Five reflexes to adopt before changing mobile plans

Calculate the cancellation fee for your mobile plan

If you hold a mobile contract with a commitment of 12 months, in case of early termination, you are liable for the remaining monthly payments up to the end date of the commitment.

Si vous avez souscrit à un forfait mobile avec un engagement de 24 mois, en cas de résiliation la première année d’abonnement, vous devez payer 100% des mensualités restantes jusqu’à la fin du 12^ème mois et 25% des mensualités du 13^ème au 24^ème mois d’abonnement et ce grâce à la loi Chatel. Et si la résiliation de votre forfait mobile intervient la deuxième année d’abonnement, vous êtes redevable d’un quart des mensualités restantes jusqu’à la date de fin d’engagement.

Before changing your mobile plan, it is therefore important to calculate your cancellation fee, which can be costly in the event of an early termination of your contract.

Namely: you can request exemption from cancellation fees from your mobile operator in the case of so-called "legitimate" reasons (dismissal, move abroad or to an area not covered, increase in rates by the mobile operator, overindebtedness, detention, liquidation, death, disability, illness, long-term hospitalization, etc.).

In order to terminate your mobile package free of charge if there is a legitimate reason, you must make a request to your operator's customer service and send it a supporting document corresponding to your situation.

Keep your mobile number when changing your plan

If you want to take advantage of a better and more attractive mobile offer from a competing operator, you can keep your mobile number free of charge thanks to number portability.

In addition to transferring your phone number, your future operator will cancel your mobile subscription with your current operator. You do not need to send a termination letter to your mobile operator to terminate your contract.

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To carry out the portability of your number, all you have to do is communicate to your new operator your Rio code (operator identity statement). To know this 12-character identifier, you need to dial 3179 from the relevant mobile line (free voice mail). At the end of your call, you will automatically receive an SMS with your Rio code as well as your commitment end date if your contract is still subject to a commitment period.

Choose the right mobile package before you start

Another important step before changing your mobile plan is to take stock of your expectations. Your telephone needs may change, so it is necessary to estimate your monthly telephone consumption, the number of SMS and MMS, calls to foreign countries, and your data consumption for the mobile Internet part.

To help you find the mobile package that matches your needs but also your monthly budget, you can use our mobile plan comparator or discover our selection of the best mobile phone offers of the moment. With just a few clicks, you can find the subscription that fits your needs and Don't miss out on the good deals available on the market.

Check operator mobile coverage

Another reflex to keep in mind before changing mobile plans is to check the mobile coverage offered by the operator around your home, but also at your workplace or in the places you frequent the most.

To do this, do not hesitate to perform a mobile network test using your address to find out who is the best mobile operator in your municipality. The Telecoms Constable, ARCEP, also provides mobile coverage maps that allow you to monitor the networks of the various players present in this market.

A mobile plan change is often a good time to consider whether to buy a new phone. To take advantage of a smartphone at a cheap price, several operators offer packages with a new included phone.

However, in order to benefit from a subsidized price when purchasing this new device, you must, in return, commit yourself to a period of 12 months or 24 months. In addition, mobile subscriptions are generally charged at a higher monthly rate.

If you need a new mobile phone, you can also purchase the device yourself and at the same time subscribe to a cheaper mobile package without obligation. This solution, which is more expensive at the time of purchase, turns out to be most often the least expensive in the long term.

Alternatively, you can keep your current phone and change your mobile plan. If this has not already been done, simply desimlock your device so that it can receive, without problem, another operator's SIM card.

Check out our operator change guides: