Mobile plan switching and number portability guide

Consumers can retain their existing phone numbers when switching mobile service plans or changing operators. When staying with the same provider, users can simply request a plan modification through their customer area. When switching to a new provider, such as Orange, SFR, Free, or Bouygues Telecom, users must request number portability using a RIO code, which allows the new operator to handle both the transfer and the cancellation of the previous contract.

When evaluating new mobile offers, price is not the only critical factor. Many plans feature introductory discounts that expire after a few months. Key considerations for consumers include the actual volume of data required, the quality of the network infrastructure, and the length of the commitment period. According to Arcep, there were over 77.9 million active mobile plans as of late March 2026, with 42% of SIM cards utilizing 5G technology.