Many different internet providers are available in France, however not all are equal in terms of price or reliability. Here is how to find the best deal for your needs.
The average price for an entry-level fibre optic internet package in France was €28.59 per month as of October 2024, according to comparison site Ariase. This was 8% higher than a year ago.
It compares to an average broadband cost of £26.90 (€32.29) in the UK as of 2023, according to comparison site Uswitch and $81 (€77.39) in the US according to Forbes.
By provider, the average monthly costs (of an entry-level fibre optic internet over 24 months) in France, according to Ariase, were:
- Red by SFR – €24.53
- Sosh – €25.99
- Bouygues Telecom – €28.49
- SFR – €29.99
- Orange – €30.49
- Free – €32.03
Work out what you need
The price of an internet package depends on several factors, such as speed, performance, associated services and support.
It is important, therefore, to first of all understand your internet needs:
- How often do you use it?
- Do you do a lot of streaming or video calls, which require fast download and upload speeds?
- Would you prefer a package that includes support available in-store or by telephone, rather than via chat?
- Would you like a “bundle” (usually internet, television and a landline) or are you looking for an internet-only package?
Knowing what you need will help when comparing the available offers. Many people could be signed up to a more expensive package than they actually need or use.
A 2023 study by consumer group UFC-Que Choisir ranked the main internet providers by the reliability of their service and customer satisfaction.
Orange’s low-cost option Sosh came out on top. It was praised for its affordability and reliability, but criticised for its lack of in-person support. SFR came in last place, losing points for a lack of customer satisfaction.
The full list from best to worst was: Sosh, Free, Orange, Bouygues Telecom, RED by SFR, SFR.
Connexion subscriber Malcolm Hicks has been with Orange for almost 20 years. He said while it is slightly more expensive than competitors, “speed of repair and accessibility are a priority. It is particularly good that I can go into the Orange shop and talk to an advisor”.
Read more: Is Starlink a good option for internet access in rural France?
Check your bills
Understanding why you are paying more than the advertised deal you signed up for is important. Go through your bills and you could discover hidden fees. These can range from installation costs to equipment hire.
“Beware of hidden charges such as activation fees, installation costs (and) cancellation charges,” says consumer group UFC-Que Choisir.
Another reason for an increase in price is that some offers are only valid for a certain period, eg. 12 months, and then revert to a higher price afterwards.
If you cannot see why you are being charged more, contact your provider and ask to be returned to your original rate.
Check internet coverage options
Broadband connectivity can be patchy, depending on where you are in France. Some readers have told The Connexion about their struggles to get coverage, especially in more rural areas, with some opting for Starlink internet, powered by satellite, to get around this.
It is worth checking what the internet options are in your area before you start your search. You can use a tool on the website of France’s communications regulatory authority Arcep to see the available internet connections for your home.
Check price comparison sites
Once you know what you need, it is time to do some research and compare offers from as many internet providers as possible. Online comparison sites allow you to see current offers in your area.
French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir has an internet deals comparison website at quechoisir.org/comparateur-fai-n21205.
“Although in a rural area I've had no problems with any provider. I change on each renewal by way of a comparison site and choose the cheapest,” said The Connexion subscriber Stuart Ross.
Negotiate or change providers
It could be worth trying to negotiate with your current provider rather than changing companies. They are often keen to retain customers so may offer you a special rate to stay.
If you do decide to change providers, check what kind of contract you are currently on.
“Changing providers or ending the contract can be tricky in France, because offers usually come with a fixed duration of 12 months,” Eléna Bajric, of the EU consumer organisation the European Consumer Centre France, told The Connexion.
Consumers on contracts with a minimum length of over 12 months can end the contract, for 20% of the remaining amount if they bought a phone with their deal, or if not usually for a fixed sum of around €50.
Read more: Letters: Don't sign deals for fibre internet on your doorstep in France
Bundle services
Many consumers can save money by bundling services together – usually internet, television and a telephone landline (known as an offre triple play). The addition of a mobile phone phone package is an offre quadruple play.
However, it is worth thinking about whether the saving is enough to attach yourself to one provider who it may be difficult to leave.
“While these packages can often save a few euros on monthly payments, they also tend to make subscribers more captive and make it harder to change operators,” says UFC-Que Choisir.
Companies can also sometimes attract customers with a low-cost bundle, but the price can rise after the introductory period.
Several readers told us they had been encouraged to sign up for an internet and landline bundle, but never used the landline. Some had even disconnected it, complaining of advertising calls from the internet provider.
Choose a basic package
Not everyone needs super-fast internet speeds, and many people with moderate internet usage (browsing the web and checking emails) can quite happily make do with slower speeds, and therefore, a cheaper overall package.
Look at the extras
Some internet providers throw in extras such as streaming service memberships. Make sure to take these into consideration when comparing, as they could add value to your deal, and save you having to pay for a subscription.
Cancel for free
Also be aware that you can cancel your current internet contract free of charge if it has not met its obligations or if charges have risen. So, if your internet speeds are constantly slower than they should be, you should be able to cancel the contract and find a better deal elsewhere.
You can easily check your internet speed online using sites such as fast.com/fr/ca/
Options for second-home owners
Rather than pay for year-round internet when you only visit France for a few weeks or months a year, you could buy a 4G router for your second home. However, this only works if your home has an adequate 4G or 5G signal.
You can take out a mobile subscription with no commitment via a SIM card-only plan. Then put the SIM into the router and connect your devices to the network.
“4G coverage in rural areas can be patchy and so is not a reliable solution which can pose problems for anyone relying on the internet for work,” warned Connexion reader Ben Baldock.
Read more: Portable internet service Starlink Mini is now available in France
Reader feedback:
Thanks for all your internet feedback, which we have collated below:
“I find Orange very expensive and intrusive with their advertising,” said Angela Wingrave.
“Starlink works great for me in the countryside,” said Terry Akerman.
“I was originally with Orange, ADSL. When we got fibre two years ago, I changed to Bouygues as they gave a better deal (half the price of Orange for a year). I live in the countryside, it has been a very good service and I will stay with them,” said Bruce Dennis.
“We use a 5G SIM from Reglo mobile in an old 5G smartphone repurposed as a hotspot… pretty good 5G service over 100GB/month for just €9.99 on current offer. Plenty for our needs,” said Simon Nicholls.
“My full service fibre connection with Bouygues is great – no drop out of signal – basic service ie. no extra film or sports channels for 24,99€ per month,” said Gill Bedding.
“I popped a Starlink dish in the garden for our second home on the roaming tariff. It was great last year. Not sure about keeping it as yet the monthly rate just nearly doubled, said Dan Mayer.
“Avoid FREE. Impossible to talk to a human being on phone and any shops only exist to hook new customers. "We went back to Orange simply because we can’t walk into an Orange outlet in a shopping mall and talk to a helpful human,” said Beverly Adab.
“I use Sosh. I recently switched from ADSL to fibre and the improvement was immediately noticeable. The installation service was quick and clean,” said Graham Brown.
“We have been using Starlink here in Dept 79 for around two years and it's been superb,” Richard O’Callaghan.
“We are using Free fibre and it is excellent,” Ashley Lyn Adams.
“Starlink is brilliant. No issues and it works as it should. At €40 a month, very reasonable and a great service,” Carol N Harry.
