Basics
Papua New Guinea has 2 mobile GSM operators right now:
- Digicel PNG
- bmobile-Vodafone
PNG’s fixed line incumbent operator Telikom PNG runs a GSM-incompatible CDMA network under the brand of Citifone. It's planning to rollout a 4G/LTE network by the end of 2016 with some 256 LTE-compatible base stations scheduled for deployment in the country’s major towns by that date.
All 2G and 3G is on 900 MHz only. Digicel started 4G/LTE in Port Moresby on 700 MHz (B28) in 2014. Digicel has the better coverage and more customers in the country. Since 2014 bmobile has teamed up with Vodafone to improve their network.
Registration
In 2016 mandatory SIM card registration started in PNG. It began in April 2016 and within 18 months, everyone who has a SIM card must register their names, photographs, address and occupation or have their line disconnected.
Both operators started the registration process for all new and existing customers’ SIM cards. The process is currently carried out manually, but registration software is under development which will include upgrades from a semi-automated system to a fully automated system, enabling customers to register online. The operators are also working on a solution that will see more registration outlets open up in the coming months across the country.
Digicel PNG
Digicel is the market leader in PNG with the best coverage in the country: coverage map. 4G/LTE has started in Port Moresby only.
Availability
Prepaid SIM cards are sold in their shops nationwide (locator).
Top-ups can be made online on their website by credit card or using vouchers called Flex Cards: K3, K5 and K10 give 30 days, K20 and K50 90 days and K100 120 days of service validity.
Data feature packs
These packages are offered for data on 2G, 3G, 4G:
| Data | Validity | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | 1 day | 3 days | 7 days | 30 days |
| 60 MB | K 3 | K 4.5 | K 6 | K 10 |
| 150 MB | K 6 | K 8 | K 10 | K 20 |
| 375 MB | K 12 | K 15 | K 20 | K 35 |
| 1.2 GB | K 25 | K 35 | K 42 | K 68 |
| 2.5 GB | K 40 | K 57 | K 65 | K 110 |
| 6 GB | K 85 | K 105 | K 135 | K 230 |
| 13 GB | K 160 | K 210 | K 275 | K 450 |
For activation type *777#.
These social plans are offered and include Facebook, Twitter and Instagram not debited from your data allowance:
| Validity | Volume | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | 60 MB | K 4 | 1S |
| 3 days | 190 MB | K 12 | 3D |
| 7 days | 450 MB | K 23 | 7D |
| 14 days | 700 MB | K 35 | 14D |
| 30 days | 1.5 GB | K 70 | 30D |
For activation text code to 1634.
These passes are sold too:
- 60 minutes - 30 MB: K 1.50, activation: text 'hour' to 1634
- 24 hours - 15 MB: K 2, activation: text 'Auto' to 1689
- 24 hours - 60 MB: K 3, activation: text '1D' to 1634
For all bundles mentioned above:
- Out-of-bundle rate (pay as you go) is K 0.49 per MB
- Subscribe to these data plans by dialing *777# or text code.
- Plan automatically renews when there is sufficient credit.
- Subscriber can stop auto-renew of plan by dialing *777# and select the opt-out option.
- Unused data rolls over if customer purchases the same plan.
- Access to certain websites generating high video steaming traffic will be charged at K1 per MB.
- All VoIP calls will be charged at a rate of K1 per MB.
More info
- APN: internet.digicelpng.com
- website in English
bmobile-Vodafone
Bmobile teamed up in 2014 with Vodafone to improve its network. It has brought 3G to new locations, but still lacks the overall coverage of Digicel (for coverage check 'national coverage' in FAQ).
Availability
You can get their SIM card at their shops (store locations) and resellers (reseller_list) for K5 with K1 preloaded as credit. Dial 1250 to activate your SIM card.
Top-up cards are called "TopKad" for K3, K5, K7, K10, K20, K50 and K100. They are sold nationwide and give a validity of 14-120 days. To top-up by card, enter *121<voucher number>#. Check balance by *120#.
Data feature packs
Default data is at K 0.30 per MB. These packages are available:
| Validity | Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | 50 MB | K 4 |
| 3 days | 70 MB | K 5 |
| 7 days | 150 MB | K 10 |
| 14 days | 350 MB | K 20 |
| 14 days | 650 MB | K 30 |
| 30 days | 1.5 GB | K 80 |
| 30 days | 5 GB | K 225 |
| 30 days | 10 GB | K 375 |
To subscribe to any of the data bundles, dial *777# on your phone to display the list and choose your option. You can subscribe to a combination of the various data bundle offerings. Validity period will extend to the plan with the longest validity. Overuse will be charged at the default rate.
More info
- APN: internet
- Website: http://www.bmobile.com.pg