Using your cell phone in the Maldives can help tourists stay connected while trading in this beautiful island nation. This traveler’s guide will show you how to use cell phone in Maldives so you do not miss important calls or messages and can easily contact friends and family back home during your vacation. We will explore the best options for accessing cellular service and purchasing local SIM cards.
In this article
These clear points of phone compatibility, network, and frequencies will help you check that your phone will work in Maldives before your visit.
Phone compatibility: Maldives uses GSM and UMTS/HSPA+ networks which are supported by most phones in other countries. However, phones from North America will need to have dual-band GSM to work.
Frequencies:
The main cellular frequencies in Maldives are 900/ MHz for 2G, 2100 MHz for 3G, and 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2600 MHz (Band 7), and 700 MHz (Band 28a) for 4G/LTE.
Check your phone supports these frequencies for basic calling and data use.
Networks:
Pro Tips:
Definitely, you can use your cell phone and access reliable mobile services in Maldives. Before your trip, it is advised to check a few things:
The table below shows the exact frequencies used by mobile network providers in Maldives.
| Network Carrier | 2G Bands | 3G Bands | 4G Bands | 5G Bands |
| Ooredoo | B8 (900 MHz) | B1 (2100 MHz) | B28a (700 MHz); B7 (2600 MHz) | n78 (3500 MHz) |
| Dhiraagu | B8 (900 MHz) | B1 (2100 MHz) | B3 (1800 MHz); B7 (2600 MHz) | n78 (3500 MHz) |
Sure. You do need an international package for your trip to the stunning Maldives. This is a simple way to stay online while exploring the crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches of the Maldives. However, if you choose to use foreign roaming services from your home operator, high fees will be charged.
Do not worry! There are a lot of other options to get the Internet at a favorable rate, such as Maldives eSIM, physical SIM for Maldives, pocket Wifi, etc. Besides, tourists to Maldives can also connect to public Wifi to enjoy free Internet. This way seems to be convenient but it is not secure and only available at certain Wifi hotspots like coffee shops, resorts, hotels, and restaurants.
Tourists traveling to the Maldives can use different international package options, including eSIM plan for Maldives, international SIM, and portable Wifi device. Now let us look at the key features of each alternative.
eSIM for Maldives (also known as embedded SIM/ digital SIM) is a modern method to connect to the Internet while exploring this stunning island nation. It is easy to sign up and activate online before your flight. Once activated, Maldives eSIM allows tourists to access affordable and reliable mobile data during their trip to the Maldives.
International SIM cards for the Maldives are a prevalent choice among tourists for cheap calling, texting, and data rates. These cards may be easily inserted and removed from your cell phone. You just need to get a local SIM for the Maldives, put it into the SIM slot of your cell phone, and enjoy affordable and secure cellular services.
A portable Wifi hotspot is best for tourists traveling in a group. It is a compact Wifi hotspot that transmits Internet signals for different devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and so on. You need to pay for the device and accessories rental and the selected plan.
Most likely possible.
While in Maldives, you can use your phone services from your country. But this may not be the best choice because calls, texts, and data could cost a lot extra in fees from roaming charges. If you are not really careful tracking things like how much data you use and your usual habits, you may get a really surprising phone bill after your trip ends. The roaming charges depend on the pricing conditions of your domestic network provider.
Advice: It is wise to utilize a local SIM card or an eSIM for Maldives. This allows you to use secure Internet services at a reasonable price.
eSIM for Maldives is an excellent alternative to get online without a plastic SIM while exploring the nation. With Maldives eSIM, tourists just need to sign up and activate it virtually before trip with the support of the eSIM provider. In addition, there is a wide range of Maldives eSIM plans available for visitors to choose from.
If you are seeking a prestigious eSIM provider for Maldives, GIGAGO should be a top choice.
So why buy Gigago eSIM for Maldives?
Pro Tips:
Here are several additional tips that will help you get online while in Maldives without incurring unexpected costs:
As long as your cell phone works with GSM 900/1800 and UMTS 2100 networks, it should work. However, to be sure, check the frequencies used by cell networks in Maldives before your trip.
You can purchase SIM cards at the international airport in Maldives or from telecom shops in the capital city Male’. Getting a local SIM is the most affordable way to use cell phone in Maldives.
No, WiFi availability in Maldives is not universal. Most hotels and tourist areas have WiFi but remote islands may have limited or no coverage. It is best to limit data usage and use cell phone in Maldives.
In summary, it is possible to use cell phone in Maldives. Whether you choose to use regular SIM, eSIM for Maldives, or portable Wifi hotspot, you can access trusted cellular services to use essential apps and stay connected with family and friends back home. Remember to select the connectivity alternative and data plan that aligns with your trip duration and data usage.
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This guide will provide five simple options for accessing mobile internet in Maldives so tourists can make the most of their vacation.
