Bosnia and Herzegovina

National Anthem

Basics

In Bosnia and Herzegovina three network operators are active:

• BH Telecom
• m:tel (by Telekom Srpske)
• HT Eronet (by HT Mostar)

This offer is supplemented by MVNOs attached to the providers like haloo and Go! free.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s telecom’s regulator Regulatorna agencija za komunikacije (RAK) has issued 4G licences to the nation’s trio of mobile network operators (MNOs) in April 2019. The concessions are valid for 15 years and oblige the licence holders to begin offering commercial 4G services within one month of the award. The cellcos are also required to ensure the networks covers 90% of the country’s territory within five years of the award.

The RAK did not stipulate which spectrum band the allocated frequencies were in. Previously, RAK had identified the 1800 MHz band (B3) for LTE use, alongside the 900 MHz (B8) and 2100 MHz (B1) ranges, which are currently used for 2G and 3G networks, respectively. In 2019/20 4G/LTE started as one of the last countries in Europe on all three networks.

SIM cards don't require registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina and remain anonymous. You can buy them in many kiosks, newsstands or shopping malls for around 4-5 KM plus some loaded credit.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is neither part of the EU, nor of the EEA, where since 2017 new international roaming rules have been enforced. Roaming rates are not capped or regulated in the country and can be much higher than anywhere else in Europe. Better buy a local SIM card instead.

In April 2019 Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia agreed to reduce roaming charges between their Balkan countries. The agreement will come into effect from July 2019 when roaming costs will be lowered and mobile calls will cost 0.19 € per minute, an SMS will cost 6 cents and internet will be 2.5 cents per MB roaming between these countries. It's intended to end all roaming surcharges by summer 2021 which is a prerequisite to eventually join the EU/EEA common roaming zone.

BH Telecom

BH Telecom is the leading provider in the country with a 45% share in 2015. 2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 and 900 MHz. First trials with 4G/LTE started in 2014 and the commercial launch was in April 2019. The operator is planning to expand 4G coverage to 60% of the territory by the end of 2019.

Ultra

Ultra is the name of their prepaid product. The Start Paket is available in their shops (locator) and other outlets like post offices, kiosk and book shops for 5 KM. New customers receive a 1 GB mobile internet traffic bonus (valid for 7 days) and 3 KM credit (valid for 30 days and only for SMS and calls). Different Ultra plans are offered and special tourist plans are sold

Top-ups are available as electronic voucher from 5 KM or as electronic top-up from 2 KM. Validity depends on top-up amount and is 7-180 days. Check credit with *110#, initial balance for new cards however shows this way: *106*0*1# to check bonus for KM and *106*1*1# to check bonus for MB.

Data feature packages

Dafault internet is billed with 0.50 KM per MB. These data packages called 'Instant Buy & Surf' for high speeds up to 3.6 MBit/s and can be activated on the usual Ultra cards in these varieties:

Data	Time	Price	Activation
500 MB	24 hours	1 KM	*108*1*0#
2 GB	2 days	2 KM	*108*2*0#
1 GB	7 days	3 KM	*108*3*0#
4 GB	Sat 0am- Sun 12pm	2 KM	*108*5*0#
2 GB	30 days	10 KM	*110#
7 GB	30 days	15 KM	*110#

To get data balance, type *108*?*1# where ? stands for the size 1-5 according to activation code.

Alternatively, you can also activate a digressive rate by *105*0*6# and deactivate by *105*0*7#:

• < 25 MB: 0.50 KM per MB
• 25 MB - 100 MB: 0.40 KM per MB
• 100 MB - 250 MB: 0.30 KM per MB
• 250 MB - 500 MB: 0.20 KM per MB
• > 500 MB: 0.10 KM per MB

Data-only SIM

Their data-only SIM card is called Ultra Internet for 10 KM. It doesn't contain voice, only SMS. Ultra Internet has an initial credit of 3 KM for SMS services to mobile and fixed networks of BH Telecom and 5 GB of mobile internet valid for 7 days. To activate, you need to send an empty SMS to 06111080.

For more data, the same packages as shown under data feature packages can be added.

Roaming

For the Western Balkan countries Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia they have issued two roaming data packages:

• Balkan NET 5 days: 300 MB for 5 days: 5 KM, activation: Balkan5
• Balkan NET 10 days: 1 GB for 10 days: 10 KM, activation: Balkan10

Activation is by texting the keyword to 0611124.

Ultra Tourist

Ultra Tourist is a special SIM card for tourists which is sold in different varieties:

• Ultra Tourist 1: 15 GB and 5 KM for calls and SMS valid for 10 days: 20 KM
• Ultra Tourist 2: 30 GB and 10 KM for calls and SMS valid for 30 days: 40 KM
• Ultra Tourist Group: 100 GB for 15 days: 100 KM

To check balance on the pack, dial *110#. These add-ons can be added to both packs:

• 5 GB for 10 days: 15 KM, activation: *105*6*1#
• 15 GB for 30 days: 35 KM, activation: *105*6*3#
• 25 GB for 30 days: 50 KM, activation: *105*6*5#

More info

• Website partly in English: https://www.bhtelecom.ba
• VoIP is allowed
• APN: minternet.bhmobile.ba or active.bhmobile.ba

m:tel

m:tel owned by Serbian Telekom Srpske is BH Telecom's biggest rival in the country and the number 2 provider with a 41% share. 2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 and 900 MHz. First trials with 4G/LTE started in 2013, and the commercial launch was in April 2019.

