Buying a SIM card in Trinidad and Tobago is the cheapest way to get online while visiting the country. Fortunately, everyone can purchase a local SIM card in the dual-island nation.
But what can you expect to pay for SIM cards in Trinidad and Tobago?
You can buy a SIM card for 49 TTD (7.20 USD) in Trinidad and Tobago. You can get a plan for as low as 20 TTD (2.95 USD).
This may sound expensive to some, but roaming in Trinidad and Tobago would be much more costly, so getting a local SIM card will be worth it.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Trinidad and Tobago. Let's get started.
Original publication: 21st of March 2020. Last updated: 4th of January 2021.
Table of Contents
Can I Buy a SIM Card in Trinidad and Tobago?
Everyone residing in Trinidad or Tobago or visiting Trinidad and Tobago can buy SIM cards from the local operators, Digicel and Bmobile, without restrictions. You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations. Furthermore, your phone has to support the frequencies used in Trinidad and Tobago.
Can I Use My Phone in Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago use GSM for their mobile telecommunications network. They use frequencies primarily used in the Americas (North-, Central-, and South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
However, these frequencies are not used in other regions in the world (Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania – ITU Regions 1 & 3).
by Denelson83, CC BY-SA 2.5If you purchased your phone in Europe, Asia, Africa, or Oceania, if your device has not been unlocked, or the phone does not support Trinidad and Tobago's frequencies, then you cannot use your phone in Trinidad and Tobago.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago have two mobile operators:
The following frequencies are used by the operators in Trinidad and Tobago:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 (Band 28), 1700/2100 (Band 4 – AWS), 1900 MHz (Band 2) & 2500 MHz (Band 41)
- 5G NR: 2500 MHz (n41)
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 in Trinidad and Tobago
Bmobile is the only operator deploying 5G at the time of writing, which is available to only mobile broadband users with specified hardware (routers), not regular mobile subscribers (prepaid and postpaid).
The Best SIM Card in Trinidad and Tobago
If you want to buy a SIM card in Trinidad and Tobago, I would recommend going Digicel because they have the best coverage and the fastest speeds. Consider Bmobile if you want a plan with unlimited data at slower speeds.
SIM Card Registration in Trinidad and Tobago
SIM card registration with your passport information is mandatory in Trinidad and Tobago. It will be done at the point of purchase.
Trinidad and Tobago Speeds, Internet Prices & Insights
As a (dual) island nation in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago are different from other island nations around because they are connected to several submarine cables (like most countries in the Caribbean).
Therefore, the country can enjoy much faster internet speeds than island nations that have to rely on satellites (which are expensive and slow).
Trinidad and Tobago currently have the fastest mobile speeds in the Caribbean.
The average mobile download speed in Trinidad and Tobago is 40 Mbps, placing the dual-island nation in the top 50 countries on the Speedtest Global Index.
For reference, the world average mobile download is around 36 Mbps, so the speeds in Trinidad and Tobago are slightly above the world average.
But how much does mobile data cost in Trinidad and Tobago? Is it as expensive as other island nations?
The average price for 1 GB of data in Trinidad and Tobago is 5.92 USD, which is below the Caribbean average of 7.19 USD. The world average is 5.03 USD.
That is all according to Cable.co.uk.
Cable & Wireless, which owns bmobile and is mainly known as Flow in other Caribean nations, used to monopolize the Caribbean telecom market.
This was until Digicel entered the market.
Since then, prices have dropped in Trinidad and Tobago. At the same time, the quality of service has improved.
When you ask the Caribbean locals to describe the two companies, regardless of the Caribbean country you are in, they may be described with colorful language. In Trinidad and Tobago, however, you can expect good service with both operators.
Currency in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago use the Trinidad & Tobago Dollar with the symbol TTD (which will be used throughout this guide). However, prices are often listed as just TT, $, or TT$. For example, 25 TTD is $/TT/TT$25. For reference, below are some exchange rates between TTD and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 TTD = 0.15 USD
- 10 TTD = 1.50 USD
- 100 TTD = 14.75 USD
- 1000 TTD = 147.75 USD
For up-to-date TTD:USD exchange rates, search TTD to USD on Google, or replace USD with the currency you use.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Transferwise Borderless Account and Debit Card. Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Transferwise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks). I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Transferwise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Transferwise account FREE!
