How to get the 3G working on Smartphones with phone provider Free

 If like me you have just bought a Smartphone and use Free as your phone provider you might wonder how to get the 3G (Clé 3 G) working.

Although everything was turned on on the phone, I could not use the 3G. I asked various friends who knew a bit more than me but they could not help. I looked online for answers.. I was told my phone could be faulty.. I was getting frustrated..  

To sort it out was very easy! I contacted Free on their help line (3244 – premium call!) and they told me to simply download an application called ‘mobileconfig’.  Once downloaded, it worked straight away!

I hope this post will help others who live in France and who have the same problem that I had! 

Drop me a line if you have found this post useful..

Mobile phones and driving in France

In France, like in most European countries, it is illegal to use a mobile phone held in the hand while driving.

If you get caught, you could face a fine of €135 and three penalty points on your driving licence.

Prior to 2012, it was €35 and 1 point.  

The use of hands-free phones is authorized in France.

Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises = French Business Rates

If you run your own business in France, you will receive a tax to pay called

“Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises”.  It has to be paid by 15th December 2012.

If you set up your business in France this year, you will be exempt from the French Business Rates and next year you will only pay half of it.

To pay this tax, you can either send a cheque from French bank account, pay by TIP or pay online.

Here is the procedure to pay your tax online.

Go to this web site here. 

Click on:

Entreprises DGE, accédez à votre service de paiement en ligne de vos impôts

Enter your ‘Numéro fiscal’ (you will find this number on your tax).

Click on:

Payer en ligne  

Enter the ‘Reference’ (de l’avis)

Enter your bank details (It has to be a French bank account).

You will find a RIB in your French cheque book or on your bank statement.

Enter your email address twice and confirm (confirmez).

Within seconds you will receive a confirmation by email that your tax has been paid. Keep this email for your records.

If you think this post was useful to you, please drop me a line!

It is nice to get some feedback.

If you require assistance with your French paperwork, I will be happy to help you. You can contact me here.

Avis d’impôts Prélèvements sociaux - deadline today!

If you have a gite in France or any other income you might have received this tax: Prélèvements sociaux. 

Here is the procedure to pay your Prélèvements sociaux online.

Visit this web site here.  

Enter your  Numéro Fiscal. You will find it on your Avis (tax) under Vos Références. 

Click on Continuer

Payer en ligne

Enter your Reference. Again you will find it on your Avis (tax) under Vos Références and Référence de l'avis. 

You can modify the amount by clicking on 'Modifier le montant'. 

If you have already paid this tax online your bank details will be showing. You can change them by clicking on :

Modifier les coordonnées bancaires. 

Enter your email address twiced. 

Click on  Confimer

Within seconds you will get a confirmation by email. Keep this email for now. It is the proof that you have paid your tax online. 

Click on 'Retour'

Then 'Quitter'.

It is paid!

Today (15th November) is the deadline!

Please drop me a line if you think this message was useful. 

If you have any other queries regarding tax, paperwork or translation, contact me, i would be happy to help. 

Rachel