en.Wedoany.com Reported - French mobile operator Free Mobile is accelerating the deployment of 5G standalone (SA) networks, focusing on expanding coverage using the 700 MHz band to gradually bring 5G+ networks to rural areas. Since Free launched 5G in 2020, most users have been using non-standalone (NSA) networks, which are based on 5G antennas but rely on the 4G core network. In contrast, standalone (SA) networks adopt a core network specifically designed for 5G, reducing latency and supporting features such as VoNR calls and network slicing.

Previously, 5G standalone networks were mainly deployed in the 3.5 GHz band, which offers high speed but limited coverage. Free Mobile is now activating 5G SA antennas on the 700 MHz band. This low-frequency band allows radio waves to travel farther and penetrate obstacles more easily, though at lower speeds than the 3.5 GHz band, creating a complementary balance between speed and coverage. According to observations by the professional account VacheGTI on social network X, Free's 700 MHz base stations compatible with 5G standalone networks are being gradually activated across France, including in rural municipalities and low-density areas. They have been detected around Rennes, Lyon, Nice, Lens, Lille, and Bordeaux. A user in Avert, Gironde, detected an active 700 MHz CID on a local antenna, and the RNC Mobile collaborative map has recorded numerous compatible sites around Bordeaux.

Since September 2024, Free Mobile has been the first operator in France to commercially launch 5G standalone networks nationwide, offering it for free on its main compatible plans. Other operators, including Bouygues Telecom, Orange, and SFR, began deployment in 2025 but with limited coverage. According to a study by Opensignal for the first quarter of 2026, Free users connected to 5G standalone networks an average of 14.1% of the time, compared to 0.7% for Bouygues Telecom and 0.5% for both Orange and SFR. The gradual activation of the 700 MHz band will further expand this lead, extending the availability of 5G+ beyond major cities.