Trinidad and Tobago Prepaid SIM Cards & Video Guide
Below, I will guide you through the Trinidadian and Tobagonian operators, Digicel Trinidad and Tobago and Bmobile, and go through:
- Background information
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
If you prefer to watch a video of what the Trinidadian and Tobagonian operators have to offer, be sure to check the video below AND also subscribe to my channel for more local prepaid SIM card guides, SIM card reviews (prepaid and international), mobile hotspots, and international roaming guides. You should still go through the guide after watching the video (I refer to it multiple times throughout the video).
With that being said, let’s see what Trinidad and Tobago have to offer to us.
Digicel Trinidad and Tobago
Digicel Trinidad and Tobago, just Digicel, is the largest operator in the nation. With innovative marketing, substantial investments, and, subjectively, better customer services, Digicel became the largest and fastest mobile operator in Trinidad and Tobago.
It even won Trinidad and Tobago Speedtest Awards for the Fastest Mobile Network category in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
This is what you will learn about Digicel:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digicel SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping-Up Options & Methods
* Internet Packages
* APN Settings
Jump to Bmobile
Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Coverage
Digicel has the best coverage in Trinidad and Tobago.
Which has been verified during the Speedtest 2020 Trinidad and Tobago Best Mobile Coverage test.
Digicel has the best general availability and best 4G availability.
Getting a Digicel Trinidad and Tobago SIM Card & Price
You can buy a Digicel SIM card for 49 TTD in Digicel stores across the nation.
Digicel used to sell tourist SIM cards for 202.50 TTD or 30 USD, which was valid for 30 days. It contained 3 GB of data, unlimited WhatsApp messaging, and 200 anywhere minutes. This SIM card, or package, was available in Digicel stores as well. It looks like they discontinued this product.
However, Digicel has done that multiple times and may reintroduce the package in the future.
Topping-Up Your Digicel Trinidad and Tobago SIM Card
Digicel recharge cards are sold in denominations starting from 20 TTD to 500 TTD in Digicel stores and many other retailers throughout the nation. eVouchers are available starting from 5 TTD to 500 TTD. On the Digicel website or the MyDigicel app, recharging online can be done with (international) debit and credit cards.
To redeem your Digicel recharge card, dial *121*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *121*123456#.
Dial *120# to check your Digicel balance.
Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Internet Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers
Digicel offers Prime Bundles, which are combo bundles with data, data allowances for select apps, anywhere minutes (local and international minutes), and local SMS.
The following Prime Bundles are available:
| Price | Bundle | Any Use LTE Data | Listen More (Music – D'Music) Data | Listen More (Radio – GoLoud) Data | Watch More (PlayGo) Data | Play More (Sports Max) Data | Share More (Bip) Data | Know More (Loop) Data | Store More (Billo) Data | On-Net Minutes | Anywhere Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 TTD | 1 Day Prime Bundle | 10 GB | 1 GB | 10 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | 30 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | 1 day |
| 125 TTD | 10 Days Prime Bundle | 14 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB | Unlimited | 150 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | 10 days |
| 249 TTD | Prime 249 Bundle | 25 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | 30 GB | Unlimited | 200 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 349 TTD | Prime 349 Bundle | 100 GB | 50 GB | 50 GB | 50 GB | 50 GB | 50 GB | 50 GB | 50 GB | Unlimited | 400 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
You also get unlimited Do More data, which is for the MyDigicel App
Prime Bundles can be activated on the MyDigicel app or by dialing *323#.
Below is a list to download pages of the Prime Bundle Apps:
- 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
Anywhere Minutes are minutes for:
- local use (both Digicel and Bmobile numbers)
- calls to mobile and landline numbers in Canada and the United States
- calls to mobile Teleconica numbers in Venezuela
- calls to landline numbers in the United Kingdom
- calls to Digicel Caribbean.
Digicel Caribbean includes:
- Anguilla
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Bonaire
- The British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Curacao
- Dominica
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Panama
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and Grenadines
- Turks and Caicos
Digicel Trinidad and Tobago APN Settings
- Name: Digicel
- APN: web.digiceltt.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
RELATED GUIDES:
- Buying a SIM card in the Caribbean (all Caribbean nations)
- Buying a SIM card in Barbados
- Buying a SIM card in Curaçao
- Buying a SIM card in Grenada
- Buying a SIM card in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Jump back to the Table of Contents
Bmobile
bmobile used to be the sole operator before Digicel entered the market. After a while, bmobile lost its number 1 spot.
This is what you will learn about Bmobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Bmobile SIM Card & SIM Card Prices
* Tourist SIM Card
* Recharging Options & Methods
* Internet Packages
* APN Settings
Jump to Digicel Trinidad and Tobago
Bmobile Coverage
Bmobile has great coverage in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, its coverage is not as extensive as Digicel's, which won the Speedtest 2020 Trinidad and Tobago Best Mobile Coverage test.
