A recent ranking, revealed exclusively by DegroupTest on Thursday, September 24, and later fully published by nPerf on Friday, September 25, shows that the four major French mobile operators are now closely matched in terms of 5G coverage. The ranking, based on real-world data collected by users of Android smartphones through nPerf’s app, contrasts with the simulated coverage maps provided by the operators themselves. The final score is calculated as the average of two factors: the percentage of the territory where 5G is available and the percentage of the population covered while moving. SFR leads with a score of 72.78%, followed by Bouygues Telecom (72.34%), Free (71.55%), and Orange (71.51%). However, the details are more nuanced. SFR has the best geographic coverage (58.62%), but it lags behind in population coverage (86.94%). Free, on the other hand, has the lowest geographic coverage (54.49%) but the highest population coverage (88.61%). Orange, although fourth in the 5G coverage ranking, has seen the largest improvement since 2024, with a 23.13-point increase. However, this does not mean it covers 23% more territory—it reflects an increase in coverage areas frequented by its own subscribers. For performance beyond 5G availability, nPerf’s January 2026 ranking, covering the full year of 2025, shows Bouygues Telecom leading in data rates and call quality. Separately, Arcep, France’s telecom regulator, published its own assessment on September 24, 2026, highlighting that Orange has the highest call quality nationwide, with 91% of calls maintained for two minutes without disturbances. In rural areas, Orange maintains a stronger lead, achieving 83% of perfect calls, compared to 76–79% for the other operators. On high-speed trains (TGV), Orange also performs better, maintaining 74% of calls, compared to 61% for Free. The differences in coverage and performance vary by region. DegroupTest found more than 22 points of difference between the best and worst operators in Normandy and over 21 points in Brittany. In nine of the 13 regions studied by nPerf, the gap between operators exceeds 10 points. For users wanting to check coverage in their specific area, Arcep provides a free tool called "Mon réseau mobile," launched in 2017, which compares the four operators’ coverage in real-time and shows actual speed measurements across France. This tool is especially useful for those who frequently travel or live in rural areas, where Orange still holds an advantage, while Bouygues Telecom performs similarly in urban settings. The results of Arcep’s 2026 campaign are still pending, with the 2025 edition released in November 2020.