Free Mobile France: No-contract Phone Plan and Internet Provider

Call for free - almost! Free shook up the French telecommunications market with its low-cost, contract-free (sans engagement) mobile offers, and has been one of the fastest-growing actors in the French mobile phone market since its entry in 2012. Not to be outdone by their mobile phone plans, Free’s internet and TV packages are some of the most competitive in the market. But is Free worth the hype? Find out everything you need to know about Free in our guide.

---

About Free: French mobile and internet provider

Free is the most recent mobile and Internet services provider in France, established in 2009 by the telecommunications company Iliad, and led by the French entrepreneur Xavier Niel. This new operator shook up the French mobile phone industry when it entered the market in 2012 with its low-cost offers.

• Free: the Essentials
• First telecom operator to launch a multi-play box on ADSL
• First French operator to include calls to overseas departments into its offers
• First ADSL operator to include calls from landlines to mobiles
• 20.1 million subscribers (6.7 million broadband & fibre optic subscribers and 13.5 million Free Mobile subscribers)
• Free Fibre Optic Network: coverage for more than 18 million homes

Free SIM Card and Freebox Offers in France

Free's business model is based on providing no-frills service at low prices (think Henry Ford and "you can have any colour as long as it's black").

Free has three mobile offers (at €2, €11.99 and €19.99 per month), and six internet options (priced at 14.99€/ month, 19.99€/ month, 29.99€/ month and 39.99€/ month for the first year, with prices increasing thereafter). Mobile phone plans are discounted when you purchase an internet plan with Free, as is the case with most of the telecom providers in France, so it pays to compare offers to understand which mobile plan is right for you.

What Free lacks in quantity of options it makes up for in quality, with some very attractive offers, as well as special discounts on phone and Internet plans throughout the year.

Freebox: Internet by Free France

As of 2021, Free Mobile has 6 main offers for Internet, know as its Freebox:

1. The Freebox mini 4K
2. The Freebox Revolution
3. The Freebox Crystal
4. The Freebox Delta S
5. The Freebox Delta
6. The Freebox Pop

The Free internet boxes require a one-year contract (where you pay a reduced tariff during the first year, after which the price increases), except for the Delta and Delta S boxes which don't come with a commitment.

All boxes come as a package with Free Internet + fixed telephone line + in some cases, television (Freebox TV).:

Freebox Mini 4K

Launched in 2015, the Freebox Mini 4K is available for ADSL/VDSL2 broadband, and for optical fibre connections. It comes with the following:

• Free calls to fixed lines in France + 110 international destinations
• Includes access to over 220 TV channels (including HD and 4K definition)
• Video on Demand
• Compatible with Android TV
• Possibility to use your mobile phone as a TV command (by downloading the Android TV Remote Control app)
• Access to Free's Wi-Fi hotspots

Freebox Revolution

The Freebox Revolution is available for ADSL/VDSL2 broadband and for optical fibre connections. It includes the following features:

• Free calls to all mobile and fixed lines in France + to fixed lines in 110 destinations
• Blu-ray DVD reader
• Access to over 220 TV channels (including HD and 4K definition) for an extra €1.99/month
• 250 Gb of Storage on the Freebox
• Access to Free's Wi-Fi hotspots

Freebox Crystal

The Freebox Crystal is Free's Internet offer for ADSL/VDSL broadband connections in zones non-dégroupées. The Crystal Freebox package comes with Internet and a fixed telephone line and includes:

• Free calls to all mobile and fixed lines in France + to fixed lines in 110 international destinations
• Access to over 220 TV channels (optional, for an extra 4.99€/ month)
• Access to Free's Wi-Fi hotspots

Freebox Delta S

The Freebox Delta S is a simplified offer of the Freebox Delta package and includes internet and landline, but not television. It is available for ADSL/VDSL2 broadband and for optical fibre connections (up to 8 Gbits), and includes the following features:

• Free calls to all mobile and fixed lines in France + to fixed lines in 110 destinations
• Option of a Pop Wi-Fi Repeater to extend the Wi-Fi connection in the home
• 250 Gb of Storage on the Freebox and a 1TB hard drive available at 40 € as an option
• Access to Free's Wi-Fi hotspots

Freebox Delta

The Freebox Delta is Free’s premium offer. It is available for ADSL/VDSL2 broadband and for optical fibre connections (up to 8 Gbits), and includes the following features:

