Every month, our website publishes a flow barometer. This tool allows us to know the evolution of Internet connection speeds among different operators.
Constantly increasing 4G/5G speeds
Since the emergence of 5G and with the rise of new mobile phones, Internet connection speeds from a smartphone have been constantly increasing.
For example, the download speed in 4G/5G increased from 86 Mb/s in January 2024 to 102 Mb/s in January 2025. A number in increase of 19% over the last twelve months.
But you will see that if 4G/5G connection speeds are progressing so strongly, it is thanks to two operators who have outpaced the competition.
4G/5G speeds: these two operators are struggling
As we have just seen, the average speed in 4G/5G is 102 Mb/s in January 2025. A performance that we owe solely to Bouygues Telecom and Orange.
This month, these are the only two operators to display an average 4G/5G speed above average: 126 Mb/s for Bouygues Telecom and 108 Mb/s for Orange.
However, it is Orange which records the best speed record with a peak of 1.5 Gb/s, compared to 1.2 Gb/s for Bouygues Telecom.
Over the last 12 months, the two operators have been struggling below the crest line. From January to 2024, Bouygues Telecom dominated the speeds. And for six months, the two operators have regularly exchanged leadership.
At the bottom of the ranking, it’s the same. It’s the crossover between SFR and Free Mobile, which despite the rise of 5G cannot take off. In 2024, they have never managed to show an average flow rate above average.
With an average 4G/5G speed of 92 Mb/s, Free Mobile nevertheless snatches third place from SFR (88 Mb/s) at the start of the year.
If you want to benefit from the best connection speeds with mobile internet, you will have to look at Bouygues Telecom or Orange to subscribe to a 5G package.
