The best mobile operators in the UK 2023

First of all, you should know that the price offered by mobile operators is not an objective criterion of choice. What's the point of subscribing to an affordable but outdated or invalid offer in your region or geographical area? Instead, we recommend the operator that will offer the best coverage and the best customer service. If you want to know more about this year's best mobile operators, devour this guide without moderation!

SFR Mobile 1
8/10

Best value for money

SFR Mobile

The best mobile operator in 2021

SFR has been present on the French market since 1987 and stands out for its wide range of offers for both individuals and businesses. Its mobile network is among the most efficient and is improved every year.

Learn more about SFR Mobile

SFR is an incumbent operator in the French telecom market. In June 2017, the operator with the red square counted exactly 1,176 sites with 4G that were evenly distributed across the country. As for the 3G network, its figures are even more staggering with nearly 18,977 active sites. As far as the 5G network is concerned, SFR is currently in the same dynamic as its great rival Orange.

Unlike Orange, SFR favors cheap mobile plans, especially through its sister brand RED By SFR. Its €5 plans are enjoying unprecedented popularity among young people and small budgets. Moreover, the same is true of its other offers. With or without commitment, with or without mobile, with or without internet data, with SFR you are spoilt for choice.

Free Mobile 2
8/10

Best value for money

Free Mobile

The best entry-level mobile operator

Free Mobile is responsible for the huge upheaval in the French mobile market. Thanks to its aggressive offers, the young operator has forced its competitors to adopt the same approach, much to the delight of consumers.

Learn more about Free Mobile
Orange 3
9/10

Best value for money

Orange

The best premium mobile operator

No one will deny it: Orange is the leading mobile operator in the UK. With a rare quality, the services of this giant meet the expectations of millions of users in the UK, but also in about thirty countries around the world.

Learn more about Orange

Many still don't know it, but Orange has the largest 3G and 4G broadband network across France. The proof is in the statistics. Indeed, almost 99% of the population is within the mobile network eligibility zone of the one that was once called France Telecom. Since 2017, this mobile operator has deployed its 4G+ network in several French cities and is currently working to do the same with 5G.

The packages offered by Orange are all about its image. Whether it's for telephony or internet offers, users are entitled to top-of-the-range and that's not a euphemism. Of course, the subscriptions of this mobile operator are expensive, but they are worth it. For the average budget, Orange is starting to offer affordable packages in special operation.

Bouygues Telecom 4
8/10

A great choice

Bouygues Telecom

The best mobile operator at a great price

Bouygues Telecom has set itself the goal of meeting the slightest of its subscribers' expectations, which it does quite well. The innovations made by this operator have allowed it to be among the best French mobile providers.

Learn more about Bouygues Telecom

Specialized in telecommunications for many decades, Bouygues Telecom has one of the most extensive 4G networks in the UK. In fact, the operator covers 34% of the national territory. That's less than SFR and Orange, but it's still a credit to its statistics. Many subscribers praise Bouygues' constant efforts to improve the quality of its services and above all to offer packages that are adapted to their real needs.

Let's not forget that Bouygues was one of the first to offer low-cost packages without any commitment. Otherwise, its offers are as varied as interesting. Big and small mobile and internet users will find a formula that meets their profile in its range of packages.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best mobile operator

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The best mobile operator in 2021

The best entry-level mobile operator

The best premium mobile operator

The best mobile operator at a great price

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Comparison table of the best mobile operators

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
SFR Mobile 5
8/10
Free Mobile 6
8/10
Orange 7
9/10
Bouygues Telecom 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
SFR Mobile
Free Mobile
Orange
Bouygues Telecom
SFR has been present on the French market since 1987 and stands out for its wide range of offers for both individuals and businesses. Its mobile network is among the most efficient and is improved every year.
Free Mobile is responsible for the huge upheaval in the French mobile market. Thanks to its aggressive offers, the young operator has forced its competitors to adopt the same approach, much to the delight of consumers.
No one will deny it: Orange is the leading mobile operator in the UK. With a rare quality, the services of this giant meet the expectations of millions of users in the UK, but also in about thirty countries around the world.
Bouygues Telecom has set itself the goal of meeting the slightest of its subscribers' expectations, which it does quite well. The innovations made by this operator have allowed it to be among the best French mobile providers.
Quality of service
Number of 4G sites in 2021
22,052
19,940
26126
21,659
Number of 5G sites
558 antennas at 3.5 GHZ
1007 5G antennas at 3.5 GHz
1241 in 3.5 GHz and 8804 in 700 MHz
629 5G antennas at 3.5 GHz
Percentage of geographic coverage
92.57%
86.97%
92.11%
92.86%
Minimum price and maximum price
8 € / 51.5 €
2 € / 10.99 €
7.99 € / 51.49 €
€12.99 / €24.99

