Algeria

Basics

There are three mobile network operators active in Algeria ranked in number of subscribers:

• Djezzy, by Optimum Télécom Algeria 
• Mobilis, by Algerie Télécom Mobile 
• Ooredoo

The Algerian law has two specific rules on prepaid SIM-cards; one on mandatory user registration and one on its validity.

SIM registration

Every user of any SIM card, whether prepaid or postpaid and, regardless whether the user is a local resident or a visitor, has to be registered and for such has to provide with an offical ID (ID Card, Passport, Visa) and a copy of the same ID that has been notarised in Algeria, as well provide with an address (for which no proof is required, so for visitors hotel address will suffice). To get a notarised copy of your passport, you need to visit a town hall (in French: mairie, in Arab: البلدية) where they can make a copy of your document and give it the necessary stamps. Because these civil administration offices are only open during regular office hours, this will be a hurdle to take before walking into a store of one of the three operators.

SIM validity

The other rule is that, by law, providers have to switch off prepaid SIM cards that have shown no activity for 3 months. This means that if you want to keep your SIM card alive, you have to make sure to recharge it and to make at least one call or send one text message every 3 months. Fortunately roaming is activated by default on Algerian cards AND some external providers do recharge Algerian phone numbers as well, making it not that difficult to keep the SIM alive.

Djezzy

Djezzy is the brand under which Optimum Télécom is marketing its mobile offer. It's the market leader in Algeria with 45% of all customers.

Djezzy broadcasts 2G on 900 MHz and 3G up to HSPA+ on 2100 MHz in 48 Wilayas. 4G/LTE was launched in September 2016 on 1800 MHz. 4G/LTE is available in 16 Wilayahs as of December 2016, and open for prepaid subscribers as well.

Availability

The prepaid offer is called Djezzy Carte. A SIM starter pack, available in their shops, costs 300 DA and includes 100 DA of credit and 100 MB of data. The flat rate is 4.99 DA per 30 minutes for call, per text message and per 1 MB of data. Via *777# you can check your balance.  

Data feature packages

The default rate is 4.99 DA per MB. The following options can be booked via USSD *720#

Liberty. These packages are valid for one day and contain data, calls and texts to Djezzy numbers and calls to other subscribers:

• 50 DA: 10 MB of data, 50 minutes and unlimited texts to Djezzy subscribers and 5 minutes to other networks
• 100 DA: 50 MB of data, unlimited calls and texts to Djezzy subscribers and 10 minutes to other networks
• 150 DA: 200 MB of data, unlimited calls and texts to Djezzy subscibers and 20 minutes to other networks

Millenium. These packages last for 30 days and all contain unlimited text messages to Djezzy subscribers

• 1150 DA: 2.5 GB of data, 1500 minutes to Djezzy, 150 minutes to others
• 2300 DA: 4.5 GB of data, unlimited calls to Djezzy, 300 minutes to others
• 3450 DA: 10 GB of data, unlimited calls to Djezzy, 600 minutes to others

Amigo. These options give data at 3G+ and 4G speed and are throttled to 2G speed beyond that and include unlimited Facebook and WhatsApp usage during the validity period.

• 30 DA: 50 MB of data and unlimited social networks. Valid for 1 day
• 150 DA: 200 MB of data and unlimited social networks. Valid for 1 week

More info

• APN:  Djezzy.internet
• Website in French: http://www.djezzy.dz/

Mobilis

Mobilis is the brand under which the mobile subsidiary of state-owned Algérie Télécom is marketing its mobile offers. Based on the number of subscribers it's currently the second operator in the country and was launched in 2003.

Mobilis has been offering 3G connection in basically 80% of all the cities and towns since 2012. 4G/LTE was launched in October 2016 on 1800 MHz. 4G/LTE is available in the Wilayas of Tlemcen, Constantine, Batna, Bordj Bou Arreridj, El Oued, Biskra, Boumerdès, Tipaza, Blida, Tizi-Ouzou et Sidi Bel-Abbès. Current coverage for 4G can be checked online by selecting the Wilayah, the city and the part of the city.

