Guam – an unincorporated territory of the United States in the Pacific Ocean. It is closer to Southeast and East Asia and Oceania than mainland United States.
Known for its stunning beaches, crystal clear ocean water, and terrific resorts.
The Northern Mariana Islands – the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is another unincorporated territory of the United States.
Known for its famous islands like Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Each island has its unique traits. Bord Island on Saipan. The prehistoric ruins in Tinian. And the relaxed atmosphere in Rota.
In general, there should be no reason to be bored when in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands. There is a lot to do.
Do note that if you plan on sharing your experiences online, you may go back home and have to deal with an expensive roaming bill. Roaming can be expensive and should be avoided whenever you can. At least, that is if you like money.
Especially if you have a SIM card from mainland USA because the big three (AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon) do not operate in Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands – you will be roaming instead.
Luckily, you can get local SIM cards, allowing you to enjoy local rates – much cheaper than international roaming.
You can get a SIM card for 20 USD in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands by visiting the stores of DoCoMo Pacific, IT&E & GTA (Teleguam). 7 GB valid for 7 days will cost you at least 15 USD.
Cannot see the video above? Watch it here
or on YouTube.
These prices may seem high, but roaming bills can be much higher!
And getting a local SIM card is truly worth it – for real!
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands. Let's do this.
Original publication: 30th of January 2020. Last updated: 23rd of July 2021.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands?
Anyone is allowed to buy a SIM card in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands, including tourists and visitors.
Be aware that you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands).
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands?
You can get a SIM card in the official stores of DoCoMo Pacific, IT&E (+iConnect) & GTA (Teleguam) and authorized resellers, including kiosks, grocery stores, and gas stations.
It is also possible to get SIM cards at Guam Antonia B. Won Pat Airport (Guam International Airport) & Saipan International Airport (Fransisco C. Ada Airport).
Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.
You can expect to pay the following for Guamanian SIM cards:
- DoCoMo Pacific: 19.95 USD
- IT&E (+iConnect): 19.95 USD
- GTA (Teleguam): 20 USD
The following operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:
- DoCoMo Pacific: 25 USD
- IT&E (+iConnect): 20 USD & 30 USD
Can You Use Your Phone in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands?
Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands use GSM and CDMA technology for mobile telecommunications services. However, CDMA is fading away quickly.
Fortunately, there is a 99% chance you have a phone that supports GSM.
Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands use traditional American frequencies, which are mainly used in the Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
Although the Northern Mariana Islands are officially part of Oceania, they are unincorporated territory of the United States, which is one of the various reasons why they use American frequencies over European frequencies, unlike other places in Oceania.
Other parts of the world (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania – ITU Regions 1 & 3) use European frequencies, which are different from the American frequencies.
by Denelson83, CC BY-SA 2.5If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands.
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 Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands 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 Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands have three mobile network operators:
- DoCoMo Pacific
- IT&E (+iConnect)
- GTA (Teleguam – Guam only)
Note: iConnect (Advanced) got acquired by IT&E.
The following frequencies are used in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands:
- 2G: 850 MHz &1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12 & Band 17), 1700 MHz (Band 4) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
- 5G NR: Unknown
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.
To check whether your phone will work in Guam & Northern Mariana Islands, 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.
5G NR in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
Commercial 5G NR has been available in Guam since late 2019, with DoCoMo Pacific launching the new service. In 2020, 5G NR was also launched in the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan). However, 5G NR is currently only available to postpaid customers/subscribers.
It is unknown when IT&E (+iConnect) and GTA (Teleguam) will offer 5G NR services, but the Federal Communications Commission (FFC) has been holding 5G license auctions in the US overseas territories since 2020.
Then the question will be whether prepaid customers can also take advantage of 5G NR upon launch or not.
Best SIM Card in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands, I recommend going with DoCoMo Pacific or GTA. DoCoMo Pacific is regarded as the best overall by the locals. GTA won the Best Mobile Coverage award twice in 2019.
SIM Card Registration in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
SIM card registration, with the use of your personal information (such as your passport), is not required when buying a SIM card in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands.
Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Mobile data in Oceania used to be crazy expensive. That was because many pacific nations were reliant on satellite connections for broadband and wireless internet.
However, satellites used to be expensive and slow, which were reflected in the prices. Luckily, many pacific nations have been linked to submarine cables. Those cables offer much faster speeds and provide internet at lower costs than satellites.
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands were somewhat lucky because they were always backed by the United States regarding submarine cables. As a result, the cost of mobile data was not too expensive for regional standards – some would even say it was cheap.
But how much does data cost in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands?
The average price for 1 GB of data in Guam is 2.14 USD and 2.15 in the Northern Mariana Islands, far below the Oceanian average of 5.51 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
You may be wondering why the prices are different in Guam and the Northern Marian Islands. The mobile operators used to charge (slightly) more for the same plans in the Northern Mariana Islands than Guam in the past.
This is slowly reversing where plans in Guam are (slightly) more expensive than in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The telecom market is rather competitive in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. There are pacific nations with a higher population with only one mobile operator (driving up the prices).
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands used to have four mobile operators. iConnect got acquired by IT&E, so the number of players went down to three.
