Local SIM Cards – Phone Travel Wiz

There is so much to see and capture when in Lesotho that it would be a good idea to get yourself a SIM card while in Lesotho so that you can post all your Lesothan experiences online. But how much will you pay for a SIM card in Lesotho? You can purchase a Lesothan SIM card for as low as 30 LSL (2 USD) in Vodacom and Econet Telecom Lesotho stores. You can get 1 GB of data for as little as 19 LSL (1.25 USD). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQJJcZGrcMY When knowing this, there should be no reason to pay expensive international roaming rates while in Lesotho. However, there are many other things you need to know when wanting to buy a SIM card in this country. In this article, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Lesotho. Let’s go. Original publication: 6th of August 2020. Last updated: 20th of January 2021. Table of Contents Can You Buy a SIM Card in Lesotho? Anyone, including visitors, can buy a SIM card in Lesotho without any restrictions. You have to get your SIM card registered with your personal information, have a phone that supports Lesotho's frequencies, and an unlocked decide (SIM-lock free). Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Lesotho? You can buy a Lesothan SIM card in the official stores of Vodacom Lesotho and Econet Telecom Lesotho. Here is a list of what to expect to pay for a Lesothan SIM card: Vodacom Lesotho: 30 LSLEconet Telecom Lesotho: "Free", but a minimum top-up of 50 LSL is required Can You Use Your Phone in Lesotho? Lesotho uses GSM technology for mobile communication services. This means you need a GSM-supported phone to use your device in Liberia. There is a 99% chance that your phone supports GSM anyway. Liberia uses standard European frequencies for its networks, which are used throughout Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3). Phones sold in ITU Regions 1 and 3 will have no connectivity issues when in Liberia. By Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) - Own work, using this file by Denelson83, CC BY-SA 2.5 In the Americas (North-, Central- & South America + the Caribbean - ITU Region 2), however, they use American frequencies. Those are different from European frequencies. Phones sold in ITU Region 2 may experience connectivity issues when in Lesotho. If you have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, there is a possibility that you cannot use your phone at all in Lesotho or only older networks. Suppose you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support. In that case, the likelihood of using your phone in Lesotho without any or some hindrance is large. Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Lesotho Lesotho has two mobile network operators: Vodacom LesothoEconet Telecom Lesotho The following frequencies are used by the Lesothan operators: 2G: 900 MHz3G: 2100 MHz4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20) & 1800 MHz (Band 3)5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78) Note: only Vodacom Lesotho has a 5G network. It is unknown whether 5G is available to prepaid customers already. You can learn more about frequencies in the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=achqanxN9Xs To check whether your phone will work in Lesotho, check out this page by Will My Phone Work. 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. Best SIM Card in Lesotho If you want to buy a SIM card in Lesotho, then Vodacom is the best option. Not only do they have the best coverage in Lesotho, but the average price per GB with Vodacom is almost the same compared to Econet Telecom Lesotho (38 LSL/GB vs. 36 LSL/GB). ALSO: Want to get an excel sheet of the best SIM cards of over 230+ destinations around the world, updated monthly? Sign up for the Phone Travel Wiz Newsletter and get the excel sheet for FREE! SIM Card Registration in Lesotho SIM card registration with your passport information is mandatory in Lesotho. This will be done at the point of sale. Lesotho Internet Prices & Insights So far, you have learned how much SIM cards cost in Lesotho and which SIM card is the best. But how much should you expect to pay for data in Lesotho? The average price for 1 GB of data in Lesotho is 2.13 USD, which is far below the Sub-Saharan average of 5.91 USD (6.91 USD including Saint Helena). The world average is 5.03 USD. Source Because Lesotho is a tiny country, setting up nationwide network coverage is easier than larger nations. You can expect good network reception throughout Lesotho for relatively affordable rates. Currency in Lesotho Lesotho uses the Lesotho Loti with the symbol LSL (which will be used throughout this article). Prices in Lesotho are listed in M. For example, 25 LSL = M25. For reference, below are some exchange rates between LSL and USD (US Dollars – Rounded): 1 LSL = 0.05 USD10 LSL = 0.60 USD100 LSL = 5.80 USD1000 LSL = 57.80 USD Do note that the Lesotho Loti is pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand (ZAR), meaning that 1 LSL = 1 ZAR. ZAR is accepted in Lesotho, but you will get your change back in LSL. LSL is not a legal tender in South Africa and will not be accepted as a form of payment. 