French telecoms operator Free loses appeal over claims on internet speed

Telecoms operator Free has been condemned by Paris’ court of appeal for misleading commercial practices for claiming that its 5G offer would be three times faster than 4G and this speed could be accessed with “no added costs”. 

The association Familles rurales originally sued Free in 2021, with the judicial tribunal of Paris originally ruling in Free’s favour. 

The association successfully appealed this decision. It hinged on certain frequency bands used by Free to roll out 5G across the country, which offer a more limited connection than the frequency band more usually used for this technology. 

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The court also underlined the fact that in some cases it was necessary to purchase a new, more advanced, device to achieve the quicker speeds, meaning that there were “added costs” of which Free had said there were not. 

The court also rejected the claim by Free of a 40% 5G coverage of France. 

It ruled that the telecoms operator must pay €15,000 in damages and interest to the association, far below the €1.3 million requested. 

Familles rurales stated in a press release: “A class action lawsuit is currently being considered to compensate consumers who had to buy expensive phones to make the most of the advertised speeds. 

“The economic damage they have suffered has been demonstrated, and it is now time for Free Mobile to compensate its customers.”

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