Vanuatu: 2 Best Prepaid SIM Cards Buying Guide (2023)

Vanuatu – known for being a diving hotspot, stunning beaches & a shipwreck.

Yes – that is true. A luxury liner sank near Espiritu Santo.

The country is always in the top five happiest countries on the Happy Planet Index.

So, what can you do in Vanuatu? Honestly, just chill.

You can just spend your time at the beach taking in the sun.

If you are into volcanoes, Mount Yasur can be an interesting hike.

And you can also stay in your resort – the country has plenty of them.

As you can see, there is no reason to be bored in Vanuatu.

But you should know that Vanuatu is not cheap. Far from it.

And you could make your experience much more expensive by roaming in Vanuatu.

You are better off getting local SIM cards, like a Vanuatuan one, to enjoy local rates, which are almost always better than international roaming.

Luckily, Vanuatuan SIM cards are available to travelers too.

So, how expensive are SIM cards in Vanuatu?

You can get a Vanuatuan SIM card for 200 VUV (1.75 USD) from Digicel and 250 VUV (2.20 USD) from Vodafone (formerly TVL) in their stores or from resellers, like convenience stores and kiosks. SIM cards are also sold at Port Vila-Bauerfield International Airport (VLI).

Those prices are not too bad! They used to be much worse until a submarine cable was installed to Vanuatu.

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Vanuatu. Let's do this.

Original publication: 19th of January 2020. Last updated: 4th of November 2022.

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Table of Contents

Can You Buy a SIM Card in Vanuatu?

Anyone is allowed to buy a Vanuatuan SIM card, including tourists and visitors, from Digicel and Vodafone (formerly TVL) without restrictions.

Your phone has to support the frequencies used in Vanuatu.

Furthermore, your phone needs to be unlocked (SIM-lock free) to use a Vanuatuan SIM card.

Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Vanuatu?

You can get a Vanuatuan SIM card in Digicel and Vodafone (formerly TVL) stores. Resellers, like post offices, newsstands & grocery stores, also sell SIM cards. They are also sold at Port Vila-Bauerfield International Airport (VLI).

You can expect to pay the following for Vanuatuan SIM cards:

• Digicel Vanuatu: 200 VUV (promotional pricing), else 500 VUV
• Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL): 250 VUV

The following mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:

For up-to-date VUV:your currency (let's say AUD) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Can You Use Your Phone in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Vanuatu. If your phone has a SIM card slot, then it supports GSMA (99% of the phones do support GSM nowadays).

Traditional European frequencies are used in Vanuatu, which are mostly used in ITU Regions 1 and 3 (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania).

The Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2) use American frequencies, which differ from the European ones.

If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 and 3), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Vanuatu.

If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2) 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 Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE .

Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has two mobile operators offering prepaid services:

• Digicel Vanuatu
• Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

The following frequencies are used in Vanuatu:

• 2G: 900 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28)
• 5G NR: N/A – rollout not announced yet

You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.

To check whether your phone will work in Vanuatu, 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.

VoLTE & VoWiFi in Vanuatu

VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) is not available in Vanuatu – the same counts for VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling).

This means that your phone will downgrade to 2G or 3G when making a call in Vanuatu (unlike mobile operators that do support VoLTE – then you can still use 4G/LTE while calling).

VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.

5G NR in Vanuatu

5G NR is not available in Vanuatu as of 2022, and the Vanuatuan government has not made any indications of when they will auction 5G licenses.

Best SIM Card in Vanuatu

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SIM Card Registration in Vanuatu

SIM card registration, with the use of your personal information (such as your passport), is not required when buying a SIM card in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu Mobile Internet Prices & Insights

Being redone.

Currency in Vanuatu

Vanuatu use the Vanuatu Vatu with the symbol VUV (which will be used throughout this guide).

However, prices are often listed as VT. For example, 25 VUV = 25 VT.

