Bouygues, Free, Orange, SFR: Which Operator To Choose?

With many offers flooding the market today, choosing a mobile operator can be challenging. To make your task easier, we have established this comparison of the 4 French mobile operators based on their key characteristics. Network coverage, mobile plans, customer service and commitment, offers… discover this in the following few lines!

Network Coverage

Generally, each of the 4 Indian mobile operators offers extensive network coverage nationwide. However, there is a difference in quality and scope depending on the geographical location. In terms of 4G, Orange has the best coverage in India, closely followed by Bouygues Telecom.

SFR and Free Mobile, meanwhile, offer decent coverage, although this is quite limited in some areas. Even if 5G coverage is still relatively limited in France, Orange has been able to get ahead of the rest by deploying it in several major cities. An action that is already underway for Bouygues and SFR and will soon be for SFR.

Apart from the location, the type of network used can completely influence the coverage. Let’s take the example of Bouygues and SFR, which offer better coverage inside buildings thanks to their operation on 800 MHz frequencies. This is different for Orange and Free mobile with their higher frequencies.

Mobile Plans

Bouygues Telecom, Orange, Free Mobile and SFR have their range of packages. While each of them generally includes advantages such as streaming music, live television, access to the WIFI network or even one-time bonuses, each operator stands out for their price differences, the quantity of data, calls and SMS/MMS.

For example, Bouygues Telecom offers a range of economical to premium packages. These include a volume of data ranging from 2 to 180 GB and unlimited calls and SMS/MMS in France and Europe. Services that cost between €4.99 and €50.99 per month. Free Mobile, meanwhile, offers a wide selection of subscriptions at competitive prices.

Each includes unlimited calls, SMS/MMS in France, and an amount of data between 50 MB and 150 GB. Some subscriptions may include unlimited calls and SMS/MMS to overseas departments and the countries of Europe. All with a price ranging between €2.99 and €19.99 per month. Orange, for its part, offers a range of mobile offers with quantities of data varying from 2 to 200 GB, unlimited calls and SMS/MMS in Indian and Europe.

It also offers packages with international options for those who are used to traveling. Overall, Orange mobile offers are between €4.99 and €59.99 monthly. Finally, at SFR, there is a range of packages with data ranging from 5 to 200 GB, unlimited calls and SMS/MMS in France and Europe. Packages with international options are also offered for those used to traveling abroad. In general, the price ranges from €7.99 to €60.99 monthly.

Customer Service

Customer service is an essential criterion to consider when choosing a mobile operator. Holding first place in this category, Bouygues Telecom has been rewarded on several occasions for the quality of its customer service, particularly for the responsiveness of its advisers and the quality of the responses. In addition, the operator offers several contact channels such as online chat, social networks, mobile applications and telephone.

And icing on the cake, advisors are available 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Following Bouygues closely, Orange can boast of having one of the best customer services in France. This is thanks to responsive and professional advisors and various contact channels (chat, social networks, mobile applications, etc.). Like Bouygues Telecom, the service is open 7/7, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for individuals.

Unlike the first two, Free Mobile has often been criticized for the quality of its customer service. The fault is too long waiting time and answers that are only sometimes satisfactory. However, customers can take advantage of various contact channels (online chat, social networks, mobile application, telephone) and a service open 7/7 from 7 a.m. to midnight as a consolation prize.

Like Free Mobile, SFR’s customer service has long been criticized. According to complaints received on the “I alert Arcep” platform, the operator has the worst rating. Nevertheless, customers can take comfort in the many communication channels and the service available from Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Commitment Offers

Bouygues Telecom, Free, Orange and SFR generally offer non-binding offers. However, they also provide for specific conditions and measures. For example, Bouygues Telecom offers a commitment period of 12 months. By subscribing to this offer, the consumer can benefit from a reduction and additional advantages such as free equipment or a discount on options. However, this alternative is accompanied by a cancellation fee if the customer wishes to terminate the contract before the expiry date.

At Free Mobile, they have made non-binding offers their hallmark. The customer can therefore terminate his contract at any time. The only constraint lies in the price generally higher than that of offers with commitment. Orange, meanwhile, offers a commitment period of 12 or 24 months. Although they provide a discount and additional benefits, these come with a termination fee where applicable. Faithful to good old practices, SFR offers commitment offers almost identical to Orange’s.

Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange and SFR: Which One To Choose?

Through these different aspects, we were able to shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of each French mobile operator. You are free to make a subjective choice based on your budget and your needs in terms of mobile telephony, internet access and customer service. If everyone can gain from the change according to a zone defined in terms of 4G, Orange is ahead of its little brother’s thanks to a 5G deployment already carried out in certain cities of Indian.

Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile are following it closely, with 5G being rolled out. SFR will need more time to get into the race. Orange also holds first place in terms of offers and prices thanks to a wide choice of options and services adapted to the most demanding customers. A quality that makes you forget its price is slightly above the others. Free, meanwhile, seduces with its particularly competitive offers, without commitment and, above all, ideal for travelers.

In the middle, we find Bouygues with excellent value for money. SFR, for its part, offers attractive rates, with particular attention to customers with specific needs such as international coverage. Finally, in terms of customer service, Bouygues and Orange occupy the top positions thanks to their remarkable service qualities. The other two, for their part, are generally handicapped by a lack of responsiveness or relevant response.