• Free calls to all mobile and fixed lines in France + to fixed lines in 110 destinations
• More than 280 TV channels including Netflix, Prime Video and TV by CANAL (including 40 HD and 4K definition)
• The optional Player Free Devialet sound system compatible with Amazon Alexa (€480 paid upfront or in instalments)
• Option of a Pop Wi-Fi Repeater to extend the Wi-Fi connection in the home
• 250 Gb of Storage on the Freebox and a 1TB hard drive available at 40 € as an option
• Access to Free's Wi-Fi hotspots

Freebox Pop

The Freebox Pop is the latest addition to the Freebox range. It is available for ADSL/VDSL2 broadband and for optical fibre connections (up to 8 Gbits), and includes the following features:

• Free calls to mobiles in mainland France, DOM and certain destinations such as the United States, China, Canada as well as to landlines in more than 110 destinations
• Access to over 220 TV channels (including HD and 4K definition)
• Option of a Pop Wi-Fi Repeater to extend the Wi-Fi connection in the home
• 100h of recording included (beyond 0.02€/ h/ month)
• Access to Free's Wi-Fi hotspots

As far as tariffs go, prices vary from one box to another and depend on how long you have been subscribed. Prices will typically range from a low €14.99/ month for the Freebox Mini 4K during the first year of subscription, to up to €49.99/ month for the Delta Freebox after the first year. Look out for Free internet promotions, too.

Free Terms and Conditions You can find in the following links Free's terms and conditions for mobile phone plans and for Internet plans(both in French).

Free Mobile and Internet Reviews

Customer reviews for Free Mobile France - as is the case for all providers - are mixed. Here is a quick summary of what customers say about Free:

• Great value for money: Free offers generous calling time/data allowances for some of the lowest prices available in France
• No commitment: all of Free's plans are sans engagement
• Problems with network coverage: as the most recent operator in the French telecommunications market, Free's network coverage is less developed than other providers
• Minimal customer service: as a low-cost operator, Free's customer service options are limited and online-based. Some customers have found it difficult to access customer service

Contact Free in English

Free does not currently offer English-speaking customer service. While you can contact Free and find help via the Free mobile login on mobile.free.fr, your Free customer space, and the Free customer assistance page, note that most Free customer support information is in French.

Need Telecom Advice in English? Call our English-speaking customer service line on 09 77 55 72 27 or ask for a free callback to get help subscribing to a phone contract that will suit your needs and budget - it's free!

Contact Free Customer Service

Find all the ways to get in touch with Free in our guide to contacting Free.

Note, the 3244 and 1044 numbers won't work if you are abroad or calling from an international phone number. Just have a quick question? Try Free's online customer assistance, available here (in French).

Free Mobile Network: Coverage in France

While it is improving its network coverage, Free's current coverage is weaker than other French telecommunications companies. The operator signed an agreement with Orange for 2G and 3G traffic to go through Orange's network (as Free has no 2G licence), which has allowed the company to provide widespread 2G coverage (99% of the population in 2015). The roaming agreement was due to end in 2020, but the phasing out period has been extended two years (to 2022) according to the French telecommunications regulator ARCEP.

The last of the major French telecommunications operators to receive a licence for 4G, Free was relatively behind on its 4G network coverage but has been pursuing a rapid rollout of ultra-fast landline and mobile networks. As of 2020, Free mobile network coverage for 4G covers 98% of the population.

From December 2020, Free Mobile SIM card offers for the 5G network have been added to their range of Free mobile plans. The 5G Free SIM card is available at the same rates as the 4G Free Mobile SIM card offers, and continues to be without commitment. Free Mobile are also heavily investing in their 5G mobile network in France, with more than 5,200 5G sites commissioned, accessible in more than 7,700 municipalities and already nearly 40% of the French population covered by 5G.

Compare Internet and Mobile Network Coverage in Your Area! Call our English-speaking customer service line at 09 77 55 72 27 or ask for a free callback to get help subscribing to internet and mobile phone offers across France.

Subscribing to a French Internet or Mobile Phone Plan With Free

Find out everthing you need to know about getting the internet and a French mobile plan with our guide to setting up a phone and Internet plan in France.

How to sign up to a Free Mobile phone plan

You can sign up for a Free phone plan online or via one of their Free SIM card distribution machines that are available in Maison de la Presse and Mag Presse store locations. You can also sign up for a Free mobile phone plan in one of the Free stores).

• To sign up for a mobile phone plan with Free you will need:
• Your contact information: name, valid email address
• Your address: street address, apartment number, zip code
• Your banking information (RIB): you need to have a French bank account already set up before you sign up for a postpaid mobile phone plan. Some suppliers may also ask for your bank card (carte bancaire) information, which is used for activation fees/deposit.