Availability

Frend spoken "friend" used to be the name of their voice & data prepaid product, now renamed to XY Net. Starter are sold at their points of sale in two sizes:

• with 4 GB for 7 days: 4 KM
• with 10 GB for 15 days: 10 KM

Data feature packages

Data is default at 0.88 KM per MB. Be sure that you are in the XY Net tariff line. These packages are available:

• 20 GB for 24 hours: 2 KM
• 30 GB for 3 days: 3 KM
• 4 GB for 7 days: 4 KM
• 4 GB for 30 days: 12 KM

Max speed is 21 Mbps. For overuse, speed will be throttled to 128 kbps. Activation by *100*1#. Or these combo packs with data are offered for 30 days:

• Unlimited Facebook and Instagram for 10 days: 2 KM
• 200 MB, 100 on-net mins and 100 SMS : 12 KM
• 1 GB, 200 on-net mins, 200 SMS and unlimited Viber: 19 KM

Activation is by *100*1# or through their app

Data only SIM

Mobilni internet na dopunu is the name of their prepaid internet SIM. You need a special DopunaNET starter pack at 10.78 which includes 10 GB data.

Default rate here is 0.15 KM per MB. These packages can be activated valid for 30 days:

• 500 MB: 5.85 KM
• 4 GB: 11.70 KM
• 10 GB: 17.55 KM

Activation is by code *100*5#

Roaming

These roaming packages are sold:

• 500 MB for 7 days on all T-Mobile/Telekom networks in Europe and the USA: 10 KM
• 1 GB for 10 days on all T-Mobile/Telekom networks in Europe and the USA: 20 KM
• 100 mins, 100 SMS and 1 GB for 24 hours on m:tel/mts networks of Serbia and Montenegro: 3 KM
• 300 mins, 300 SMS and 3 GB for 10 days on m:tel/mts networks of Serbia and Montenegro: 10 KM
• 1 GB for 10 days on the network of Telekom in Slovenia: 20 KM
• 1 GB for 10 days on the Turkcell network in Turkey: 10 KM
• 1 GB for 10 days on all Vodafone networks in Europe: 25 KM

Activation is through *100*2# or app.

More info

• APN: mtelfrend
• Website: http://www.mtel.ba

HT Eronet

new logo

HT Eronet by HT Mostar is the smallest provider with only 14% market share. In 2016 national roaming has ended, leaving HT Eronet clients to rely on their own limited infrastructure; 2G is on 900 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz, 4G/LTE started in May 2019. Better make a network scan before purchase.

old logo

Availability

Prepaid SIMs are sold in their shops (list) and in kiosks. If data don't work, you may need to text 'GPRS' to 0633807.

Top-up vouchers are sold at kiosks, filling stations, branches. To top-up enter *123*<voucher PIN>#. To check balance, type *101#.

Data feature packages

!hej is the name of their prepaid voice & data SIM card. SIM card costs 4 KM and includes 4 KM of credit. Default rate is 0.09-0.15 KM per 100 kB.

When you activate a data package for the first time within a calendar month, they give you double data for the next 12 months as long as you renew your package.

Different tariffs are offered. These data packages can be added to all tariff lines:

Data	Time	Price	Activation
500 MB	24 hours	1 KM	*103*1#
10 GB	24 hours	2 KM	*102*1#
2 GB	7 days	3 KM	*104*1#
4 GB	7 days	4 KM	*144*1#
2 GB	30 days	10 KM	*105*1#

For more data you can add:

• 500 MB for 5 days: 2 KM: activation: *106*1#
• 1 GB for 7 days: 3 KM, activation: *108*1#
• 4 GB for 7 days: 4 KM, activation: *109*1#

Slagalica plan

There is also a monthly prepaid plan called hej! Slagalica . You can activate this tariff by sending "SLAGALICA" to 063 7798 or via the MMI menu by typing *111#. These data options can be added:

Data	Time	Price	Activation
10 GB	24 hours	2 KM	D1
4 GB	7 days	4 KM	T1
200 MB	30 days	3 KM	I1
600 MB	30 days	5 KM	I2
3 GB	30 days	10 KM	I3
7 GB	30 days	15 KM	I4

To activate text code to 0637790 and check remaining volume by *111*1*2#. Unused data get transferred to the next month only if you purchase another 30 day package before the current one expires. The same package can be bought by texting 'PAKET' to 0637790, different ones followed by the code.

Within the first year from activating your hej! number, you will be rewarded with double the data for the first purchase of each month. This means that if you (for instance) purchase 5 GB on the 1st of June, you will get 10 GB of data valid until the 1st of July. But if you decide to purchase another 5 GB plan, let's say on 25th of June, you will be left over with 5 GB plus what's left from the previous package you've bought, validity being extended to 25th of July.

