Kiribati’s telecoms market is underserved, having low penetration and high prices. Kiribati has approximately 10,000 2G/GSM mobile subscribers and about 10,000 3G/4G subscribers. For internet it highly depends on satellite connections so far.
Basics 
Edit
There is only one mobile network operator:
- Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Kiribati Ltd. (ATH or ATHKL)
The old former state-owned telco Telecom Services Kiribati Ltd. (TSKL) was sold by the Government of Kiribati by a public tender process to telecoms group Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) based in Fiji for AUD 7.5 million in 2015.
ATH or ATHKL is operating a 2G mobile network recently complemented by 3G and 4G in central islands with a total of about 20,000 subscribers. In addition to mobile broadband and voice, the company offers fixed-wireless WiMAX data services plus ADSL on its fixed telephony network as sole provider.
To strive competition the Government of Kiribati has launched a tender for a 15-year renewable licence to provide mobile services in Kiribati in 2016, but nobody seemed to be interested in a 2nd license for this small isolated market.
ATH Kiribati (ATHKL) Edit
ATH or ATHKL (for Amalgamated Telecom Holdings Kiribati Ltd.) operates a 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE network on the islands. 3G and 4G/LTE was started in 2013 already by TKSL making it the first 4G/LTE network in the South Pacific.
Frequencies Edit
These are not quite clear: 2G is on 900 MHz for sure. 3G is according to ATH on 900 MHz too, but Wikipedia says 850 MHz and GSMA Intelligence 2100 MHz instead. 4G/LTE has started on 700 MHz (band 12) according to various news reports in the media, but ATH talks about LTE on 1800 MHz in its documents now. So take your choice.
3G is transmitted only through 10 sites and 4G/LTE 5 base stations on the central islands listed here. That's why it's hard to independently confirm it.
Nevertheless visitors say that 3G/4G speeds are pretty good and have been tested successfully for video calls, Skype, VoIP, YouTube, which is remarkable for an isolated island without a fibre link yet.
Availability Edit
SIM cards are sold only in ATHKL office, no ID needed. Their main office is located in 72 Main Street, Bairiki, Tarawa. SIM card costs AUD 5 with zero balance.
You can top-up in almost any kiosk, just look for ATH logo. Top-ups are by recharge cards of AUD 5, 10, 20 or 50 giving 30-180 days of validity. To top-up enter *141*<voucher code>#. To check balance, type *142#.
Data feature packages Edit
| Volume | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 150 MB | 24 hours | AUD 2 |
| 250 MB | 7 days | AUD 5 |
| 800 MB | 7 days | AUD 10 |
| 1600 MB | 30 days | AUD 30 |
To activate a package, dial *111# and choose a plan.
For the weekend valid only on SAT and SUN all day long ATH has introduced 2 Kakakibotu passes:
- 500 MB: AUD 1.99
- 1 GB: AUD 2.99
Data-only plans Edit
They sell these data plans together with an USB dongle for AUD 29 called Flashnet:
| Volume | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 150 MB | 6 days | AUD 5 |
| 320 MB | 11 days | AUD 10 |
| 700 MB | 20 days | AUD 20 |
| 1800 MB | 30 days | AUD 50 |
To be used in routers and on 4G/LTE only these monthly router plans are sold with an router for AUD 39:
| Name | Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Birimaka 100 | 10 GB | AUD 100 |
| Birimaka 150 | 15 GB | AUD 150 |
| Birimaka 200 | 20 GB | AUD 200 |
| Birimaka 250 | 25 GB | AUD 250 |
| Birimaka 300 | 30 GB | AUD 300 |
To activate open a browser and enter IP 192.168.0.1
More info Edit
- APN: web.athkl
- Website: http://www.athkl.com.ki/
