Telecoms in France 2026
In 2026, France has 4 network operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Free) and around 30 MVNOs. 4G covers more than 99% of the population, 5G reaches 67-75% depending on the operator, and FTTH already covers more than 37 million eligible homes (ARCEP, end of 2024). This English-language hub gathers 10 in-depth guides to compare, sign up and cancel with full knowledge.
Key Takeaways
- The French market combines 4 network operators (MNOs) — Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Free — with around 30 MVNOs riding on their networks (Sosh, RED, B&You, La Poste Mobile, Prixtel and others).
- 4G coverage exceeds 99% of the population for the 4 operators; 5G reaches 67-75% of the population at the end of 2024-2025 per ARCEP. Official map: monreseaumobile.arcep.fr.
- 37 million FTTH-eligible homes at the end of 2024 (ARCEP). Address-level check: cartefibre.arcep.fr.
- Number portability is free (RIO via 3179, free call) and effective within three business days at most per ARCEP.
- The Loi Chatel (Article L.224-30, Consumer Code) lets you cancel a commitment plan after 12 months by paying only 25% of the remaining monthly fees.
- ADSL and the copper network will be progressively shut down between 2026 and 2030 (Orange plan tracked by ARCEP). Fibre replaces the entire copper network.
The French telecom market in plain English
The French telecom market sits on four network operators (MNOs) that own their own mobile and fixed infrastructure: Orange (historic), SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free. Each one sells mobile plans, internet boxes (Livebox for Orange, SFR Box, Bbox for Bouygues, Freebox for Free) and fibre deployments. Around thirty mobile virtual operators (MVNOs) rent capacity from the MNOs to sell their own plans: Sosh, RED by SFR, B&You, La Poste Mobile, Prixtel, Auchan Telecom, Cdiscount Mobile and others.
The sector regulator is ARCEP (Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques, des postes et de la distribution de la presse). ARCEP publishes quarterly market observatories, runs the official mobile-coverage map monreseaumobile.arcep.fr, the fibre deployment map cartefibre.arcep.fr and the reporting platform jalerte.arcep.fr. Consumer-operator disputes fall under the Médiateur des communications électroniques (mediation-telecom.org), a free and independent ombudsman.
Two structural transitions shape 2026: the phased copper/ADSL shutdown between 2026 and 2030 in favour of fibre, and the broadening of 5G to new bands and zones, complementing the 4G backbone that still anchors national coverage. The Loi Chatel (Article L.224-30 of the Consumer Code) frames cancellation, and number portability via the RIO (3179, free) remains a right guaranteed by ARCEP.
10 in-depth guides on French telecoms
Choose your mobile plan
How to compare data, commitment, coverage and European options to find the plan that matches your real usage.
Read guideInternet box comparison
Freebox, Livebox, SFR Box, Bbox: hardware, speeds, TV options and 2026 pricing compared.
Read guideVirtual operators (MVNOs)
Around 30 active MVNOs in France: Sosh, RED, B&You, La Poste Mobile, Prixtel, Auchan, Cdiscount Mobile.
Read guide5G in France: rollout and plans
Bands 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz, per-operator coverage and the plans that include 5G.
Read guideMobile network coverage
How to read the monreseaumobile.arcep.fr map and pick the right operator for your town.
Read guideFibre optic eligibility
Check FTTH eligibility at cartefibre.arcep.fr and understand the connection types.
Read guideFibre vs ADSL: which to choose
Speeds, latency, pricing, 2026-2030 copper shutdown — why switch to fibre as soon as possible.
Read guideHome fibre installation
Technician appointment, PTO socket, typical duration and mistakes to avoid for a clean install.
Read guideMobile number portability
The RIO via 3179, the role of the new operator and ARCEP's three-business-day deadline.
Read guideCancel a mobile plan
No commitment, Loi Chatel after 12 months, residual fees — how to cancel by the book.
Read guideThe French market in key numbers (official sources)
Headline indicators for the French telecom market in 2026, as published by ARCEP in its quarterly observatories and official maps.
Source: ARCEP quarterly observatories, monreseaumobile.arcep.fr, cartefibre.arcep.fr. Data for 2024-2025. Exact figures update with each quarterly release.
Your rights as a telecom subscriber
The French Consumer Code and ARCEP regulations tightly frame the operator-subscriber relationship. A few key rights to know before signing up or in the event of a dispute.
