Gambia

The African nation of the Gambia has 4 mobile network operators: 2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz. 4G/LTE has not started (except on WIMAX-based Netpage).
 * Africell
 * QCell
 * Gamcel (by Gamtel)
 * Comium mobile

Comium is not on our list as it doesn't have 3G, Gamcell is not recommended. So you have basically the choice between Africell that has the best overall coverage and more than 2/3 of all subscribers, but slow speeds and QCell which started a network on 3G-only with much higher speeds, but lower coverage.

In 2015 another operator called Netpage started 4G through routers and modems only using incompatible WIMAX technology in the greater Banjul area.

Registration
Since 2011 officially all SIM cards need to be registered by law. But in reality this system seems to be not strictly enforced. Many SIM cards are still sold on the streets and Africell has given out "free" SIM cards at the airport in the past. Even governement critizised this scheme as inefficient. So if you want to stick to the rules, prepare to show your passport in a shop of the operator. But you may get still a SIM without it.

Africell
Africell is the leading mobile provider in the country. It gives the best coverage in 2G and 3G, but can suffer from slow speeds due to overcrowding. It is recommended if you go outside the centers and don't need the highest speeds.

Availability
Their SIM card has been given out for free in the past to arriving tourist at the internatl. airport. It's unknow, if they still do it, as it undermines the registration efforts of the government.

The prepaid SIM card price is currently at 10 Dalasis only, which is the cheapest in the Gambia. You can get it all over the country at their sales points.

You can recharge by scratch cards sold all over at D25, D45, D100 and D250 or by eVoucher giving your number to the vendor starting at 5 Dalasis.

Data featured packages
They sell these data bundles valid for one month: For activation call 120 or type *120# and select one of the packages.
 * 50 MB for D 30
 * 100 MB for D 45
 * 200 MB for D 90
 * 500 MB for D 195
 * 1 GB for D 275
 * 2 GB for D 495
 * 4 GB for D 750
 * 8 GB for D 1,250
 * 12 GB for D 1,650.

More info

 * APN: africellnet
 * Website: http://www.africell.gm

QCell
QCell was the first provider to introduce 3G in 2012. It is the only operator offering HSPA called 3G+. Their 3G is mostly available in the Greater Banjul Area, Farafenni and Basse but still expanding. QCell generally offers faster speeds than Africell, but at a lower overall coverage.

Availability
QCell SIM Cards are sold for D50 and come loaded with D50 which you can use to call or send SMS to any local or international number or surf the net. You can buy the QCell SIM Card from the QCell Head Office on Kairaba Avenue, all QCell customer service centres, all SAMSUNG brand shops and from local shop owners.

For topping up QCell recharge cards are available throughout the Gambia and can be purchased in D50 or D100 or by electronic recharge.

Data feature packages
QCell offers these monthly packages they call Sunu Bundles: How to subscribe: dial *303# to view the menu and reply with 1 to see available bundles. To buy a specific bundle reply with the activation code.

More info

 * APN: qcellnet
 * Website: http://www.qcell.gm

Gamcel (by Gamtel)
Gamcel is run by the state-owned Gambia Telecommunications Company Ltd., short Gamtel. It has proven to be quite unreliable with a low coverage and almost non-existant 3G. Their company is notourisly cash-stricken and service has been bad in the past. That's why this provider is not recommended for travelers at the moment and no rates are given.

Netpage (on WIMAX/LTE)
In 2015 the first 4G provider started in the Gambia. It uses WIMAX/LTE which is not compatible to GSM phones. It actually doesn't want to be a mobile provider, but for mobile internet at modems and routers. For now it operates only in a very limited area in Greater Banjul: Coverage Map.

Devices
For their 4G, you need to buy a new device. The offer so-called eggs, which are WiFi routers and other indoor and outdoor modems to used on their network.

Data Rates
All their data are sold by the month and are really unlimited. The rate depends on the speed. It starts at 256 kbit/s for D2,100 and goes up to 5 Mbit/s for D5,800.

More info

 * Website: http://www.netpage.info