Changing your mobile plan: how to choose the right one?

How do I change my phone plan? Be careful, if you're with Bouygues, you'll soon have to pay to switch. If you have a no-commitment B&You mobile plan, you'll soon have to pay a cancellation fee. Specifically, starting June 9, if you want to switch to a new provider, you'll have to pay €5.

These fees are already applicable to brand-new subscribers. This is a first in the world of mobile plans. Bouygues' justification is that there are cancellation fees for the company. One could also imagine that it's a good way to retain loyal customers. Bouygues is the first to implement these cancellation fees on mobile plans. But it could well give its competitors ideas... Keep an eye on this in the coming weeks.

Despite these fees, it's still worth looking elsewhere. Firstly, because some operators can reimburse you for cancellation fees if you go with them, it's worth negotiating. Free has already announced this, saying: "We'll cover these fees." Secondly, because mobile plan prices are generally falling, but this drop benefits new subscribers, not loyal customers. On average, a phone plan today costs €11.50. If you're paying more than €10, you're paying too much, like more than half of the French, and it's time to change.

Start by assessing your needs: look at how much data you use each month. To give you an idea, the average monthly usage is 15GB, so there's no point in going for a 100GB plan. The same goes for if you rarely travel abroad; there's no point adding expensive options; you'll be better off getting a one-time option, or even better, a SIM card when you're there.

Finally, you'll find the best deals online. Be careful in stores; there are some very good sellers and others. According to the UFC Que Choisir Consumer Observatory, 4 out of 10 customers are directed to packages that are too expensive and not suited to their needs. Don't hesitate to compare offers; there are excellent comparison sites like Frandroid, Le Bon Forfait, or the UFC Que Choisir one. They're free and updated monthly.