The Texto SMS Gratuit team
26 June 2026 · 5 min read
Your phone has shown "5G" for years now, but have you ever spotted a small "5G+" next to it? That discreet sign marks the arrival of true 5G — the kind that no longer relies on the 4G network at all. In 2026, this technology called 5G Standalone (5G SA) is finally moving out of the labs and into consumer plans — but at a very uneven pace from one operator to the next.
Here is a clear overview of what 5G+ is, where Free, Orange, Bouygues and SFR stand, and above all what it changes (or not) for your calls and your SMS.
Photo: Unsplash — 5G Standalone runs on an entirely new network core.
"Classic" 5G vs 5G+: what's the difference?
Until now, most of the 5G sold in France was 5G NSA (Non-Standalone): the antenna did broadcast 5G, but it stayed anchored to the 4G core network to work. As a result, you got the speed — but not all the benefits the standard promised.
By contrast, 5G Standalone (5G SA), marketed as 5G+, runs on a 100% 5G core network. That's what unlocks the technology's real strengths:
- lower latency (the network responds faster), useful for online gaming, video calls and real-time uses;
- better battery life, because the device relies less on two networks at once;
- network slicing, which lets a "slice" of the network be reserved for a specific use (industry, events, critical services);
- voice over 5G (VoNR), which lets you make calls directly on the 5G network without falling back to 4G.
Where do French operators stand in 2026?
This is where the gaps widen. According to Opensignal measurements for the first quarter of 2026, only one operator truly plays the 5G Standalone game: Free Mobile, whose subscribers spend 14.1% of their time connected on 5G+, far ahead of the rest.
| Operator | 5G SA launch | Share of time on 5G+ (Q1 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Mobile | September 2024 (nationwide) | 14.1% |
| Bouygues Telecom | June 2025 (dense areas) | 0.7% |
| SFR | October 2025 (industrial zones) | 0.5% |
| Orange | March 2025 (commercial offers) | 0.5% |
Free Mobile was the first French operator to deploy 5G SA nationwide, back in September 2024, and bundled it at no extra cost into its 5G+ and Free Max plans. The other three launched 5G SA later and in a more targeted way. At the European level, Free actually ranks among the leaders, even if it sits behind operators in Austria, Switzerland and Spain where 5G+ is even more widespread.
Free has also announced extending its 5G+ to the 2,100 MHz and 700 MHz bands: lower frequencies that travel farther and pass through walls better, gradually widening coverage beyond major cities.
Photo: Unsplash — on 5G+, the network indicator reads "5G+" instead of "5G".
Do you need a new plan or a new phone?
To enjoy 5G+, three conditions must be met:
- A 5G+-compatible plan: with Free, 5G SA is included in the 5G+ and Free Max plans; with the others, check eligibility in your account area.
- A 5G SA-compatible phone: most recent smartphones qualify, but you sometimes need to enable the option in the network settings.
- Being in a covered area: 5G+ is still concentrated in large cities, even as coverage expands.
If you want to compare networks and plans more broadly, our guide to SMS operators in France breaks down their differences.
What 5G+ changes (or not) for your SMS
Good news: nothing changes for your SMS. Whether you're on 5G+, 4G or even 3G, your texts and one-time passcodes (OTP) arrive the same way. SMS remains the most universal mobile service: it works on every phone and every network, without depending on the latest technology.
5G+ is part of the same network modernization as the 2G shutdown, the rise of RCS over SMS, or the spread of the eSIM: networks are changing deeply, but SMS stays the common denominator. And the same good habits still apply to suspicious messages, as we explain in our guide to SMS scams and smishing.
Frequently asked questions
Are 5G and 5G+ the same thing? No. "Classic" 5G (NSA) still relies on the 4G core network. 5G+ (Standalone) runs on a fully 5G core, which reduces latency and unlocks features such as voice over 5G.
Which operator has the best 5G+ in France in 2026? According to Opensignal's first-quarter 2026 measurements, Free Mobile is well ahead for time spent on 5G Standalone, followed by Bouygues Telecom, SFR and Orange.
Will 5G+ replace my SMS? No. SMS keeps working regardless of the network technology. You can even send a free SMS to a French mobile from our site, with no sign-up and no ads.
Is my phone 5G+ compatible? Most recent smartphones support 5G SA. Check your device's spec sheet and enable the option in the network settings.
In short
In 2026, 5G+ (5G Standalone) finally brings true 5G to France, with lower latency, voice over 5G and network slicing. But the rollout is very uneven: Free Mobile clearly leads the race while the others move more cautiously. One thing doesn't change: your SMS stays universal. Got a question? Our FAQ and contact page are here, and you can send a free text in seconds, with nothing to install.
