Mobile Phone and Internet Charges in France

These conclusions are contained in a dispatch from the OECD on 'Communications Outlook 2009' which examined mobile phonephone and Internet costs across thirty nations in the world.

The report placed France in 20th position for an average mobile phonephone user, while the country had one of the cheapest regular subscription charges for a high speed broadband connection.

One of the explanations for the higher mobile telephone charges in France is the basic subscription cost, which is higher than most other states.

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Charges were lowest in those states where the main cost was the call charge itself, benefiting most low use users. The average annual cost for a low usage mobile phone user in France placed it in 22nd position out of 30.

That having been said, inside Europe, mobile telephone charges in Italy, Greece, Germany and Spain were all dearer than France. Indeed, costs in Spain are among most pricey on the planet.

In comparing mobile telephone costs by level of usage, the report shows the following monthly figures for the lowest cost country, the OCED average, and the expenses for France :

Low usage - 360 minutes of voice calls, 396 SMS messages and eight MMS over one year

Netherlands : 7.72

Average OCED : 18.67

France : 22.22

Medium usage - 780 minutes of voice calls, 600 SMS messages and 8 MMS messages

Denmark : Less than three

Average OCED : 9.60

France : 12.70

High usage - 1,680 minutes of voice calls, 660 SMS messages and twelve MMS messages per year

Denmark : 10.75

Average OECD : 28.75

France : 35.50

Most mavens consider that one of the main reasons for the generally higher charges in France is the lack of competition. Orange is the sector leader, controlling over 50% of the market. The other 2 players are SFR and Bouygues.

In October the French government is to announce the award of a 4th mobile telecoms licence ( widely rumoured to be going to 'Free' ) that should bring prices down.

Internet Charges in France

In relation to net broadband services, France has the lowest monthly subs cost in the study for medium speed connections between 2.5Mbits and 10Mbits, as well as for high speed connections between 12Mbits and 32Mbits.

However, the provision of these speeds isn't as widespread in France as it is in numerous other nations, though there was major progress on improving the network over the past 3 years. The French regime also appears to be committed to significant further development of the high speed network.


in relation to low speed connections between 256Kbits and 2.048Mbits, France comes in 17th place out of a list of thirty.

The OECD study makes no suggestions about best buy offers for mobile or web contracts, and we sympathise with anybody looking to appraise the different contracts that do exist!

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