Basics
There are 2 network operators in Angola:
- Unitel
- Movicel
Unitel is the largest provider in Angola wheareas Movicel is partially owned by the state telephone company.
Pre-paid SIM cards are available in their outlets. Since January 23rd 2014, SIM cards have to be registered and the government has launched an awareness campaign to have the existing active SIM cards registered by end of February 2016. If you have an existing SIM card that not has been registered, your SIM card will be suspended until registration is completed. When going to a store to buy your SIM or to register your existing SIM card, bring your passport with a valid visa. More information about registration can be found here
Typical for Angola is that telecom operators quoted the charges in tarif units (UTT). Each unit is at this moment 7.2 Kwanza's (Kz), which is roughly 0.045 USD. Only Unitel seems to keep using this unit, as Movicel nowadays advertises in Kwanza's only.
Unitel
Unitel is the most preferred provider in Angola. Their network covers every major population area and with about 11 million subscribers (including pre-paid), it has a market share of 80%. The network has nationwide 2G coverage in 900 and 1800 MHz bands, UMTS in 2100 MHz and and 4G LTE coverage in 900 and 1800 MHz bands in Luanda Province.
Availablity
Prépago SIM cards are available at their stores for 900 Kz: branches locator . As part of the SIM registration campaign, you can check the registration status online.
Recharge cards are available in 50,125,375, 625 and 1250 Units. The validity periods for each are 10, 30, 60, 90 and 180 days. To recharge the account you can dial 19101 and follow the instructions or dial *101*rechargecode#. To check your balance and to book other options dial *111#.
Data featured packages
The standard rate is "Net Light" at 18 Kz per MB. Accessing facebook via zero.facebook.com and wikipedia via m.wikipedia.com is for free.
A day pass with 200 MB data is available for 200 Kz
For buying following "BIG NET" data packages you text "NET" plus the value in UTT eg."NET 125" to 19107.
| Volume | Validity |
UTT |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB | 15 days | 50 | 360 Kz |
| 500 MB | 30 days | 125 | 900 Kz |
| 2 GB | 30 days | 375 | 2700 Kz |
| 4 GB | 30 days | 625 | 4500 Kz |
| 10 GB | 30 days | 1250 | 9000 Kz |
More info
APN: internet.unitel.co.ao
Website (Portuguese only): Unitel
Movicel
Movicel is the much smaller operator in Angola with roughly 3 million subscribers. The company was set up by state-owned Angola Telecom initially using the CDMA technology, but was for 80% privatized later and moved to using GSM based technology. The network utilizes 900 Mhz and 1800 MHz bands with LTE coverage in the provinces of Luanda, Cabinda and Benguela allowing speeds up to 75 Mbps. Movicel has fased out CDMA in March 2016 to make way for digital terrestrial television. Being the smallest, nevertheless Movicel was the first in Angola to launch LTE coverage in 2012 in Cabinda and Luanda provinces, ahead of Unitel.
Availability
SIM cards are available from their shops for 900 Kz. The base pre-paid tariff is called "Sempre Facil". To check balance dial *196#. Reloads (Recargas) are available in their shops and from street vendors. To reload just dial *198*Rechargecode# or text Rechargecode# Phonenumber to 19198.
Data feature packages
The standard data rate is 20 Kz per MB and is activated by default. Movicel offers packages that can be booked from your balance with voice data and texting as well as data-only packages.
Mixed packages
The Geraçao M packages target the younger generation, but can also be booked by the young-at-heart as well. These packs auto-renew. To stop auto-renewal, send any text to 19203 and you will move back to the Sempre Facil tariff. These packages include data, texting and voice and come in 3 sizes:
- Karga Leve: 500 Kz for 7 days providing 50 MB of data, 100 minutes to other Geraçao users, 50 minutes to Movicel, 15 minutes to other networks and 50 text messages. To activate text "Leve" to 19307 or dial *307#
- Karga Nice: 1250 Kz for 30 days providing 600 MB of data, 300 minutes to other Geraçao M users, 150 minutes to Movicel, and 150 text messages. To activate text "Nice" to 19308 or dial *308#
- Karga Tudo: 2700 Kz for 30 days providing 1 GB of data, 300 minutes to other Geraçao M users, 300 minutes to Movicel, 75 minutes to other networks and 300 text messages. To activate text "Tudo" to 19309 or dial *309#
For when you need to talk or text alot more and navigeta there are the other Planos Mensais. Just like with the Geraçao M packages you can always go back to Sempre Facil by texting any text to 19203.
- 2500 Kz will give you 500 MB of data, 250 minutes in Movicell network, 50 minutes to other networks and 200 text messages. To activate text any text to 19300.
- 3500 Kz will give you 500 MB of data, 300 minutes in Movicell network, 150 minutes to other networks and 300 text messages. To activate text any text to 19303.
- 5000 Kz will give you 2GB of data, 350 minutes in Movicell network, 225 minutes to other networks and 500 text messages. To activate text any text to 19301.
- 10000 Kz will give you 3GB of data, 500 minutes in Movicell network, 450 minutes to other networks and 600 text messages. To activate text any text to 19302.
Data add-on packages
The following data-packs can be add to any plans mentioned above, by texting the corresponding code to 19200. These packs auto-renew until a message with any text has been sent to 19209.
| Volume | Validity | Price | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 MB | 1 day | 100 Kz | Dia |
| 200 MB | 1 week | 500 Kz | Semana |
| 300 MB | 1 Month | 900 Kz | 300MB |
| 1 GB | 1 Month | 2500 Kz | 1GB |
| 5 GB | 1 Month | 5000 Kz | 5GB |
| 10 GB | 1 Month | 10000 Kz | 10GB |
| Unlimited* | 1 Month | 16200 Kz | ILIMITADO |
*The unlimited plan is good for 20 GB after which the speed will be reduced.
More Info
APN: internet.movicel.co.ao
Website (Portuguese Only): Movicel