Author: mike@comsat

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Charente Maritime – Fibre

Fibre is coming to the Charente Maritime!

You may have passed this machine recently wondering what it is? Well it’s laying fibre internet.
Use the map below to find out when you will be connected.

Enter your commune name in the search bar – click on the suggestion and then click on the map to see your connection date.

If you have any question just get in touch here

The first map will show you if your property has been surveyed for fibre internet, red=not yet available and green=good to go! No pastel = you haven’t been surveyed

This second map gives a general overview of when the area will get fibre

Here is the schematic from the NATHD website, showing the connection through to your property.

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Equally NATHD ahs taken the decision that ALL properties will be connected – good news if you were thinking that you were a little too far from the circuit!

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Actual fibre network installation

Here are some pictures that I took a few weeks ago clearly showing how the fibre will be installed above ground and to remote/isolated properties.

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VPN for iPlayer/ ITV hub etc in France

If you’re wanting to catch up on British TV on iPlayer, ITV hub, All4 etc – you’ll need a VPN to hide the fact that you’re in France!
I can personally recommend Surfshark and have been testing the service for several months

Grab yourself a great deal on an unlimited VPN service – prices from 2,15€ per month on a 24 month pay up front contract
Apps available for literally every device – easy to configure

And this even comes with a 30 day money back guarantee, I know this works ’cause I tested it!

Surfshark VPN Apps

Simply click on this link to get this offer from Surfshark

or check out my article for some hardware recommendations!

Contact Mike for further information – I can preconfigure your device for you, ask for details!

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Windows 7 – end of support

From the Microsoft website:
“Windows 7 support will end on January 14, 2020. If you continue to use Windows 7 after support has ended, your PC will still work, but it will become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses because you will no longer receive software updates, including security updates, from Microsoft. Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to a new PC running Windows 10 sometime before January 2020 to avoid a situation where you need service or support that is no longer available. “

Third party anti virus vendors such as Avast and AVG will also stop supporting Windows 7 which means that your PC will become vulnerable.

What should you do?

In a lot of cases your computer can be upgraded to Windows 10 for a very reasonable cost.
I can supply Windows 10 licences from 25€

What does this mean?

Well, I can take your existing computer, backup your data [documents, photos, images etc] and install a fresh copy of Windows 10. Your data will then be restored and you’ll have a refreshed computer.
There is a fixed cost of 90€ for performing an upgrade, far cheaper that purchasing a new computer.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact me.

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Black Forfait – 100gb SIM for 12€, unlimited calls!

Red by SFR have released a limited edition ‘black forfait’ sim card.
Only available for 72 hours finishing midnight sunday 31st November 2019

This is non contract – you can cancel at any time.
100Gb data – you can use this for hotspot/wifi sharing!
Unlimited calls/sms to French metropolitan numbers
8Gb data within EU data
Get the deal here at http://red.sfr.fr

What does Mike get out of this?
If you send me your email address, i’ll email a code back to you that gives us both one month for free! Or fill in the form…
⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇

Here’s my email address:
mike@comsatfr.com
😁😁😁😁😁

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Humax Freesat boxes

Unfortunately Freesat have given notice to Humax that they will no longer be able to manufacture and sell Freesat digital satellite receivers.
I have a number of refurbished Humax Freesat units available – while stocks last, once they’re gone they’re gone!

These are available in the shop – but be quick!

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High speed internet is coming!

Fibre laying machine

The region Nouvelle-Aquitaine is currently engaged in the installation of a very high speed fibre network. Working with multiple partners and with a range of suppliers, this project will revolutionise the internet in this region.
Download speeds up to 1 Gbits/s will be available with prices from 15€ month.

This new network is independent from Orange and represents a significant investment by the region.

Check out the interactive map on my dedicated page here.
Contact me for further information.

Fibre laying machine
Here’s the beast that installs the cable between hamlets

Here’s the cable
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Huawei 4G router – what a cool bit of kit!

If you live in an area that has slow cabled internet BUT a 4G mobile phone signal – this could be for you.
I have recently had the pleasure of installing one of these beauties!

Who’s it for?
Well if you live in either an area with poor quality adsl or simply want a more flexible solution.

What’s included?
You get a 4G router that has wifi, 4 ethernet ports and a phone port.

What do I need?
You will need a sim card from a 4G operator – at present red.sfr.fr are offering a 100Gb deal for 20€ per month, phone calls included!

How do i set it up?
Simply insert the micro sim card, plug it in and then connect by either wifi or cabled device. Log into the web interface and the 1st option will be enter the sim card lock number and disable this lock. That’s it!
To benefit from the included sim card phone calls, just plug a standard phone into the router and start making calls.
Contact me for more info/installtion