Orange launches commitment-free French mobile contracts

Orange has become the first major telecoms company in France to introduce commitment-free mobile contracts in instances where the phone is not included in the offer.

Low-cost operators such as Free already offer a range of no-commitment mobile contracts, as does operator Sosh, which runs on the Orange network, but Orange is the first major telecoms firm in France to do so.

It means that customers can sign up for as much or little time as they want to, as opposed to a typical 12 or 24-month contract.

The first commitment-free contracts will be launched by Orange today (October 7) in a market major competitors SFR and Bouygues have yet to enter.

Director of multiservice offers at Orange, Laetita Orsini Sharps, told 20 minutes: “Our direct competitors don’t offer commitment-free contracts, but all our contracts without a mobile included are going to be commitment-free.”

The move comes as younger clients are more likely to change operators to access more advantageous deals.

Orange hopes their new offer will make it easier for clients to switch contracts but stay with the company. “What we want is for customers to stay with us,” Ms Sharps said.

“Telling them they have to sign up for 12 months means holding onto them by constraining them.”

The company also hopes to diversify its offers to meet ever-changing data needs as 5G offers enter the mobile market.

What are the no-commitment packages available from Orange?

For 4G packages Orange’s no-commitment mobile contracts start at €7.99/month with two hours of calls and 100Mb of data and rise to €24.99/month for unlimited calls and 70Gb of data.

For 5G access, packages start at €32.99/month for 120Gb of data and unlimited calls.

Prices are lower for customers who opt for the “Open” package including Livebox TV subscription.

Low-cost operators such as Free already offer a range of no-commitment mobile contracts, as does operator Sosh, which runs on the Orange network.

Ms Sharps said Orange and Sosh no-commitment offers were targeted at different markets.

She said: “Sosh is aimed at highly independent, autonomous customers who know exactly what they want and don’t need any advice or customer support.”

Currently, Sosh does not offer 5G contracts.

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