National Anthem
Basics[]
The Republic of Mauritius comprises the main Island of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga and St Brandon. There are three GSM operators In the country:
- my.t (formerly Orange)
- Emtel
- MTML (Chili)
All GSM operators offer 2G on 900 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz and started 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz. 4G/LTE is available for prepaid. On the outlying islands, Rodrigues has 4G/LTE coverage with the networks of Emtel and my.t and on Agalega there is 4G/LTE coverage only from my.t.
For the purchase of a SIM card you need to show your passport for registration at a store. They will make a copy of it and fill out some forms. Activation takes normally less than an hour.
Note that some prices given below are without VAT. Then a 15% tax needs to be added for the final price.
my.t (by Mauritius Telecom, formerly Orange)[]
new my.t logo
My.t is the incumbent provider owned by Mauritius Telecom with the best coverage and most customers in the country. In October 2017 it rebranded its products and services from Orange label to the name of my.t. Despite MT no longer using Orange branding, the French telecoms group still owns the majority 40% stake in the Mauritius operator.
Their 4G/LTE is has the largest coverage on the island(s) so far. On the outlying islands of Rodrigues and Agalega only my.t has a 4G/LTE coverage.
Availability[]
Their prepaid SIM card is sold for Rs 100 (incl. VAT) which includes Rs 87 credit, 15 GB data and 150 domestic SMS at any my.t or Mauritius Telecom shop (list). The credit is valid for 100 days, data for 7 days and SMS for 3 months.
Pay attention that it can take 2-3 working days until the pre-loaded allowances will be available. So it's better to disable data before you start using the SIM, buy a suitable data package (below) to get you by for those few days, and use data only when this purchase has been confirmed.
Activation[]
The retail package contains a triple cut SIM. To activate the SIM card, call 124 and press 1-1.
Top-up vouchers are sold as scratch cards at 4000 retailers for Rs 50, Rs 100 or Rs 300. To top-up type *124*<voucher code>#. Check credit and validity by *122#. To check remaining data balance, text "query" to 8684.
Top-up vouchers are sold incl. VAT. All information shown within the my.t network, like balance check, price for data packages are shown excl. VAT. For example: A voucher for the sales price of Rs 100 will give you a "visible" credit of Rs 86.96.
Data feature packages[]
These data packages in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE are offered (see website):
| Price | Data Included | Validity Period | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 15 | Unlimited | 24 hours | 15 |
| Rs 95 | 15 GB | 7 days | 95 |
| Rs 315 | 75 GB | 30 days | 315 |
| Rs 815 | 270 GB | 3 months | 815 |
To activate, text code to 8684. All packages auto-renew. To stop, replace 'buy' by 'stop' in the code to 8684. Alternatively type *8900# and follow the interactive mobile menu to book any package. To check remaining data, text 'query' to 8684.
All packages include unlimited Facebook (excluding videos) and a domestic SMS allowance. You can purchase as many packages as you wish as often as you like as long as you have enough credit. Excess fee for data is charged at 3.53 MUR per MB. They will sent you an SMS when your data allowance is about to be depleted.
More information[]
- APN: orange
- Website: http://www.myt.mu
Emtel[]
Emtel is the second provider In Mauritius. Its 3G coverage is equal to my.t, but its 4G/LTE is not so widespread. Their rates are slightly lower than my.t's.
Availability[]
Their regular prepaid SIM card costs Rs 100 including Rs 87 credit. It contains 300 MB data for 7 days, 250 domestic SMS for 90 days and unlimited Facebook for 7 days. You can buy a SIM card at most convenience stores but it requires you to mail in a registration along with passport information. So, easiest would be to go to an Emtel store (locator).
For visiting tourists they offer a special Tourist SIM for Rs 200 including 1 GB data for 10 days and 100 domestic SMS and unlimited Facebook (no VoIP calls) for 10 days.
Top-up cards are widely available at most convenience stores. You can buy them in amounts of 50, 100 or Rs 200 valid for 50-120 days. To top up just enter *121*<voucher PIN># into your phone.
