Bermuda – probably infamous for its Bermuda triangle that scared us when we were young.
But the island nation is also known for its stunning beaches, especially the pink sand beaches.
While there are plenty of beaches, you may want to visit the Crystal and Fantasy Caves, which are stunning.
Or perhaps the Gibb's Hill Lighthouse for a change. What about the National Museum of Bermuda?
So you do not have to sit at the beach being baked by the sun all day if you do not want to (but… we both know that is what you will be doing most of the time).
Or enjoying the excellent nightlife.
But… Bermuda is EXPENSIVE. The cost of travel to the island and being there is incredible.
I kind of pity the locals because the cost of living is crazy too.
But these high prices can be seen when looking at the cost of SIM cards and mobile data rates in the country.
So, how expensive are SIM cards in Bermuda?
You can get a Bermudian SIM card for 20 BMD (20 USD) from Digicel or 25 BMD (25 USD) from One in their stores or select partner stores. They are not sold at Hamilton-L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA – formerly Bermuda International Airport).
20 or 25 BMD/USD for just the SIM card? Even Canada and the United States do not charge that much – insane!
What is even worse is that you will pay AT LEAST 30 BMD/USD for a data-featured plan with 1 GB of data.
I told you things were expensive here!
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Bermuda. Let's get started, shall we?
Original publication: 12th of March 2020. Last updated: 12th of April 2022.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Bermuda?
You can buy a Bermudian SIM card from Digicel or One as a tourist. There is nothing preventing travelers from buying a SIM card in Bermuda.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
Moreover, your phone has to support the frequencies used in Bermuda.
Finally, your phone needs to be unlocked (SIM-lock free) to use a Bermudian SIM card.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Bermuda?
You can get a Bermudan SIM card for 20 BMD (20 USD) from Digicel and 25 BMD (25 USD) from One in their stores and from resellers, including grocery stores. They are not sold at Hamilton-L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA – formerly Bermuda International Airport).
You can expect to pay the following for Bermudian SIM cards:
- Digicel Bermuda: 20 BMD
- One Communications Bermuda: 25 BMD
Can You Use Your Phone in Bermuda?
Bermuda uses GSM technology for mobile communications primarily. CDMA phones will not work in Bermuda. However, almost all phones use GSM anyway.
You also need to be aware of the ITU regions to determine whether your phone will work in other parts of the world.
Although there are three ITU regions, you only need to know these two terms: American frequencies and European frequencies.
Bermuda uses American frequencies, which are used in the Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
Phones sold in the Americas typically have no issues when using their phone in other ITU Region 2 countries.
In Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3), they typically use European frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European frequencies without issues.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Bermuda.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Bermuda or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Bermuda (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Bermuda
The Bermuda has two mobile operators offering prepaid services:
- Digicel Bermuda
- One Communications Bermuda
The following frequencies are used in Bermuda:
- 2G: 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12 & Band 13)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Bermuda, check out this page by Will My Phone Work (may be outdated or inaccurate at times).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
A Note about The Government License Fee (Cellular Telephone Fee)
All mobile plans are subject to the 0.40 BMD/day or 12 BMD/month Government License Fee, also known as the Cellular License Fee in Bermuda.
This fee will be directly charged from any plan you purchase – you do not have to pay this yourself to the government.
A Note about Paradise Mobile
Paradise Mobile, Bermuda's upcoming third mobile operator, was granted an operating license in August 2020.
Since the announcement of Paradise Mobile obtaining its license, no further updates from the mobile operator have been given.
You can sign up for its mailing list on its website, but I doubt you will get (m)any updates through that medium.
Especially because its social media channels are ghost towns as well.
For now, you only have two options if you wish to buy a prepaid SIM card in Bermuda.
VoLTE & VoWiFi in Bermuda
Both VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) are not offered by the mobile operators in Bermuda (yet).
This means that when you make a call, your phone will downgrade to 3G (or 2G when 3G is not available) instead of staying connected to 4G/LTE.
