The mobile phone market in 2025 is in constant evolution, with a continually growing demand for affordable plans while meeting current technical requirements, such as 5G and high-speed internet. Among the offers that attract the most attention, the famous Bouygues plan at €4.99 for life often comes up in conversations. But behind this attractive price lie often little-known conditions and subtleties that impact consumers’ choices. The question of the “for life” guarantee raises many debates: is it a real promise or simply a marketing myth?
In a world where operators regularly review their prices and where subscription conditions frequently evolve, it is essential to decipher the true mobile offers, understand how no-commitment plans work, and especially compare the best offers available on the market. We will also look at economic alternatives to Bouygues plans, including options available from RED by SFR and B.IG plans. This comprehensive guide helps you navigate the jungle of mobile offers, grasp the advantages and risks, and make an informed choice adapted to your consumption and budget.
- 1 The false myth of the Bouygues plan at €4.99 guaranteed for life: explanations and context
- 2 The real conditions of the Bouygues plan at €4.99 today: full breakdown
- 3 Comparison of Bouygues plans and economic alternatives in 2025
- 4 How to manage number portability and avoid unexpected fees
- 5 The advantages of the Bouygues no-commitment plan: flexibility and autonomy
- 6 What to look for in a cheap plan in 2025? Criteria for choosing well
- 7 Telecom innovations influencing the plan market in 2025
The false myth of the Bouygues plan at €4.99 guaranteed for life: explanations and context
For several years, the idea has circulated that Bouygues Telecom offers a mobile plan at €4.99 with a price frozen for life. Yet, upon closer examination, one quickly realizes that this promise is more a legend than a reality. In 2025, no Bouygues plan at this price benefits from a truly “for life” guarantee according to market rules. Indeed, mobile operators, even when advertising no-commitment plans, retain the possibility to modify their prices upwards or downwards.
This ability is stipulated in Article L 224-33 of the Consumer Code, which only requires the operator to notify the subscriber at least one month before any price change. This rule imposes a level of transparency but in no way guarantees eternal price stability. Consumers can sometimes be surprised by a price increase after a few months, even if they initially subscribed to a very attractive plan.
A striking example is the limited B&You series launched in 2018, which offered a mobile plan at €4.99 for 20 GB of data, unlimited calls and SMS. This offer, very popular at the time, was never renewed in the same form. The promotion had a precise duration, illustrating that low prices are often temporary and implemented to attract new customers or energize an existing base. This history shows that the notion of a “for life” fixed price is not consistent with the reality of mobile plans at Bouygues or other major operators.
This myth nevertheless persists in discussions on forums or social networks, sometimes leading to disappointments for subscribers faced with unexpected price increases. Understanding this dynamic is therefore essential to avoid unpleasant surprises in managing your mobile phone budget.
The real conditions of the Bouygues plan at €4.99 today: full breakdown
In 2025, the Bouygues plan displayed at €4.99 per month is only accessible with specific conditions. More precisely, this advantageous price is linked to the simultaneous subscription to a B&You Pure fiber internet box, with a price of €23.99 per month. In other words, the mobile plan alone is billed around €9.99, but a discount linked to the internet box subscription reduces this monthly cost to €4.99.
This combined offer includes several notable advantages. First of all, the plan offers up to 200 GB of 5G data, a particularly generous volume compared to current standards, especially for such a low price. Calls, SMS, and MMS are unlimited in mainland France, covering most daily needs of typical mobile users.
Furthermore, the plan includes 30 GB of usage outside France — in Europe and the overseas departments — which is a considerable asset for travelers or those who move frequently.
A SIM card is offered for only €1, which lowers the entry cost and facilitates subscription without any unpleasant surprises. This mobile plan plus internet box combination is particularly attractive for a household wishing to consolidate its subscriptions with a single operator, with the advantage of very fast fiber connection (up to 8 Gb/s download) and Wi-Fi 7 to optimize home speeds.
But this configuration presents an important drawback: the absolute necessity of the internet subscription. If you do not want to subscribe to the box, it is impossible to benefit from the mobile plan at this price. Moreover, Bouygues Telecom can always adjust its prices, subject to one month’s notice and the possibility for the consumer to cancel free of charge within four months following the notification.
In summary, this €4.99 plan is more of a promotional tied offer than a subscription guaranteed for life. The internet plan + mobile plan combination allows for an attractive price, but it commits the consumer to two separate contracts. The fact that the plan is qualified as “no commitment” can thus be misleading and deserves particular attention when subscribing.
Summary table of the characteristics of the €4.99 Bouygues plan in 2025
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly price of mobile plan | €4.99 (with internet box subscription at €23.99) |
| Included data volume | 200 GB in 5G |
| Calls, SMS, MMS | Unlimited in mainland France |
| Data usable in Europe/overseas departments | 30 GB |
| Commitment | No commitment for mobile, internet box subscription subject to conditions |
| SIM card | €1 |
Comparison of Bouygues plans and economic alternatives in 2025
Faced with this Bouygues offer at €4.99, it is interesting to examine other alternatives on the market, especially for consumers looking for a cheap, flexible, and no-commitment plan. Competitors like RED by SFR or the Bouygues B.IG plan merit a detailed analysis to understand their respective advantages.
