
Bouygues Telecom is a major player in the French telecommunications market. It offers a wide range of services to its customers.
Bouygues Telecom provides mobile phone services, including voice, text, and data plans. Its mobile network covers over 99% of the French population.
The company also offers internet services, including ADSL and fibre broadband. Bouygues Telecom's fibre broadband plans offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
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History
Bouygues Telecom was authorised by the French government to build and operate France's third GSM mobile phone network on 4 December 1994.
The company commercially launched its network on 30 May 1996, with a weaker coverage compared to Orange and SFR. To compensate for this, Bouygues Telecom developed several innovations, including the heavy use of the 1800 MHz frequency band, which is more efficient in urban areas.
Bouygues Telecom marketed the first combo packages in May 1996, offering a unique combination of services. This was followed by the launch of France's first SMS service in 1996, initially only between its subscribers.
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A free call recording function was included in all packages from 15 January 1997, a feature that was not available on other networks at that time. Caller ID was launched at the end of 1997, followed by its competitors a few months later.
The company's market share reached approximately 17% by 2001. However, this was not enough to deter Bouygues Telecom from launching new services, including the "Millenium" package in November 1999, which offered unlimited calls during the weekend.
The "Spot" formula was launched in March 2000, offering several minutes of free talktime in exchange for advertising messages during communication. Bouygues Telecom also launched France's first unlimited evening calling plan to all operators in 2006.
Here's a list of some of Bouygues Telecom's key milestones:
- 1994: Authorised to build and operate France's third GSM mobile phone network
- 1996: Commercially launched its network and marketed the first combo packages
- 1997: Launched caller ID and included a free call recording function in all packages
- 1999: Launched the "Millenium" package with unlimited calls during the weekend
- 2000: Launched the "Spot" formula with free talktime in exchange for advertising messages
- 2006: Launched France's first unlimited evening calling plan to all operators
- 2009: Launched France's first converged quadruple play offer called "ideo"
- 2011: Launched its lower-cost flanker brand called B&YOU
- 2020: Acquired Euro-Information Telecom and renamed it as Bouygues Telecom Business – Distribution
- 2025: Launched a new "unsubscription fee" of about €5 and a 40GB worldwide mobile offer for new customers
Regulatory Issues
Bouygues Telecom has had its fair share of regulatory issues. In 2005, it was found by the Autorité de la concurrence to have acted against the best interests of consumers and the economy by sharing confidential information between 1997 and 2003.
The company was fined €535 million in total, along with Orange and SFR. Bouygues Telecom went to court in November 2007 seeking to have the ruling annulled.
About Bouygues Telecom
Bouygues Telecom was created in 1994 by the French industrial group Bouygues.
Bouygues Telecom is historically the third-largest telecommunications provider in France, after Orange and SFR.
The company offers a range of services, including Internet plans, mobile phone plans, and prepaid mobile phone credit.
Customers can enjoy additional savings when combining a mobile phone plan with an Internet package.
Bouygues Telecom launched a low-cost brand, B&You, in 2011, which sells commitment-free mobile phone and Internet plans.
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Network and Coverage
Bouygues Telecom's network coverage is impressive, with 99.9% of the population covered by 4G.
Their 5G network is well-developed in France, with over 11,000 5G base stations across the country.
Bouygues Telecom's service quality is relatively strong, just behind Orange.
If you're considering Bouygues for your internet needs, you'll be happy to know that 31 million homes are eligible for their optical fibre (FFTH) service.
As of now, there are 3 million Bouygues fibre optic subscribers in France.
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Phone Services
Bouygues Telecom offers mobile phone plans with or without a contract, giving you flexibility in how you choose to stay connected.
Plans with a phone included come with a 24-month contract, but you can renew your Bouygues smartphone at a preferential rate every two years.
Prices for Bouygues mobile plans range from €2 to €59.99, with some offers compatible with 5G.
Limited-time promotions can lead to changing prices, so it's essential to stay up-to-date on the latest deals.
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Phone Offers
Bouygues Telecom offers various mobile phone plans, including a 24-month contract with a phone included, and contract-free plans without a phone.
You can choose from several Bouygues offers, such as the Forfait B&You 100 Go 5G, which costs €10.99/month, or the Forfait Bouygues 50Go 5G, which costs €29.99/month.
The Bouygues 200Go 5G plan is available for €36.99/month for the first 12 months, and then €46.99/month after that.
Bouygues also offers a Forfait Bouygues 300Go 5G, which costs €59.99/month.
Here's a summary of the Bouygues mobile plans with prices:
Keep in mind that prices may change, and limited-time promotions are often available.
SIM Card Options
If you're looking for a Bouygues SIM card, you have several options to choose from. Bouygues offers prepaid SIM cards without a contract for short stays.
The Carte XL SIM card is available for €5, €10, €20, and €40.
For those who want a more traditional SIM card, the Carte classique is also available for the same prices.
If you're planning to travel internationally, the Carte internationale is a good choice, priced at €5, €10, €20, and €40.
You can also consider the Travel Basic eSIM for €19.90, the Travel Basic+ eSIM for €21.90, the My European eSIM for €39.90, or the My European eSIM 60GB for €41.90.
Internet Services
Bouygues Telecom offers a range of internet services to suit different needs and budgets.
You can choose from three main types of internet plans, known as the Bbox plans, as of 2024. These plans offer varying speeds and features to cater to different user requirements.
To sign up for a Bouygues internet plan, you'll need to test your phone line to determine your broadband or fibre optic eligibility, and provide various contact details and proof of property. You can sign up online, by calling Selectra, or in a Bouygues Telecom Boutique.
