SFR and RED by SFR raise prices for customers

Subscribers of SFR and RED by SFR received notifications via email or SMS that their monthly mobile plan or box costs would increase by up to 4.99 euros. The old prices are no longer available, and the operator allows its competitors the right to cancel without fees.

Historical context of price increases

According to the association Que Choisir, operators had not imposed increases on existing subscribers for several years, but Orange has reintroduced such increases at the start of the school year, and SFR followed suit.

Examples of price hikes

An SFR subscriber who previously paid 17.98 euros per month will now pay 19.47 euros, while some internet customers will see their bills increase by 4.99 euros. These increases apply to current customers while RED by SFR also raises prices for new subscribers.

Data and cost adjustments

At RED by SFR, the monthly bill increases by 1.99 euros for 20 Go of data. The operator adds almost everywhere 1.99 euros to the monthly bill and offers 20 Go in compensation. For 5 euros for 50 Go in 4G, it will soon cost 7 euros for 70 Go, which is 40% more.

Cancellation rights and implications

Affected customers have four months to cancel without fees, as the brand SFR will be phased out once the sale is completed and customers are migrated to the three acquirers. Cancellation without fees is possible, but at RED, this right is a meager consolation, as the brand does not charge any cancellation fees on its no-commitment plans anyway.

Impact on SFR box subscribers

Subscribers of an SFR box suffer the strongest increases. A fiber 1 Gb/s subscriber cited by Univers Freebox will pay 22.46 euros instead of 17.47, which is 4.99 euros more each month.

Legal and procedural aspects

Customers have four months after notification to cancel without fees or penalties, even if they are still committed, in accordance with Article L. 224-33 of the Consumer Code, which also requires the operator to warn customers at least one month in advance.

Possible reasons for the price hikes

SFR has not provided an explanation, and Que Choisir suggests two possible reasons: the cost of energy and the upcoming acquisition, which would allow SFR to "get a nicer suit before the sale."

Market predictions and reactions

Fabien Charmetant, manager of the site Ariase.com, anticipates that subscribers may pay even more once the market is reduced to three operators. He predicted in June during an interview with RMC an increase in plans after the acquisition "of two to three euros at least within 18 months."

Ongoing discussions and regulatory approval

The three acquirers contest this scenario and mainly speak of the savings they will make by pooling resources. Unions and the three buyers were to resume discussions on the future of SFR employees on Friday, October 16, a few weeks after the elected officials of the workforce assigned the three acquirers to court. The Competition Authority still needs to approve the operation, estimated at 20.35 billion euros at the time of signing the agreement protocol on June 6.