For reference, below are some exchange rates between VUV and USD (US Dollars):

• 1 VUV = 0.01 USD
• 10 VUV = 0.10 USD
• 100 VUV = 0.90 USD
• 1000 VUV = 8.70 USD
• 10 000 VUV = 87.30 USD

For up-to-date VUV:your currency (let's say AUD – Australian Dollar) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Vanuatuan Prepaid SIM Cards

Below, I will guide you through Digicel Vanuatu & Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL), 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) 

With that being said, let’s see what Vanuatu has to offer to us.

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Digicel Vanuatu

Digicel Vanuatu, just Digicel, is the largest mobile operator in Vanuatu.

It dominated the Vanuatuan telecom market until Vodafone Vanuatu purchased TVL.

Since then, Vodafone Vanuatu has made an impressive comeback, threatening Digicel's monopoly.

For now, it does not have to worry that much… unless it does not innovate.

Digicel, as a company, is active in the Caribbean nations, Central America & Oceania.

Digicel uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28)
• 5G NR: N/A – rollout not announced yet
• VoLTE: No
• VoWiFi: No

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 Vanuatu

Digicel has extensive coverage in the populated areas in Vanuatu.

The islands with the best 3G and 4G/LTE coverage are Efate, Erromango, Espiritu Santo & Malakula.

The other islands have 2G coverage if you are lucky.

Below is Digicel's coverage map produced by Speedtest (although it is not as accurate as it should be):

SIM Card Price – Digicel Vanuatu

You can get a Digicel SIM card for 200 VUV with 1 GB, 6 GB for Digicel apps (1 GB/app), 100 local minutes & 100 local SMS for 3 days (promotional pricing, else 500 VUV) in Digicel stores and from resellers, like grocery stores, gas stations & convenience stores. SIM cards are also sold at Port Vila-Bauerfield International Airport (VLI).

You may have to dial *122# to activate your Digicel SIM card.

Digicel has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.

My preferred eSIM providers, Airalo, Holafly, Nomad & SimCorner, do not have eSIMs for Vanuatu.

Others claim to cover Vanuatu at ridiculous prices 😔.

Be aware that there is no VoLTE or VoWiFi with Digicel.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Digicel Vanuatu

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Digicel Vanuatu

Digicel has two data-featured plans: All In One Niufala AIO Plans (combo) & 4G Data Plans.

All Digicel plans can be activated by dialing *555# or *678#.

I will list all the prices in VUV (Vanuatu Vatu).

To convert VUV to your currency (let's say AUD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

All In One Niufala AIO Plans – Digicel Vanuatu

The All In One Niufala AIO Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

All In One Niufala AIO Plans can be activated by dialing *555# or *678#:

Price	Data	Listen More (Music) Data	Listen More (Radio) Data	Watch More Data	Share More Data	Know More Data	Store More Data	On-Net Minutes	On-Net SMS	Validity
50 VUV	100 MB	350 MB	350 MB	350 MB	350 MB	350 MB	350 MB	50 minutes	50 SMS	3 hours
125 VUV	125 MB	500 MB	500 MB	500 MB	500 MB	500 MB	500 MB	75 minutes	75 SMS	1 day
250 VUV	350 MB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	350 minutes	350 SMS	3 days
550 VUV	1250 MB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	800 minutes	1500 SMS	7 days
750 VUV	2000 MB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	1000 minutes	2000 SMS	7 days
1100 VUV	3000 MB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	7 GB	1750 minutes	3000 SMS	7 days

All In One Niufala AIO Plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *555#.

4G Data Plans – Digicel Vanuatu

The 4G Data Plans are, as the name suggests, data bundles (without 5G NR access).

4G Data Plans can be activated by dialing *555#:

Price	Data	Validity
50 VUV	350 MB	3 hours
65 VUV	650 MB	3 hours
125 VUV	600 MB	24 hours
175 VUV	1 GB	24 hours
300 VUV	1.5 GB	3 days
500 VUV	2.5 GB	7 days
600 VUV	3 GB	7 days
1000 VUV	6 GB	30 days
1200 VUV	8 GB	30 days
3000 VUV	20 GB	30 days

4G Plans auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *555#.

