Bouygues SIM Cards and eSIM: Detailed Guides for Tourists

Staying connected is essential for travelers in France. Bouygues, a leading French telecom provider, offers both SIM cards and eSIM options to meet the needs of international tourists. This guide provides comprehensive details on Bouygues’ mobile connectivity solutions. We’ll cover purchasing, activating, and using their SIM cards and eSIMs, including plan options, coverage, pricing, and setup steps.

I. Quick facts about Bouygues in Europe

Bouygues Telecom is one of the leading telecommunications and Internet service providers in France on account of its reliable network coverage, relatively cheap offers and added services. Here are some key facts about Bouygues Telecom in the European context:

• Strong French Presence: currently, Bouygues Telecom owns one of the biggest mobile accesses in France and the 4G/5G network offers the majority of the country.
• Competitive Pricing: They provide numerous kinds of textured and evaluated plans for purchase in advance that fit customers’ requirements and pocket resources well when they are used by travelers.
• EU Roaming: Bouygues offers free EU roaming for SIM cards so you can use both the data, voice call, and SMS while in other EU countries at no additional charges (within the fair usage policy).
• eSIM Support: Bouygues Telecom aligns with the new trends, using eSIM, so clients with compatible devices can switch between the options suitably while traveling.

Whether you are organizing a shopping trip to Paris, a driving tour across regions of France, or multiple-country tours across Europe, Bouygues Telecom has reliable and economical means of staying connected on tour.

II. Bouygues coverage and speed in Europe

Bouygues has a good network within France as well as a satisfactory network across most of Europe because of roaming partnerships. However, it is also necessary to know that coverage and speed can be different depending on a country and even region of the country.

1. Bouygues Coverage

Bouygues is a major telecommunications company primarily focused in France. According to the Opensignal report in France in November 2023, Bouygues has a strong presence and performance within the French market.

• Coverage: The Opensignal report indicates that Bouygues has extensive geographic coverage across France, scoring well on 4G Coverage Experience metrics.
• Availability: Within France, Bouygues demonstrates high availability of its mobile network, with users consistently able to access the network and maintain connections.
• 5G Availability: Bouygues has made significant progress in deploying 5G in France, offering customers faster speeds and lower latency. The company’s 5G rollout is currently focused on the French market, but it may extend 5G to its European partner networks.
• In Europe: To expand its coverage beyond France, Bouygues has established relationships and partnerships with other local network providers in various European countries. Through these partnerships, Bouygues is able to offer its subscribers seamless coverage and roaming capabilities when traveling to other parts of Europe, leveraging the infrastructure of its local partner networks.

Bouygues maintains a dominant position in the French mobile market, leveraging its extensive coverage, high availability, and 5G deployment. To expand beyond France, Bouygues has partnered with local providers in Europe, enabling its subscribers to benefit from reliable connectivity when traveling.

2. Bouygues Speed

• France: Bouygues has among the highest mobile internet speed in France with an average 4G download rate of 50 – 100 Mbps while 5G is even faster.
• Other European Countries: In roaming it is dependent with the local telecom network and the existing commercial deals between the different networks. On average, one can anticipate average 4G speeds of 10- 50 Mbps, offered in most places where the LTE signal is strong. However, the speeds could be much less in rural or densely populated regions which are the main areas in any country.

III. Bouygues Connectivity options for travelers to the EU

Bouygues Telecom offers several connectivity options for travelers visiting the European Union (EU) from France:

Option	Brief Description	Pros	Cons
Prepaid SIM Card	Traditional physical SIM card with a prepaid plan	– Widely available – Works with most phones – Easy to purchase and activate	– Requires a physical SIM slot – Might need to swap SIMs
eSIM	Digital SIM that can be activated online	– Convenient, no physical card needed – Instant activation – Can store multiple eSIMs	– Requires a compatible device

It’s important to note that using your Bouygues SIM card within the EU is subject to Bouygues’ roaming policies and may incur additional charges. Always check the latest pricing and terms before traveling.