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! Lesotho Prepaid SIM Cards & Video Guide Below, I will guide you through Vodacom Lesotho & Econet Telecom Lesotho and go through: Background informationMobile coverageSIM card types, prices, and availabilityRecharge / top-up informationCombo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs) If you prefer to watch a video of what the Lesothan 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). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6B1MH7FwGo With that being said, let’s see what Lesotho has to offer to us. Vodacom Lesotho Vodacom Lesotho, just Vodacom, is the largest operator in Lesotho. 2G: 900 MHz3G: 2100 MHz4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20) & 1800 MHz (Band 3)5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78) This is what you will learn about Vodacom: * Coverage* How to Get a Vodacom SIM Card & SIM Card Price* Reload Options & Methods* Plans & Packages* APN SettingsClick on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.Jump to Econet Telecom Lesotho Coverage - Vodacom Lesotho Vodacom has extensive coverage in Lesotho. Vodacom covers almost all of Lesotho. Although 4G/LTE availability is low. Source SIM Card Price - Vodacom Lesotho You can buy a Vodacom SIM card 30 LSL in Vodacom stores. You may have to call 100 to activate your SIM card. Top-Up & Recharge - Vodacom Lesotho Vodacom recharge vouchers are widely available throughout Lesotho, including official Vodacom stores, grocery stores, and corner shops To top-up, dial *100*01*VoucherCode#. For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *100*01*123456#. Dial *100# to check your Vodacom balance. The same can be done by dialing *111# and selecting option 1 (Balances). Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers - Vodacom Lesotho Vodacom offers three different types of data-featured bundles, such as: 3G Data Plans (data-only)Data Plans (data-only)LTE Data Plans (data-only) Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in. 3G Data Plans - Vodacom Lesotho The 3G Data Plans are data bundles restricted to Vodacom's 3G network. The following 3G Data Plans can be purchased by dialing *111#: PriceData20 LSL90 MB50 LSL300 MB100 LSL900 MB173 LSL1.8 GB235 LSL2.7 GB275 LSL3.6 GB409 LSL6 GB584 LSL10 GB819 LSL20 GB1229 LSL30 GB1845 LSL50 GB2255 LSL100 GB2459 LSL150 GB Data Plans - Vodacom Lesotho The Data Plans are data bundles valid for a day, a week, or a month. Unlike the 3G and LTE bundles, it is not sure whether you can use Vodacom's 4G with the Data Plans. The following Data Plans can be activated by dialing *111#: PricePlanDataValidity2 LSLDaily Data Bundle15 MB1 day3 LSLDaily Data Bundle25 MB1 day5 LSLDaily Data Bundle49 MB1 day5 LSLPower Hour Data Bundle200 MB1 hour6 LSLDaily Data Bundle82 MB1 day10 LSLDaily Data Bundle245 MB1 day12 LSL3 Day Data Bundle240 MB3 days 18 LSLWeekly Data Bundle375 MB7 days 18 LSL3 Day Data Bundle500 MB3 days 19 LSLDaily Data Bundle1000 MB1 day24 LSL3 Day Data Bundle1000 MB3 days 25 LSLWeekly Data Bundle850 MB7 days 37 LSLWeekly Data Bundle1250 MB7 days 50 LSLWeekly Data Bundle2048 MB7 days 80 LSLWeekly Data Bundle3000 MB7 days 82 LSLMonthly Data Bundle750 MB30 days154 LSLMonthly Data Bundle4 GB30 days265 LSLMonthly Data Bundle7 GB30 days410 LSLMonthly Data Bundle10 GB30 days590 LSLMonthly Data Bundle15 GB30 days725 LSLMonthly Data Bundle20 GB30 days Multiple Data Plans can be activated at the same time. LTE Data Plans - Vodacom Lesotho The LTE Data Plans are data plans that can use Vodacom's 4G network. The following LTE Data Plans are available by dialing *111#: PricePlanData240 LSLSmart Personal3 GB544 LSLSmart Home S8 GB919 LSLSmart Office M20 GB1299 LSLSmart Office L30 GB2729 LSLSmart Unlimited150 GB APN Settings - Vocacom Lesotho Name: Vodacom Lesotho APN: internet Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched. RELATED GUIDES: Buying a SIM Card in Africa (All African Countries)Buying a SIM Card in South AfricaBuying a SIM Card in Mozambique Buying a SIM Card in ZambiaBuying a SIM Card in Zimbabwe Econet Telecom Lesotho Econet Telecom Lesotho, also known as ETL, is the other operator in Lesotho. The company is a merger between Econet Ezi-Cel Lesotho and Telecom Lesotho. Econet Telecom Lesotho uses the following frequencies: 2G: 900 MHz3G: 