This is also why you often cannot use mobile data while calling if not connected to WiFi.
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
5G NR in Bermuda
5G NR is not available in Bermuda as of 2022, and the Bermudian government has not made any indications of when it will auction 5G licenses.
However, the regulator, Regulatory Authority of Bermuda (RAB), put a stop on 5G NR trials and developments back in August 2020 “pending the completion of a Radio Frequency Study (RF Study) and the issuance of a final determination”.
This moratorium was listed in May 2021. But there is no update on when the mobile operators will continue with their 5G NR developments.
Best SIM Card in Bermuda
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Bermuda, I recommend going with Digicel. It has the best coverage and the fastest speeds. Moreover, its packages offer much more value than One's.
Best eSIM in Bermuda
Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM (to prepaid customers) in Bermuda yet.
However, you can get the Bermuda (Bermy Mobile) eSIM from Airalo with 1 GB of data valid for 7 days.
With this eSIM, you can skip Bermuda's SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in Bermuda!
TIP: Check out my eSIM lookup tool for an overview of local mobile operators offering eSIMs to prepaid customers and travel eSIMs I use and love (for eSIMs in Bermuda and eSIMs worldwide).
SIM Card Registration in Bermuda
SIM card registration with your passport information is mandatory in Bermuda. It will be done at the point of purchase.
Bermuda Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Earlier, I said that everything is expensive in Bermuda.
I am surprised you are not being charged for breathing… yet.
The cost of a SIM card is high, but what about mobile data rates?
They are high too.
The average price for 1 GB of data in Bermuda is 19.80 USD, far above the North American average of 8.21 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
Now, you may claim that Bermuda is not in Northern America and is part of the Caribbean.
I would agree, but I am just using the definition used by Cable.co.uk – so I use North America begrudgingly.
Either way, Bermuda is the 10th most expensive country for mobile data worldwide.
The data allowances are minuscule, but mobile data speeds are decent.
You may want to consider not being online at all in Bermuda, but we both know that that is not an option ;)
With expensive SIM cards, high mobile download rates, reasonable mobile data speeds, but great nationwide coverage, you should have a smooth network experience in Bermuda.
Currency in Bermuda
Bermuda uses the Bermudian Dollar, also known as the Bermuda Dollar, with the symbol BMD (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed as just $. For example, 25 BMD = $25.
BMD is pegged 1:1 to the USD (US Dollar), meaning that 1 BMD = 1 USD.
Moreover, both currencies are used interchangeably in the country, which means that you can pay USD without any issues.
If you pay in USD, you may get your change back in BMD in some situations.
For up-to-date BMD:your currency (let's say Euro) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Wise account FREE!
Bermudian Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Digicel Bermuda & One Communications Bermuda (formerly CellOne), and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices & availability
- Recharge / top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Bermuda has to offer to us.
Digicel Bermuda
Digicel Bermuda, just Digicel, is the largest mobile operator in Bermuda.
It is also the mobile operator with the fastest speeds.
Digicel, as a company, is active in many other Caribbean nations, Central America & Oceania.
Digicel uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13)
This is what you will learn about Digicel:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digicel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Digicel Bermuda
Digicel has the best coverage in Bermuda.
4G/LTE reception is basically everywhere in the country.
Below is Digicel's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – Digicel Bermuda
You can buy a Digicel SIM Card for 20 BMD in Digicel stores. They are not sold at Hamilton-L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA – formerly Bermuda International Airport).
You may have to dial *122# to activate your SIM card if your SIM card does not work upon purchase.
Digicel SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 120 days (no top-up for 120 days or no activity for 120 days).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Digicel Bermuda
Digicel top-up vouchers are sold in Digicel stores and Top Up Locations, such as kiosks, gas stations & grocery stores.
To top up your Digicel SIM card, dial *125*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *125*123456#.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *100#, *120#, or *141# to check your Digicel balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Digicel app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Digicel Bermuda
Digicel has two data-featured plans: Prepaid Prime Bundles (combo) & Digicel Prime Bundles Plus (combo).
