A 4G box allows you to have internet at home in places where there is neither fiber nor sufficient ADSL speed. Many operators offer attractive packages, but which 4G box should you choose? Discover our selection of the best offers of the moment.
Our selection of the best 4G boxes
Over 92% of households in France now have internet. But, even if the network continues to expand, there are still white areas where the connection is too slow, even non-existent. To overcome this problem, operators offer boxes that use the same 4G network as smartphones.
These boxes, intended only for people who live in areas not eligible for fiber, allow you to enjoy a very high speed internet connection. The box shares the mobile network in Wi-Fi so that you can connect from any device. It is therefore a interesting alternative if you want to surf with peace of mind for online gaming, streaming videos or just working.
The Bouygues Telecom 4G box
The Bouygues Telecom 4G box is among the best solutions in 2023 to have internet in areas not covered by fiber. It is a compact box that allows you to connect either by Wi-Fi or by Ethernet cable to take advantage of the maximum throughput.
The box offers a unlimited 4G+ connection which can be up to 10 times faster than ADSL. Indeed, you benefit from a download speed up to 220 Mbpsand an upload speed of up to 38 Mbs/s.
With the package without commitment of €36.99/monthyou also have free and unlimited access to 70 live channels and 25 replays via the B.tv application available on smartphone or tablet. Finally, you have the possibility of connecting at the same time from 64 different devices.
Bouygues Telecom charges provision and termination fees of €19 each. You benefit from a period Satisfied or refunded » of 30 days which allows you to terminate free of charge if the offer does not ultimately suit you.
| The + | THE – |
|---|---|
| Speed up to 220Mbits/s in download and 38 Mbs/s in upload | No landline |
| Unlimited connection | Single Ethernet port |
| Access to the B.tv application for TV and replay |
SFR’s 4G+ box
Like Bouygues Telecom’s 4G box, SFR’s 4G box offers a 4G+ connection that can be up to 10 times faster than ADSL. On the other hand, even if the price is €34.99/monthSFR specifies that you have 200 GB of internet per month. If these 200 GB are not enough for you, you can subscribe to a top-up of 50 GB or 100 GB in your customer area. In addition, you can connect up to 64 devices simultaneously.
The flow can reach 260 Mbits/s download and 50 Mbs/s maximum in upload. The box has 4 Ethernet local network ports that allow you to connect and benefit from either the wired connection or WiFi. You can also plug in a landline phone and have the unlimited calls in France and overseas departments on landlines and mobiles.
SFR also applies opening and termination fees of 19 euros each. The 4G+ box is without engagement and you have the 1st month satisfied or refunded. If you decide to cancel before 30 days, you will get a refund of the fees.
| The + | THE – |
|---|---|
| Speed up to 260 Mbs/s download and 50 Mbs/s upload | Connection limited to 200 GB |
| Unlimited calls in France and overseas departments on landlines and mobiles | |
| 4 Ethernet ports for wired connection |
Free’s 4G+ Box
Free’s 4G+ Box is also a very good option to have excellent internet connection, even in areas not covered by fiber.
The box offers ultra-fast speed, which phad to reach 320Mbs/s in download and 50 Mbs/s in upload, 15 times faster than ADSL. The connection is limited to 250 GB but then continue reduced flow. And just like the 4G box from Bouygues Telecom and SFR, the 4G box from Free can connect up to 64 devices simultaneously.
The offer is at €29.99/month and without commitment. Furthermore, you have the “satisfied or refunded” guarantee during the first 30 days. Free thus undertakes to reimburse you for the termination costs during this period. Note: Free also applies activation fees of €19 and termination fees of €29.
| The + | THE – |
|---|---|
| Speed up to 320 Mbs/s (download) and 50 Mbs/s (upload) | No TV or landline phone |
| Price of €29.99/month | |
| 250 GB in high speed and then a reduced speed |
Orange 4G Home
Orange 4G Home is offered at €36.99 /month without commitment. If after this first month you are not satisfied, Orange will refund the cost of purchasing the Flybox 4G+. From August 17, 2023, the price of the 4G Home offer goes to €38.99/month.
