5G: Coverage and Plans

Where Is 5G in France?

Commercially launched in late 2020, 5G is progressively being deployed across French territory. All operators now offer 5G plans, but coverage and performance vary considerably by area. For more on telecommunications in France, explore our complete guides.

Different Frequency Bands

Not all 5G is equal. In France, three main bands are used:

700 MHz Band: Good building penetration and extended coverage, but limited speed gains compared to 4G.

2100 MHz Band: Intermediate performance, often "recycling" of 3G/4G frequencies.

3.5 GHz Band: "True" 5G with speeds that can exceed 1 Gbps. But coverage limited to dense urban areas.

Current Coverage

In Urban Areas

Major French cities (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux...) benefit from good 5G coverage, particularly in the 3.5 GHz band. Performance there is truly superior to 4G.

In Suburban and Rural Areas

5G coverage is more limited there. When it exists, it's often in the 700 MHz band with modest performance gains. Priority remains 4G deployment in white zones.

How to Check Coverage

Arcep publishes 5G coverage maps by operator. You can also consult operator websites for an estimate at your address.

Real Performance

Impressive Speeds... In Theory

5G can theoretically reach 10 Gbps. In practice, speeds observed in France are rather 100 to 500 Mbps in the 3.5 GHz band, which remains 5 to 20 times higher than 4G.

Reduced Latency

One of 5G's major advantages is reduced latency (response time). It can drop to 10-20 ms versus 30-50 ms on 4G. It's a significant gain for online gaming and real-time applications.

Stability

5G offers a more stable connection, especially in high-traffic areas (stadiums, shopping centers, transportation).

Should You Switch to 5G?

Concrete Advantages

Much faster downloads
Better HD/4K video streaming experience
Smoother video conferencing
More responsive mobile gaming
High-performance connection sharing

Current Limitations

Still uneven coverage
Requires a 5G-compatible smartphone
Higher battery consumption
Potential plan surcharge

For Whom Is It Really Useful?

5G is interesting if you're in a well-covered area AND have intensive uses (streaming, connection sharing, large downloads). For classic use (browsing, social networks, emails), 4G remains sufficient.

5G Plans

Prices

5G plans are not necessarily more expensive than 4G plans. Free, for example, offers 5G included in its 19.99 EUR plan. With other operators, expect 5 to 10 EUR more compared to an equivalent 4G plan.

What to Check

5G coverage in your usage areas
Included data volume (5G consumes more data because you use it more)
Your smartphone's compatibility

The Future of 5G

Deployment Continues

Operators continue their investments. 3.5 GHz band coverage should progressively extend to medium-sized cities and suburban areas.

New Uses

5G will enable new services: augmented reality, connected vehicles, massive IoT, advanced telemedicine. These applications will arrive progressively.

Conclusion

5G is a reality in France but its interest depends on your location and uses. Don't change plans just for 5G without verifying that it's available and performing well in your usual usage areas.

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes. 5G deployment evolves rapidly. Consult the Arcep website for the latest coverage data.