French Mobile phone operators and internet providers in France : A guide for expats moving to France in 2024

You're moving to France and want to set up your mobile phone and get connected to Internet. But what are your options, and which supplier should you choose? To ease your decision, we here present the major actors on the Internet and phone markets in France.

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What types of broadband bundle can I find in France ?

The 4 main phone and Internet providers in France are Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile. They all offer not only internet and mobile phone plans, but also additional services such as television and fixed phone lines (collectively known as a "box" offer).

They all have their own phone and internet infrastructures, and coverage is fairly similar. They also all operate low-cost brands or offshoots, which include Sosh (Orange), and RED by SFR.

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Who are the largest Internet Mobile Phone Providers in France ?

Orange

(Pronounciation: "aw-rahnj") Formerly France Telecom, Orange is the historic provider for phone and Internet in France and is currently still the largest telecommunications operator in the country. The company also has the best 4G/5G network coverage. In addition to approximately 500 boutiques across France, Orange has an English-speaking customer service line, available at +33(0)9 69 36 39 00.

Orange offers internet, fixed and mobile phone plans, as well as its Orange television service. On rare occasions (zones non-dégroupées), Orange still owns the fixed phone line infrastructure, and customers within these zones must rent a line from Orange for their phone/internet. However, only 5% of landlines are in zones non-degroupées today. ADSL broadband plans are usually more expensive in these areas. Fibre optic subscrptions are not affected by this.

Orange also operates a low-cost offshoot, called Sosh. Sosh offers online-based customer service, contract-free mobile phone plans (sans engagement), as well as combined offers (mobile phone + Internet, mobile phone + Internet + television).

SFR

(pronunciation: "ess-eff-air") SFR (Société française du radiotéléphone) was created in 1987, and counts more than 20 million mobile phone customers, and around 6 million broadband customers. 

SFR offers internet, fixed and mobile phone line plans, as well as television and video games. The company was the first to offer 5G coverage in France. SFR operates a low-cost offshoot called RED by SFR, which also offers internet and mobile phone plans, fixed phone lines, all contract-free (sans engagement). More about how to contact SFR in this article.

Free Mobile

(Pronunciation: "free") Free is a major mobile provider in France, established in 2009 by the telecommunications company Iliad. It is the third-largest telecommunications provider in France, after Orange and SFR, counting some 14 million mobile phone customers and 7 million broadband customers. 

Free offers contract-free mobile phone plans, Internet plans, and multiple combined offers (Internet + fixed line + mobile phone, Internet + fixed line + television, Internet + fixed line + multimedia). Free is primarily online-based but does now operate a few physical boutiques throughout France.

Bouygues Telecom

(Pronunciation: "Bweeg Tel-eh-com") Bouygues Telecom is a subsidiary of the French industrial group Bouygues, created in 1994. It has about 15 million mobile phone customers and 4.9 million broadband customers. Bouygues Telecom offers mobile phone plans (including 5G coverage), Internet, fixed phone lines, and television plans.

Bouygues Telecom, like all the other main telecommunications providers in France, operates a low-cost brand, called B&You. B&You offers contract-free mobile phone plans (sans engagement), online-based customer service, and combined offers with other Bouygues plans for Internet, a fixed phone line and/or television.

Staying in France for less than 3 months?For a short stay in France, no need to sign up for postpaid mobile phone plans. It is worth buying a pay-as-you-go deal instead. Having a French SIM Card will enable you to get a French phone number and make phone calls from France to a foreign country at an affordable price.

Offer	Services	Price
Free Forfait 250 Go 5G	Unlimited calls/SMS/MMS 250 Go 5G in France 35 Go Go in 100 countries	19.99€/month +33977557227
Orange Forfait 100Go 5G	Unlimited calls/SMS/MMS 100 Go 5G in France 100 Go Go in Europe/DOM	From 16.99€/month +33977557227
SFR Forfait 100Go 5G	Unlimited calls/SMS/MMS 100 Go 5G in France 100 Go Go in Europe/DOM	From 15.99€/month +33977557227
Bouygues Forfait 100Go 5G	Unlimited calls/SMS/MMS 100 Go 5G in France 100 Go Go in Europe/DOM	From 15.99€/month +33977557227

Who are the cheapest Internet & Mobile Phone Providers in France ?

