Orange is the largest mobile network in France with coverage of 99% of the French population (3G data coverage is 89%). Because Orange is France's largest network, there is never a problem finding somewhere to top up your prepaid balance.
You can easily activate your sim after arrival in France. Upon activation, you will receive your French mobile phone number by text message.
Call charges in France
The standard call rate is €0.50 per minute for calls to landline and mobile phones in France.
SMS text messages to French mobile phones cost €0.12 per message and MMS picture messages to French mobiles cost €0.30 per message. It is free to receive text and picture messages.
It is free to receive calls and text messages.
Your sim card includes €5 credit. This starter credit is valid for 31 days from when you start using your service in France.
International call charges
The standard rate for international calls is €0.48 per minute for calls within Europe and French overseas departments, €0.55 per minute to Canada, USA and North Africa and €1.55 per minute for calls to the rest of the world (including Australia and New Zealand). However there are several ways to reduce the cost of international calls including using the Rebtel app on your phone (see http://www.rebtel.com/u/simcard for more details) or by topping up with the €15 "recharge Monde" top up voucher which gives you 60 minutes of international calls (valid for 20 days).
We recommend that everyone top up with the "recharge Monde" top up voucher unless they use a service like Rebtel or Skype to call home.
International SMS text messages cost €0.28 per message and international MMS picture messages cost €1.10 per message. It is free to receive all SMS and MMS messages, even messages originating from outside France.
Data charges
The standard rate for data access is €0.50 per minute, but if you top up with a recharge internet mobile you can get 500MB data for €10 (or 150MB for €5).
Please note that some services – including tethering and use of VOIP services including Skype and Viber – are not available while using Orange's data network. Of course you will still be able to use Skype or Viber if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network (at your hotel for instance).
Bonus calls, text messages and data
Although call charges don't seem particularly cheap, there are a number of bonuses that reduce the cost of calls and data. These include bonuses when you top up as well as add-on "bons plans" that allow you to add on a bundle of discounted calls, text messages and data.
You can also get a bundle of unlimited calls (plus a small data allowance) if you top up with a recharge Max (as opposed to a recharge classique).
Bonus credit when you top up
When you top up €25 or more you are eligible for bonus credit, starting at €5 extra credit on a €25 top up and increasing to €50 extra credit on a €100 top up.
| Top up | Extra credit | Validity of credit |
|---|---|---|
| €5 | - | 1 week |
| €10 | - | 15 days |
| €15 | - | 1 month |
| €25 | €5 | 2 months |
| €35 | €10 | 3 months |
| €50 | €15 | 4 months |
| €75 | €25 | 4 months |
| €100 | €50 | 5 months |
Top up bonus every month
When you activate your sim card you choose whether you get bonus calls, bonus text messages, bonus data or bonus international calls. Then every month (starting 30 days from your first top up) you get your choice of bonus (calls, texts or data). The value of this bonus varies depending on the value of that month's first top up.
| Top up value | €10 | €20 | €30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus calls | 20 minutes | 40 minutes | 80 minutes |
| Bonus text messages | 100 SMS messages | 200 SMS messages | Unlimited SMS and MMS messages |
| Bonus internet | 1 hour internet access | 2 hours internet access | 4 hours internet access |
| Bonus international | 10 minutes | 20 minutes | 40 minutes |
Bonus calls apply to French landline and mobile phones. Bonus text messages apply to French mobile phones. Bonus international only applies to calls made to Europe and North Africa. Bonuses only apply while using your phone on Orange's network in France.
Because these top up bonuses don't kick in until you have been in France for 30 days, they aren't such a great deal if you are only making a short visit; but these bonuses can save you a lot of money if you are staying several months or longer.
Unlimited calls and text messages with recharge Max
When you top up with a "recharge Max" (as opposed to a "recharge classique") top up voucher you get a bundle of inclusive value including calls, text messages and data. The included value varies according the the value of the top up voucher.
| Top up value | €5 | €10 | €20 | €30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calls and SMS/MMS messages in France | Unlimited SMS text messages | Unlimited calls, SMS text messages and MMS picture messages | ||
| Data | - | - | 150MB | 300MB |
| Validity | 1 week | 1 week | 1 month | 1 month |
Note: When you top up with a recharge Max voucher you are paying for unlimited calls/text messages within a one week/one month period. The value of your recharge Max voucher is not added to your credit balance.
Orange Cinéday
Every Tuesday Orange customers can take advantage of buy one get one free offer at cinemas throughout France. Text CINE to 20000 (or download the Cinéday app from the French app store) to take advantage of this offer.