2100 MHz4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20) & 1800 MHz (Band 3) This is what you will learn about Econet Telecom Lesotho: * Coverage* How to Get an Econet Telecom Lesotho SIM Card & SIM Card Price* Reload Options & Methods* Plans & Packages* APN SettingsClick on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.Jump to Vodacom Coverage - Econet Telecom Lesotho Econet Telecom Lesotho has great coverage in Lesotho. Its coverage is not as extensive as Vodacom's. However, network reception in populated should be strong. SIM Card Price - Econet Telecom Lesotho You can get an Econet Telecom Lesotho SIM card, called Buddie and Libertie, for free (although a minimum top-up of 50 LSL is required) in Econet Telecom Lesotho stores throughout the country. The difference between Buddie and Libertie is the standard rates you pay for data, minutes, and SMS. If you plan on getting a plan, it does not matter which SIM card you have. Top-Up & Recharge - Econet Telecom Lesotho Econet Telecom Lesotho top-up vouchers are sold in the official stores and many other retailers, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and corner shops. To activate your top-up voucher, dial *133*VoucherCode#. For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *133*123456#. Dial *134# to check your balance. Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers - Econet Telecom Lesotho Econet Telecom Lesotho has two types of data-featured bundles: the Data Bundles and the Social Media Bundles. Data Bundles - Econet Telecom Lesotho The Data Bundles are data-only plans. The following data bundles are available, which can be activated by dialing *100#: PriceDataValidity2 LSL20 MB1 day5 LSL80 MB1 day8 LSL200 MB1 day10 LSL250 MB7 days20 LSL800 MB7 days50 LSL2 GB7 days80 LSL1 GB30 days155 LSL4 GB30 days450 LSL12 GB30 days600 LSL18 GB30 days Social Media Bundles - Econet Telecom Lesotho The Social Media Bundles are data-only plans for WhatsApp and Facebook. The following Social Media Bundles can be activated by dialing *100#: PriceDataAppValidity3 LSL200 MBWhatsApp1 day3 LSL300 MBFacebook1 day15 LSL1400 MBWhatsApp7 days15 LSL2100 MBFacebook7 days50 LSL6000 MBFacebook30 days60 LSL9000 MBWhatsApp30 days APN Settings - Econet Telecom Lesotho Name: Econet LesothoAPN: internet Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched. Other Ways to Use the Internet When Traveling in Lesotho Getting a Lesothan SIM card is probably the cheapest way to connect to the internet when traveling in Lesotho. However, for some, getting local SIM cards is not an option. For example, if you have a SIM-locked device. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhLfhARWaJ0 Luckily, there are other ways to get online when in Lesotho. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X7xGPry-Tc 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNXUQnX3Uww 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 Lesotho here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKtHeE0rVg 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 Lesotho. 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 Lesotho Getting a SIM card from Vocacom (best coverage and affordable) would do you well considering a Lesothan SIM card. Local Prepaid SIM Card in Other African Countries Visiting other countries in Africa? Check out my Africa SIM card buying guide, covering other African countries, such as Ascension IslandAlgeriaAngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of (Kinshasa)Congo, Republic of (Brazzaville)DjiboutiEgyptEquatorial GuineaEswatini (Swaziland)Ethiopia GabonGambiaGhanaGuineaGuinea-BissauIvory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)KenyaLesothoLiberiaLibyaMadagascarMalawiMaliMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMoroccoMozambiqueNamibia NigerNigeriaRéunionRwandaSaint HelenaSão Tomé and PríncipeSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSomaliaSouth AfricaSudanTanzaniaTogoTunisiaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe 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! Sign Up for the Phone Travel Wiz Newsletter Sign up for my newsletter: Get an excel sheet of the best SIM cards of over 230+ destinations around the world, updated monthly! Moreover, I send you many tips and tricks on how to save money while traveling every now and then. Let's Be Social Did you know that I have a YouTube channel covering everything you need to know about traveling with your phone? A lot of useful videos are uploaded multiple times a week, and you do not want to miss out on them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJrV0ZZBPv8 Learn More About Who Adu Actually Is Who is the guy behind Phone Travel Wiz? Well, find out on the Ernest Adu about page!