Number portability (RIO 3179)
Free, guaranteed within 3 business days. The new operator handles cancellation with the old one. The RIO is obtained free of charge by dialling 3179 from your line.
Loi Chatel and cancellation
Article L.224-30 of the Consumer Code: for 12 or 24-month commitments, after 12 months you only pay 25% of the remaining monthly fees when cancelling. No-commitment plans can be cancelled with a 10-day notice.
14-day right of withdrawal
Article L.221-18 of the Consumer Code: any distance subscription (online, phone, doorstep) opens a 14-day right of withdrawal without justification or penalty.
In case of a dispute
- →First step: the operator's customer service, then its consumer service in writing with proof of receipt.
- →No satisfactory answer within 2 months: free filing with the Médiateur des communications électroniques at mediation-telecom.org.
- →To report a network malfunction or a breach: jalerte.arcep.fr, the official ARCEP reporting platform.
- →As a last resort, the Tribunal judiciaire remains competent. Filing with the Médiateur suspends prescription.
- →Detailed cancellation steps: cancel a mobile plan guide.
Indicative overview of the main mobile and internet operators in France
The French market has four network operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free) that own their own antennas and fibre infrastructure, plus around thirty mobile virtual operators (MVNOs) riding on those networks. Factual overview of the main players and their associated sub-brands.
| Operator | Type | Categories | Key feature | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | Network operator (MNO) | Mobile, fibre, ADSL, Livebox | Widest mobile coverage according to ARCEP | www.orange.fr |
| SFR | Network operator (MNO) | Mobile, fibre, ADSL, SFR Box | RED by SFR sub-brand for no-commitment plans | www.sfr.fr |
| Bouygues Telecom | Network operator (MNO) | Mobile, fibre, ADSL, Bbox | B&You sub-brand for no-commitment plans | www.bouyguestelecom.fr |
| Free / Free Mobile | Network operator (MNO) | Mobile, fibre, ADSL, Freebox | Reputedly generous data plans, no commitment | mobile.free.fr |
| Sosh | Orange in-house MVNO | Mobile, internet box | Low-cost plans on the Orange network, no commitment | www.sosh.fr |
| La Poste Mobile | MVNO on SFR | Mobile only | Distributed through post offices, historic operator | www.lapostemobile.fr |
| Prixtel | Multi-network MVNO | Mobile only | Plans that adjust to monthly consumption | www.prixtel.com |
| Auchan Telecom | MVNO on Bouygues | Mobile only | Mass-market retail distribution, discount pricing | www.auchantelecom.fr |
Non-exhaustive selection · Source: ARCEP Observatory (quarterly publications), monreseaumobile.arcep.fr and operators' official websites · Data captured on 26 May 2026. · See our methodology
Switching operator or box: the right reflexes
For a mobile plan, the reflex is to request the RIO by dialling 3179 from your line (free call, RIO returned by SMS), then sign up with the new operator giving that code. The port completes within three business days at most per ARCEP, with no meaningful service interruption. The new operator handles the entire cancellation.
For an internet box, the steps are similar: sign up with the new operator, return the old box (follow the return instructions to avoid non-return fees) and schedule the fibre installation if you are leaving ADSL. The phased copper shutdown between 2026 and 2030 accelerates the move to fibre. Check your eligibility at cartefibre.arcep.fr before any decision.
Before signing, ask for the standardised information sheet (mandatory since 2020), check coverage at monreseaumobile.arcep.fr and keep every subscription, portability and cancellation receipt.
Useful links to get started
Frequently asked questions about telecoms in France
How many mobile operators are there in France in 2026?
France has four mobile network operators (MNOs) that own their own antennas and infrastructure: Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile. Around thirty mobile virtual operators (MVNOs) ride on those networks, such as Sosh (Orange), RED by SFR, B&You (Bouygues), La Poste Mobile, Prixtel, Auchan Telecom and Cdiscount Mobile, according to ARCEP's quarterly market observatory.
What is 4G and 5G coverage in France in 2026?
4G coverage exceeds 99% of the metropolitan population for each of the four operators, according to ARCEP and the official monreseaumobile.arcep.fr map. 5G coverage has grown rapidly: between 67% and 75% of the population was reached by at least one operator at the end of 2024-2025, with territorial coverage varying by frequency band (700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, n78). The official map is at monreseaumobile.arcep.fr.
