French West Indies

Territories
This article is about the French West Indies or French Antilles under French souvereignty in the Carribean and French Guiana in South America. It comprises in detail: They are all French Overseas Departments and Territories (départements et territoires d'outre-mer, DOM-TOM) and thus unlike the other former colonies in the Carribean attached to the EU. In these areas the same operators are present, each forming one network. That's why they are gathered in one article.
 * the three overseas departments of:
 * Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre) including the islands forming dependencies of Guadeloupe, namely Les Saintes, Marie-Galante and La Désirade
 * Martinique
 * French Guiana (Guyane)
 * the two overseas collectivities of:
 * Saint Martin (in the French part)
 * Saint Barthélemy

Operators
2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G up to HSDPA on 2100 MHz. Coverage ranges from excellent in Martinique and Guadeloupe to only few areas covered along the coast in Guiana.
 * Orange Caraïbe
 * SFR Caraïbe (formerly Outremer Telecom, Only)
 * Digicel

Users of the Carribean networks can use their respective network in all territories mentioned above without roaming surcharges.

Even if the two major operators of mainland France are active in these areas, European client of Orange or SFR can't use their Carribean networks without add-ons. But some reduced rates are given out for their contract customers.

Data rates range from excessively high at Orange and only slightly lower at SFR to still above average at Digicel making these countries the most expensive in the Caribbean. This is true like in France only for prepaid SIM cards. Rates are much lower on any kind of contract. But for this you are required to have a local or French bank card and/or account.

EU Legislation
These areas are considered to be ultraperiferic parts of the EU. So the EU/EEA roaming regulations apply, if you are holding a SIM card issued in an EU country. This limits data rates to the EU cap of 20ct per MB plus taxes (see European Union chapter for details) for these SIM cards. Given the high prices for data in the French West Indies, you may think of using your home EU-issued SIM card on roaming or pick a cheap EU roaming SIM instead of a local SIM. Always check if the Carribean is really included within the offered roaming options. Guadeloupe and Martinique must be mentioned specifially as destinations.

Given the announced abolition of most roaming fees within the EU/EEA in 2016/7, this option may prove to be the cheaper alternative in the upcoming years. In the meantime, you must live with these data rates below.