Data-only SIM

They also sell a prepaid data-only SIM called "!hey internet 2GO". Starter packs are available for 10 KM. Default rate is 0.10 KM per MB. These packages can be added:

• Internet D: 10 GB for 24 hours - 3 KM, activation: *113*1#
• Internet M: 3 GB for 30 days - 10 KM, activation: *115*1#
• Internet L: 8 GB for 30 days - 20 KM, activation: *116*1#
• Internet XL: 25 GB for 30 days - 50 KM, activation: *117*1#

Check remaining data balance by code *11?*2# where ? stands for the same number in the activation code.

Roaming

They offer roaming packages for about 40 countries (Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Czech Rep., Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Israel, South Korea, Canada, China, Luxembourg, Hungary, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, USA, Saudi Arabia, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ukraine)

• 100 MB for 1 day: 3 KM, activation: *111*3*1#
• 250 MB for 5 days: 6 KM, activation: *111*3*2#
• 1 GB for 30 days: 18 KM, activation: 111*3*3#

Tourist SIM

In 2017 they started with their tourist SIM card. It'S a special starter pack available in HT Eronet shops and other shops for 20 KM. It contains 20 GB data and 30 domestic minutes for 7 days.

Default data is 0.20 KM per MB and you can add these two options:

• 10 GB for 24 hours: 3 KM
• 20 GB for 7 days: 20 KM

Activation is by *111# and choose option 1 or 2.

More info

• APN: gprs.eronet.ba
• Website: http://www.hteronet.ba

haloo

Haloo is a MVNO operating on HT Eronet on 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE.

Availablity

Their starter packs are available for 4 KM at kiosks and service stations with the same credit pre-loaded. To check your main account balance, enter 101# and press the call button.

Default data rate is 0.50 KM per MB. To activate data, you need to text 'GPRS' to 064 450 0001 and check APN (below). When you activate a new haloo SIM, you will receive 600 MB per month as a bonus for the next 6 months.

Data featured packages

They have these packs for data:

• daily for 24 hours:
  • 2 GB: 1 KM
  • 21 GB: 2 KM
• weekly for 7 days:
  • 2 GB: 3 KM
  • 10 GB: 6 KM
• monthly for 30 days:
  • 4 GB: 8 KM
  • 10 GB: 15 KM

Activation is by *100*3#.

Roaming

They offer the same roaming options as HT Eronet above at the same prices, activation: *100*6#.

Tourist SIM

For tourists they offer a haloo Tourist SIM for 20 KM. It includes 20 GB of internet usage, 100 minutes within haloo network, 100 SMS within haloo network and 1 KM on your main account valid for 15 days after activation.

If you have 20 KM on your main account at the moment of expiry, allowances will be reset automatically and a new fee for another 15 days will be charged. If you don’t have enough credit for the tariff charge at the moment of renewal, your Tourist plan will be deactivated and you will be switched to the basic haloo tariff. You can also activate their other options for mobile internet (see above). To check balance, type 100*2#. 

More infornation

• Note that some users reported problems using haloo for tethering (mobile WiFi hotspot functionality).
• APN: web.haloo.ba
• Website: http://www.haloo.ba

Go! free

Go! free is a new MVNO of Logosoft that started in 2015 on the network of m:tel. Their starter packs and top-ups are generally available now.

Availability

Go! starter pack is sold for 4 KM with the same credit valid for 30 days at all branded sales points like kiosks, service stations and others.

There you can find top-ups for 1-50 KM valid for 4-150 days. The SIM stays valid for 120 days past top-up plus 30 days grace period. To activate your SIM, you need to place a call, send a SMS or dial *777#.

Data feature packages

Default data stays at 0.12 BAM per MB, billed in 100 KB increments.

These data packages are offered:

• 1 GB for 24 hours: 1 KM; max speed: 7.2 Mbps
• 2 GB for 7 days: 3 KM; max. speed: 21 Mbps
• 3 GB for 30 days: 10 KM; max. speed: 21 Mbps

Choose package by *777#.

More info

• Website in English: http://www.gofree.ba/en.
• APN is not known

Foreign sim cards roaming in Bosnia

Some users just pass through Bosnia from a neighbouring country. As Bosnia is not covered through the EU roam at home scheme, there are some good offers from regional operators abroad:

Vodafone España (Spain)

Vodafone Spain (only for prepaid) has a special situation for Bosnia.

Calling and sending messages is expensive (1,69 euro´s per minute + 1,21 starting fee for calling and 1,21 euro´s for sending an SMS), for data, on the other hand, you can use your Vodafone data bundle, it´s plans are as follows (in the summer they offer double data for up to plan L, which now is 70GB):

Plan	Data	Voice, not usable in Bosnia	Price	Activation
S	12 GB	300 mins	10 €	*565*63#
M	20 GB	unlimited	15 €	*565*61#
L	35 GB	unlimited	20 €	*565*62#
XL	45 GB	unlimited	35 €	*565*64#
XXL	55 GB	unlimited	45 €

For more info check Vodafone in the Spain chapter or their own roaming page: Vodafone Spain. The SIM card is available on eBay, but you need to register it and the seller does this through WhatsApp.