Post by lurcher on Oct 8, 2021 17:15:15 GMT 1
Last night a message appeared on our TV screen while I watched the Belgium-France game saying our Fransat card would run out on 27th October and the screen would become blank. It said I should purchase a new card from the Fransat website immediately.
Looking back I think it was four years since buying the HD Fransat receiver and remembered that both Fransat and TNT had a four year life. Today I pulled out the card from the receiver and noted it’s number. I found the Fransat website and the page for checking the validity of the card, entered the number and it told me to buy a new one for €15. The price was a pleasant surprise as it will last another four years.
After registering for a new account I was offered two methods of payment; either bank card or direct debit. Oddly my first attempt was using my card but the authentication code was sent by “vocal”, presumably a voice spoken code. Unfortunately our mobile reception is very poor and a trip around the garden produced nothing. I then chose the direct debit method which requires the account IBan but this time the code was being sent by sms. The garden trip eventually was rewarded by an sms with the security code. From this point it was satisfying to be told the new card would arrive in under 22 days, not including weekends.
I have posted this rather trivial event in case it gives confidence to anyone who feels intimidated by online procedures. For me it shows how far France has moved to meet the needs of the public. How different from the attitudes of 20 years ago. By the way, the website coped with my UK mobile number and the system even had autocomplete for my address - and got it exactly right!
Looking back I think it was four years since buying the HD Fransat receiver and remembered that both Fransat and TNT had a four year life. Today I pulled out the card from the receiver and noted it’s number. I found the Fransat website and the page for checking the validity of the card, entered the number and it told me to buy a new one for €15. The price was a pleasant surprise as it will last another four years.
After registering for a new account I was offered two methods of payment; either bank card or direct debit. Oddly my first attempt was using my card but the authentication code was sent by “vocal”, presumably a voice spoken code. Unfortunately our mobile reception is very poor and a trip around the garden produced nothing. I then chose the direct debit method which requires the account IBan but this time the code was being sent by sms. The garden trip eventually was rewarded by an sms with the security code. From this point it was satisfying to be told the new card would arrive in under 22 days, not including weekends.
I have posted this rather trivial event in case it gives confidence to anyone who feels intimidated by online procedures. For me it shows how far France has moved to meet the needs of the public. How different from the attitudes of 20 years ago. By the way, the website coped with my UK mobile number and the system even had autocomplete for my address - and got it exactly right!