Even then, speeds are quite decent, and mobile coverage is rather extensive. As a result, you should have a smooth network experience in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands.
Currency in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands use the US Dollar with the symbol USD (which will be used throughout this article). Prices in Guam & Northern Mariana Islands are listed in just $.
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!
Guam & Northern Mariana Islands Prepaid SIM Cards (Videos)
Below, I will guide you through DoCoMo Pacific, IT&E (+iConnect) & GTA (Teleguam), and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
Prefer to watch videos instead? Watch this complete Guam & Northern Mariana Islands SIM card buying guide.
Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.
You can also watch all the videos related to Guam & Northern Mariana Islands SIM cards in the playlist below.
Cannot see the playlist above? Check it on YouTube.
With that being said, let’s see what Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands have to offer to us.
DoCoMo Pacific
DoCoMo Pacific is one of the largest mobile operators in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands. It was the first mobile operator to offer 5G NR in both territories.
DoCoMo Pacific uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 17)
- 5G NR: Unknown
This is what you will learn about DoCoMo Pacific:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a DoCoMo Pacific SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Jump to: IT&E | GTA
Coverage – DoCoMo Pacific
DoCoMo Pacific has extensive coverage in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands.
It may have the best coverage. But it is probably a tie with GTA (Teleguam).
DoCoMo Pacific has several coverage maps showing off its reception in Guam, Rota, Saipan & Tinian.
Below is DoCoMo Pacific's coverage maps of Guam:
Here are the maps of Rota:
Then we have the maps of Saipan:
Finally, we have the maps of Tinian:
I always like to compare the official coverage maps with independently made maps because operators like to be overly optimistic.
SIM Card Price – DoCoMo Pacific
You can get a DoCoMo Pacific SIM Card for 19.95 USD with 10 USD in credit in DoCoMo Pacific stores. It is also possible to buy SIM cards at Guam Antonia B. Won Pat International Airport & Saipan Francisco C. Ada International Airport.
Short-term travelers can also take advantage of the Visitor SIM card. It costs 25 USD and features 7 GB of data, unlimited local minutes, unlimited local SMS, and 15 international minutes to China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan & the United States – all valid for 7 days.
You have to text 7 to 8687 to activate your Visitor SIM.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – DoCoMo Pacific
DoCoMo Pacific top-up vouchers, in values between 5 USD to 20 USD, are sold in DoCoMo Pacific stores and other stores, including kiosks, phone stores, and grocery stores.
The following top-up options are available:
- 5 USD
- 10 USD
- 20 USD
To top up your DoCoMo Pacific SIM card, dial *111*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *111*123456#.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *112# to check your DoCoMo Pacific balance.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – DoCoMo Pacific
DoCoMo Pacific has two data-featured plans: Endless Flex (combo) & Multi-Day Flex Plans (combo).
Endless Flex – DoCoMo Pacific
The Endless Flex plans are daily combo bundles with data, minutes, and SMS.
Be aware of the price difference of 0.25 USD when activating the plan in the Northern Mariana Islands (2.25 USD) and Guam (2.50 USD).
You can activate Endless Flex by texting the Activation Code to 3282:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes 1 | Local SMS 1 | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.25 USD | 1 Day (CNMI) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 day | HS1 |
| 2.50 USD | 1 Day (Guam) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 day | HS1 |
1 also to the United States
Endless Flex plans auto-renew.
Multi-Day Flex Plans – DoCoMo Pacific
The Multi-Day Flex Plans are combo bundles with data, unlimited data with Social Pass (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Line, Skype, Snapchat, Twitter, WeChat & WhatsApp), minutes, and SMS.
Be aware of the price difference of 1 USD when activating Flex 3 in the Northern Mariana Islands (6.50 USD) and Guam (7.50 USD).
You can activate Multi-Day Flex Plans by texting the Activation Code to 3282:
| Price | Plan | Data 1 | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.50 USD | Flex 3 (CNMI) | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3 days | HS3 |
| 7.50 USD | Flex 3 (Guam) | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3 days | HS3 |
| 15 USD | Flex 7 | 7 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days | HS7 |
| 30 USD | Flex 14 | 14 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 15 days | HS14 |
You can still browse the web when you have exhausted your data allowance. However, your speeds will be throttled to 256 Kbps.
Multi-Day Flex Plans auto-renew.
APN/Internet Settings – DoCoMo Pacific
- Name: docomo
- APN: internet
- APN type: default OR internet
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
IT&E (+iConnect)
IT&E is as big as DoCoMo Pacific or is the largest mobile operator in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands after IT&E acquired iConnect (Advanced).
IT&E uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12), 1700 MHz (Band 4) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
This is what you will learn about IT&E:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get an IT&E SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Jump to: DoCoMo Pacific | GTA
Coverage – IT&E (+iConnect)
IT&E has extensive coverage in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands.
Below are IT&E's coverage maps:
SIM Card Price – IT&E (+iConnect)
You can get an IT&E SIM Card for 19.95 USD with 10 USD in credit in IT&E stores.