Free Mobile Internet plans

You can sign up for a Free Internet plan (Freebox) online, or by calling 1044. To sign up for an Internet plan with Free, you will need to:

• Test your phone line to determine your broadband/optical fibre eligibility
• Provide full contact details: name, phone number, email address
• Provide your full address: street address, apartment number, zip code
• Provide proof of property (justificatif de domicile), such as an electricity or gas bill, or water bill
• Provide your banking information (RIB): you must have a French bank account in order to sign up for an Internet plan. Free may also ask for a French credit card(carte bancaire) information, for any activation fees/deposit.

Compare Internet and Mobile offers in France! Contact our English-speaking advisers to help subscribe to the best deal for your needs, free of charge! Call 09 77 55 72 27, or ask for a free callback.

How to Cancel a Free Subscription

Cancel Your Subscription to FreeSelectra's cancellation service makes cancelling your Internet or phone plan easy. Download a free template for a lettre de résiliation (cancellation letter).

Most of Free's internet and mobile phone offers are contract-free (sans engagement), meaning that you can cancel at any time without penalty and with relatively little hassle. To cancel your Free subscription, you must send a recommended letter (lettre recommandée avec avis de réception) to the following address:

The lettre de résiliation (cancellation letter) that you send to Free must contain:

• Your full name (first name, family name)
• Your account number (identifiant abonné)
• Your account ID (numéro de Ligne de l’abonné)

Free will cancel your plan within 10 days of having received the letter, or in some cases, on the last day of the month. You will know when Free receives your cancellation letter because you will have sent it through registered post (lettre recommandée avec avis de réception).

In most cases, you should be able to cancel your Free mobile phone plan without penalty (Free's mobile phone plans are sans engagement - nonbinding). However, note that conditions are different if a phone is included in your plan. Free "rents" phones based on a 24-month commitment, meaning that you may need to return the phone and all of its parts within 30 days of cancelling your plan if it is before the 24-month mark. Alternatively, you may be charged for the months remaining on your 24-month commitment.

How to Write a Cancellation Letter for Free Mobile

If you need to cancel your Free mobile phone plan because you are leaving the country, you will need to send a cancellation letter to Free Mobile's cancellation service (service résiliation). You can find out more about how to cancel a mobile phone plan in France in our guide, or you can use this letter template when writing your cancellation letter. Don't forget to send it by registered post!

Your Name
Your Address
City, Postal Code

Free Mobile Résiliation
75371 PARIS Cedex 08

Your City, The Date

Obj: Résiliation de mon abonnement Free

Madame, Monsieur,

Je vous informe, par la présente lettre recommandée, de ma volonté de résilier mon abonnement mobile Free désigné sous le numéro de contrat [Your account number].

En effet, devant prochainement déménager à l’étranger, je n’aurai plus la possibilité de bénéficier de vos services à l’adresse de ma nouvelle habitation. Vous retrouverez ci-joint les justificatifs de cette situation.

J’ai bien noté que l’abonnement sera résilié à l’issue d’un délai minimum de préavis de 10 jours à compter de la réception de ce courrier. Mon contrat devra prendre fin le [Date you wish to cancel your plan]. Je vous demande de m’envoyer une facture de clôture de compte ainsi qu’une confirmation écrite m’indiquant la date effective de résiliation.

Je vous demande de m’envoyer une facture de clôture de compte ainsi qu’une confirmation écrite m’indiquant la date effective de résiliation à l’adresse suivante [Your new address].

Je vous remercie par avance de faire le nécessaire pour accéder à ma demande de résiliation et vous adresse mes sincères salutations.

[Signature]

Your Name

Cancelling a Free Mobile Plan But Keeping Your Phone Number

If you have decided to switch from Free to another provider, chances are you will want to keep the same phone number.

To keep your phone number when changing providers you need to find out your RIO (Relevé d'Identité Opérateur - a unique identifying number that is assigned to your phone number). This is a 12-digit number that you can find by dialling 3179 (to automatically receive your RIO in a text), or in your online client space. You then will need to communicate this number to your new provider - they will take care of the rest (transferring your number, cancelling service with Free)!

How to Cancel an Internet Plan with Free

Most of Free's Internet plans are also sans engagement (non-binding), meaning that you can cancel your plan at any time. However, Free charges a one-time cancellation fee of 49€ for Internet plan cancellations (to cover the costs of closing the line), and you must send back the Internet modem and all of its associated parts to Free in good condition.

You may be able to have the €49 fee reimbursed by your new operator if you have decided to switch internet providers.

Find out more about cancelling an Internet plan in France.