MVNOs and spam: why Sosh, Red by SFR protect less than Orange and SFR

What is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)?

An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is a mobile operator that offers mobile plans without owning its own network. It leases infrastructure from a physical network operator like Orange, SFR, Bouygues, or Free, and then resells its own offers under its brand.

In France, there are around twenty active MVNOs as of April 2026: La Poste Mobile, NRJ Mobile, Sosh, Red by SFR, Prixtel, Réglo Mobile, Syma Mobile, CIC Mobile, Cdiscount Mobile, etc. These players represent approximately 15% of the French mobile telephony market according to ARCEP.

The problem: unequal anti-spam protection

Unlike network operators (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues) who have developed their own spam filtering technologies — such as Orange's famous "Spam Probable" or SFR's filtering system — MVNOs largely depend on their host operator's infrastructure.

This dependency creates two major problems:

Limited access to advanced features — MVNOs don't always have access to anti-spam tools developed by the network operator. A Sosh customer (Orange's MVNO) doesn't systematically benefit from the same level of filtering as a direct Orange customer.
Lack of proprietary innovation — MVNOs, often positioned in the low-cost segment, invest little in developing their own anti-spam solutions. Their business model relies on simplicity and low prices, not on technological innovation.

Result: MVNO subscribers are often more exposed to phone spam than customers of major network operators.

What the main MVNOs offer (or don't) in 2026

Sosh (Orange network)

Launched by Orange as a low-cost brand, Sosh uses Orange's network at 100%. In theory, Sosh customers should benefit from Orange's "Spam Probable" system. In practice, Sosh support primarily offers manual solutions: reporting unwanted SMS to 33700, manual blocking on the phone.

Verdict: passive protection, far behind Orange.

Red by SFR (SFR network)

Red by SFR is SFR's low-cost MVNO. Like Sosh, it uses the SFR network but with reduced services. Red support emphasizes customer account protection (phishing, fraud) rather than spam call filtering.

Verdict: protection focused on account cybersecurity, not on phone filtering.

La Poste Mobile (SFR network)

La Poste Mobile operates on the SFR network. Its support mentions anti-spam filters for emails (laposte.net mailbox) but remains very discreet about phone call filtering. No advanced features are highlighted.

Verdict: decent email protection, minimal phone protection.

NRJ Mobile, Prixtel, Réglo Mobile, Syma Mobile...

These independent MVNOs use Orange, SFR, or Bouygues networks depending on offers. They offer no proprietary anti-spam solution. Filtering depends entirely on the host operator's goodwill, and in most cases, MVNO customers are treated as second-class users: no access to advanced tools, no dedicated support.

Verdict: left behind in the anti-spam fight.

Why do MVNOs invest so little in anti-spam?

Three main reasons explain this lag:

1. Low-cost business model

MVNOs operate with very thin margins. Developing anti-spam technology is expensive: databases of reported numbers, detection algorithms, real-time updates... These investments are not compatible with a €5/month plan.

2. Technical dependency

MVNOs don't control the core network. Call filtering happens at the network infrastructure level, controlled by the host operator. MVNOs can only add application layers (apps, web portals), which drastically limits their options.

3. Lack of regulatory pressure

ARCEP regulates relationships between network operators and MVNOs, but imposes no specific obligations regarding anti-spam measures. As long as MVNOs comply with general laws (GDPR, respect for Bloctel in their own prospecting), they are not required to actively protect their subscribers against incoming spam.

What can MVNO subscribers do?

If you're an MVNO customer suffering from phone spam, you're not completely helpless:

1. Use native smartphone tools

iOS and Android offer built-in call blocking and spam detection features. Enable them in your phone settings.

2. Install third-party apps

Solutions like Truecaller, Orange Téléphone (available for everyone, not just Orange customers), or Should I Answer can filter unwanted calls using collaborative databases.

3. Use a professional service like HUHU

If you're a business (call center, sales team) with landlines or SIP trunks, HUHU allows you to check a number's reputation before calling, regardless of your mobile operator. You keep control of your phone reputation, with automatic 24/7 monitoring.

4. Report to 33700

The 33700 service allows you to report unwanted SMS and calls. It's a civic action that feeds government databases, but it doesn't protect you in real-time.

The future: will MVNOs wake up?

Three possible scenarios for the coming years:

Scenario 1: Regulatory pressure

If ARCEP or the government imposes anti-spam obligations for all operators (including MVNOs), the latter will be forced to invest. We could see pooling agreements between MVNOs to share the costs of a common anti-spam database.

Scenario 2: Marketing differentiation

An innovative MVNO could make anti-spam a commercial argument. Imagine an "anti-spam MVNO" positioning itself as the only one truly protecting its subscribers. With rising frustration over spam (see our article on spam shifting to SMS), this could attract customers willing to pay a bit more.

Scenario 3: Status quo

The most likely in the short term: nothing changes. MVNOs continue to cut costs, subscribers continue to suffer, and network operators widen the gap with increasingly advanced technologies.