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Question about phones/internet in France/Belgium/Holland

8 replies

Seabright · 16/10/2011 09:55

Hello, we are thinking of doing an very extended trip around the rivers and canals of France/Belgium/Holland.

Does anyone know of a company that allows you access in all three countries?

Alternatively, can anyone comment on the availablility of free wifi access in all three?

Thanks!

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AlpinePony · 16/10/2011 10:02

NL and BE is virtually non-existent, I can't speak for France.

I don't think there's one carrier serves all 3 countries, certainly not on the package you propose. I'm with Vodafone NL and it costs me 2 euros a day when roaming in eu for data on phone. So not overly cheap.

There are dongles and payg sims of course.

There's free WiFi in my town (but no waterways ;)) and it's shit and tbh rather unusual. McDonald's are about the only genuinely good and free WiFi.

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Seabright · 16/10/2011 15:55

I don't really know about dongles, I'll have to investigate. Sounds like I might be eating at mcdonalds once or twice a week!

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Seabright · 16/10/2011 17:12

Is home wifi common in Belgium, Holland & France? Am thinking maybe I could barter a little access now & again?

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AlpinePony · 16/10/2011 17:13

Broadband is 'common' although less so in rural areas.

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scaryteacher · 16/10/2011 17:39

Well we have wifi at home near Brussels.

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AlpinePony · 17/10/2011 07:42

Tbh your question is a bit "how long is a piece of string?". Up and down the canals of Amsterdam and Delft you will probably find free WiFi everywhere. South of the Schelde in a rural farming areas you're likely to be met with "interwhat?" rather than a password...

WiFi is of course a geographical restraint - when you're out in the middle of nowhere you can't really expect access - which is why perhaps a 3G dongle might suit more.

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Putrifyno · 17/10/2011 08:32

No, each country has different service providers. The companies each have "roaming" partners where you will get a better rate. Eg. Proximus = Vodafone = SFR and KPN = Base and Mobistar = Orange.

I have found that free wifi access is more available in The Netherlands - KPN do free hot spots. In Belgium you do find it in the odd cafe and McDonalds. Don't know about France....

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Seabright · 17/10/2011 11:16

Thanks!!! Right, off to investigate 3G dongles! Thanks all for your help, am still at the early planning stages (still have to find the right boat!), but am trying to get some stuff sorted early.