Using Mifi and data sim in France

We have an EE Hotspot for data only and £10  per cm gets you a Roaming Pass for the EU.You have to ring up and arrange it or it is £2  per day.We can use our full 30Gb monthly  allowance in the EU by purchasing the bolt-on which is charged to our account over and above our normal monthly payment.

Huawei MiFi seems popular. “Internet with Legs” was also mentioned on another forum and I assume this is one of the Huawei packages available.

Worth mentioning that a high percentage of French sites have free WiFi. You may have to be close to reception to get a decent signal but that has the benefit of limiting browsing time which leaves more space for proper outdoor activities, although I am not sure the kids will see it that way!

Kate, we went to a dozen or more cheapish campsites in Brittany and most of them had free wi fi that was good enough for the purposes you describe - it was rarely accessible in the caravan and usually meant going closer to the office, but it sufficed.

The more expensive campsites, however,  are more likely to charge you for wi fi, and if you are as mean as I am you can instead find free wi fi in (or outside) McDonalds, cafes, bars,  motorway service stations , shopping malls, public libraries and tourist offices. We used all those in various places at times for messaging family and friends. 

But beware of wi fi via sky high satellite connections on ferries. That really is dear.

Enjoy Brittany.

But beware of wi fi via sky high satellite connections on ferries. That really is dear.

Indeed, Brittany Ferries have such a service and advise switching roaming off on your phone during the crossing. That worked totally on my iphone but OH’s still linked to the satellite phone system. Wether she would have been charged for any incoming calls I don’t know, she turned the phone off for the crossing. Probably the safest then there is no risk, the charges are exorbitant.

Do a search on MotorhomeFun, there are plenty of suggestions there but you will need to check them at source to make sure they are still available. One recently recommended was from Lebara. £15 for 30Gb of data.

peedee

If your on O2 with your phone there is no additional charge for roaming. There is a monthly limit but it was higher than OH’s 15GB so I didn’t register the amount. Also if you have a BT mobile sim, as I do (which uses EE) you are able to request a no charge add on, where as there is a charge if your contract is direct with EE.

Thank you hitchglitch. I have mixed feelings about the whole browsing thing... I'd rather get the kids outdoors too, but not sure its worth the pain of poor wifi.... not very relaxing to hear them complain 

Good to know though that Wifi is usually free. I will check out the Huawei Mifi

Thanks

Hi eurotraveller, good tip about the ferries, thank you. I too will make teh most of free wifi!!

Thanks SteveL for the ferry tip!

I will check out that thread, thanks  peedee