Availability

A 4G Mobtasim SIM card costs 100 DA and includes 200 DA of credit. This specific SIM is only available in the Wilayahs currently covered by 4G. In other areas you will get a 3G Mobtasim card, but they, as well as existing prepaid subscribers, can have 4G activated on the same card and will get 2 GB of data as bonus. The SIM cards are available in the Mobilis Stores and agreed resellers, don't forget however to bring your passport and a notarized copy of it.  

Recharge bonus

There are recharge bonus schemes available to choose from, each giving bonus on recharges. Each bonus on recharge is valid for 30 days. The selection of plans is done via *600#.

• For each recharge between 2000 DA - 4999 DA: 3000 DA credits as bonus + 5 GB of data and free Facebook and WhatsApp access.
• For each recharge between 500 DA - 999 DA: 1000 DA credits as bonus + 1 GB of data and free Facebook and WhatsApp access.

On plan Awel Tous:

• For each recharge between 2000 DA - 4999 DA: 5000 DA credits as bonus + 4 GB of data and free Facebook and WhatsApp access.
• For each recharge between 1000 DA - 1999 DA: 200% of the recharge value as bonus + 3 GB of data and free Facebook and WhatsApp access.

Data feature packages

It's possible to add data packages with USSD *600# or by surfing to www.internet.mobilis.dz. and to combine multiple packages at the same time.

There is a weekly pass (for 7 days) with 400 MB of data for 300 DA and daily access to Facebook and WhatsApp passes only for 60 DA. There are following monthly (for 30 days) packages below available for 4G acces only:

Volume	Price
2 GB	1000 DA
3 GB	1300 DA
5 GB	2100 DA
8 GB	3200 DA
12 GB	4300 DA
16 GB	5600 DA
20 GB	6000 DA

In Wilayah's without 4G coverage, you have to rely on following 3G passes, which throttle to reduced speed of 128 kbps after they have been used up. These passes are also bookable via *600#.

Volume	Time	Price
150 MB	1 day	100 DA
250 MB	1 day	150 DA
300 MB	3 days	240 DA
1 GB	10 days	500 DA
200 MB	30 days	300 DA
1 GB	30 days	900 DA
2 GB	30 days	1600 DA
3 GB	30 days	2300 DA
5 GB	30 days	3500 DA

More info

• APN: internet
• Username and Password: internet
• Website in French and Arab: http://mobilis.dz

Ooredoo

The third operator in number of users in Algeria is Ooredoo and used to be called Nedjma before. It's now owned by an international telco based in Doha, Qatar.

Just like the other Algerian operators they operate 2G on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz and since end of 2016 on 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz bands as well. Ooredoo covers with 3G most populated areas in Algeria and 28 out of 46 Wilayahs are covered with 4G so far.

Availability and plans

Sim cards are available from Ooredoo shop's and authorized resellers. The following starter packs are available with either a bonus scheme for topping up or included calls and data. You can check and change plan with USSD *321#

• La Star: 200 DA with 100 DA of credit. For every recharge of 500 DA you get 500 DA on top
• La Plus: 300 DA with 200 DA of Credit. For every recharge of 2000 DA you get 3990 DA on top.
  • MAXI Reloads available for La Plus users include extra credit and free data, valid for 30 days and come in following sizes:
    • 1000 DA gives you 2000 DA credit and 1.5 GB of data
    • 2000 DA gives you 4000 DA credit and 4 GB of data
    • 4000 DA gives you 4000 DA credit, unlimited calls between 6pm and 6am to Ooredoo users and 10 GB of data
• La 1000: 1000 DA with 1000 DA of credit and 5 hours of calls to Ooredoo subsribers
• SIM N'nternet Prepayée: Data-only SIM for 250 DA

​Data packages

For all plans you can book the following data packages via *113#, and via the portal :

Volume	Time	Price	Extras
50 MB	2 hours	50 DA	incl. unlimited Facebook
50 MB	24 hours	100 DA
200 MB	48 hours	200 DA
400 MB	72 hours	300 DA
1 GB	30 days	1000 DA
3 GB	30 days	2500 DA

More info

• APN: Ooredoo /or/ internet
• Website in French and Arab: http://www.ooredoo.dz