can compare it with option 1. I've got a spare phone I just need to unlock it to all networks (assume it will then be usable on French networks?)

3) Similar to option 1 but use my contracted phone to access it as and when I need it. £1 per MB per day up to 5MB, then £5 per 5MB after that. I don't think this is viable as I have done this in the past and run up huge bills

4) Get a price plan of 1200+ free minutes and I think European Data Traveller (option 1) is free (though I'm not clear on this)

5) Switch to alternative provider for a better deal?? I'm totally happy to do this.

If anyone can offer me their experience of getting internet whilst travelling in France I'd be all ears :)Many thanks

macman

The cheapest way would be to use local free wi-fi services over there, if available.
The more convenient option would be to buy a French dongle and use that on a PAYG basis, assuming that you can get a 3G signal at the required location.