Prepaid Prime Bundles – Digicel Bermuda
The Prepaid Prime Bundles are combo plans with data, data for select Digicel apps, minutes & SMS.
The following Prepaid Prime Bundles are available, which can be activated by dialing *141#:
| Price | Plan | Any Use Data | Listen More (Music) Data | Listen More (Radio) Data | Watch More Data | Play More Data | Share More Data | Know More Data | Know More Data | Local Minutes | Canada/US Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 BMD | 1 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 256 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | N/A | 1 day |
| 30 BMD | 7 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 1 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 50 BMD | 14 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 2 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 14 days |
| 90 BMD | 30 Day Pro Digicel Prime Bundle | 3 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 115 BMD | 30 Day Max Digicel Prime Bundle | 5 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 150 BMD | 30 Day Elite Digicel Prime Bundle | 8 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
You can download any Prime Bundle app by visiting the links below:
- Listen More (Music) with D’Music
- Listen More (Radio) with GoLoud
- Watch More with PlayGo
- Play More with Sports Max
- Share More with Bip
- Know More with Loop
- Store More with Billo
Prepaid Prime Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *100# or *141#.
Prepaid Prime Bundles Plus – Digicel Bermuda
The Prepaid Prime Bundles Plus are combo plans with data, data for select Digicel apps, minutes & SMS.
Unlike the Prepaid Prime Bundles, Prepaid Prime Bundles Plus includes TikTok and YouTube data allowances as well.
The following Prepaid Prime Bundles Plus are available, which can be activated by dialing *141#:
| Price | Plan | Any Use Data | Listen More (Music) Data | Listen More (Radio) Data | Watch More Data | Play More Data | Share More Data | Know More Data | Store More Data | TikTok Data | YouTube Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 BMD | 1 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 256 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | N/A | 1 day |
| 33 BMD | 7 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 1 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 55 BMD | 14 Day Digicel Prime Bundle | 2 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | 7 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 14 days |
| 95 BMD | 30 Day Pro Digicel Prime Bundle | 3 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 45 GB | 45 GB | Unlimited | 150 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 120 BMD | 30 Day Max Digicel Prime Bundle | 5 GB 1 | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 45 GB | 45 GB | Unlimited | 250 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 155 BMD | 30 Day Elite Digicel Prime Bundle | 8 GB 1 | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 45 GB | 45 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
1 +150 MB roaming data
Prepaid Prime Bundles Plus auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *100# or *141#.
APN/Internet Settings – Digicel Bermuda
- Name: Digicel
- APN: internet.bm
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
One Communications Bermuda (formerly CellOne)
One Communications Bermuda, just One and formerly CellOne, not to be confused with One Telecommunications in Albania, is the oldest mobile operator in Bermuda.
Like Digicel Bermuda, it offers fixed broadband plans as well.
One uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12)
This is what you will learn about Digicel:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digicel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – One Communications Bermuda (formerly CellOne)
One has extensive coverage throughout Bermuda.
However, its 4G/LTE reception is seriously lacking compared to Digicel Bermuda.
Below is One's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – One Communications Bermuda (formerly CellOne)
You can buy a One SIM card for 25 BMD in One stores. They are not sold at Hamilton-L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA – formerly Bermuda International Airport).
Be aware that you need to select a base plan to use One, even if you wish to purchase a plan.
You have the Pay Per Use Basic Talk plan with no daily charge and the Daily Talk & Text plan for 2.50 BMD/day with unlimited local minutes and SMS.
I recommend going with the Pay Per Use Basic Plan to save on costs.
One SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 90 days (no top-up for 90 days or no activity for 90 days).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – One Communications Bermuda
One top-up vouchers, in values between 10 BMD to 40 BMD, are sold in One stores and Top Up Locations, such as kiosks, gas stations & grocery stores.