IV. Best Bouygues SIM cards for tourists & costs

Bouygues My European SIM is the most convenient and straightforward option for most tourists visiting France:

Tourist SIM	Tourist Pack	Price (USD)	Data	Validity	Calling & Texting
Bouygues Telecom Prepaid SIM	Basic 15GB	~$15.6	15GB	30 days	Unlimited calls and SMS within France, 25€ credit for international calls
Bouygues Telecom Prepaid SIM	30GB	~$31	30GB	30 days	Unlimited calls and SMS within France and EU, 25€ credit for international calls

Selecting the best Bouygues My European SIM will enable you to have no worries as you move around enjoying the various beauty that is encountered in Europe.

V. Does Bouygues support eSIM?

Yes, Bouygues does support eSIM technology for both its regular subscribers as well as visiting tourists who want to use their service. The eSIM capabilities provide a more convenient mobile experience, especially for those traveling to France.

Bouygues My European SIM/eSIM

VI. Where can you buy a Bouygues SIM card?

1. Where to buy a Bouygues SIM card for travel

• Bouygues Telecom stores: Bouygues Telecom is spread in various parts of France and is commonly located in big cities shopping complexes, towns, airports, railway stations, and the like. Go to a store to see their SIM card offer and get advice from the store’s staff.
• Authorized retailers: These Bouygues SIM cards are also available at other Bouygues seller’s outlets which include supermarkets, convenience stores, electronics shops, and newsagents that are spread across France. That is why a SIM card can be purchased even if one is not close to Bouygues Telecom stores.
• Online: You can usually obtain a Bouygues SIM card in advance by purchasing one via the Bouygues Telecom website. They could deliver the SIM card to the home or provide an opportunity to get a SIM card at a store, or the airport on arrival.

2. Where to buy a Bouygues eSIM

• Bouygues Telecom website: You can always purchase Bouygues eSIM from the Bouygues Telecom page, where the process of buying eSIM will be the most effortless. You can view the eSIM plans they have, the one that appeals to you, purchase it, and get connected.
• eSIM providers: You can also buy eSIM with Bouygues network using eSIMs for travel platforms like Europe eSIM. It is usually a marketplace where you can find some regional and other global eSIM plans, including Bouygues Telecom ones.

Whether you’re purchasing your Bouygues SIM card or a Bouygues eSIM, make sure to consider the packages, data limits, and tariffs offered before navigating to the one that will suit your trip and your wallet.

VII. How to use Bouygues SIM card and eSIM

You have your Bouygues SIM card or eSIM, don’t you? Great! Alright now let me hook you up so that you can start enjoying your communication or browsing anywhere you go in Europe. Here’s a step-by-step guide to activating and using your Bouygues connectivity:

1. How to Install and Activate a Bouygues SIM Card

1. Insert the SIM card: Turn off your phone and insert the Bouygues SIM card into the designated SIM card slot.
2. Power on your phone: Turn your phone back on.
3. Follow the instructions: Your phone might automatically detect the new SIM card and guide you through the activation process. This might involve entering an activation code (if provided) or following on-screen prompts.
4. Top up your balance: If your SIM card doesn’t come pre-loaded with credit, you’ll need to top up your balance to start using it. You can top up online, through the Bouygues Telecom app, or by purchasing a top-up voucher.

2. How to Install and Activate a Bouygues eSIM

1. Purchase your eSIM: Buy your Bouygues eSIM online through the Bouygues Telecom website or an eSIM provider platform.
2. Receive your QR code: You’ll receive a QR code via email after your purchase.
3. Scan the QR code: Open your phone’s settings and find the “Add Cellular Plan” or “Add Mobile Plan” option. Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera.
4. Follow the prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions to install and activate your Bouygues eSIM.
5. (Optional) Set as default: If you have multiple SIM profiles, you might need to set the Bouygues eSIM as your default data or calling line.

