Senegal

Basics

In Senegal three networks are operating:

• Orange (by Sonatel)
• Tigo (by Sentel GSM)
• Expresso

Orange is the biggest provider with more than 1/2 of the users. Tigo and Expresso fight for the 2nd position with 21-23%. 99% of all users in Senegal are on a prepaid plan.

Frequencies

2G/GSM is mostly on 900 MHz and some 1800 MHz, 3G/UMTS is on 2100 MHz and 4G/LTE is in its testing phase in 2015 on 1800 MHz with all providers in Dakar, but not yet launched comercially.

Coverage

In 2015 Senegal’s network coverage leaves much to be desired. Even in Dakar a large part of the population are still without effective coverage: The population not covered by a 3G network in Dakar is 27% for Orange, 47% for Tigo and 52% for Expresso. In Senegal’s 45 administrative departments, in addition to poor 2G coverage, only Orange has a 3G network in each department, with Tigo covering just 12 and Expresso having no 3G coverage at all outside of Dakar, Saint Louis, Thies, Fatick, Kaolock, Tambacounda and Diourbe.

Regulations

Since 2013 all SIM cards officially are required to be registered, but this is often not done. Purchasing a SIM card in a store, be prepared to show an ID, but when you buy it on the street it's often not necessary.

Orange

Orange in Senegal is owned by the mobile dept. of Sonatel. That is the old state telco which was privatized in 1997. France Télécom is their strategic partner and from 2006 it uses their Orange brand.

They are by far the biggest operator with 56% of all mobile customers, best coverage and reasonable speeds. For travelling through the country, it should be your first choice. But they have higher prices than their competitors.

Startup cost

The SIM card they call puce is sold on the street or in an boutique or agence Orange for 1000 F with the same credit on it. To activate, they need to link a ID number to it.

The prepaid line is marketed under the name diamono and you get a 100% bonus for your first top-up. You can top up in all Orange Money outlets, kiosks and Sonatel stores or at the international Orange top-up site http://topup.orange.com/.

Data feature packages

For data you need to purchase a package that is called Pass Internet. They are available by volume and time:

• Volume-based packages:
  • for 1 day (= 24 hours)
    • 10 MB: 150 F
    • 30 MB: 250 F
    • 100 MB: 500 F
  • for 1 week (= 7 days)
    • 200 MB: 1000 F
    • 500 MB: 2000 F
  • for 1 month (= 30 days)
    • 2 GB: 5000 F
    • 8 GB: 15000 F
• Time-based packages:
  • 1 hour in 1 day: 400 F
  • 3 hours in 7 days: 1000 F
  • 1 day: 1000 F, max: 3 GB
  • 1 week: 5000 F, max. 5 GB
  • 1 month: 19000 F, max. 10 GB

All packages come with free Facebook, not debited from your data volume. To activate type #1234# or go online to http://www.passorange.sn.

Internet settings

• APN: internet

Tigo

Tigo is run by Sentel GSM, a subsidiary of Millicom. It used to be the 3rd operator, but overtook Expresso in 2013/4. They now have 23% of the national customers on its network. Note that their 3G+ is only available in Dakar and 6 further towns (3G coverage map).

Startup cost

Their starter pack called puce or TIGO classique costs 1000 F with the same credit on valid for 7 days. It's available on the streets and at their agencies (list) and outlets. For activation, your passport number needs to be registered. So better go to an agency.

You can recharge at many outposts by e-load or vouchers of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 or 10000F.

Data feature packs

For data you need to add packages, that are called Forfaits internet

Valid for	Incl. Data	Price
1 day	50 MB	200 XOF
7 days	50 MB per day	1000 XOF
30 days	50 MB per day	3000 XOF
30 days	100 MB	500 XOF
7 days	1 GB	3000 XOF
30 days	5 GB	10000 XOF
30 days	10 GB	19000 XOF
1 night	unlimited	750 XOF	2am-7am only

Activation is by #100# <call> and choose the package you want.

Internet settings

• APN: web.tigo.sn /or/ web.sentel.com

Expresso

Expresso is owned by Sudatel, started in 2007 and was passed over by Tigo in 2013 as 2nd provider. They now care for 21% of all subscribers. Like Tigo, their network is not as good as Orange's. 3G can only be found in Dakar and a few other towns (3G coverage map, 2G coverage map).

Startup cost

Expresso SIM cards cost 2000 XOF and comes with 2000 XOF of credit in their agencies and Expresso shops (list).

Data feature packs

For data you need to add packages which are called forfaits:

Valid for	Incl. Data	Price	Activation
1 day	20 MB	100 XOF	*19*100#
1 day	100 MB	200 XOF	*19*200#
10 days	100 MB	300 XOF	*19*300#
10 days	500 MB	500 XOF	*19*500#
28 days	1.5 GB	1000 XOF	*19*1000#
30 days	10 GB	19000 XOF	*70*19000#
4 hours	unlimited	390 XOF	*1#

Sim sizes

• mini-SIM (2FF) and micro-SIM (3FF) available.

Internet settings

• APN: expresso