Even then, coverage with Bmobile is decent, although its 4G availability is a bit behind.
Getting a Bmobile SIM Card & Price
You can purchase a Bmobile SIM card starting from 50 TTD with 25 TTD in credit in Mobile stores. Tourists can decide to buy the Bmobile Tourist SIM card with a starting price of 210 TTD.
Bmobile SIM cards are sold in four variants:
- 50 TTD with 25 TTD in credit
- 75 TTD with 75 TTD in credit
- 100 TTD with 150 TTD in credit
- 200 TTD with 300 TTD in credit
Bmobile Tourist SIM Card
The Bmobile Tourist SIM card is a short-term SIM card for visitors of Trinidad and Tobago. They are sold in three variants and include data, minutes, and SMS. The Bmobile Tourist SIM is available in the Bmobile Duty-Free store, Bmobile Hilton, and select channel partners and hotels.
The following three variants of the Bmobile Tourist SIM are available:
| Price | Price with VAT | Data | Bmobile Talk (On-Net Minutes) | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Global Text (International SMS) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 TTD | 236.25 TTD | 10 GB | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 14 days |
| 225 TTD | 253.13 TTD | 10 GB | Unlimited | 100 local minutes | 50 international minutes* | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 350 TTD | 393.75 TTD | Unlimited | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | Unlimited | 30 days |
* International minutes are to numbers in Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
When the Tourist SIM card is active, you can purchase one of the regular Bmobile plans. The Tourist SIM bundle, however, cannot be repurchased.
When the Tourist SIM bundle has expired, you can keep the SIM card and phone number if you top up at least 50 TTD within 7 days of expiry. After that, you can purchase regular Bmobile plans.
Topping-Up Your Bmobile SIM Card
Bmobile scratch cards are sold in denominations of 20 TTD, 50 TTD, and 100 TTD in Bmobile stores and many establishments in Trinidad and Tobago. Ecards (vouchers/receipts) are available in values between 10 TTD and 200 TTD.
Ecards are available in the following values:
- 10 TTD
- 15 TTD
- 20 TTD
- 25 TTD
- 30 TTD
- 40 TTD
- 50 TTD
- 60 TTD
- 75 TTD
- 100 TDD
- 200 TTD
To redeem your Bmobile scratch card or Ecard card, dial *135#VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *135*123456#.
To check your Bmobile balance, dial *120#.
Bmobile Internet Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers
Bmobile has one type of plan, which is the Prepaid Unlimited Plan. This plan includes (mostly) unlimited data, on-net calls, and international SMS. They also come with unlimited Facebook and WhatsApp messaging.
The following Prepaid Unlimited Plans are available, which can be activated by dialing *123#:
| Price | Price with VAT | Data | Roaming Data | Bmobile Talk (On-Net) | Anywhere Minutes | Facebook & WhatsApp Messaging | News Sites | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 TTD | 22.50 TTD | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | 30 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 day |
| 40 TTD | 45 TTD | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | 75 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 99 TTD | 111.37 TTD | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited | 175 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 215 TTD | 241.87 TTD | 25 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | 200 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 349 TTD | 392.62 TTD | Unlimited | 3 GB | Unlimited | 400 anywhere minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days |
Anywhere minutes: local calls and calls to Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, United Kingdom, and United States
News sites: BBC, CNN, Trinidad Express, Trinidad Guardian & Trinidad Newsday
Do note that Fair Usage applies to unlimited data and Bmobile Talk.
“On the rare occasion that a customer far exceeds the average use of 99% of our customers, bmobile, at its discretion, may notify the Customer that they are using excessive amounts of services, may prompt an investigation to ensure policy violations are not occurring, or have their access temporarily reduced or suspended until it ascertains whether the customer is using services properly.”
Moreover, video, audio, and game streaming is limited to 512 Kbps.
However, you can circumvent this speed restriction when using a VPN.
Bmobile APN Settings
- Name: bmobile
- APN: bmobile
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Trinidad and Tobago
Besides getting a local SIM card in Trinidad and Tobago, there are other ways to get online while traveling on these islands.
However, these methods may be more expensive than getting a SIM card from the two 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 Trinidad and Tobago 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.
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 Trinidad and Tobago.
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 Trinidad and Tobago
Getting a SIM card from Digicel would do you well when considering a Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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:
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Montserrat
- Puerto Rico
- Saba
- Dominica
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sint Eustatius
- Sint Maarten
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
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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Learn More About Who Adu Actually Is
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