The 2024 nPerf mobile Internet connection barometer crowns a new king in France: Orange, which had dominated for years, cedes its throne to SFR. At least, if we restrict this assertion to the best overall performances. But in cellular networks too, the devil is in the details.
Orange, fallen leader
With an nPerf score of 97,047 points, SFR climbs to first place, ahead of Orange and its 95,558 points. The former regent is also beaten by Bouyges Telecom and its 96,009 points. With 85,168 points, Free is in last place.
Compared to the same 2023 barometer, Orange's downgrade is not so much the result of a deterioration in its offering as of a rise in competition. As the 2023 results below show, all scores have increased; some just more than others.
Moreover, although "SFR subscribers benefited from the best overall mobile Internet performance in 2024", it was "Orange and SFR subscribers [who] benefited from the best performance in France in 5G in 2024" (nPerf measurements are limited to 4G, 4G+ and 5G compatible terminals). Nothing to depress Orange customers, especially since those with a 4G subscription were entitled to 5G at no additional cost.
Before going into a little more detail about the categories, a few explanations. For speeds and latency, the titles and values are sufficiently explicit. The navigation test ranking is established from measurements of the full loading time of the five most popular sites in the country. This ranges from Slow to Excellent via Acceptable, for durations ranging from 5 to 10 seconds, 0 to 2 seconds and 2 to 5 seconds respectively. As for the streaming test, these are criteria of the same order, but which concern the loading time of a video in three definitions on YouTube (interruptions during playback are also taken into account).
Free lagging behind, but making progress
In terms of download speed, Orange dominates the debates. For upload speeds, however, it is SFR that takes the lead. As for Bouyges Telecom, the operator stands out on latency. In fact, only Free, which only launched its real 5G throughout France at the start of the school year, does not stand out anywhere.
Otherwise, whether for browsing or YouTube video streaming, Orange, SFR and Bouygues are neck and neck.
In conclusion, the report states that SFR therefore dominates the ranking with 97,047 nPoints, and that "the operator stands out particularly in upload speed performance and is established as co-leader of 5G" with Orange. Bouygues Telecom "stands out with its remarkable performance in latency and video streaming". Finally, the class dunce still has encouragement, "thanks to sustained efforts to improve its services".
Finally, note that SFR does not have modest success; The company was quick to post its victory on its website:
Source: nPerf
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