Macau

Basics[]

In the "Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China", mobile networks are independent from mainland China, as they are likewise in Hong Kong. Different providers operate and Chinese censorship is not applied (except with China Telecom) in Macau/Macao.

Operators[]

There are 3 mobile networks in Macau, since the shutdown of SmarTone in Macao on 11/NOV/2024:

CTM (MobiWeb)
Three Macau (3, by CK Hutchison Holdings)
[China Telecom Macau]

China Telecom Macau formerly ran an GSM-incompatible CDMA-network like in the rest of China (for more information of which devices may work on their network, please check China Telecom in our China article). While they have a LTE and 5G network in Macau now, their SIMs do actually enforce Chinese censorship ("Great Firewall") and they no longer offer unlimited data, so they cannot be mentioned here.

The first two operators are GSM-networks on 2100 MHz for 3G up to HSPA+. 4G/LTE has started at the end of 2015 on all 4 networks covering > 90% of population. Licenses in 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2600 MHz FDD-LTE (Band 7) and 2300 MHz TDD-LTE (Band 40) have been awarded. Coverage is good and similar on all providers. All operators subsequently launched 5G/NR on 3500 MHz (n78) in November 2022, but only CTM opens up 5G for prepaid as of April 2025.

At the end of this list the public free WiFi network is shown as an alternative to mobile network coverage at some locations.

2G and 3G shutdown[]

Authorities in Macau have approved a plan by three GSM mobile operators to finally switch off their 2G networks in 2019. The cellcos CTM, Three and SmarTone alread stopped offering GSM-based 2G services for domestic users in mid-2015, but maintained their networks for roaming visitors. China Telecom Macau was allowed to terminate its own CDMA-based 2G services back in 2010. A statement from the regulator, the Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT), says the operators have switched of their legacy GSM systems by 01/AUG/2019, with spectrum to be freed up for other technologies. At that time, 93% of mobile users in Macau were subscribed to 4G services, with the remainder using 3G networks.

On 05/DEC/2024, CTT announced plans for all mobile operators in the territory to discontinue all 3G/UMTS services by 04/JUN/2025 (source1, source2). So bring a 4G or 5G-capable device.

Availability[]

SIM cards in Macau now require registration as of end of 2019. They can be purchased unactivated from self-service vending machines at the airport, the two major piers for ferries from Hong Kong, as well as the Border Gate Checkpoint. However, you will have to then go to the operator’s website, provide details about the SIM and your ID (or passport), and wait for the registration process to finish. Going to the shops and outlets of the operators is recommended if you don’t already have an existing internet connection (to complete the registration process with), for short visits it may be more convenient to use roaming from elsewhere. Smaller SIM sizes are sold there too or can be cut to size. Tethering and VoIP calls are allowed and the internet is not censored like in mainland China (except for the abovementioned China Telecom Macau).

Price comparison with other countries[]

UK internet comparison site cable.co.uk has ranked Macau as 124th out of 237 countries/territories in terms of mobile data affordability with data costing on average MOP$11.61 (approximately US$1.44) per GB (August 2023). This is US$1.17 lower than the global average and fairly in line with the global median (source).

Currency[]

The official currency of Macau is the Macanese pataca (MOP, MOP$). It's pegged to the Hong Kong dollar (HKD, HK$) at HKD 1 = MOP 1.03, and so through HKD it's indirectly linked to the US dollar (USD, US$). In the business world and all over the city, the HKD is accepted too on a 1:1 basis, with some places also accepting Chinese renminbi (RMB, CN¥) on an unofficial 1:1:1 basis too. The prices given in the article in $ refer to MOP or with a slight 3% surcharge to HK$, but do not refer to USD.

CTM[]

CTM for Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau is the state monopolist in the landline department, which split from the CTT in 1981. For mobile communications they compete mainly with Three Macau and China Telecom Macau. 4G/LTE has started in 2015 both on FDD- and TDD-LTE while 5G NSA has started in 2022, followed by 5G SA (branded as CTM 5.5G) in 2024. All CTM prepaid and postpaid plans now support 5G, with 4G-only plans discontinued.

Availability[]

Their prepaid cards are sold all over the city: sales outlets. Some products are also available online as eSIMs if you have a device that supports eSIM.

Reloads can be made with vouchers of $50, $100, $200 and $500 found everywhere in 7-Eleven or Circle K convenience stores or online. Dial *122# to check the expiry date and residual balance.

They have simplified their offerings:

5G prepaid SIM and eSIM (CHILL Card)[]

Their new 5G starter is available as either physical SIM or eSIM and can be purchased with either $100 or $200 starting credit, and comes with 5GB of data as an activation bonus. All plans listed below are activated and de-activated using the USSD menu system, found by dialing #321#.