Data feature packages[]
There are no further data without an add-on. But free Facebook use is included in all prepaid plans. This doesn't apply to their VoIP functionality. These packages on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE are offered:
| Price | Volume | Extras | Period | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 10 | 55 MB | 55 SMS | 1 day | Sub Daily |
| Rs 15 | 50 MB | night: 50 MB | Sub Plat50MB | |
| Rs 19 | 300 MB | Sub UL Day | ||
| Rs 51 | 1 GB | Sub UL Daily | ||
| Rs 49 | 325 MB | 325 SMS | 7 days | Sub Weekly |
| Rs 65 | 250 MB | night: 250 MB | Sub Plat250MB | |
| Rs 99 | 1 GB | 500 SMS | Sub Weekly1GB | |
| Rs 165 | 750 MB | night: 750 MB | Sub Plat750MB | |
| Rs 249 | 1 GB | 30 days | Sub 1GB | |
| Rs 299 | 2.5 GB | Sub UL | ||
| Rs 319 | 300 MB/day | Sub ULMON | ||
| Rs 335 | 1 GB | night: 1 GB | Sub Plat1GB | |
| Rs 449 | 5 GB | Sub 5GB | ||
| Rs 535 | 2 GB | night: 2 GB | Sub Plat2GB | |
| Rs 649 | 8 GB | Sub 8GB | ||
| Rs 735 | 3 GB | night: 3 GB | Sub Plat3GB | |
| Rs 949 | 50 GB | SUB 50GB |
Activation of bundles is by texting the code to 8284 or by menu *100# and choose internet packages. All packages include free Facebook and WhatsApp use. Excess rate is charged at Rs 3.45 per MB. To get your balance, dial *122# <call>. Night bonus is valid 1am-6am.
Data-only SIM[]
Their data-only SIM called "Airbox Prepaid" is only sold together with an USB dongle for Rs 1499. You can add these data-only packs valid for 30 days:
- 5 GB: Rs 499, activation: SUB LITE
- 75 GB: Rs 999, activation: SUB WIFI75
- 100 GB: Rs 1099, activation: SUB WIFI100
- 500 GB @ max. 10 Mbit/s: Rs 1249, activation: SUB WIFI500
For activation code is texted to 8284. When data volume is used up, speed will be throttled to 1 Mbps.
More information []
- Tethering is allowed
- APN: web
- Website: http:///www.emtel.com
Chili (by MTML)[]
Chili is the mobile label owned by Mahanagar Telephone Mauritius Ltd., the Mauritian mobile unit of an Indian conglomerate. It's the 3rd operator in the country with the lowest rates. 3G/HSPA+ dubbed as "4G" started in 2015. MTML also runs a GSM-incompatible CDMA network, which is not marketed as Chili. It has the lowest coverage on the islands so far without any 4G/LTE.
Availability[]
The starter package for Chili costs Rs 100 (tasx included) including the same credit sold in their retail centers (list).
Top-up cards called prepaid recharge cards are sold at many stores for 25, 50, 100 and Rs 300 giving 15-150 days of service validity. To top-up, enter *111*<card PIN># into your phone. To check credit, type *222#.
Data feature packages[]
Data by default outside packages is charged at Rs 1.725 per MB. These bundles are offered. For final price add 15% VAT:
| Price | Data | Extras | Period | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 6 | 40 MB | 20 SMS | 1 day | act daily |
| Rs 44 | 1 GB | 1 day | act daily1gb | |
| Rs 56.4 | unlimited | 1 night:
10pm-7am |
act data1n | |
| Rs 45 | 400 MB | 50 SMS | 7 days | act weekly |
| Rs 517.5 | "unlimited"
FUP: 5 GB |
act data7d | ||
| Rs 225 | 1.25 GB | 125 SMS | 30 days | act 1gb |
| Rs 425 | 2.5 GB | 250 SMS | act 2gb | |
| Rs 800 | 5 GB | 500 SMS | act 5gb | |
| Rs 1400 | 10 GB | act 10gb |
For activation text code to 8200.
More information[]
- APN: mtml
- Website: http://www.chili.mu