The French operator has launched a consumer VPN integrated directly into its mobile core network, available at no extra cost to subscribers of its two flagship 4G/5G plans
Free has unveiled Free mVPN, which it says is the first consumer virtual private network to be embedded directly within a mobile operator’s core network. The new service is available immediately and included at no extra charge for subscribers to the 5G Free Mobile Plan and the Série Free Plan.
While some operators have previously offered VPN access as a paid add-on or through third-party apps, Free argues that its approach is unique in integrating the functionality within its own infrastructure. The company said this distinction ensures end-to-end encryption and seamless activation, setting it apart from over-the-top services that typically require separate downloads or contracts.
“A VPN shouldn’t be a luxury only available to a select few. So we’ve decided to include one in our mobile plans, directly and at no extra cost, like unlimited data and 5G. It’s yet another way that Free’s boosting consumer spending power in France,” said Xavier Niel, founder of Free.
Free mVPN is designed to provide browsing confidentiality and enhanced protection against fraudulent content and malware. If a subscriber clicks on a malicious link, access to the site is automatically blocked. At launch, traffic is routed through servers in Italy or the Netherlands, with the choice of exit country due to be added later.
The service has no data quotas and can be used both on smartphones and on tethered devices. Activation is via the Subscriber Area or the Free app with a single click, enabling a 12-hour session before automatic deactivation. No third-party installation is required.
At the end of June 2025, Free reported 23.1 million retail subscribers, including 15.5 million on mobile. The Iliad-owned operator has also continued to expand its fibre network and accelerate 5G deployment this year, reinforcing its blend of competitive pricing and infrastructure-led innovation.
By embedding VPN functionality directly into its mobile core network, Free underlining its credentials as a challenger brand. According to Ecran Mobile, around 40% of French users have already used a VPN so the service has a solid grounding to attack the market. Free’s proposition simplifies the usual VPN trade-offs: no third-party app needed, activation in just one click via the Free app or subscriber area, automatic disablement after 12 hours, inclusion at no extra cost and unlimited data and coverage even when using tethering.