Bouygues internet plans start from €28.99, and you can also bundle your internet with a mobile plan to save up to €10/month.
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Série Spéciale Bbox
The Série Spéciale Bbox is a no-contract offer with a fixed price, exclusively for B&You customers.
This fibre optic internet plan comes with unlimited fixed telephone line and television, making it a great option for those who want a reliable and comprehensive service.
Fibre optic downstream speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s with Wifi 6 are included, ensuring fast and seamless internet connectivity.
You'll also get free calls to fixed lines in 110 international destinations, which is incredibly convenient for frequent callers.
Some of the international destinations include the US, Canada, Australia, most of Europe, South America, and much of Asia.
Up to 180 television channels are available, thanks to the TV decoder Bbox 4K.
Internet Offers
Bouygues offers a range of internet plans, known as Bbox plans, with three main types as of 2024.
You can choose from Bouygues' Triple Play offers, which include internet, mobile, and fixed telephone line, or Quadruple Play offers, which add television to the mix. These bundles always come with an internet subscription and a mobile plan without a contract, and customers can save up to €10/month.
To get these discounts, you'll need to meet certain conditions. For new customers, signing up for a Bouygues Bbox Must or Bbox Ultym fibre plan with a Bouygues 130 GB and + plan without telephone can get you a €5/month discount on your internet box and mobile package.
If you're already a Bouygues mobile customer, you can get a €5/month discount on the new Bbox Must or Ultym fibre box offers. Bouygues internet customers can also get a €5/month reduction on the new 130 GB+ no-phone plans, provided they have a fibre or ADSL internet package or 4G/5G box.
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The Série Spéciale Bbox is a no-contract offer reserved for B&You customers, with a fixed price that includes fibre optic internet, unlimited fixed telephone line, and television. This plan comes with fibre optic downstream speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s with Wifi 6, free calls to fixed lines in 110 international destinations, and up to 180 television channels.
To sign up for a Bouygues internet plan, you'll need to test your phone line to determine your broadband/fibre optic eligibility, provide full contact details, and proof of property. You'll also need to provide your banking information, including your French bank account and bank card details, if applicable.
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MVNOs and Partnerships
Bouygues Telecom has partnered with several smaller operators to offer their services. Akéo Telecom is one of them, relying on Bouygues Telecom's network.
These partnerships allow Bouygues Telecom to reach a wider customer base. Auchan Telecom is another example, leveraging Bouygues Telecom's infrastructure.
Some of the MVNOs using Bouygues Telecom's network include Cdiscount Mobile and NRJ Mobile. They don't have their own network, but instead rely on Bouygues Telecom's.
Lycamobile is also part of this group, using Bouygues Telecom's network to provide its services. CIC Mobile / Crédit Mutuel Mobile and Youprice are two more MVNOs that partner with Bouygues Telecom.
Here's a list of some of the MVNOs that use Bouygues Telecom's network:
- Akéo Telecom
- Auchan Telecom
- Cdiscount Mobile
- NRJ Mobile
- CIC Mobile / Crédit Mutuel Mobile
- Lycamobile
- Youprice
Customer Experience
Bouygues Telecom has a mixed bag of customer reviews, with some customers reporting positive experiences and others expressing dissatisfaction.
Efficient customer service is one of the strengths of Bouygues, with customers receiving equipment quickly.
Good cellphone coverage is another advantage, although some customers have reported problems with after-sales service, particularly when trying to reach customer service for issues with their Internet modem.
The average customer review score for Bouygues is 1.6/5, based on 14,507 reviews across various platforms.
Here's a summary of the average customer review scores for Bouygues on different platforms:
Reviews
Reviews play a significant role in shaping our perception of a company. Bouygues Telecom, a French telecommunications operator, has mixed customer reviews. Customers reported receiving equipment quickly, which is a plus.
Efficient customer service is a key advantage of Bouygues. However, some customers experienced difficulties reaching customer service when they had problems with their Internet modem.
Good cellphone coverage is another benefit of Bouygues. This is a significant advantage for customers who rely heavily on their cellphones.
Affordable offers and good value for money are also major pluses for Bouygues customers. This is reflected in the company's customer reviews, with many customers praising its competitive pricing.
Here's a summary of Bouygues' customer reviews on different platforms:
Customer Experience
Bouygues Telecom offers a few ways to cancel your plan, and it's good to know what to expect. You can call their customer service number, request to cancel online in your personal space, or send a cancellation letter.
To send a cancellation letter, it's essential to use registered post, which ensures that Bouygues receives it. This also helps you keep a record of when they received the letter.
The cancellation letter should include your full name, account number, and account ID. Bouygues will then cancel your plan within 10 days of receiving the letter, or on the last day of the month in some cases.
If you're a Bbox Nomad or prepaid customer, you have two options for cancellation: sending a registered letter or calling their customer service.
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Industry
Bouygues Telecom has a strong presence in the French telecommunications market, with over 10 million customers.
The company operates a 4G network that covers 98% of the French population, providing fast and reliable internet access to its customers.
Bouygues Telecom offers a range of mobile and internet plans, including a popular "Fibre" plan that provides high-speed internet access.
The company has a significant market share in France, with around 20% of the fixed broadband market.
Bouygues Telecom has a long history in the telecommunications industry, dating back to 1994 when it was founded by Martin Bouygues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bouygues owned by?
Bouygues is primarily owned by the Bouygues family and its employees through a unique ownership structure. The company is controlled by Martin Bouygues and his family, with employees also having a significant stake.
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