Bouygues Telecom is a leading French carrier, especially dominant in 4G (and slowly 5G) coverage, which spans 99% of the country’s surface. They’re also experienced since they began offering mobile network services back in 1996. What’s more, they took the runner-up position for the best mobile phone provider in France between 2013 and 2021, right behind Orange. That should indicate their SIM cards, fiber optic Internet, or 5G smartphones are so sought after. We’re impressed too, which motivated us to show you how to activate Bouygues SIM card. Let’s begin.
1. Activate Bouygues SIM card
In the past, activating a Bouygues SIM card only required you to insert the SIM card, turn the phone on, and wait for the signal to appear. In fact, that remains true for their Sensation packages, when purchased with a smartphone. But for other SIM cards and packages, there are 2 ways to activate a SIM card from Bouygues Telecom:
1. Website
The activation of a Bouygues SIM card works like this:
- Visit Bouygues Telecom’s Activation page and sign in.
- Switch over to the Mes commandes (My orders) section.
- Check the order tracking graphic at the top, and make sure 3 Verification steps (Payment, Account, and Shopping Cart icons) have a checkmark below them. If not, click on the rotating arrow to fill them in.
- Verification 4 should display a 13-digit SIM card serial number. If not, enter it from the SIM card package (full-size SIM card) you received.
- Click on the Activer (Activate) button under Verification 5.
- Insert the SIM card if you haven’t already and wait for the verification SMS. When it arrives, reply with “oui” meaning ”yes”.
- The Bouygues SIM card will be activated within 1 hour. You’ll also receive a confirmation message at a registered e-mail address.
- Tip. If you’ve received a replacement SIM card or use a Bouygues embedded SIM, the process is identical. However, the activation can take up to 6 hours.
2. Smartphone app
Activating a Bouygues Telecom SIM card can also be done through their official app for Android and iOS named Espace Client Bouygues Telecom. Once you open it, tap on Assistance mobile at the home screen, then Activer ma carte SIM (Activate my SIM card). The rest of the steps are identical, and the app allows you to skip step 4.
2. Activating an expired Bouygues SIM card
Once activated, a Bouygues prepaid SIM card and pay as you go SIM card is valid for 12 months. Topping up the balance extends the expiration date by further 12 months, with no grace periods if you exceed it. If you do, use any of the 5 methods for contacting Bouygues Telecom.
3. Contact Bouygues Customer Service
Facing troubles or need to ask more questions? Get in touch with Bouygues Customer Support in one of these ways:
1. Forum
The carrier has a healthy user base and Customer Service representatives answering questions on their Forums page (forum.bouyguestelecom.fr).
2. In-app Customer chat
There’s a virtual assistant (in the smartphone app that can connect you to Bouygues Customer representatives.
3. Message them on social media
They’re currently active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube under the handle @bouyguestelecom.
4. Call them
There are 4 Bouygues phone numbers you can dial:
- 614 – From your Bouygues phone, within France.
- 6606 146 14 – From any other phone, Bouygues or not.
- 0033 6606 146 14 – Using any phone number abroad.
- +336 68 634 634 – Number for the international Call Center with French and some English representatives.
5. Visit their stores
You can find precise locations of 300+ stores at their Boutiques (boutiques.bouyguestelecom.fr) subdomain page.