After a first experience that was far from convincing, we had the opportunity to put a Syma SIM card back into a smartphone to see the operator had improved and if it was recommendable in 2023.
At the end of 2021, we tested Syma on one of these mobile plans. The least we can say is that the experience was far from conclusive to the point that it was impossible for us to recommend this operator, especially given the fierce competition from virtual operators. Between network problems concerning communications via the cellular network (Calls, SMS, MMS) and the relative slowness of the 4G network.
Syma has since grown to the point of being today the only virtual operator in France with its own core network. If you have no idea what this involves, we had the opportunity to visit the operator so that we could see the developments made over the past two years.
What is Syma?
Syma Mobile is a French mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) which launched its activities in 2005 with the operator Orange under the name Symacom. THE business model was initially focused around packages with prepaid SIM cards, purchasable online, allowing international communication and roaming in Europe, all at attractive prices at the time. After a change in strategy and commercial identity in 2016, Syma is today a more traditional virtual operator and its acquisition by the Altice group in 2022 confirmed the exclusive use of the SFR network.
Packages: average for virtual operators in France
In 2021, we had already noted that Syma claimed to be a legitimate low-cost operator with a fairly good Go-Price ratio. However, it was far from shaking up a market where operators had already been at war for a long time to know who was the cheapest.
Syma’s offer evolves according to market fluctuations and is based around a selection ranging from 4 to 6 packages with a minimum 5G package (even if the option can be activated for an additional 3 euros per month for 4G packages). The good news is that Syma offers large GB envelopes on its high-end plans, up to 250 GB on the highest plan currently. Few operators, even virtual ones, manage to go this far, apart perhaps from Free and Lycamobile.
We are also pleasantly surprised to see that the operator has made an effort in terms of mobile data valid in Europe and the French Overseas Territories with larger GB envelopes for each package. Potentially attractive offers for globetrotters.
Where Syma stands out a little more from its competitors is in the options offered. The operator highlights its experience previously acquired in international communications to offer package extensions in this sense, particularly for calls to countries not covered by the package. Be careful though, prices can easily soar in this case, but this ultimately remains acceptable if we compare to the international options of historical operators, such as Orange in particular.
The options available for each package at Syma
The list of countries included in the international option
Confusing registration, but effective customer platform
To update this review, Syma itself was responsible for sending us a SIM card. In our previous review, we even made a purchase of a package and noted the relative slowness of the registration procedure. We can bet that this has been optimized since then. This time, we simply had to insert the SIM card to have direct access to the network with a number already assigned. Note also that Syma does not yet offer plans with eSIM card in its offers unlike other MVNOs like Youprice or Prixtel.
It is always possible to download the My Syma application whether on PC via browser or on the application available on Android and iOS to have access to the information of your plan and to activate the desired options on the fly in the manner of ‘a MySosh or SFR & Moi. The application itself is simple with real-time consumption monitoring, the options activation menu and the downloading of invoices. It’s nice to see that Syma is doing better than some MVNOs on this point.
The network: communications problems are finally resolved!
Two years ago, we were surprised by our Syma test. Between 2G quality calls, slow SMS sending and the inability to send MMS, the experience via the cellular network was simply impossible. The operator then assured us that these were known problems mainly due to the implementation of the core network and the strict transition to the SFR mobile network. As a reminder, before the takeover by Altice, the Syma network operated on a different basis: SFR for 4G/4G+ data and Orange for the 2G/3G communication part.
Our experience today is very different and the previous problems seem to have been resolved. Sending SMS and MMS works perfectly, and calls are made in VoLTE (4G) or VoWifi mode without any network problems, at least from the Paris region.
On the data side, the 5G package to which we were entitled gave complete satisfaction. On the SFR network, the experience has proven conclusive, whether at home, in the office or in transport. We made a comparison with a 5G line from Orange carried out in the same place for comparisons and even if the latter wins by a narrow margin, the 5G network delivered by SFR has nothing to be ashamed of (have you got it? ).
Orange Test 1 network
Orange Network Test 2
SYMA Test 2 network
SYMA Test 1 network
So Syma, should I go or not?
It is clear that Syma has come a long way since the acquisition by Altice. It must be said that the period of our last test of the operator was not necessarily the most favorable, particularly with the installation of the core network and the transition to the SFR network. Today, the experience is satisfactory and the vast majority of the grievances we noted are history.
Syma is today a highly recommendable operator for those looking for a package adapted to their needs with acceptable prices. However, competition has also made its way and it is possible to find even cheaper 4G and 5G packages elsewhere.
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