Free Fined on Appeal for Claiming 3x Faster Speeds Than 5G in Ad

The Paris Court of Appeal has convicted the operator following a lawsuit filed by the Familles Rurales association three years ago, the association reports. What does this mean for the operator's future?

Court of Appeal Fines Free for Misleading Trade Practices

The consumer association Familles Rurales has won a significant legal battle against the telecom operator Free. Initiated three years ago, the lawsuit concluded with the Paris Court of Appeal ruling against Free for misleading commercial practices related to its 5G mobile plans.

Misleading Claims About 5G

The appeals court found that Free made false claims about the speed and coverage of its 5G network across France. The company had claimed its 5G speeds were “three times faster than 5G” and that it covered 40% of the population—claims that the court deemed “misleading.”

Additionally, Free’s assertion that there was “no extra cost” for 5G access was criticized. The court highlighted that although the price of the 5G plan was the same as a 4G plan, it required consumers to purchase a new compatible mobile device, resulting in a significant additional cost.

Consumer Compensation Under Consideration

Free was ordered to pay 15,000 euros in damages to Familles Rurales, a sum far less than the 1.3 million euros sought by the association. However, Familles Rurales has indicated that a class action lawsuit is being considered to seek compensation for consumers who had to buy expensive phones to access the falsely advertised speeds.