APN/Internet Settings – Digicel Vanuatu

• Name: Digicel
• APN: web.digicelpacific.com

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

Vodafone Vanuatu, just Vodafone and formerly TVL, is the other mobile operator in Vanuatu.

It used to have horrible service when it was still TVL.

After TVL launched 4G/LTE, things changed dramatically.

Not only did it improve its coverage, but its speeds also improved significantly.

With peak speeds of 150 Mbps download, but an average download speed of 30 Mbps, Vodafone is often faster than Digicel nowadays.

Vodafone, as a company, is active in Africa (mostly as Vodacom), Asia, Europe, the Middle East & Oceania.

Vodafone uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28)
• 5G NR: N/A – rollout not announced yet
• VoLTE: No
• VoWiFi: No

This is what you will learn about Vodafone:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Vodafone SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

Vodafone has extensive coverage in the populated areas in Vanuatu.

The islands with the best 3G and 4G/LTE coverage are Efate, Erromango, Espiritu Santo & Malakula.

The other islands have 2G coverage if you are lucky.

Below is Vodafone's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

You can get a Vodafone SIM card for 450 VUV with 200 VUV credit in Vodafone stores and from resellers, like grocery stores, gas stations & convenience stores. SIM cards are also sold at Port Vila-Bauerfield International Airport (VLI).

You may have to call 171 to activate your Vodafone SIM card.

Vodafone has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.

My preferred eSIM providers, Airalo and Nomad, do not have eSIMs for Vanuatu.

Others claim to cover Tuvalu at ridiculous prices 😔.

Be aware that there is no VoLTE no VoWiFi with Vodafone.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

Vodafone has two data-featured plans: All in Wan Plans (combo) & WAO! Data Plans.

All Vodafone plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 183.

I will list all the prices in VUV (Vanuatu Vatu).

To convert VUV to your currency (let's say AUD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

All in Wan Plans – Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

The All in Wan Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

All in Wan Plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 183:

Price	Data	On-Net Minutes	On-Net SMS	Validity	Activation Code
50 VUV	50 MB	25 minutes	50 SMS	3 hours	Pass All50
100 VUV	50 MB	50 minutes	50 SMS	1 day	Pass All100
150 VUV	90 MB	90 minutes	90 SMS	1 day	Pass All150
250 VUV	350 MB	350 minutes	350 SMS	3 days	Pass All250
500 VUV	600 MB	750 minutes	1500 SMS	7 days	Pass All500
1000 VUV	900 MB	1600 minutes	3000 SMS	7 days	Pass All1000

WAO! Data Plans – Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

The WAO! Data Plans are, as the name suggests, data bundles (without 5G NR access).

WAO! Data Plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 183:

Price	Plan	Data	Bonus Data	Validity	Activation Code
50 VUV	WAO 50	300 MB 1	N/A	3 hours	BUY WAO50
60 VUV	WAO 60	400 MB	N/A	3 hours	BUY WAO60
125 VUV	WAO 155	500 MB	100 MB (2 hours)	24 hours	Buy WAO125
400 VUV	WAO 400	1.5 GB	200 MB (2 hours)	3 days	BUY WAO400
400 VUV	WAO Night 400	4.5 GB	500 MB (2 hours)	7 nights (23:00 – 7:00)	BUY WAONIG400
600 VUV	WAO 600	2.5 GB	300 MB (2 hours)	7 days	BUY WAO600
1000 VUV	WAO 1000	5.5 GB	400 MB (2 hours)	25 days	BUY WAO1000
3000 VUV	WAO 3000	18 GB	500 MB (2 hours)	25 days	BUY WAO3000
10 000 VUV	WAO 10 000	65 GB	500 MB (2 hours)	90 days	BUY WAO10000

¹ no data rollover

Unused data will roll over for one recharge when you renew your plan before it expires.

APN/Internet Settings – Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)

• Name: Vodafone
• APN: data.vodafone.vu

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Vanuatu

Getting a SIM card from Digicel or Vodafone (formerly TVL) would do you well when considering a Vanuatuan SIM card.