Basics
There are two mobile network operators in Suriname:
- Telesur (TeleG)
- Digicel
A third company used to exist called Uniqa, that was owned by Curaçao based UTS. Uniqa was supposed to be sold to Digicel in 2015. The sale didn't happen and by 2016 its activities have been ceased. Existing SIM cards also don't work anymore.
3G coverage is labeled as "4G" by both providers and available only in the population centers. There is almost no mobile reception in more remote and unpopulated parts of Suriname like the vast Sipaliwili District. One exception is Upper Suriname and Gran Rio where there is at least 2G coverage.
All prices are quoted in Suriname Dollars (SRD), but Telesur shows your balance in US$ instead. The exchange rate is roughly 7.8 SRD per US$ (in Oct 2016).
Telesur (TeleG)
Telesur is the state-owned operator in Suriname. It's currently running a 450 MHz CDMA (incompatible to GSM), 900 MHz and 1800 MHz GSM and a 2100 MHz 3G HSDPA network, the latter available in Paramaribo and Crommewijne areas only. This Coverage Map is available. Like Digicel, they market their 3G-based network as "4G", but no real LTE has been started yet.
Telesur operates its GSM network under the brand of TeleG.
Availability
SIM cards are available from Telesur outlets. A SIM Card costs SRD 20.00 and balance is valid for 180 days. Once the balance reaches 0, you have 60 days to top-up. Top-up vouchers exist in SRD 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 as well as in US$ 5, 10, 20 and 50 and are available at Telesur shops, gas stations and supermarkets. To top-up dial *131*<voucher code>#. To check your balance dial *132#.
Data-feature packs
Telesur offers data packages for smartphones, data-only pre-paid packages for use of tablets and laptops and social-media only packages. For Blackberry users, specific packages are available as well.
Smartphone packs
The following data packs are offered. These can be combined with social media packs. To activate text the activation code to 4040. To check the remaining volume, text "NET INFO" to 4040.
| Volume | Price | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 MB | SRD 8 | 1 day | NET 1D |
| 1.28 GB | SRD 16 | 3 days | NET 3D |
| 2.56 GB | SRD 40 | 7 days | NET 7D |
| 3.584 GB | SRD 70 | 14 days | NET 14D |
| 7.168 GB | SRD 120 | 30 days | NET 30D |
Social Media packs
Telesur offers the following social media packs for smartphones running on Android OS or iOS. Activation is by texting the activation code to 4040. WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Hangouts, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn are included. To check remaining volume text "NETSO INFO" to 4040.
| Volume | Price | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 512 MB | SRD 12 | 3 days | NETSO 3D |
| 1.024 GB | SRD 24 | 7 days | NETSO 7D |
| 3.072 GB | SRD 53 | 30 days | NETSO 30D |
Data-only packages
Data-only packages can be booked by texting the activation code to 4040. The package auto-renews when either 30 days have been passed or the data-volume has been depleted.
| Volume | Price | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.048 GB | SRD 12 | 1 day | DATA 1D |
| 4.096 GB | SRD 60 | 7 days | DATA 7D |
| 10.24 GB | SRD 170 | 30 days | DATA 30D |
More information
- APN (for smartphone packages): win.teleg.sr
- APN (for data-only packages): data.teleg.sr
- Apps: My TeleG app is available for both Android OS and iOS and allows to manage your account
- Website (In Dutch only): http://www.telesur.sr/mobiel/prepaid
Digicel
Digicel Suriname is part of the Digicel Group operating in 32 countries in Central-America and Asia-Pacific areas. They have been operating in Suriname since 2007. Besides being present in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz 2G bands, they operate on a "4G" labeled 3G-based HSPA+ network on 850 MHz covering major populated areas in Suriname (Coverage Map) and allowing speeds of up to 2 Mbps.
Availability
Digicel Flex is the prepaid plan of Digicel Suriname. SIM cards cost SRD 20 and are available from their outlets. Top-up vouchers (also called Flex Cards) are available in Digicel Outlets, supermarkets, service stations for SRD 5, 10, 25 and 50. To top-up dial *121*<voucher code>#. It is also possible to top-up electronically any amount at many outlets from SRD 2.50 up to SRD 100. To check balance and validity dial *120#. You can extend the validity for an additional year for SRD 20 by dialling *200#. And lastly, you can top-up with your credit card via the top-up website for all Digicel networks in the world.
Data feature packages
The base rate is SRD 0.25 per MB. There are data packs available that auto-renew unless cancelled. In case of auto-renewal, the unused data will roll-over to the next period. To book a data package or to deactivate dial *100#. To check the data balance dial *120*3#. Following data plans are available:
| Volume | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 600 MB | 1 day | SRD 11.14 |
| 1.024 GB | 3 days | SRD 21.11 |
| 500 MB | 7 days | SRD 31.78 |
| 2.048 GB | 7 days | SRD 55.12 |
| 3.584 GB | 7 days | SRD 63.56 |
| 500 MB | 30 days | SRD 63.56 |
| 1.537 GB | 30 days | SRD 123.13 |
| 6.144 GB | 30 days | SRD 152.54 |
Social Media packages
For social-media like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snap Chat and email clients (including Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo!Mail) they offer this add-on. The social-media package can be combined with data packages. These plans only work on Android devices. You can book them via the menu of *100#:
- 2 days for SRD 11.14
- 5 days for SRD 21.11
- 10 days for SRD 39.87
More information
- APN: web.digicelsr.com
- Website (in Dutch only): https://www.digicelgroup.com/sr/du/mobile.html
- In 2014 they started to block VoIP calls made through Skype and Viber
- Apps: an Android app is available to manage your plans. This app works for all Digicel SIM cards in the Caribbean, so if you also happen to have one from Jamaica or other country you only need this app.