Dial *670# to activate your IT&E SIM card if your phone number starts 670 (bought in the Northern Mariana Islands) and *671# if the phone number starts with 671 (bought in Guam).
Short-term travelers can also take advantage of the Hafa Adai SIM cards – IT&E's tourist SIM cards. They include unlimited data, unlimited local minutes, 10 USD international call credit, and unlimited local SMS – valid for up to 7 days.
The following two Hafa Adai SIM cards are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes Credit | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 USD | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 USD | Unlimited | 4 days |
| 30 USD | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 USD | Unlimited | 7 days |
Besides getting Hafa Adai SIM cards at IT&E stores, you can also grab them at Shell gas stations, 76 gas stations, Andersen Airforce Exchange Services (AAFES), Bon Voyage stores (Guam), and various gift shops, resorts, and supermarkets in Saipan.
Do note that Hafa Adai SIM cards cannot be extended.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – IT&E (+iConnect)
IT&E top-up vouchers, in values between 5 USD to 20 USD, are sold in IT&E stores and other stores, including kiosks, phone stores, and grocery stores.
The following top-up options are available:
- 5 USD
- 10 USD
- 20 USD
To top up your IT&E SIM card, text LOAD VoucherCode to 2931.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would text LOAD 123456 to 2931.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *87 to check your IT&E balance.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – IT&E (+iConnect)
IT&E has the Prepaid Power Plans, which are combo bundles with data, minutes, and SMS.
The following Prepaid Power Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 USD | 100 MB Plan | 100 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 24 hours | *289*101# |
| 2 USD | 200 MB Plan | 200 MB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 24 hours | *289*102# |
| 2.50 USD | Unlimited Data Plan | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 24 hours | *289*103# |
| 15 USD | 7-Day Plan | 1 GB/day (7 GB) | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 7 days | *289*104# |
| 60 USD | 30-Day Plan | 40 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 30 days | *289*1082# |
1 also to the United States
Prepaid Power Plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text CANCEL to 3282.
APN/Internet Settings – IT&E (+iConnect)
- Name: ITE
- APN: prepaid.ite.net
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
GTA (Teleguam)
GTA (Teleguam) is the smallest operator in Guam. This is also in part due to GTA only being active in Guam.
GTA uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12) & 1700 MHz (Band 4)
This is what you will learn about GTA:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a GTA SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Jump to: DoCoMo Pacific | IT&E
Coverage – GTA (Teleguam)
GTA has extensive coverage in Guam.
It even won the Guam Speedtest Awards Best Mobile Coverage twice in 2019 (Q1-Q2 & Q3-Q4).
Below is GTA's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – GTA (Teleguam)
You can get a GTA SIM Card for 20 USD with 10 USD in credit in GTA stores.
You have to dial *488# to activate your GTA SIM card.
GTA 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 – GTA (Teleguam)
GTA Pacific top-up vouchers are sold in GTA stores and other stores, including kiosks, phone stores, and grocery stores.
To top up your GTA SIM card, dial *488# and follow the instructions. The same can be done by dialing *55. You can use the same shortcodes for checking your GTA balance.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – GTA (Teleguam)
GTA has two data-featured plans: Prepaid Plans (combo) & Data Add-On Plans (data add-ons).
All GTA plans can be activated by dialing *488# and selecting option 3.
Prepaid Plans – GTA (Teleguam)
The Prepaid Plans are combo plans with data, minutes, and SMS.
The following Prepaid Plans are available, which can be activated by dialing *488# and selection option 1 or dialing *55:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.50 USD | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 day |
| 25 USD | 500 MB | 250 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 35 USD | 500 MB | 500 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 45 USD | 5 GB | 500 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 60 USD | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 70 USD | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
1 also to the United States
Data Add-On Plans – GTA (Teleguam)
The Data Add-On Plans are data add-ons. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
The following Data Add-On Plans are available, which can be activated by dialing *488# and selection option 1 or dialing *55:
| Price | Plan | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 3 USD | 1 GB | 30 days |
| 5 USD | 3 GB | 30 days |
| 10 USD | 5 GB | 30 days |
| 15 USD | 10 GB | 30 days |
APN/Internet Settings – GTA (Teleguam)
- Name: GTA
- APN: mpulse.gta.net
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
Getting a Guamanian SIM card is the best way to stay connected in the country. You have learned that SIM cards are cheap, plans are generous, and speeds are blazing fast.
But sometimes, getting a local SIM card is not possible. Perhaps you have a SIM-lock phone. The operator you prefer to go with does not support the frequencies your phone uses, or you cannot be bothered to deal with SIM card registration in every country you are visiting.
Luckily, there are other ways to get online when in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands.
However, these methods may be more expensive than getting a SIM card from the local 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.
International roaming has its pros and cons. However, it is important to know how it works. This in-depth guide explains it all.
Find out whether your mobile operator has attractive roaming rates for Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands 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 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.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
Getting a SIM card from DoCoMo Pacific would do you well when considering a Guamanian & the Northern Mariana Islands card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other Oceanian Countries
Visiting other countries in Oceania? Check out my Oceania SIM card buying guide, covering other Oceanian 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:
Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel! Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation. Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling? In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services, and products I have for this site and my YouTube channel. If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
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.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
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