Free Mobile Undertakes Not To Increase Its Prices Until 2027, But After That?

On the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the launch of its mobile offers, the operator once again confirms the freezing of the prices of its two historic packages, the Free Package at €19.99 and the Package at €2, until 2027. A strong promise, in a context where rising costs are weighing on the entire sector.

At the same time, Free renames its flagship offer, which officially becomes the Free 5G+ Package, and continues to enrich it at no additional cost: eSIM included, eSIM Watch compatibility, extension of roaming, integrated TV and cinema content, and above all generalization of 5G+ on iOS as on Android. A clear way to reinforce the perceived value without affecting the Price.

5G+ as a lever of differentiation

Behind this name change, Free is clearly pushing its technological vision. 5G+, based on the 3.5 GHz band, is presented as a qualitative evolution with reduced latency, better stability, and increased reliability. The operator recalls having been the first to deploy it nationally from 2024 and to activate it automatically for compatible terminals.

According to the latest reports from Opensignal, Free stands out today for the time spent in 5G, network availability and quality of voice usage. Indicators that reflect a reality, with more than 30,000 sites in service and an announced coverage of 95% of the population, Free now has a massively used 5G network, and no longer just theoretical.

Faced with Orange, SFR and Bouygues, a counter-current strategy

This announcement takes on even more significance as it contrasts with the strategies of other operators. Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have all increased price adjustments in recent years, sometimes discreet, sometimes more assertive, depending on inflation and increased network investments.

For them, premium 5G often remains confined to more expensive offers or conditional on options. Free, conversely, continues to trivialize access to the most advanced technologies, faithful to its historical logic which is to pull the market down on prices, and force its competitors to align.

This positioning is not without risks. Freezing prices for several years requires strict cost control and a sufficient volume of subscribers to absorb the investments. But Free seems to be betting on another factor which is loyalty. By locking prices, the operator sends a clear signal to its subscribers in a market that has become more volatile.

2027 and after?

The central question remains that of post-2027. Free does not commit beyond that, and this is probably no coincidence. Until then, several lines of force could reshuffle the cards.

First, the technological cycle. 5G+ is only a stage and the generalization of very low latency uses, the rise of standalone 5G, then the gradual arrival of 6G over the next decade will require heavy new investments. Ultimately, operators will have to choose between price stability and profitability.

Then, regulatory and competitive pressure. ARCEP’s decisions on frequencies, network sharing or coverage obligations could redistribute comparative advantages. Without forgetting the growing impact of low-cost offers, often carried… by the operators themselves.

Finally, there is iliad’s overall strategy. Free is no longer just a national troublemaker, the group is present in Italy and Poland, and is developing Free Pro on the business market. After 2027, the question will not only be that of prices, but of the coherence of an ecosystem between mobile, fixed, services and content.

However, by locking its prices until 2027, Free is not just making a commercial announcement, it is recalling what has made it successful. In a mature market, where innovations are often incremental and price increases increasingly difficult to justify to consumers, this strategy could well continue to weigh on the entire sector. It remains to be seen whether, after 2027, Free will be able, or willing, to extend this promise.