Basics[]
The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is an island country located near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the International Date Line. Geographically, the country is part of the larger island group of Micronesia. Around 55,000 inhabitants live on 181 km2 area.
On the Marshall Islands there is only one mobile operator:
- NTA (also called MINTA for Marshall Islands National Telecom Authority)
It's the only telecommunications operator on the islands and in September 2016 they partnered with Blue Arcus and Alepo to upgrade their network to 4G/LTE Band 28 (700 MHz) that is now available since 2017 on the central islands.
Quite a number of outer islands have the DAMA communication system. This is comprised of a phone, a fax, and a simple computer attached to the internet via a small satellite dish. Because of their remoteness, however, many of the systems have broken down (again, best to check at NTA where the service is working).
NTA[]
NTA or MINTA as sole provider operates a 2G network without data on GSM 900 and 1800 MHz and started with 4G/LTE with data on B28 (700 MHz) in 2017. Their mobile network is only available on the islands of Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit, Kili, Rongelap and Wotje.
They also offer a network of WiFi hotspots and fixed internet. For the other islands you need a satellite telephone.
4G/LTE[]
SIM card costs US$ 15 without any call credit. Available at NTA office on Majuro. Recharges are available there and also from some hotels and banks.
NTA sells wi-fi dongles that you can use to connect to the 4G with up to 10 devices. The mi-fi boxes cost about US$ 97. You can use your phone too provided it's capable of Band 28 on 4G for data.
NTA doesn't publishes prices lists, but their offer comprises combo plans with talk, text and data like 5 GB, 120 domestic minutes and 120 texts for 30 days at around US$ 50. A data-only plan for 30 days giving 2.5 GB goes for US$ 39.95.
WiFi Hotspots[]
NTA operates a WiFi network on Majuro and Ebeye islands.
It costs US$ 15/month for phones or US$ 35/month for laptops plus once-off setup fee of US$ 5. The system works based on MAC-adresses, so every device needs a separate registration and payment. You can register at NTA offices on Majuro. You will need a to bring a photo ID and your device.
More info[]
- Website: https://www.nta.mh/
- Mobile prices: https://www.nta.mh/4g-lte-plans/
- traveller report
- UN travel info: https://www.un.int/marshallislands/marshallislands/travel-marshall-islands