What is normal process to switch to a new provider in France ? I am currently with Bouygues but checked I can get a better deal with Orange when my current contract ends in November. Should I just do what I used to do in UK e.g. subscribe with the new provider and they will handle the rest. Or is it necessary for me to call up Bouygues and cancel and then switch to a new provider ?
Is it worth waiting until November and playing the “I’m off to Orange unless you can give me a better deal” game?
I’ve been with Bouygues for 13 months now in 47 and my connection has been 100% reliable. Judging by the number of times I’ve heard Orange’s fibre service being cursed, I suspect this isn’t the case with them.
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Bouygues seems strong and fair on data in my limited experience being in a poor signal area, and due to this having had to change providers amongst all the majors a number of times over quite a few years now.
For data Bouygues is the one I’d choose, if only their signal had stayed strong enough at my specific location. I also thought their customer service was of relatively high quality for France.
My comments do concern mobile but usually you’d get a good deal taking that with your broadband on one deal. Like the UK it seems that for broadband, it’s the same wires to your house whoever you buy from so you might as well get the best contract.
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Yes I can wait. I read somewhere on this forum where it was mentioned to give 3 months notice, so just wanted to be sure.
The simple answer is there’s roughly a two week notice period if you transfer.
You need a RIO number - call 3179. It will tell you the number. That allows you to transfer your old “number” to a new provider. And pretty much automates the process - new provider cancels old contract. Obviously you have to be in the cancellation period
must confess, I’ve phoned that number several times, trying to make sense of the garbled message. No luck.
Can someone give me an idea of what the RIO number looks like/sounds like … is it letters, punctuation, numbers… or what… 'cos it certainly isn’t clear. I’m trying to write down what “the lady” says… but it’s hopeless.
12 (alphanumeric) characters - Relevé d'identité opérateur — Wikipédia
I moved from Orange to SOSH because it’s Oranges cheaper brother. While I was told I couldn’t use the English speaking helpline if I changed, this has not proved to be the case and I still phone them if I have a technical problem I can’t solve.
To change to another provider you can:
- Pop into one of the many shops that Orange etc have in most sizeable towns.
- Go online and do it.
- Phone Selecta and they’ll do it all for yoy, though they may try to convince you to go with a particular provider.
My last RIO was also automatically texted after the robot lady finished
The sms was
SURNAME FIRSTNAME titulaire du contrat, RIO : nnA nnnnnn nnn
RIO in Italics. Istr all mine have had similar format. The A is alphanumeric - my last one was a P in that spot. The lowercase n is a digit. The space was as reveived in the sms.
Orange has a button in its Espace Client to get the RIO number. In the landline section I think. I’ve never pressed it but most UK operators will now display your PAC via your online space so I’d like to imagine it’s the same over here, but knowing France it just pops up a message telling you to call 3179 
But it’s there as an option for anyone with Orange.
Funnily enough, when I dial 3179 from my landline phone I just get a recorded message to say that the number I have dialed is not allocated to anyone or anything. Weird !