Best mobile network referral programmes 2026: Orange, Bouygues, SFR and Free compared
Changing mobile networks has never been so routine: number porting is free and almost instant, no-commitment offers are multiplying and prices are falling. Every change is a referral opportunity, provided you remember one thing: coverage matters more than the reward. Recommending a network with poor reception where your referred customer lives is doing them a disservice, reward or no reward. Comparison of France's 4 major networks, with data checked on 23 April 2026.
All verified referral codes, ranked by amount and category:
View all offers →The ranking at a glance
| Network | Referrer reward | Referred-customer condition | 5G | Package from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | Up to €100 | Eligible sign-up | Yes | about €15/month |
| Bouygues Telecom | Up to €50 | New customer | Yes | about €10/month |
| SFR | Up to €50 | New customer | Yes | about €10/month |
| Free Mobile | 1 month free | Free package | Yes | €2/month (basic) |
A word on the form of the reward: few networks pay cash. Most apply a reduction to future bills. A €50 reward spread over 10 months (€5/month) does not feel the same as €50 in one go, so know this before promising anything.
Orange: the most generous, with the best coverage
Orange, the established market leader, offers the highest reward: up to €100 depending on the offer and package taken out by the referred customer. The amount varies by range: a high-end 5G package with a commitment pays more than an entry-level offer.
Orange stands out above all for its network, with France's widest 4G coverage and rapidly expanding 5G in major urban areas. For a referred customer in a rural or semi-rural area, it is often the most reliable network, which explains its mid-to-premium pricing. Exact amount, eligible packages and timescales must be confirmed on orange.fr.
Bouygues Telecom: the good balance
Bouygues offers the referrer up to €50 and occupies a smart middle ground: better than discount networks and cheaper than Orange. It is generally ranked second among French networks for network quality, behind Orange and ahead of SFR, with highly satisfactory 4G in urban and suburban areas and 5G in the main cities.
For the referred customer, packages are competitive and regularly discounted, while Bouygues customer service is among the sector's best regarded – reassuring for anyone hesitating to switch. Exact conditions on bouyguestelecom.fr.
SFR: the €50 challenger
SFR also offers the referrer up to €50. France's third-largest network, it is priced similarly to Bouygues, with 4G and 5G covering the main urban areas. Annual rankings (ARCEP, 60 Millions de Consommateurs) generally place it third for network quality: satisfactory in cities, sometimes more limited in rural areas than Orange, so check the coverage map before recommending it. SFR also offers TV packages and internet boxes, useful for a referred customer who wants to combine subscriptions. Conditions on sfr.fr. More detail in the SFR guide.
Free Mobile: the non-cash referral
Free works differently: the reward is one month of subscription free for the referrer (and often for the referred customer). Its value therefore depends on your package. The network that disrupted prices in 2012 remains in this segment, with a Free package known for its data and services for the price.
As for coverage, Free ranks fourth for its own network, but relies on Orange roaming where its network is unavailable: in practice, it is adequate, although an isolated rural area may reveal the difference. A plus point is that 5G is included in premium packages at no extra cost. The programme is available in the free.fr customer area.
Making your telecom referrals work
A few habits can improve your success rate:
- Timing. The best opportunities are contract endings (24 months). Identify when contracts belonging to people you know are ending and offer your link then, not before.
- Remove concerns about porting. The main obstacle is fear of losing a number. Reassure them: porting is free, takes less than 24 hours and the former network is notified automatically. Your referred customer does not need to call anyone.
- Know the cancellation rules. A no-commitment package can be cancelled at any time with 10 days' notice. A 24-month commitment package can be ended early subject to penalties (often one quarter of the remaining monthly payments).
- Combine relevant referrals. Someone changing networks may also open a bank account through a referral. Suggest several programmes aligned with their genuine needs; this maximises both sides' gains.
Frequently asked questions
Which one should you choose? Orange for the highest reward and best coverage, Bouygues and SFR for the €50 price/network balance, and Free for the free month. But the real question is: where does your referred customer get the best reception?
Does the referred customer have to cancel first? Yes, referrals are reserved for new customers. Your referred customer cancels their current contract (or waits until a commitment ends) and then signs up. Cancellation is free and number porting preserves their number.
Is coverage really that important? Yes, it is the first thing to check. Networks publish coverage maps on their websites. A reward never compensates for poor everyday coverage.
Check before acting: amounts and conditions checked on 23/04/2026, but telecom offers change very often. Always check the conditions on orange.fr, bouyguestelecom.fr, sfr.fr and free.fr before sharing a link. PlanParrainPromo.fr is not a partner of any of the networks mentioned.
In summary
Telecom referrals are an easy opportunity to take up as people switch networks, provided you recommend wisely: Orange leads on reward and coverage, Bouygues and SFR offer a good €50 compromise, and Free rewards referrers with a free month. The golden rule remains to check coverage for your referred customer before recommending anything.
See also
Offers mentioned in this comparison
- Free referral: 1 month free for the referrer per referred customer
- Bouygues referral: up to €50 for the referrer
- Orange referral: reward when taking out a package or box
- SFR referral: reward for the referrer for a mobile package or box
All verified referral codes, ranked by amount and category:
View all offers →Related guides
PlanParrainPromo.fr is not an official partner of any brand mentioned. Amounts and conditions change, so always check the current offer on the brand's official website before signing up.