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Buying guide - mobile operator

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How to choose your mobile operator

Supposedly to meet users' expectations, mobile operators are lowering their prices and increasing the number of privileges for their customers. While some packages offer real gains, others are just a commercial illusion, which is why it is important to examine certain selection criteria.

#1 - Scope of coverage

In terms of 4G coverage, SFR and Orange are in the lead, covering 93% and 92% of metropolitan France respectively. They are followed by Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile, which cover 91% and 89% of the territory respectively. As for the 5G coverage rate, it is no surprise that Orange and SFR stand out from the crowd with frequency blocks of 90 and 80 MHz respectively. Bouygues Telecom and Free mobile settle for a mediocre 70 MHz.

#2 - The quality of customer service

Customer service is a criterion whose importance should not be underestimated. A mobile operator worthy of the name must offer quality services, a good reception and professional phone services. On this point, the 4 major operators are equal. But if we had to choose only one, it is Orange which wins the prize. Moreover, the operator is often awarded for the excellence of its services.

#3 - The duration of the commitment

The standard commitment periods offered by mobile operators are 12 months and 24 months. These two periods are both advantageous. Even if the 12-month period seems more reassuring, more and more operators are opting for the 24-month commitment. Moreover, if you don't like the package you've subscribed to, you can terminate it as early as the thirteenth month (under conditions of course).

#4 - Smartphones offered or loaned

Mobile operators are always offering more smartphones in their catalogs. Before deciding on a provider, take the time to make a comparison of the smartphones offered. By refining your research and if you're lucky, you'll find the smartphones you're looking for without having to spend a fortune.

#5 - Commercial actions

You should ask yourself about the welcome offers and commercial offers of mobile operators. Are the benefits offered when you sign up for a mobile plan worth it? Are you entitled to any promotions? You will see that the little attentions coming from a mobile operator will do your wallet good.

How to know if your area is served by the mobile network?

To find out if a mobile plan will work in your area, you need to look at the coverage status of the mobile operator you are considering subscribing to. Be aware that mobile network operators do not use the same network. While heavyweights like Orange and Bouygues Telecom have a large network of base stations covering a huge part of the French territory, Free Mobile and SFR are more limited.

Rest assured, a detailed map of the mobile coverage is available on all the virtual platforms of the mobile operators operating on the territory. So it will be easy for you to check if the operator you are interested in has 4G coverage in your specific geographical location.

As far as 5G is concerned, it is still in the process of being deployed, but everything seems to indicate that everyone will be entitled to it in the near future. Mobile operators are making every effort to ensure that users outside of the experimental cities will soon be able to enjoy it.

Warning. To take advantage of 5G, you need to use a smartphone that is compatible with this technology. That said, phones stamped with 4G will not become obsolete.

The different types of mobile operators

The term "mobile operator" is commonly used to refer to telecommunications service providers. However, this term brings together different types of companies whose objectives and way of selling services differ from one end to the other.

Incumbent operators

Incumbent operators are companies that deploy their own networks throughout the country. Present in almost all regions of France, these mobile and Internet network operators have been in business for at least 30 years. So to speak, Orange and SFR are the only real historical operators in the UK. By offering excellent quality services, Bouygues Telecom did not take long to acquire this well-deserved status. Note that only the incumbent operators offer unlimited packages thanks to which you can communicate all over the world by calls or SMS.

Alternative operators

The alternative operators only appeared after the announcement of the end of the monopoly of the telecommunication market by the incumbent operators. They are therefore the first competitors of France Telecom. The packages offered by these alternative operators are more or less similar to those of the incumbents. It is even said that their offers are more flexible.

Virtual operators

They are the latest entrants in the French telecom market. Virtual operators have neither infrastructure nor mobile network. This category of telecom provider markets its packages by renting the infrastructure of a national operator. Moreover, the subscription, purchase or claim procedures are exclusively done online, on the official website of the operator.

