When you are traveling to Cameroon, do you wonder how to stay connected in this country? Or do you question how data roaming in Cameroon works? Yes, roaming is one of the issues that many travelers are facing when they are traveling abroad. Let’s discover how you can use your phone and data and the best alternatives that you may consider to stay connected to the Internet there.
In this article
When you are traveling to Cameroon, you should find a way to be connected. Data roaming in Cameroon is one of popular ways to stay connected while abroad for travelers. Here are some quick facts for tourists that you should know:
Pro tip: Consider using social apps like Messenger, Whatsapp, etc for easier communication and cheaper prices
Data roaming means you use your phone’s cellular data services out of your home country network’s coverage area. It will allow you to access the internet, send messages, and make calls even when you’re not in your country. There are 2 types of data roaming:
When you are in Cameroon, you can choose to use networks of MTN or Orange Cameroon. They are major providers in Cameroon which offer data roaming services for travelers from around the world.
Besides, there are also some MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) in Cameroon that offer roaming services for tourists, which are Xpress Union (use MTN Cameroon’s network) and Nexttel (use Orange Cameroon’s network). These roaming plans include a limited amount of data, voice and text message at a fixed price. This is good for tourists who do not want to worry about overage charges.
Yes, most likely. To roam in Cameroon, you need to meet these two requirements:
YES. Data roaming in Cameroon is quite expensive. It depends on where you will go for your trip. You can choose a bundle package for an affordable price. There are some packages for international roaming rate if you are using a Cameroonian SIM card and travel to another country.
Roaming rate of MNT
Roaming rate of Orange
There are some bundles for people going to Canada, Europe, USA, etc (including voice, SMS, data) with prices starting from 5,000XAF (~ 8.3USD). Or they will charge about 1528.98F (2.5USD) for calls to Cameroon or about 3058.98F (5.1USD) for international calls.
Our recommendation: roaming may cost a lot and it is also limited in some areas. You should find other alternatives like a SIM card or eSIM for a better experience.
When it comes to roaming your cellular service, you will need to check if your home country mobile providers offer data roaming in Cameroon or not. If not, you should buy their SIM card to use and connect to the Internet when traveling there.
So then, if you want to activate roaming services, you should need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose your preferred service provider
You should search for their service and choose the best one. Just imagining that you are from those following countries and using roaming from your country providers:
| Operator (Home Country) | Plan | Calls (per minute) | Text (per message) | Data (per MB) | Additional Notes |
| AIS (Thailand) | One-2-Call Tourist SIM (Not recommended) | $3 – $5 | $1 – $2 | $10 – $20 | High charges, consider local SIM card |
| Docomo (Japan) | Global Data Roaming Pass (Not recommended) | NA | NA | $10 – $20 | Very expensive for data, consider local SIM card |
| Rogers (Canada) | Roam Like Home Pass | Limited data & calls depending on plan | Limited texts depending on plan | NA | Check roaming inclusion and limits for Cameroon |
| AT&T (USA) | International Day Pass | Limited data & calls depending on plan | Limited texts depending on plan | NA | Check roaming inclusion and limits for Cameroon |
| Telstra (Australia) | TravelSIM | $4 – $6 | $2 – $3 | $20 – $30 | High charges, consider local SIM card |
If you choose to use the local plan of Cameroon’s major operators, and activate its roaming service, the recommended local providers for roaming services are MTN or Orange. As at the moment, MTN offers tariffs for international data roaming. You will not need to disconnect your local number.
If you use local SIM cards of following countries when traveling to Cameroon, you will bear fee as below table if you use prepaid SIM card of MTN providers:
| Country | Local call When you call a number within the country where roaming | Call to Cameroon When you call a number in Cameroon | SMS When you send an SMS to any destination. | Prepaid data |
| Canada(Telus) | 2,500(~ 4.2USD) | 350(~ 0.6USD) | 147/30KB | |
| US(AT &T/Cingular) | 2,500(~ 4.2USD) | 350(~ 0.6USD) | 147/30KB | |
| Australia(Vodafone) | 3,000(~ 5USD) | 7,000(~ 11.6USD) | 350(~ 0.6USD) | 400/30KB |
| Italia(Vodofone) | 3,000(~ 5USD) | 7,000(~ 11.6USD) | 350(~ 0.6USD) | 400/30KB |
Step 2: Open roaming function on your phone and activate
Every mobile carrier has its own way to activate roaming service. You should better check with them on their website or contact their customer service for help.
