MTN SIM Cards and eSIM 2024: a Comprehensive Guide for Tourists

Claudia Anderson

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Latest update: September 2024

How to get and activate a MTN SIM & eSIM South Africa when you first come to this country is still difficult. Meanwhile, MTN is famous as a multinational mobile service provider in Africa and Asia. Gigago’s article below is a summary to help customers better understand where to buy, how to use and some other information about SIM/eSIM cards in South Africa.

I. Overview about MTN – What you need to know

MTN (formerly M-Cell) is a multinational telecommunications services company in African and Asian countries. Some quick information about MTN you should know:

• Full name: MTN Group Limited
• The company was established in 1994
• Headquarter location: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Operating in more than 20 countries, of which Nigeria accounts for 1/3 of the company’s revenue, with 35% market share
• Products provided: 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, VOIP, GSM, UMTS, HSPA+, HSUPA
• MTN services: Purchase data packages and messaging service time through WhatsApp channel; Check balance and save credit or debit cards; Data plan; Mobile voice.

II. MTN coverage in South Africa

MTN is one of the four major telecommunications companies in South Africa. It provides services nationwide, including metro areas, towns to rural areas. 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE and 5G technologies provide voice, messaging, data and other telecommunications services.

III. MTN Speed in South Africa

MTN offers a variety of internet speed options depending on the coverage in your area and the specific package you subscribe to. LTE networks will provide a better experience than 3G with faster access. Under the most optimal conditions, LTE download speeds range from 5 Mbps to more than 100 Mbps. Meanwhile, 3G download speed only ranges from 1Mbps to 10 Mbps.

MTN has wide coverage throughout South Africa, from big cities to rural areas, and its access speed is much better than many other telecommunications providers. That shows that it is quite suitable for tourists coming to this country.

V. Top MTN SIM cards for Tourists & Cost

The MTN South Africa sim card costs 4 SAR ($0.30) for registration and you will have to purchase additional voice and data packages to use it. The plans MTN provides according to customer needs are as follows:

• 99 SAR ($5.5 USD)= 2 GB data + 60 minutes call (use for a month)
• 169 SAR ($8.96 USD)= 4.5 GB data + 100 minutes call (use for a month)
• 299 SAR ($15.84 USD)= 7.5 GB data + 200 minutes call (use for a month)
• 399 SAR ($21.14 USD)= 15 GB data + 400 minutes call (use for a month)

IV. Does MTN South Africa have eSIM?

Yes, as of now, MTN South Africa supports eSIM for travelers. This is an effective digital and software-based alternative to physical Sim cards – now available to all MTN customers. Visitors can buy directly from the network operator or through an agent.

With this option, travelers can enjoy a reliable internet connection anywhere within the coverage area. This is the difference of eSIM compared to other options, such as pocket wifi or physical SIM card. However, it is necessary to check your device’s eSIM compatibility.

VI. Where to buy MTN SIM for South Africa

1. Upon arrival

Buying a physical SIM card directly upon arrival is the most common and familiar way of purchasing for many tourists. Some locations in South Africa sell MTN SIM cards such as airports and convenience stores. However, buyers may need to provide personal and passport information to complete purchase information.

2. MTN store

Travelers can buy MTN SIM cards directly from the MTN store. With this form, you should buy online through the website a day before your flight to avoid unnecessary risks. Additionally, you can buy directly at the store when you arrive in South Africa. However, this method requires you to have time and a bit of foreign language.

3. Other authorized retail stores

Travelers can also purchase MTN SIM cards from mobile phone retailers authorized by MTN. To be sure, you need to check the store’s reputation or ask a local person. Also, pay attention to your phone’s compatibility with the MTN carrier and coverage area.

VIII. How to top up MTN South Africa SIM/eSIM

In addition to how to get and activate a MTN SIM & eSIM South Africa, many tourists still have difficulty adding money to their SIM/eSIM. Below are instructions for recharging SIM/eSIM according to Gigago’s instructions:

• Download the MTN app on your phone
• Open the MTN app
• Select deposit
• Choose to top up according to your needs
• Confirm SIM/eSIM data and airtime
• Choose the appropriate payment method: linked bank card, credit card,…
• Confirm and complete the transaction
• Wait for the successful confirmation message and use

IX. Alternatives to South Africa MTN

In addition to MTN, South Africa also has many other mobile operators providing many telecommunications services. Each network has its own advantages and disadvantages:

• Vodacom is also one of the largest telecommunications providers in South Africa and has coverage throughout the country. However, Vodacom is quite expensive and the download speed is not as good as MTN.
• Rain is a new operator entering the South African telecommunications market, focusing on innovative data exploitation. However, this provider only focuses on fixed LTE services.

Overall, there are many alternative suppliers to MTN South Africa. However, the cost is quite high and buying a physical SIM card directly can take a long time. If you have a compatible device, you can check out the South African eSIM at Gigago at an affordable price.

X. FAQs about MTN in South Africa

Some questions tourists often ask about how to get and activate a MTN SIM & eSIM South Africa when traveling to South Africa for the first time:

XI. Conclusion

The above article has provided detailed information on how to get and activate a MTN SIM & eSIM South Africa. In addition, there are a number of other alternative suppliers in South Africa, giving visitors many options.

If you have a compatible device, you can buy an eSIM for convenience, without wasting time searching to buy it directly or presenting personal documents. Contact Gigago immediately to receive incentives to own an eSIM for your upcoming trip to South Africa to have the best experience.