Sosh

(Pronunciation: "sosh") Sosh is the low-cost brand for Orange, created in 2011. Sosh offers contract-free mobile phone plans, contract mobile phone plans, package offers (mobile phone + Internet, mobile phone + Internet + television), and customer rewards for referrals.

Sosh also sells mobile phones.

NordNet

(Pronunciation: "norh-net") NordNet is one of the major satellite internet providers operating in France. Founded in 1995, the company is now a subsidiary of major telecommunications provider Orange. NordNet offers satellite internet plans, fibre and ADSL internet plans.

Eligibility for these plans depends on the location, and many plans include a fixed phone line. NordNet also offers internet security plans.

RED by SFR

(Pronunciation: "hredd by ess-eff-air") RED by SFR is SFR's low-cost offshoot, created in 2011. RED by SFR offers contract-free (sans engagement) internet and postpaid mobile phone plans, as well as the option for packages including fixed phone lines and/or television.

RED by SFR also offers advantages for customer referrals (one month free - valued at €19.99/month) and has a partnership with Citadium (10% off on purchases when you present your RED by SFR bill or the RED&Moi application). RED by SFR also sells mobile phones.

Auchan Telecom

(Pronunciation: "aw-sh-an te-le-com") Auchan Telecom is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) owned by  Bouygues Telecom. The brand sells mobile phone plans (with and without contracts) and targets a family audience with affordable prices. All mobile plans are available in Auchan supermarkets accross France. Auchan Telecom no longer sells internet plans.

Cdiscount

(Pronunciation: "ce-discount") Cdiscount is the latest  Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) on the market. The company offers low-price mobile plans from 2€ and relies on the Bouygues Telecom network. Subscriptions are available online only.

Coriolis

(Pronunciation: "corh-rhi-oh-lees") Coriolis is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) founded in 1999. The company operates on SFR's network and belongs to Altice France. Coriolis offers mobile phone plans (with and without contracts, including plans that include phones) as well as Internet plans (ADSL and fibre optic FTTH). Coriolis also has a network of 160 stores across France.

The Coriolis customer service is online-based, and customer advantages for recommending the company. Coriolis also offers special deals targeted to seniors and the hard of hearing.

Lebara Mobile

(Pronunciation: "lay-bah-rah maw-beel") Lebara Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that relies on the Bouygues Telecom network to function. It was founded in order to help immigrants stay in touch with their family all over the world, making it what is called an "ethnic operator". In addition to offering 5 types of mobile phone plans and a prepaid SIM card. Customer service is available online, by phone or by mail.

Prixtel

(Pronunciation: "prheextel") Prixtel is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) created in 2004 that relies on SFR for its network coverage. The company offers mobile phone plans (sans engagement) and sells telephones and tablets online.

The pricing strategy is different from traditional pratice with a consumption-based pricing. In other words, Prixtel charges customers according to their consumption levels. Prixtel is also an eco-friendly company. For instance, for every phone purchased, a tree is planted and their mobile plans are CO2 neutral.

La Poste Mobile

(Pronunciation: "lah puh-st maw-beel") La Poste Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that relies on SFR for its network coverage. Formerly known as Debitel (also Simpleo, & Simplicime), the company was created in 1991 but is currently shared between SFR and La Poste. The company offers mobile phone plans (pre and postpaid, contract-free). Customer service is available online, by phone, by mail or in any one of the post offices throughout France.

NRJ mobile

(Pronunciation: "energy mo-beel") NRJ Mobile, created in 2005, is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that relies on Bouygues Telecom's network. NRJ Mobile offers prepaid and postpaid mobile phone plans in 4G, including contract-free plans (sans engagement), and discounts on the purchase of phones (with contract plans). It also sells an internet plan, called "Box NRJ Mobile", which relies on the 4G network of Bouygues Telecom and includes 250 Go of internet data for 29.99€.

Syma Mobile

(Pronunciation: "si-ma") Syma Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), created in 2005. The company belongs to Symacom and has access to the SFR's network. Syma offers 4 mobile plans and prepaid French SIM cards for a wide and international audience.

Sign up for a phone plan in France!Interested in a phone or broadband plan like Orange's? Our Selectra English-speaking advisors can help you sign up for a plan with a French provider, for free. If possible, make sure you have a French IBAN and French phone number ready before the call.
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