To top up your One SIM card, dial #8255 and select option 2.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial #8255 and select option 1 to check your One balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the My One app (Android – no iOS app… yet).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – One Communications Bermuda
One has three data-featured plans:
- Voice & Data Plans (as the name implies)
- Data Only Plans (as the name suggests)
- Unlimited Social 24 Hours (social media)
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Voice & Data Plans – One Communications Bermuda (formerly CellOne)
The Voice & Data Plans are, as the name implies, combo bundles with data, minutes & SMS.
The following Voice & Data Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 BMD | Double 300 | 600 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days | *777*22# |
| 30 BMD | Double 500 | 1000 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 14 days | *777*23# |
Data Only Plans – One Communications Bermuda (formerly CellOne)
The Data Only Plans are, as the name suggests, data-only bundles.
The following Data Only Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 BMD | 20 MB | 24 hours | *777*11# |
| 15 BMD | 500 MB | 14 days | *777*12# |
| 45 BMD | 1.5 GB | 30 days | *777*13# |
| 99 BMD | 5 GB | 30 days | *777*4# |
The Unlimited Social 24 Hours plan is an unlimited social media data-only bundle for Blackberry Messenger, Facebook Messenger, iMessenger & WhatsApp, costing 2 BMD for 24 hours (activation: *777*14#).
While you do get unlimited data, the first 20 MB are at full speeds before it gets throttled to 128 Kbps.
Moreover, this plan cannot be combined with any Voice & Data Plans or Data Only Plans.
You are forced to use WiFi connections if you want to browse the regular web or use another app besides the four selected ones.
| Price | Data | Apps | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 BMD | “Unlimited”, 20 MB high-speed data, then unlimited data @ 128 Kbps | Blackberry Messenger, Facebook Messenger, iMessenger & WhatsApp | 24 hours | *777*14# |
APN/Internet Settings – One Communications Bermuda (formerly CellOne)
- Name: One
- APN: web.c1.bm
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Bermuda
I would highly encourage anyone visiting Bermuda to get themselves a Bermudian SIM card – you will be saving a lot of money when you do so.
However, for some, getting a Bermudian SIM card is not an option.
For example, your device may be SIM-locked, meaning that you cannot use any other SIM card other than the SIM card provided by your mobile operator.
There are other ways to stay online while in Bermuda, but they may not be cheap.
However, these methods may be more expensive than getting a SIM card from the local mobile operators.
International Roaming
International roaming is the most convenient way to stay connected when traveling in other countries because you do not have to buy a new SIM card, have to deal with SIM card registration regulations, nor have multiple phone numbers to deal with.
However, international roaming has proven to be expensive in many cases, especially compared to buying local SIM cards. That is why many travelers are not fond of international roaming.
Find out whether your mobile operator has attractive roaming rates for Bermuda here.
Using an International SIM Card or Travel SIM Card
International SIM cards are SIM cards made for the traveler in mind.
Using them is often cheaper than international roaming.
However, they are almost always more expensive than using a local SIM card.
There are many other advantages and disadvantages of getting international SIM cards, which you can learn about here.
Using a Mobile Hotspot (Pocket WIFI)
Mobile hotspots, or pocket WIFI, are small devices that connect to the local mobile operators of the country you are visiting.
Mobile hotspots are ideal for families or those traveling in a large group, as they allow you to connect multiple devices to one hotspot without the need of each traveler having to buy a SIM card.
You can either buy a mobile hotspot or rent one.
Using Free WIFI Networks
Using free WIFI connections is the cheapest way to stay connected because they are free.
The major downside of trying to use WIFI hotspots is that you will have to locate them, and they are not available on every corner in Bermuda.
Make sure to protect your internet traffic with a VPN so that hackers cannot steal your personal data.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Bermuda
Getting a SIM card from Digicel would do you well when considering a Bermudian SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other Caribbean Countries
Visiting other countries in the Caribbean? Check out my Caribbean SIM card buying guide, covering other Caribbean nations, such as:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
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Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
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