Our 4 tips for changing mobile operators without breaking the bank

Do you think you are paying too much for your plan? Do you want to change your smartphone? Both maybe? We have concocted a series of tips for you to make sure that you benefit from our experience and that this change of operator is as inexpensive as possible.

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Take the time to properly assess market offers and beware of false bargains

This may be how you decided to change operator, the promotion of a competitor makes your eye and calls into question the price you pay for your mobile subscription. It's never too late to pay less and it's true that the ultra-competitive French telecoms environment is driving prices down. A boon for us consumers (a situation that may change in 2022).

In the meantime and before jumping on the first cheaper offer, carefully measure all the services and content between its two offers. The Bouygues Sensation packages of 90GB and more, for example, are not necessarily the cheapest, but they give you access to many advantages: a free second SIM card, 30% reduction for any smartphone repair with WeFix or even the possibility of renew your device every two years at an advantageous rate.

Also pay attention to the attractive prices the first year which can sometimes double the following year. To properly compare two offers with each other, it is important to compare the price of the packages over a minimum of two years.

Another important characteristic to take into account is the duration of the commitment. Cancellation fees in the event of a change before the end of a contract can be high, as we will see below. The most attractive mobile with smartphone offers also often assume a 24-month commitment to benefit from them.

Didn't find a cheaper mobile plan than yours? The Selectra telecom offers comparator has been designed to help all consumers find the cheapest offer that best suits their needs. It allows you in a few clicks to compare thousands of offers from 31 operators.

Calculate your cancellation fees: to be sure of winning, know what you will lose

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Since 2005, mobile operator termination fees have been governed by the Chatel law. A welcome law for consumers who can now more easily change offers even for 24-month commitments.

Regardless of your mobile operator, termination fees will be calculated in the same way:

When changing Internet operator, most providers offer a refund of termination fees, often around €100. These cashback offers generally do not apply to mobile offers.

Keeping your phone number simplifies the process and can even be cheaper

It is certainly a specificity of the telecoms environment When you change mobile operator, it is very interesting to keep your current number with the new operator. This process called number portability is carried out simply by communicating your RIO number to the new operator (just call 3179 from his line to obtain it).

In addition to simplifying the change by avoiding having to communicate your new telephone number to your relatives or your bank, keeping your number also simplifies the transition since you will not have to cancel with your current operator. Your new mobile service provider takes care of these steps as soon as you finish your subscription.

As if that were not enough, keeping your number when changing operator also allows you to benefit from additional reductions the first year with certain operators. This is particularly the case with Bouygues, which offers a €15/month reduction the first year on its Sensation 70GB and more plans if you keep your number (SFR also offers a €15/month reduction the first year even without keeping your number ).

Changing plans can also be a good time to change smartphones

Even if it means changing plans, why not take advantage of operator promotions on smartphones accompanying a mobile offer?

Discounts on smartphones with a plan are offered by most operators. These packages are generally sold with contracts with a commitment period of at least 24 months. This is particularly the case with Orange, SFR and Bouygues, which all offer good deals on subsidized mobiles, provided they sign for two years.

This trend is now also found with MVNO operators who usually offer non-binding packages. They also offer limited-edition mobile phone plans, but this time, subject to a 24-month commitment.

This is particularly the case with Cdiscount Mobile or NRJ Mobile at the moment, both of which are promoting packages subject to a 24-month commitment, accompanied by refurbished devices (iPhone 8, iPhone XR or even Galaxy S10) at very low price.

Many operators also offer bonuses for the trade-in of your old mobile, if you take out a new package with smartphone or even sometimes just the phone. This is what Orange offers by offering a €100 trade-in bonus if you buy a new smartphone in the store (from a list of eligible devices). A great way to combine saving and saving the planet!

Would you like more advice on how to reduce your telecom bill? Remember to consult our article containing 6 tips to reduce your internet bill and mobile plan.