For several years, French consumers have noticed a gradual decrease in mobile plan prices . According to the latest comparison conducted by Ariase, this downward trend reached a new record in 2024.
Key figures for the reduction in mobile plan prices
Ariase recently published its mobile plan price barometer for November 2024. The average cost of an unlimited voice/SMS mobile plan with at least 10 GB of mobile data is currently €10.68. This represents a decrease of 38.4% compared to the previous year. This is the largest drop recorded in two years.
This drop in prices can be attributed to several factors. First, increased competition between operators is pushing them to offer increasingly attractive deals to attract new customers and retain their existing clientele. In 2024, the total number of mobile plans sold was 76.5 million , an increase of one million compared to the previous year, according to data from the telecommunications authority.
The impact of competition between operators
Intense competition among mobile phone operators is one of the main drivers of price reductions for mobile plans. Due to the slowdown in the annual growth of the number of activated SIM cards since the end of 2022, operators are forced to increase promotions and special offers to avoid losing market share.
Some operators don’t hesitate to introduce significant discounts and extended promotional periods to remain competitive. For example, waived activation fees or free first few months of subscription have become common strategies. Such aggressive pricing is clearly aimed at encouraging users to switch providers to take advantage of better deals.
Evolution of technologies and infrastructure
Alongside the drop in mobile plan prices, we are also seeing rapid technological and infrastructure development . According to the analysis firm Chetan Sharma Consulting, 5G adoption is progressing at twice the rate of 4G adoption. This technological transition is leading operators to adjust their offerings to remain attractive to demanding consumers.
Furthermore, industry giants like Google and Meta are investing heavily in projects to strengthen global infrastructure. Meta, for example, plans to build its own undersea cable to improve global connectivity. These efforts aim to offer better service quality while lowering operating costs, which could further positively influence mobile plan prices in the long term.
Legal disputes and their effect on the market
The barometer established by Ariase reflects the monthly and annual variations in average prices for internet subscriptions and mobile plans among the main French operators. Regarding fiber optic internet offers, the average monthly cost for an entry-level connection was €28.51 in November 2024, marking a year-on-year decrease of 12.8%. Although this represents a slight increase compared to the previous month due to the discontinuation of specific promotions, the overall trend remains downward.
In addition to technological and strategic developments, court decisions could also play a role in price dynamics. For example, a lawsuit filed by the Familles Rurales association highlighted certain misleading business practices regarding Free’s promise of ultra-fast internet speeds. Following this court ruling, it is likely that companies will revise their offers and communicate more transparently.