Incumbent mobile operator or virtual mobile operator?

The historical mobile network operator

The main advantage of this operator lies in its seniority, knowing that in the UK, people place their trust more in brands that have experience and that have mastered their business perfectly. Although the tariffs of this category of mobile operator are higher, it continues to attract a large number of users.

The mobile virtual network operator

As they do not have an infrastructure, mobile virtual operators can market attractive offers and offer more flexible subscription conditions. They are particularly popular with younger users and people who do not need a tailored package to communicate.

Verdict

Even if the incumbent operators' offers lack flexibility, they are more responsive in handling customer requests. The shops and stands dedicated to welcoming users allow them to stand out. Most virtual operators offer smartphones in addition to their packages. However, the price of the latest devices is significantly more expensive compared to that of the incumbent operator. If you are looking for a more qualitative mobile operator (excellent customer service and better coverage), prefer a classic operator.

Tips

Choose the operators that offer the best deals with prepaid cards.

If you only use your phone to make occasional calls, choose a mobile operator that offers prepaid cards. As a reminder, this SIM card, purchased with or without the mobile, can be recharged as needed at a point of sale, a store or a tobacconist. This offer without commitment leaves you completely free to choose the cost of your communications.

Choose the operators who offer the best subscriptions.

Prepaid cards are flexible indeed, but they are more expensive if you use them to send SMS or to surf the web. So, if you are a regular cell phone user, prefer packages that include a 12 or 24 month subscription.

Get a new phone from your new mobile operator.

If you're thinking of getting a new smartphone, some operators offer so-called subsidized mobiles in return for subscribing to a 12- or 24-month package. Of course, the subscription cost is higher since it includes the hypothetical cost of the phone. On the other hand, be prepared to pay a fee if you plan to change operators before the end of your commitment.

Take advantage of the price war.

If changing operators on a regular basis saves you money, then do so even if it comes with a fairly cumbersome process. Operators have a habit of increasing the cost of their packages from the thirteenth month, you can avoid this by switching to another operator.

Make the most of the promotions.

To retain their subscribers, mobile network operators regularly offer promotions on some of their packages. If you want to increase your consumption without having to pay more, you just have to keep an eye out for these promotions.

FAQ

What is the best mobile operator?

The best mobile operator is the one whose services meet your every expectation and your budget. To find out more, read our buying guide.

How do I know if a mobile operator covers my area?

According to the recommendations of the Electronic Communications Regulatory Authority, or Arcep, mobile operators are required to publish a simplified map of their mobile coverage that allows users to identify areas where the quality of their network is excellent, good, limited and absent.

What to choose between the traditional and low-cost operator?

Virtual operators offer low-cost, no-commitment packages, but their subscribers cannot usually find help in the shop or get assistance on the hotline. Contacting an operator by mail or chat takes time. For those who are always in a hurry, thetraditional operator remains the best alternative.

Can I change my mobile operator before my subscription ends?

Yes, you can change your mobile operator before your subscription ends. In fact, it's just one way to save money. There are two ways to change operators. You must terminate the current plan and not keep your number, or you can port your number. For the first option, there is a fee.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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  2. , Pratique.leparisien.fr
  3. , Companeo.com
  4. , Capital.fr
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  9. , Radins.com
  10. , Officeeasy.fr
  11. , living-in-france.fr
  12. , quechoisir.org
  13. , meilleurmobile.com
  14. , selectra.info
  15. , meilleur-forfait-mobile.fr
  16. , echosdunet.net
  17. , quechoisir.org
  18. , ariase.com
  19. , frandroid.com
  20. , ariase.com
  21. , mobile.free.fr
  22. , couverture-mobile.fr
  23. , lapostemobile.fr
  24. , numerama.com
  25. , fr.wikipedia.org
  26. , monpetitforfait.com
  27. , boutique.orange.fr
  28. , nrjmobile.fr
  29. , sosh.fr
  30. , frandroid.com
  31. , bouyguestelecom.fr
  32. , arcep.fr
  33. , zoneadsl.com
  34. , fr.wikipedia.org
  35. , zoneadsl.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
SFR Mobile 9
SFR Mobile
Free Mobile 10
Free Mobile
Orange 11
Orange
Bouygues Telecom 12
Bouygues Telecom

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