In Tunisia, mobile internet is essential for getting around, looking up attractions, and staying in touch. That makes a big difference for hassle-free travel. You’ll learn about the benefits of both local SIM cards and eSIMs in this tutorial, along with how to stay connected during your time in Tunisia.
Table of Contents
I. Tunisia Mobile Internet coverage and speed
In Tunisia, there are three major mobile operators: Ooredoo, TT Mobile, and Orange. Tunisia’s major mobile operators have made significant investments to offer residents and visitors with fast and reliable connection.
1. Tunisia Mobile Internet Coverage
Mobile Internet in Tunisia is particularly easy to find hence making it easy to stay connected. Here are some key points, (according to the Opensignal Report)
Availability
All three major operators – Ooredoo, Orange, and Tunisie Telecom showed high availability of 96.8% and 95.1%. This indicates that users had a mobile connection most of the time in places they frequent.
4G Coverage Experience: Ooredoo and Orange tied for first place with a score of 5.7 and 5.6 respectively out of 10. This shows they provided 4G coverage in most locations that matter to users. Tunisie Telecom scored 5.3.
Coverage Maps
The maps show extensive nationwide 3G/4G coverage by all operators across major cities, towns, and most highways/transport routes.
Mobile access is more pervasive in densely populated urban/suburban regions compared to smaller rural villages. Coverage also varies depending on local infrastructure investments.
So in summary, Tunisian telcos provide widespread nationwide coverage while enhancing urban networks and expanding accessibility in underserved rural pockets through technology migrations. This supports Tunisia’s digitalization needs.
2. Tunisia Mobile Internet Speed
Here is an examination of Tunisia’s mobile internet performance data (according to the Speedtest Global Index) that provides insights into the country’s rankings globally and in the region, as well as speed variations across different cities within Tunisia.
National Ranking
- In April 2024, Tunisia ranked 105th globally for mobile internet speed according to the Ookla Speedtest Global Index.
- Tunisia’s average mobile download speed was 40.40 Mbps while average upload speed was 17.90 Mbps.
- Latency on mobile networks in Tunisia was reported to be 25 ms on average.
- Tunisia’s national ranking for mobile has improved from 99th position in September 2023, indicating an upwards trend in mobile internet speeds over the past few months.
City Ranking
- The capital Tunis sees the best mobile connectivity. In September 2023, Tunis ranked 1st with average speeds of 63 Mbps.
- Sfax, Tunisia’s second-largest city, was ranked 2nd nationally with average speeds of 43.92 Mbps for mobile downloads.
- Other major cities like Sousse, Monastir, Bizerte, and Nabeul also featured within the top 10 cities in Tunisia for mobile internet performance.
- Rural and regional areas tend to have lower average speeds, reflecting less development of mobile infrastructure outside key urban centers.
II. Mobile Internet in Tunisia: Connectivity Options for Tourists
Staying online in Tunisia is a breeze with various connection options. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose the most suitable one for your adventure:
| Option | Pros | Cons | Price in USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming | Connectivity across Tunisia. Familiar with home operator billing. | Very expensive charges for data/calls. Can incur bill shock. | $0.50-3/min for calls,$5-10/GB data |
| Wifi Hotspots | Free in some cafes. Cheaper than roaming. | Coverage is limited to hotspot areas only. Slow speeds. | Free |
| Pocket Wifi | Portable wifi device. Covers short stays. | Extra device to carry. Higher per day rental than SIM. | $10-15/day |
| Local SIM Card | Cheapest option. Works anywhere in Tunisia. | Need local number/address to purchase. | $5-10 for SIM + package |
| eSIM | Instant activation. No need to carry extra SIM. | Carrier/device support is needed. Plans limited. | $10-15 for 10-15GB package |
In summary, for extended stays, a local SIM or using an eSIM provides the best value and coverage across Tunisia. Roaming should be avoided due to high costs while public wifi offers a limited free basic option.
Buying a local SIM card still is a popular choice with Tunisia visitors, but for a fast and convenient purchasing process, consider getting an eSIM.
If you are looking for information on how to buy a SIM card in Tunisia, check our guide Best Tunisia SIM Card for Tourists to get more useful tips!
