-
GRAPH: See food, energy and services price changes in year in France
French consumer prices are still rising with tobacco showing the highest increase year-on-year
-
Roads to avoid as people travel for a bank holiday weekend away
It is the last long weekend before the summer holidays and many people will be going away
-
American on Interpol’s wanted list found during routine check in France
He is accused of sexually assaulting a student at a Pennsylvania college in 2013
Phone deals ‘illegal’
Beware of cheap phone deals
Phone users may no longer get a cheap phone if they sign a long-term contract as the highest appeal court, the Cour de cassation, says this is a disguised easy-credit facility which, by law, forces firms to carry out credit checks and tell clients of hidden costs.
Customers have long benefited from cheaper phones if they sign a two-year deal and Free Mobile – which does not offer this – had complained of unfair competition in a court case against SFR that has been running since 2012.
Free says the judgment could void many contracts, letting users change operator in what it sees as a market of 17million people.
SFR would not comment, saying the case was not yet complete but added that it concerned an old forfait from 2011, which had very few users today.
However, there are far fewer subsidised phone deals offered today – down from 100% of the market in 2011 to 33% in 2016.