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SIM Cards in the Åland Islands: The Best Prepaid Plans | 2024 Guide

The Åland Islands – an autonomous region of Finland where the only official language is Swedish.

The region consists of thousands of islands, of which 60 of them are inhabited.

The only way to get to the Åland Islands is by taking the ferry from Estonia, Finland, or Sweden or by plane from Finland (Helsinki & Turku – Air Leap & Finnair) or Sweden (Stockholm-Arlanda – Air Leap).

Even though the Åland Islands are part of Finland, they like to be independent as much as possible. 2021 marked the territory's 100th anniversary of the autonomous status.

When visiting the Åland Islands, you will most likely see Mariehamn, the territory's capital. 90% of the Åland Islands' population lives there, meaning that most of the activities can be done there.

However, you also have the Kastelholm Castle in Sund or the quiet island of Utö known for biking trails and (cold water) beaches. Overall, there is plenty of things to see and to do in the Åland Islands.

And you probably want to share your experiences online. Be aware that international roaming can be expensive. That is why you are almost always better of getting local SIM cards, like in the Åland Islands.

But how much will a SIM card cost you in the Åland Islands?

Ålcom, the sole operator in the Åland Islands, sells SIM cards for 30 EUR. You can get truly unlimited data valid for 7 days for 25 EUR or for 59 EUR if you want unlimited data for 40 days.

There are not many operators worldwide that offer real unlimited data plans, especially not for prepaid customers.

And when I say real unlimited data, I am not talking about “unlimited” data plans with speeds throttled at 3 Mbps or a 1 GB/day data cap nonsense like that.

Before you start hosting 24/7 live stream sessions on all social media platforms imaginable, there are some things to be aware of before getting yourself a SIM card in the Åland Islands.

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

Buying a SIM Card in the Åland Islands Guide (logo of Ålcom)

Original publication: 1st of July 2021. Last updated: 1st of March 2024.


Table of Contents

What is the Best SIM Card in Aland Islands?

If you want to buy the best SIM card in the Åland Islands, Ålcom is your only option (it is the only operator in the country).

Phone Travel Wiz Approved Seal

So, who are all these mobile operators and what options are available for you?

Åland Islands has one mobile operator offering prepaid services easily accessible to tourists:

  • Ålcom
Cellular Connectivity Illustration by Phone Travel Wiz

Anyone living in or visiting Åland Islands can buy an Åland Islands SIM card with no real restrictions, but you do have to comply with the Åland Islands' SIM card registration regulations.

  • Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
SIM Card Registration Worldwide Tool by Phone Travel Wiz

Which, in this case, is only showing your passport (or European Union ID if you have one) at the point of sale.

Where Can You Buy an Åland Islands SIM Card (+Costs)?

You can get an Åland Islands SIM card in the Ålcom store in Mariehamn (6 Storagatan). It is not possible to buy SIM cards at Mariehamn Airport (Mariehamns Flygplats/Maarianhaminan Lentoasema).

You can expect to pay the following for Åland Islands SIM cards:

  • Ålcom: 30 EUR

Note that SIM cards can be more expensive than those listed above when purchased at an airport.

Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date EUR (Euro) to your currency (let's say USD – United States Dollar) exchange rates.

Wise Currency Exchange Banner
© Wise

For your convenience, below are some exchange rates between EUR and USD (US Dollars):

  • 1 EUR = 1.05 USD
  • 10 EUR = 10.70 USD
  • 100 EUR = 107 USD

But for any other currency, the Wise Currency Converter tool.

(Travel) eSIMs for Åland Islands

In recent years, (travel) eSIMs have become extremely popular.

Especially after Apple made iPhones (14- & 15 series) sold in the United States eSIM-only, forcing its users to use eSIMs – even when abroad.

As a result, the adoption of eSIM technology by mobile operators worldwide rose impressively quickly.

Currently, no Åland Islands mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

But if you purchase an eSIM from any of these mobile operators, you must comply with Åland Islands' SIM card registration regulations.

Suppose you do not wish to do so for privacy reasons (for example) or want to be connected immediately without paying for an overpriced SIM card (or eSIM) sold at an Åland Islands airport. In that case, you may consider getting a travel eSIM for Åland Islands.

Surprisingly, travel eSIMs can be cheaper than an Åland Islands SIM card or eSIM in specific scenarios.

Moreover, Europe-wide and global eSIM options are also available at competitive prices (without having to deal with expensive international roaming rates).

In this Åland Islands SIM card buying guide (the one you are reading), I will stick to the local SIM card.

Here is a quick overview already + applicable discount codes if you are interested in purchasing a travel eSIM for Åland Islands:

  • Airalo: Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS)
  • Nomad: Europe (30 or 35 countries, depending on the variant) & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant)

Here are some discount codes to sweeten the deal:

  • Airalo: MAR15 for 15% off (if you have never bought an Airalo eSIM before). Otherwise, MAR10 for 10% off (for existing users) – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code)
  • Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD off (on your first-ever Nomad order only)

Åland Islands Prepaid SIM Cards Explored

Below, I will guide you through Ålcom 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 said, let's see what Åland Islands offers us.


Ålcom

Alcom Aland Islands Logo
© Ålcom

Ålcom is the sole operator of the Åland Islands in terms of mobile, landline, and broadband services.

Ålcom uses the following frequencies:

  • 2G: 900 MHz (to be phased outfrom 2022)
  • 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 Mhz
  • 4G/LTE: 450 Mhz (Band 31), 800 Mhz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
  • 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78) – from 2021

This is what you will learn about Ålcom:

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

Coverage – Ålcom

Ålcom has great coverage in the populated areas.

The Åland Islands consists of thousands of islands and skerries. About 60 of them are inhabited. The reception will be fine on most inhabited islands. Although you may have to deal with 2G or 3G connections.

Below is Ålcom's 2G coverage map:

Here is its 3G coverage map:

Finally, the 4G coverage map:

SIM Card Price – Ålcom

You can get an Ålcom SIM card for 30 EUR with 30 EUR in credit in the Ålcom store in Mariehamn (6 Storagatan).

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Ålcom

You can recharge your Ålcom SIM card in the Ålcom store (6 Storagatan, Mariehamn).

You can also top up online on the customer portal. However, you have to request your login details first before you can access it.

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Ålcom

Ålcom has only one data-featured prepaid plan: Prepaid Data plan. Are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).                               

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say USD – US Dollars) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Wise Currency Exchange Banner
© Wise

The following Prepaid Data Plans are available:

PricePlanData 1Validity
25 EURStartavgift 7 Dagar Fri SurfUnlimited7 days
59 EURStartavgift 40 Dagar Fri SurfUnlimited40 days

1 no Finland nor EU/EEA roaming

Alcom Aland Islands Prepaid Mobildata Plan

APN/Internet Settings – Ålcom

  • Name: Ålcom Internet
  • APN: internet

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 the Åland Islands

Getting a SIM card from Ålcom would be your only option when considering an Åland Islands card.

Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my SIM card buying guides for other destinations around the world.