III. Budgeting for Mobile Data Costs in Tunisia
To get more insights about Tunisia and be ready for your Tunisia experience, you should explore about how much data is enough for your traveling goals, here are our recommendations:
- Short Trips (under 1 week): 1-2GB of data is more than enough for basic tasks such as mapping, translating, or light browsing. Consider The Tunisia eSIM 7 Days Plan from Tunisiaesim.com which provides 1GB with just $5.
- Long trips (under 2 weeks): If you plan on traveling for long days, it is advisable to subscribe for a larger bundle. To avoid such inconvenience, we recommend you use our Tunisia eSIM 30 Days Plan offering 10-20GB of data starting from $25.3-39.6.
By purchasing an eSIM plan, visitors can communicate as much as needed during their trip without worrying about limitations. Choose tunisiaesim.com which offers diverse eSIM plans for any traveling goals.
Find the best options for your trip below:
Plan that may interest you
IV. Best Tunisia mobile operators
Choosing a mobile operator in Tunisia is key to staying connected throughout your adventure. Here’s a breakdown of the major players to help you find the best fit:
| Network | Ooredoo | Orange Tunisia | Tunisian telcos |
| Coverage | Nationwide 4G network coverage reaching over 98% population across Tunisia. Fixed broadband “Ooredoo Internet” available in major cities and large towns. | Has extensive nationwide 4G/4G+ mobile network coverage, reaching 99% Tunisia population | Nationwide coverage of major cities, towns and highways across Tunisia with 3G/4G. Progressively expanding 4G network but behind Orange and Ooredoo currently. |
| Pros | Wide range of affordable prepaid and postpaid mobile plans Value added services like content streaming, payments, travel packs etc. Multilingual website and support options in English. | Offers a wide range of prepaid and postpaid mobile plans to suit different budgets and needs. Fixed broadband plans like Fixbox and Flybox provide high-speed uncapped internet connectivity. Value-added services include mobile banking, content streaming, gaming bundles. Customer support is available via stores, call centers, live chat and social media channels. | Competitive prices, prepaid plans from $2-5 per month. Offers landline and fiber broadband with internet+TV packages. Dedicated business and enterprise telecom services. |
| Cons | Mobile coverage and speeds may vary in remote rural regions. No customized plans, limited to standard bundle packs. Fair usage limits on full speed data could affect heavy users. Out of bundle charges expensive at $0.10/MB. | Limited availability of highest speed fixed broadband plans in smaller cities/towns. Speed options may be more restricted compared to major urban centers. | Smaller network coverage footprint than leaders Orange, Ooredoo. Limited information on English website compared to rivals. Customers report variable 4G speeds based on location. Fewer value-added digital services for now. |
| Price ranges | Prepaid SIM with bonus around $5. | Prepaid starter SIM packs are available from $3.21 with bundled data/minutes. | Prepaid starter pack for $2 |
Orange leads the market due to its scale and years of established operations. Ooredoo is a strong number two, while Tunisia is working to upgrade its infrastructure.
For reliable nationwide coverage and access to the broadest range of plans/support, Orange would be the top recommendation. But Ooredoo and Tunisiana also deliver acceptable mobile internet, especially their entry-level prepaid packages. The best choice depends on individual location and budget needs within Tunisia.
V. FAQs about Mobile Internet in Tunisia
Which networks provide the best coverage?
Orange and Ooredoo are the largest networks, providing nearly nationwide 4G coverage. However, speeds may vary between urban and rural areas.
How fast is the average mobile internet speed?
Tunisia has average mobile download speeds of around 40Mbps. But speeds depend on location, network usage, and operator. Major cities see faster speeds.
Can I use my SIM card from another country?
You need a local SIM card. Your existing SIM won’t work due to the different frequencies used. Local operators offer tourist SIMs.
How do I get a prepaid SIM card?
Purchase from operator stores providing ID. Starter packs cost around $5 with some data/minutes.
Can I use my phone in Tunisia?
Yes, if it’s unlocked and supports Tunisian 4G bands. Check with your operator on international roaming policies too.
VI. Conclusions
In summary, Tunisia presents visitors with several options to stay connected which helps visitors enhance their Tunisia experience. Compare to these options: free WiFi, roaming, buy a local SIM card, get an eSIM, and find out which options are the best for your traveling goals.
Consider buying an eSIM or local SIM card for a fast and reliable connection. With the right mobile data plan, you can spend more time enjoying Tunisia without worrying about internet access!