VIII. Useful USSD codes for Bouygues EU SIM/eSIM

USSD codes are simple by-word to get information and to cope with Bouygues Telecom with out going to the internet site. Here are some useful codes to keep in mind while traveling in Europe:

• Check your balance: *130#
• Check your data usage: *137#
• Top up your account: *140*recharge_code# (Replace “recharge_code” with the code from your top-up voucher.
• Customer service: 634

IX. Bouygues Call & SMS rates in EU

Another big plus of receiving a Bouygues Telecom SIM card during your travels in the EU is the fact that it may be possible to include roaming allowances for calls and SMS in your package. This means that you can use the equipment to call your loved ones back home or use it to call any of your friends located within EU without incurring huge expenses. Here’s a breakdown of Bouygues Telecom’s call and SMS rates within the EU:

Calls:

• Within France: Unlimited calls to all fixed and mobile numbers in France are usually included in Bouygues prepaid plans.
• To other EU countries: Calls to fixed and mobile numbers in other EU countries are also often included, either with unlimited minutes or a generous allowance.
• International calls (outside the EU): For calls to countries outside the EU, you’ll typically pay per minute. Rates vary depending on the country you’re calling. Check the Bouygues Telecom website or your plan details for specific rates.

SMS:

• Within France: Unlimited SMS to all numbers in France are usually included in Bouygues prepaid plans.
• To other EU countries: SMS to other EU countries are also often included, either with unlimited messages or a generous allowance.
• International SMS (outside the EU): For SMS to countries outside the EU, you’ll typically pay per message. Rates vary depending on the country. Check the Bouygues Telecom website or your plan details for specific rates.

Now knowing Bouygues Telecom’s call and SMS rates within the EU means that you can call and text knowing fully well that you will incur no more charges on your bill.

X. How to top-up your Bouygues SIM card

Topping up your Bouygues SIM card is quick and easy, with several convenient options available:

1. Online:

• Bouygues Telecom website: Go to the Bouygues Telecom website, and enter your account. Scroll down to the “Top-up” or “Recharge” tab, choose your hello amount, and make payment through a credit card or other online payment option.
• Bouygues Telecom app: You have to download the Bouygues Telecom application on your smartphone. There are self-service options available to recharge your SIM card: open the account profile after logging into the site, go to the pop-up menu, and complete the process as described on the page.

2. In-store: Bouygues Telecom stores: In any Bouygues Telecom store across France, one has to go to the cashier desk to request for SIM card recharge. One can even pay through cash or by credit card.

3. Top-up vouchers:

• Purchase a voucher: Bouygues Telecom chats top-up vouchers are available at markets such as supermarkets, newsagents, and tobacco shops.
• Enter the code: By the backside of the voucher section, there will be a code for the top-up that you have to scratch off. Then, to add the credit to your phone, dial *140*recharge_code# (recharge_code is the code found in the voucher).

These easy ways of top-up make it possible that your Bouygues SIM card will always have credit and a continuous connection for your journeys throughout Europe.

XI. How to check your Bouygues account usage and balance

There are few worst things that can happen to a smartphone user than to run out of data or calling credit at the wrong time while using Bouygues. Luckily, Bouygues Telecom offers several easy ways to check your account information:

• Check your balance: Dial *130# on your phone to see your remaining credit balance for calls, SMS, and data.
• Check your data usage: Dial *137# to view how much data you’ve consumed from your allowance.
• Download the Bouygues app: Download the Bouygues Telecom app on your smartphone (available for iOS and Android). The app provides a clear overview of your data usage, call minutes, SMS, and remaining balance. You can also access detailed information about your plan and billing history.
• Call customer service: You can also call Bouygues Telecom’s customer service at 634 from your Bouygues phone to inquire about your account balance and usage.

In this way, you can easily control your Bouygues account and balance while using the connection in Europe and staying connected.

XII. FAQs

XIII. Final words

In summary, Bouygues offers convenient SIM card and eSIM options for tourists visiting France, with flexible plans and clear guidance to ensure reliable mobile connectivity during travel. Whether choosing a prepaid SIM or activating an eSIM, Bouygues provides flexible and affordable solutions to meet the needs of tourists in France.