Default data outside packs is $0.625 per MB. These local+mainland+Hong Kong monthly packs can be added, all with 100 local minutes and unlimited CTM WiFi access:

17 GB of data for $90
25 GB of data for $190
35 GB of data for $290

Activate the prepaid card via 1772 or *122# before using this service. Dial 1772 or press *122* Reload Voucher No. # <Confirm Button> for reloading prepaid card. The usage expiry date for each plan is 30 days; thereafter charges will be deducted automatically in the residual balance every 30 days, so don't forget to deactivate your plan once you're done with it. The WiFi User ID is the mobile number of the prepaid card. Upon successful registration of a WiFi plan, the system will automatically send out the WiFi password by SMS to you.

In addition to the 30-day plans above, these local+mainland+Hong Kong data packs are valid for as long as the prepaid card is:

5 GB of data for $58
8 GB of data for $88
18 GB of data for $188
28 GB of data for $288

Data-only eSIM[]

They also have a data-only eSIM called the 321 Data SIM. It's valid for 30 days only, works in Macau, the mainland, and Hong Kong, can not be extended, and the following options are available:

8 GB of data for $88
18 GB of data for $188
28 GB of data for $288

Each one comes with 100 local voice minutes.

More info[]

APN: ctm-mobile
Website: http://www.ctm.net/cportal/base/public/mobiweb/PrepaidLeftNav.iface

Three (3, by CK Hutchison Holdings)[]

As usual Three by Hutchison Whampoa offers the biggest diversity in prepaid SIM cards. Note that SIM cards from Three Hong Kong will work at foreign roaming rates.

4G/LTE is on 1800 MHz (Band 3) opened on all prepaid SIM cards so far. It already covers 95% of the population in 2016. 5G/NR is on 3500 MHz (Band n78), but not currently opened for prepaid.

Availability[]

Prepaid SIM cards and recharge vouchers are available all over Macau including 3 Shops and the following authorized dealers: Sai Hang, Vending Machine at border gate, Vending Machine at Macau Ferry Terminal, 7-Eleven and Circle K convenience stores.

Vouchers are sold for $50, $100, $200 and $500 at the same dealers. To top up enter ##122*<voucher code>#. They offer many starters and options as well:

3G SIM cards[]

3G Low-speed Data Card: start-up price: $100. It comes with 30 days unlimited data throttled to 384 Kbps download and 128 Kbps upload speed. For this SIM there are three options available:
- 3 GB for 30 days: $68, activation: **160*1#, deactivation: ##160*1#
- 8 GB for 30 days: $168, activation: **160*2#, deactivation: ##160*2#
- 12 GB for 30 days: $238, activation: **160*3#, deactivation: ##160*3#

Default rate is a high $0.01 per KB capped at $500 per month on the 3G plans.

4G roaming SIM cards[]

They offer a variety of 4G SIM cards valid in Macau and roaming in Hong Kong on the Three networks. These starters are offered:

for $50 including a 1-day pass of local data (see below)
for $100 including a 3-days pass of local data (see below)

Default local data is high $5 per MB. To the starters, these packages can be activated:

Local data package 1: 200 MB data in Macau and Hong Kong for 30 days: $18 - activation: **268*1#
Local data package 2: 2 GB data in Macau and Hong Kong for 30 days: $48 - activation: **268*2#
Local data package 3: 4 GB data in Macau and Hong Kong for 30 days: $88 - activation: **268*3#
1-day pass: "unlimited" local data for 24 hours: $50 - activation: **263*1#
3-days pass: "unlimited" local data for 3 days: $78 - activation: **263*2#
5-days pass: "unlimited" local data for 5 days: $188 - activation: **263*3#

The different day passes will be throttled to 256 Kbps having reached 1 GB. Check data balance by **105#.

3-Day Macau-HK-China Pass SIM[]

Like Three in HK Three in Macau also sells a dual country roaming card that is also valid on the China Unicom network in the mainland without censorship. It's valid for 3 days only, costs HK$100, and it comes with "unlimited" data. The download speed will be automatically adjusted to not lower than 384 Kbps when usage reaches 3 GB. To extend, simply top-up as the package will be automatically renewed and the package fee will be deducted at midnight of the 4th day in Macau time of subscription date.

More info[]

APN: mobile.three.com.mo
Website: http://www.three.com.mo/eng

SmarTone[]

SmarTone has ceased its operations in Macau as of 11/NOV/2024. Existing customers can have their SIM cards replaced by a CTM-issued SIM card.

WiFi Go[]

In 2010 the Government of the Macao started a free public WiFi network called WiFi Go. Up to 2016 Macau's Telecommunications Regulatory Services Bureau has installed 201 Wi-Fi service points in government spaces, major tourist attractions and tourist routes in Macau, as well as in places where people congregate (locator).

To log in choose "Wifi go" or "Wifi go-s" in your list of WiFis, click on connect and if asked for a password or username take 'wifigo' (in one word). Some hotspots operate all day, others only from 8am to 1am. Some of the hotspots are WPA2 encrypted, others are open. Take care when sending sensitive data. Some websites are filtered out. There is a speed limit of 3 Mbps and a time limit of 45 minutes for every session.

Website in English: http://www.wifi.gov.mo/en/