The Local France

'Forget Silicon Valley, it's better in France'

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:01:00 +0200

As work began on the "world's largest" tech incubator in Paris, French billionaire and telecom mogul Xavier Niel says despite the moribund French economy and the reputation of its bureaucracy, it's actually easier to start a business in France than Silicon Valley.

France's Free drops bid for US giant T-Mobile

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:50:51 +0200

French telecom giant Iliad, the parent company of Free, has announced it is dropping its bid to buy a controlling stake in US wireless carrier T-Mobile after being told its offer was too low.

French telecom giant Free bids for T-Mobile US

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 10:52:00 +0200

French upstart telecom operator Iliad, which operates Free, said on Thursday it has bid for a controlling stake in US carrier T-Mobile, offering an alternative to a potential tie-up with rival Sprint.

Dirty air prompts free public transport in Paris

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:08:00 +0100

Public transportation in the capital will be "gratuit" from Friday morning to Sunday night, as officials battle against a spike in "dangerously" poor air quality. Velib' rental bikes and the car-sharing Autolib' scheme are also on the house.

Free Wi-Fi to arrive at French train stations

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:05:00 +0100

Starting this summer rail passenges will be able to connect, free of charge, to wireless internet in over 40 of France’s largest train stations. Rail chiefs then have plans to expand the service across the country next year.

Ten free, fun and original ways to learn French

Fri, 31 May 2013 16:14:00 +0200

Struggling to learn French? Just arrived or been here a while? Not everyone can go back to college, and we can't all afford pricey language schools or private tutors. So here are ten free, easy ways to learn French that you may not have thought of.

Free mobile network sued for fraud

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0100

A French consumer group is suing mobile phone operator Free, accusing it of “fraudulent commercial practices” over the quality of its network.

Free petrol at pump sparks 'oil rush'

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:53:46 +0200

Drivers near Strasbourg rushed to an automated petrol station to fill up their tanks free of charge after pumps started to malfunction. Police had to battle angry drivers away.

New entrant promises to shake up mobile market

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:32:00 +0100

Broadband and telephone provider Free has announced plans to shake up the French mobile market by halving prices with its new service.