
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. In 2017 the World Bank approved funds to construct a submarine link to Nauru to be connected to the rest of the world.
Basics
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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)
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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
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2G and 3G both operate on 900 MHz with 4G/LTE operating on 1800 MHz (B3).
The network consists of 20 base stations with 9 sites upgraded to 4G with 17 of the sites operating on 3G and the remainder still on 2G: list of islands and coverage.
Nevertheless visitors say that 3G/4G speeds are pretty good (averaging around 6 Mbps) and have been tested successfully for video calls, Skype, VoIP, YouTube, which is remarkable for such an isolated island without a fibre link yet.
Availability
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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
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Volume | Period | Price |
---|---|---|
150 MB | 24 hours | AUD 2 |
500 MB | 24 hours | AUD 4 |
450 MB | 7 days | AUD 5 |
900 MB | 7 days | AUD 7 |
2.8 GB | 30 days | AUD 20 |
4 GB | 30 days | AUD 30 |
To activate a package, dial *111# and choose a plan.
Data-only plans
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They sell these data plans together with a Pocket Wifi for AUD 25:
Volume | Period | Price |
---|---|---|
150 MB | 6 days | AUD 5 |
200 MB | 6 days | AUD 6 |
320 MB | 11 days | AUD 10 |
700 MB | 20 days | AUD 20 |
1.8 GB | 30 days | AUD 50 |
To be used in routers and on 4G/LTE only these monthly router plans are sold with a 4G pocket WiFi 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 |
Birimaka 400 | 40 GB | AUD 400 |
To activate open a browser and enter IP address 192.168.0.1
More info
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- APN: web.athkl
- Website: http://www.athkl.com.ki/