How many homes are eligible for FTTH fibre in France?
According to the official map cartefibre.arcep.fr and ARCEP's quarterly observatories, around 37 million homes were FTTH-eligible (fibre to the home) at the end of 2024 — close to the entire metropolitan housing stock. Lower-density areas are covered via Public Initiative Networks (RIPs) co-funded by the state and local authorities. Address-level eligibility is checked at cartefibre.arcep.fr.
How do I keep my number when switching mobile operator (portability)?
Number portability is free, mandatory and guaranteed by ARCEP. The process relies on the RIO (Relevé d'Identité Opérateur), obtained by dialling 3179 (free) from your current line. You give that RIO to the new operator at sign-up: the new operator handles cancellation with the previous provider and the number transfer. Portability is effective within three business days at most, according to ARCEP, with no meaningful service interruption.
When will ADSL be shut down in France?
Orange, which operates the copper network through its subsidiary, has launched a phased programme of commercial closure followed by technical shutdown of ADSL and the copper network between 2026 and 2030. Commercial closure (no new subscriptions) precedes technical shutdown (line cut) by several months. The detailed town-by-town schedule is published on the Orange Wholesale site and tracked by ARCEP. Fibre is set to fully replace copper.
What is the difference between a network operator (MNO) and an MVNO?
An MNO (Mobile Network Operator) owns its own antennas and infrastructure — in France these are Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile. An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) does not own antennas and rents capacity from an MNO. MVNOs often target a specific segment (low-cost, community, adjustable, premium) with simpler plans. Examples: Sosh and Prixtel on Orange, RED by SFR on SFR, B&You on Bouygues, La Poste Mobile and Auchan Telecom across various host networks.
How do I cancel a mobile plan with or without commitment?
For a no-commitment plan, cancellation is possible at any time with a maximum 10-day notice under the Code de la consommation. For a 12 or 24-month commitment, the Loi Chatel (Article L.224-30 of the Consumer Code) lets you cancel after 12 months by paying only 25% of the remaining monthly fees. The easiest route is to ask for portability with the new operator (RIO via 3179): the new operator handles the entire cancellation.
Who do I contact in case of a dispute with a telecom operator?
First step: the operator's customer service, then its consumer service in writing with proof of receipt. If the answer is unsatisfactory or no answer arrives within two months, you can file a free complaint with the Médiateur des communications électroniques at mediation-telecom.org. The filing is free and independent. As a last resort, the Tribunal judiciaire remains competent. ARCEP also collects complaints via its platform jalerte.arcep.fr.
Which mobile plan should I choose in 2026?
The choice depends on four criteria: (1) your real data consumption (plans with 5 to 100 GB cover the vast majority of uses, 200-300 GB plans suit heavy users or tethering); (2) overseas usage (Europe and French overseas are included in most plans, outside Europe varies by offer); (3) coverage in your area, checked at monreseaumobile.arcep.fr; (4) commitment length (no commitment for flexibility, commitment for handset subsidy). Our choose-mobile-plan guide compares offers in detail.
How do I check if my address is fibre-eligible?
The most reliable tool is cartefibre.arcep.fr, run by ARCEP, which aggregates deployments by every infrastructure operator (Orange, SFR FTTH, Free, XpFibre, Altitude Infra, etc.). You can also test directly with each ISP (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues) using your exact address. If the address is not yet fibre-eligible, fixed wireless (4G Fixe or 5G Fixe) is an alternative in some areas — confirm with the operators.
What documents should I keep for a telecom contract?
Always keep: the signed contract and general terms and conditions, the standardised information sheet handed over before signing (mandatory since 2020), the last twelve monthly bills, and portability and cancellation confirmations. These documents are essential in case of a dispute, a refund request or a filing with the Médiateur des communications électroniques (mediation-telecom.org). Operators must keep them for ten years.
Official French telecom sources
The information presented is for guidance only and may change. Consult official sources (ARCEP, monreseaumobile.arcep.fr, cartefibre.arcep.fr, Service-Public.fr, Légifrance, Médiateur des communications électroniques) and operators before any decision. This site is purely informational and does not provide financial or legal advice.