RED by SFR offers various low-cost no-commitment plans adapted to varied uses:
- A €1.99 per month plan including 1 GB data, ideal for very basic use or as a second line.
- A 10 GB plan at around €5.99, offering a balance between price and data volume for moderate use.
- A 100 GB 5G plan at €7.99, including unlimited calls, SMS, MMS and 30 GB usage in Europe and overseas departments. Interesting price but with an increase to €9.99 after one year.
The Bouygues B.IG plan, for its part, is particularly aimed at customers who already have a Bouygues internet box. This offer costs €5 per month with a 24-month commitment, providing 5 GB of 5G data, unlimited calls, and a simple mobile service for a reduced budget. This plan is perfect for those who want a complementary mobile subscription but with more limited data.
Here is a comparative table of the main economic offers among major players:
| Operator / Plan | Monthly price | Data volume | Calls/SMS | Commitment | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bouygues B&You (€4.99) | €4.99 | 200 GB 5G | Unlimited | No commitment (box required) | Fiber + mobile combo |
| RED by SFR 1 GB | €1.99 | 1 GB | Unlimited | No commitment | Ultra low price |
| RED by SFR 10 GB | €5.99 | 10 GB | Unlimited | No commitment | Good compromise |
| RED by SFR 100 GB 5G | €7.99 (then €9.99) | 100 GB | Unlimited | No commitment | Heavy use |
| Bouygues B.IG | €5 | 5 GB 5G | Unlimited | 24-month commitment | Box + mobile plan |
How to manage number portability and avoid unexpected fees
Changing operators or subscribing to a cheap plan should not be a complication if you want to keep your current number. Thanks to number portability, this operation is now simple and free. Indeed, you can retrieve your RIO code (Operator Identity Statement) by dialing 3179 from your phone. This service is available 24/7 and allows you to quickly get this essential code.
Once the RIO code is in hand, you just have to provide it when subscribing to a new plan. The operator then takes care of all cancellation procedures with the old provider, avoiding any service interruption or heavy administrative tasks. This process is a considerable advantage, especially when wanting to benefit from a better mobile offer while avoiding the loss of a vital or professional contact.
However, it is important to note that portability does not remove all possible penalties: for example, in the case of a commitment over a specific unfinished period, early termination fees may remain your responsibility. Conversely, in the case of a no-commitment plan, these fees do not exist.
To summarize, here are the key steps for successful portability:
- Dial 3179 to obtain your RIO code for free.
- Choose a new mobile plan suited to your needs.
- Provide the RIO code when subscribing so the operator can manage the transfer.
- Enjoy the new plan without interruption, keeping your current number.
- Check for any commitment or anticipate possible termination fees.
The advantages of the Bouygues no-commitment plan: flexibility and autonomy
One of the major strengths of B&You mobile offers at Bouygues Telecom remains the flexibility they provide. Without commitment, subscribers can modify their plan at any time, change options, or cancel without penalties. This flexibility is valuable for consumers who wish to adapt their subscription according to the evolution of their usage, for example during an extended trip, increased data consumption, or a professional change.
Real-time consumption tracking via the customer area or mobile app facilitates budget control. The consumer can thus avoid costly overruns and make quick adjustments, such as adding a temporary data option or changing their plan to get more 5G data.
In a world where mobile data demand continues to grow (streaming, videoconferencing, mobile gaming…), this autonomy allows optimizing use without being tied for years to fixed rates or options. It is even possible to make these changes in just a few clicks, smoothly illustrating how mobile telephony adapts today to the dynamic needs of consumers.
What to look for in a cheap plan in 2025? Criteria for choosing well
To choose well a Bouygues subscription or any other operator in 2025, it is necessary to evaluate several key criteria in order to opt for an offer really suited to usage and budget:
- Included data volume: a central point in 2025 where data consumption is exponential. Choosing a plan with an adequate allowance avoids extra costs.
- Quality and network coverage: priority to 4G and 5G, especially according to your geographic area and frequent travel.
- Monthly price and additional fees: check whether promotions are temporary, SIM card fees, and discount conditions in case of an internet box subscription.
- Usage limitations abroad: data and service usage included in Europe or overseas departments can be decisive depending on needs.
- Offer flexibility: no commitment, possibility to modify or cancel without penalty.
- Available complementary options: addition of TV services, streaming, or cloud storage sometimes included in certain combined plans.
This list helps realize that the cheapest plan is not always the best long-term. For example, a low-priced plan but with little data or limited to a weak network can quickly prove unsuitable to real needs, costly, or frustrating.
Telecom innovations influencing the plan market in 2025
In 2025, technological advances continue to shape mobile telephony, directly impacting the plans offered. The widespread adoption of Wi-Fi 7 in internet boxes, such as those offered by Bouygues, allows for increased speed and connection stability at home. 5G continues to expand more widely, making plans including this network essential for those wanting to enjoy very fast speeds, especially for high-definition video streaming or mobile gaming.
Moreover, operators invest in additional services and fixed-mobile convergence, offering combined packs that optimize value for money. These innovations allow consumers to benefit from both ultra-fast fiber optic and high-performance mobile plans within the same contract.
Finally, administrative processes are increasingly digitized, simplifying subscription management, consumption tracking, plan changes, and even cancellations. Number portability is thus facilitated, and transparent communication requires operators to be more attentive to demanding consumers’ expectations.
