Report on using Orange Mobicarte in France

woody1 · 12-10-2011, 18:03

Update. I did try to set up my account on the internet last night, but I never received the SMS with the password. This morning, I tried again from the phone and this time, I was able to sign up for Internet Max. The guy at the Orange store told me that there would be a delay before my identity was confirmed, but he didn't know how long.

I agree that the best approach is to buy the SIM and set everything up before you leave home, but I didn't have time to receive the SIM card this time. Now, I have to wait 48 hours from this morning before my Internet is working, but at least it looks like everything is properly set up now.

woody1 · 16-10-2011, 21:46

OK, another update. I successfully subscribed to Internet Max and, after the 48 hour wait, it has been working fine. I also subscribed to the Mail option, just to be safe.

I have a couple of questions, in case anybody can answer them:

1. I've read that Internet Max is supposed to have a 500Mb data limit. Does anybody know if that is actually enforced? Also, is there any way to check your usage? I can't find anything on the Orange website that shows how much data I've used so far.

2. It sounds like the charge for email is for POP3 and SMTP usage. I use an Android phone with the standard gmail app. Does the gmail app run up email usage, or does gmail use a different protocol in the app?

If anybody knows the answers, please let me know.

104001 · 17-10-2011, 00:19

I second the request from Woody1. I am heading to France with an Orange SIM I just bought from the E-bay seller mentioned previously. I have also heard of the 500mb data limit and am curious if it is enforced at all, and if there is a way to monitor usage.

And to answer your question Woody1. Android / iOS both use the POP3/IMAP protocols to download and store incoming e-mail. The way to avoid this is to use your browser, chrome or other, to go to the mobile Gmail site. The email will not be available offline this way, but it will work without paying for the email add-on.

MayaS · **What if I need more than 500MB? -** 17-10-2011, 14:00

I'm travelling to Paris next month for a week, and I'm quite sure I'm going to need more than 500MB, as I plan to use my phone + data plan as an access point for 2 laptops.
Is there any option to go more than 500MB (at extra cost, off course)?

Thanks.

scirocco · 17-10-2011, 18:48

I have read somewhere that the 500MB is not rigidly enforced, but I can't provide a link. 500 MB is quite a lot even if you are tethering a couple of laptops. There is also plenty of wi-fi in Paris, even in the public parks, so no need to use 3G data all the time.

For anyone using Gmail, provided you only use browser access, there's no need to pay for the 6 euro Mail option. But don't be tempted to use a proper mail client to access mail via POP or IMAP or you will quickly chew through the credit on the SIM.

	(#1)
woody1 (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 62 Join Date: 16 Mar 2011 Country:	12-10-2011, 18:03 Update. I did try to set up my account on the internet last night, but I never received the SMS with the password. This morning, I tried again from the phone and this time, I was able to sign up for Internet Max. The guy at the Orange store told me that there would be a delay before my identity was confirmed, but he didn't know how long. I agree that the best approach is to buy the SIM and set everything up before you leave home, but I didn't have time to receive the SIM card this time. Now, I have to wait 48 hours from this morning before my Internet is working, but at least it looks like everything is properly set up now.

	(#2)
woody1 (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 62 Join Date: 16 Mar 2011 Country:	16-10-2011, 21:46 OK, another update. I successfully subscribed to Internet Max and, after the 48 hour wait, it has been working fine. I also subscribed to the Mail option, just to be safe. I have a couple of questions, in case anybody can answer them: 1. I've read that Internet Max is supposed to have a 500Mb data limit. Does anybody know if that is actually enforced? Also, is there any way to check your usage? I can't find anything on the Orange website that shows how much data I've used so far. 2. It sounds like the charge for email is for POP3 and SMTP usage. I use an Android phone with the standard gmail app. Does the gmail app run up email usage, or does gmail use a different protocol in the app? If anybody knows the answers, please let me know.

	(#3)
104001 (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 7 Join Date: 17 Oct 2011 Country:	17-10-2011, 00:19 I second the request from Woody1. I am heading to France with an Orange SIM I just bought from the E-bay seller mentioned previously. I have also heard of the 500mb data limit and am curious if it is enforced at all, and if there is a way to monitor usage. And to answer your question Woody1. Android / iOS both use the POP3/IMAP protocols to download and store incoming e-mail. The way to avoid this is to use your browser, chrome or other, to go to the mobile Gmail site. The email will not be available offline this way, but it will work without paying for the email add-on.

	(#4)
MayaS (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 1 Join Date: 17 Oct 2011 Country:	What if I need more than 500MB? - 17-10-2011, 14:00 I'm travelling to Paris next month for a week, and I'm quite sure I'm going to need more than 500MB, as I plan to use my phone + data plan as an access point for 2 laptops. Is there any option to go more than 500MB (at extra cost, off course)? Thanks.

	(#5)
scirocco (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 52 Join Date: 20 Jul 2011 Country:	17-10-2011, 18:48 I have read somewhere that the 500MB is not rigidly enforced, but I can't provide a link. 500 MB is quite a lot even if you are tethering a couple of laptops. There is also plenty of wi-fi in Paris, even in the public parks, so no need to use 3G data all the time. For anyone using Gmail, provided you only use browser access, there's no need to pay for the 6 euro Mail option. But don't be tempted to use a proper mail client to access mail via POP or IMAP or you will quickly chew through the credit on the SIM.