Another suggestion is to switch from using Google maps to another application where you can download maps onto the device in advance so that the device operates offline when you are out and about. On Nokia's, you can use their free OVI maps application which I am beginning to find is actually quite good in pedestrian mode. The device can even give you route guidance in discreet beeps and vibrations.

Even in driving mode, the voice guidance in OVI is actually much better than on my dedicated Navman car GPS system! I especially like the "Surfer Dude" voice guidance that you can download for free. ;)

Even though I am a big fan of Google maps, it's high data useage makes it completely impractical for roaming applications. Now I just download the map if the country I am visiting in advance and just stick to OVI maps.

Here's my experience with 3G PAYG prepaid data in France:

3G prepaid internet access in France with Orange

Info included how to work around the small print to avoid having your prepaid balance zero-ed in no-time. Orange excludes POP/IMAP access from the flat-fee rate, including using the connection on a laptop.

IMHO these small printed conditions are on the sheer edge. A non-tech savvy user doesn't understand these exceptions. It might not even hold in European courts when put on the stand.

Cheers!

When I had subscribed to Orange's "Internet Max Journee" and "Weekend" options in May, I was definitely not charged additionally for surfing the web using Firefox on my Netbook (Windows XP, Huawei EM770 datacard). And I did not fake Firefox' user-agent.

data France
 

hello
as french customer, the best solutions is only to remain on orange, sfr and bouygues data+ phone prepaid cards available on brands shops.
MNVo or exotic data cards are too expensive.

With € 1/MB Leclerc mobile seems to be an exception there.

Holy shit! I always thought we had it bad here in Switzerland... :eek:

I think I'll rather not have mobile Internet on my vacations that deal with this shit.

Thanks anyway for the information.

Actually it's 10KB increments.
Would this work with my unlocked dongle an if yes, what would be the WAP settings?

Have you had the possibility to try this yourself?

I've been following this guide:

E.LECLERC MOBILE - Paramètres SMS / MMS / WAP

The connection gets established, but I can't access any pages (no matter if it's WAP or not).
I'm using the huawei dongle...

No, I've never tried Leclerc. But the solution could be configuring the proxy (010.143.156.009) in your browser.

I've tried that.

Maybe they don't allow dongles, just phones?
Unfortunately I don't have the E52 with me to try.

What's wrong with you, France? :down: