Bouygues Telecom and Free have been at war for a few days. Indeed, the operator with the blue logo accuses its competitor of misleading commercial practices concerning its Free Flex formula!
Unveiled in 2021, Free’s famous offer allows subscribers to rent a phone for a period of two years. Of course, they have the choice between returning it, purchasing it with a purchase option or extending its rental without lifting the latter. However, this initiative was not without consequences, with Bouygues Telecom having accused its competitor of unfair practices.
Free targeted by Bouygues Telecom, the roles are reversed
In 2023, Bouygues Telecom was forced to pay a sum of 308 million euros for an almost identical case in the context of the ” Smartphone deals with subsidy “. A conflict that is still current, since the operator with the blue logo ” accuses Free of creating confusion among consumers by making them believe that they own the phone from the start of the rental period, when this is only true at the end of the leasing period, after the purchase option has been exercised “, reports Marc Rees for L’Informed.
In fact, that would be his offer. Free Flexlaunched in July 2021which would mislead consumers into believing that the smartphone belongs to them from the very first moment. However, according to Bouygues Telecom, this is only possible after ” the exercise of the call option “. Furthermore, it turns out that Free clearly explained things and specified that it had highlighted the mention ” Free Flex (LOA) ».
Moreover, the operator presents his formula as being a way ” to spread your mobile payment over 24 months without any fees. Thanks to the rental with purchase option. After 24 months, you have the choice: either you buy the mobile by exercising the purchase option and it is the same price as paying it in one go, or you return it! And if you hesitate and do not choose either of these two options, your contract is simply extended each month ».
Orange also attacked the operator
It should be noted that Bouygues Telecom is also targeting Free’s advertisements that promote its 5G. A detail that does not escape Orange, since the latter is also in conflict with the company. Indeed, the latter proclaimed itself as “ the largest 5G network in France » and the « number one in number of 5G sites ».
Something that greatly displeased Orange, which took Free to court, accusing it of deceptive practices in February 2021. However, the commercial court in Paris ruled in favor of Free, thus mitigating its competitor’s accusations. According to the courts, these allegations were not based on speed performance, but rather on network coverage, which is really broad. This proves once again that competition is very tough and that it does not intend to stop anytime soon.
