We are trying to find out which operator has the best 5G coverage, and the first answer we get is a coverage map on an official website. The problem is that this map only tells part of the story. 5G coverage in France depends on the frequency band used, the number of active antennas, and the exact location where you are, not just the percentage displayed on a marketing page.
5G Frequencies and Impact on Actual Coverage
Three frequency bands coexist in 5G, and each provides a radically different experience. The 700 MHz band covers long distances, penetrates walls reasonably well, but delivers speeds only slightly higher than those of 4G. In contrast, the 3.5 GHz band offers the highest speeds at the cost of reduced range and poor indoor penetration. The 2100 MHz band is situated between the two.
Free has bet on the 700 MHz band to cover as much territory as possible. The 5G logo appears easily, even in rural areas. The actual speed on 700 MHz remains limited, sometimes comparable to what is achieved with 4G+.
Orange has taken the opposite approach by primarily deploying on the 3.5 GHz band. The speeds are significantly higher, but the covered area is more restricted. SFR and Bouygues Telecom combine several bands depending on the geographical sectors. A detailed comparison of performance by operator is available on the Insomnie du Geek website, which cross-references coverage data with speed measurements.
For the user, the consequence is direct: widespread 5G coverage does not mean a fast network. The trade-off between geographical coverage and speed performance remains the true criterion for choosing between operators.
Operational 5G Antennas: The Gap Between Authorizations and Active Service
The ANFR regularly publishes the number of authorized 5G sites by operator. This data feeds commercial communication, but it also counts antennas that have received administrative approval without being connected to the network. Only technically operational antennas emit a 5G signal.
The gap between authorized sites and operational sites varies by operator. Free shows the largest number of declared sites, a significant portion of which operate on 700 MHz with marginal performance gains. Orange, with fewer total sites, concentrates its active antennas on the 3.5 GHz band, where the speed difference is truly noticeable.
What Coverage Maps Do Not Show
Official maps simulate outdoor reception under favorable conditions. Neither wall thickness, terrain, nor simultaneous load on an antenna are included. ARCEP confirms this in its measurement campaigns: performance drops significantly inside buildings, especially on the 3.5 GHz band.
You can consult eligibility testing tools by address to refine the diagnosis. These tools indicate the presence of nearby antennas, not the reception quality in an apartment on the third floor behind concrete walls.
5G Coverage in Rural Areas and Transportation
In large urban areas, the four operators show comparable 5G coverage. Discrepancies appear as soon as you leave the metropolitan areas. Free covers more territory thanks to 700 MHz, with speeds that remain modest. Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom focus on medium-sized cities and major transport routes.
Train journeys reveal the weaknesses of each network. ARCEP’s measurement campaigns show significant discrepancies depending on the railway lines. An operator performing well in urban areas may completely drop out on a regional train in suburban areas.
Before choosing a 5G operator, it’s beneficial to check a few concrete points:
- The frequency band deployed at your address (700 MHz, 2100 MHz, or 3.5 GHz), which directly determines the accessible speed
- The number of operational antennas within a close radius, which can be checked via ANFR data, not just the operator’s map
- The results of independent measurements on your usual routes, as coverage while moving differs significantly from static coverage
- The compatibility of your smartphone with the 5G bands of the chosen operator, as not all devices support the 3.5 GHz band
Phase-Out of 2G-3G: A Lever for Short-Term 5G Coverage
The gradual shutdown of 2G and 3G networks frees up frequencies that can be reassigned to 4G or 5G. This reassignment is the main lever for improving coverage in the short term.
Alarms, payment terminals, agricultural sensors: many devices still connected via 2G need to migrate to newer networks. The transition is underway, with timelines varying by operator.
For a user with a recent smartphone, the phase-out of 2G-3G does not change daily life. However, it heralds a gradual densification of 5G on lower bands, likely to reduce the gap between operators in rural areas in the coming months.
Which Operator to Choose Based on Usage
Free remains the most logical choice for extensive 5G coverage at a lower cost, provided you accept speeds close to 4G in many areas. Orange dominates in urban speed thanks to its 3.5 GHz network, but its overall geographical coverage lags behind. SFR and Bouygues Telecom occupy intermediate positions, each with its strengths depending on the areas, with ARCEP rankings varying from region to region.
The national ranking masks very local realities. An operator that is first at the national level may be the least effective in a given municipality. The only reliable verification remains the address test, cross-referenced with ARCEP measurements on the routes you regularly take.
