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 4 mobile networks in Macau:
- CTM (MobiWeb)
- Three Macau (3, by Hutchison Whampoa)
- SmarTone
- [China Telecom Macau]
China Telecom Macau runs 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 network in Macau now, their SIMs do actually enforce Chinese censorship and they no longer offer unlimited data, so they will no longer be mentioned here.
The first three 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 three GSM providers.
At the end of this list the public free WiFi network is shown as an alternative to mobile network coverage at some locations.
2G 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 are now free to switch off their legacy GSM systems from 1 August 2019, with spectrum to be freed up for other technologies. 93% of mobile users in Macau are subscribed to 4G services, with the remainder using 3G networks.
Availability[]
SIM cards are in Macau now require registration as of end of 2019. They can be purchased un activated 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.
Currency[]
The official currency of Macau is the Macanese pataca (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. 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 (MobiWeb)[]
CTM for Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau is the state monopolist in the landline department. For mobile communications they compete mainly with Three and SmarTone. They sell most of their mobile products under the brand name MobiWeb. 4G/LTE has started in 2015 both on FDD- and TDD-LTE and already covers 98% of population.
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 Hutchison Whampoa)[]
As usual Three by Hutchison Whampoa offers the biggest diversity in prepaid SIM cards. Note that SIM cards from Three in Hong Kong are working at foreign roaming rates.
4G/LTE is on 1800 MHz (Band 3) opened on some prepaid SIM cards so far. It already covers 95% of the population in 2016.
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 now has three different prepaid SIMs on offer. They're sold at their shops and outlets: service centres
Top-ups can be made all over town.
Activation[]
To activate the SIM, insert the SIM card into your mobile phone and make the first call in Macau. Your account has an initial validity period of 60 days. Before the expiry date or before the stored value is used up, simply recharge it to extend the expiry date for another 60 days to keep the remaining stored value and bonuses. Each SIM card has a Personal Identification Number (PIN) of 4 to 8 digits to guard against unauthorized use. The default PIN is 1234. Data service on SIM card is default off unless a data plan is in bought to avoid bill shock.
Balance check is *137#.
3-Day Pass[]
This SIM costs $100 with the same credit plus a $10 activation bonus. The data plan costs $78 for 3 days of unlimited use, and the following options are available after the initial 3 days have passed:
Price | Data | Time | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
$38 | 700 MB | 3 days | *123*6*2227# |
$58 | 1.5 GB | 3 days | *123*6*2228# |
$38 | "unlimited" | 1 day | *123*6*2231# |
$78 | unlimited | 3 days | *123*6*2226# |
30-Day SIM[]
This SIM also costs $100 with the same credit, but the "unlimited" 30 days of local data for $73 associated with this SIM throttles to 384 kbps after 2 GB of usage. Only two options are available after:
- $48: for 450 MB, activate by dialing *123*6*2332#
- $98 for "unlimited", activate by dialing *123*6*2334#
China-HK-Macau SIM[]
SmarTone now also has a SIM for roaming in HK and mainland China. It also costs $100 with the same credit included. Two plans are offered, for data in Macau, HK, and mainland China:
- $48: 1 GB, activate by dialing *123*6*2552#
- $98: 2.5 GB, activate by dialing *123*6*2553#
For local data usage $0.0009 per KB is charged (which amounts to $0.9 per MB, capped at $500 per month) for customers that have not applied a daily data plan. When the monthly data ceiling charge of $500 is reached, the customer can still continue to use the service and the data access speed will be restricted to less than 256 kbps. For the China-HK-Macau SIM, data without a plan costs $0.001/KB (amounting to $1 per MB, with no cap).
Data roaming service is disabled by default on their 3 day and 30 day prepaid SIMs. If you would like to activate the data roaming service, press #109*99#. To suspend the data roaming service again, press *109*99#. It is activated by default on the China-HK-Macau SIM.
More info[]
- APN: smartone /or/ smartgprs
- Website: http://www.smartone.com/mo/en/mobile-services/price-plans/prepaid-sim-card/pricing.jsp
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/