You benefit from a broadband connection that reaches 300 Mbs/s in downstream speed. Like SFR’s 4G box, 4G Home is limited to 200 GB per month. Beyond 200 GB, the Internet speed is greatly slowed down (128kbit/s). But Orange offers a free 100 GB/month Pass through your Customer Area. If these 300 GB are still not enough, you have the option of subscribing to other top-up Passes.
In addition to the internet connection, Orange offers you access to 70 TV channels on your computers, tablets or mobiles. You also have the option of taking optional TV Key at €3.99/month to watch TV on TV.
Finally, you have the possibility of enjoying an internet connection on 64 different devices simultaneously. The Flybox associated with the 4G Home offer also gives you the opportunity to connect using an Ethernet cable thanks to the 4 ports present on the box.
| The + | THE – |
|---|---|
| Very high speed up to 300 Mbs/s download | Higher price (€36.99 /month) |
| First month free | Mandatory purchase price of the high Flybox |
| 70 TV channels | No landline |
| 200 GB high speed and possibility to add 100 GB/month for free and then a reduced speed |
The NRJ mobile 4G Box
Just like the Box 4G+ from Free, the Box 4G from NRJ mobile is only offered at €29.99/month but requires a 12 month commitment. Positive point, the Box only costs 1 euro.
The NRJ mobile offer includes a connection of 250 GB in very high speed since it reaches the 300 Mbs/s download and 100 Mbs/s upload. You can enjoy the connection on 32 different devices simultaneously. NRJ mobile offers you an offer “Satisfied or refunded” for 30 days. So, if you are not satisfied, you can cancel free of charge.
The 4G box has a USB port and an Ethernet port to allow you to access wired or WiFi internet. NRJ mobile, however, offers you to add optional TV decoder Android at €5/month.
| The + | THE – |
|---|---|
| Speed up to 300 Mbs/s (download) and 100 Mbs/s (upload) | 32 different devices only |
| Price of €29.99/month | Only 250 GB broadband |
| 12 month commitment | |
| No TV or landline phone |
4G boxes are very easy to use. As the name suggests, they use the same 4G mobile network as smartphones. The box acts as a router. All you have to do is add the SIM card and plug into an electrical outlet to make it work.
The 4G box connects to the 4G mobile network and emits a signal in WiFi which allows you to connect to the internet from any device (smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.). Some 4G boxes also have Ethernet ports to enjoy the internet using a wired connection. The speed is very good and can be 10 to 15 times faster than ADSL. It is therefore a very good alternative for areas that do not have fiber.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a 4G box?
4G boxes have advantages but also disadvantages that must be taken into account before making a final choice.
In terms of advantages, the boxes allow you to have a fast internet connection, which can exceed 300 Mbs/s in download. It is much more than ADSL. In addition, WiFi coverage reaches 250 meters around the box. Depending on the operator chosen, you can have TV or even a landline. Finally, you can have internet very easily since there is no connection to provide, nor an installer to bring. After delivery of your 4G box, all you have to do is plug it in and add the Sim card to it to immediately enjoy the internet.
In terms of disadvantages, these boxes are not accessible only to people who have a bad internet connection by ADSL and who do not have fiber. Similarly, if you do not receive 4G well in your home, the speed of your Box may be limited. Your choice of operator must therefore also be made according to the quality of the network of each operator in your home. Finally, 4G boxes are not intended for mobile use. So they have to stay at home.
If you want a nomadic router, prefer a 4G Wifi Hotspot. In this case, you will not have a specific Internet offer but you can use any mobile subscription. Sosh users can opt for the Sosh Airbox, a small box that works using a 4G SIM card. This avoids having to share a connection from your mobile phone.
Can we install a 4G box without being eligible?
To be eligible for a 4G box, the operator requires that you live in a white zone. These areas are not covered by fiber and have an ADSL connection that is generally too slow. In addition, the 4G reception in your home must be sufficient. The 4G box is therefore an ideal alternative for households that cannot subscribe to another Internet box or who suffer from too low a speed.
If you have the possibility of installing fiber, a 4G box that works on the mobile network has no interest. Fiber will be faster and subscriptions will be more attractive.