Step 3: Choose and purchase the best mobile roaming package
Roaming rates are always expensive. However, a roaming package may prevent you from paying much money for using a phone when traveling to Cameroon.
Pro Tips:
Step 4: Turn your phone’s roaming on in Setting menu
► On Android: Settings > Tap on “Data roaming” > Turn “International Roaming” or
► On iOS (iPhone): Settings > Cellular > Tap on “Data roaming”
Note: Do not forget to turn off the roaming feature when not in use to prevent any unnecessary expenses once you come back from Cameroon.
If you do not to pay so much for data roaming when traveling, you should remember to do those things:
If you are considering using eSIM, contact Gigago at +1 657-571-1199 (WhatsApp) for more information.
Data roaming is kind of expensive. So what is an alternative? If you want to find another more convenient and cheaper way to stay in touch with friends and family, you can consider using eSIM Cameroon. But, remember to check your phone compatibility with eSIM first.
eSIM is an embedded SIM to your phone. It can help you to access the Internet, even make phone calls or send messages within Cameroon. However, you should use prepaid or data-only for economic options.
You can find pros and cons of eSIM and data roaming in Cameroon in table below for better comparison:
| eSIM | Data roaming | |
| Pros | – No need to carry a physical SIM card or visit a local store, just buy and install online before departing – More security Cheaper than data roaming | – Use existing phone number for calls and texts – Security |
| Cons | – Limited support to some model of phones – Limited coverage in some major cities and tourist destinations | – More expensive – Unexpected charges for some overuse data |
In that case, eSIM will be a better choice because it helps you reduce costs when traveling. For Cameroon, Gigago offers one data plan option, with 1 GB for 7 days for $10.50 . This data volume is enough for average internet users. In case you want to use more data, you can top up or buy another plan. You can see more details on Cameroon eSIM by Gigago.
Here are easy steps that help you to turn off data roaming with your phone. Depending on your phone operating system, you should choose the most suitable one below:
You can follow these step to turn off international roaming on iPhones:
It is not difficult to turn off data roaming on Android phones. All you need to do is following those steps:
Data roaming charges can vary depending on your carrier, but they can be expensive. Expect to pay several CFA francs per megabyte.
Yes, you can buy a local SIM card with a data plan from MTN Cameroon or Orange Cameroon. This can be a more economical option than data roaming, especially if you plan on staying for a while.
You might need to activate data roaming on your phone before you travel. Contact your home carrier for specific instructions.
This depends on the eSIM provider and plan. Some eSIMs are specific to a particular country, while others offer wider regional coverage. Check with the eSIM provider for details.
There are many ways to get connected to the Internet when traveling to Cameron, using data roaming in Cameroon is also a choice. However, it may cost a lot due to the expensive price. Instead, you can choose to use a local SIM card or eSIM for more convenience.
! In this handy guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of choosing the best Cameroon SIM card options, whether you’re leaning towards a traditional SIM or the tech-savvy eSIM.
This guide offers practical tips and essential insights for travelers looking to stay connected and make the most of their mobile devices in Cameroon.
This guide will navigate you through the essentials of getting and activating your Orange Cameroun mobile connection, ensuring you stay connected every step of the way.
Navigating mobile internet in Cameroon is a crucial part of your travel experience, akin to having a reliable map in your hand.
This comprehensive guide on MTN Cameroon SIM cards and eSIM options is crafted to ensure tourists like you can easily navigate the world of mobile connectivity in Cameroon.
If you are visiting Cameroon for the first time, buying a SIM card at Douala International Airport (DLA) will be much easier by following the instructions in our guide.
