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GSM Technology
Roaming Cellular Service in Africa
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 3G |
GSM, Global System for Mobile communications, the second generation digital technology originally developed for Europe but which now has in excess of 71 per cent of the world market. Initially developed for operation in the 900MHz band and subsequently modified for the 850, 1800 and 1900MHz bands. GSM originally stood for Groupe Speciale Mobile, a committee which launched the GSM standard. GSM is an open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services.
GSM supports data transfer speeds of up to 9.6 kbit/s, allowing the transmission of basic data services such as SMS (Short Message Service). Another major benefit is its international roaming capability, allowing users to access the same services when travelling abroad as at home. This gives consumers seamless and same number connectivity in more than 200 countries. GSM satellite roaming has also extended service access into areas where terrestrial coverage is not available. |
With Skype you can make free calls over the Internet.
Skype – the whole world can talk for free! |
3G and GSM Network Providers
Africa Asia Asia (SouthEast) Australia, Oceania Caribbean Sea Central America
Europe Middle East North America Satellite South America |
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Algeria |
| Operator Name | ATM MOBILIS | | Network Name | Mobilis | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live February 1999 | | Website | mobilis.dz | |
| Operator Name | Orascom Telecom Algerie Spa | | Network Name | Djezzy | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live February 2002 | | Website | djezzygsm.com | |
| Operator Name | Wataniya Telecom Algerie | | Network Name | Nedjma | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live August 2004 | | Website | nedjma.dz | |
Angola |
| Operator Name | UNITEL S.a.r.l. | | Network Name | UNITEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 2001 | |
Benin |
| Operator Name | Bell Benin Communications (BBCOM) | | Network Name | Bell Benin Communication BBCOM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Planned November 2002 | |
| Operator Name | Office des Postes et Telecommunications du Benin | | Network Name | Office des Postes et Telecommunications du Benin | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live May 2000 | |
| Operator Name | Spacetel-Benin | | Network Name | Areeba | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 2000 | |
| Operator Name | Telecel Benin Ltd | | Network Name | TELECEL BENIN | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live July 2000 | |
Botswana |
| Operator Name | Mascom Wireless (Pty) Limited | | Network Name | MASCOM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 1998 | | Website | mascom.bw | |
| Operator Name | Orange (Botswana) Pty Limited | | Network Name | ORANGE | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 1998 | | Website | vista.bw/ | |
Burkina Faso |
| Operator Name | Celtel Burkina Faso | | Network Name | Celtel Burkina Faso | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live January 2001 | |
| Operator Name | Onatel | | Network Name | Onatel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1996 | | Website | telmob.bf | |
Burundi |
| Operator Name | Africell PLC Company | | Network Name | SAFARIS | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 2000 | | Website | 4thpass.com | |
| Operator Name | ONATEL | | Network Name | ONATEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Planned April 2005 | |
| Operator Name | Spacetel - Burundi | | Network Name | Spacetel - Burundi | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 2000 | | Website | spactel.bi | |
| Operator Name | Telecel-Burundi Company | | Network Name | Telecel-Burundi Company | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live February 2000 | |
Cameroon |
| Operator Name | MTN Cameroon Ltd | | Network Name | MTN Cameroon | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live February 2000 | |
| Operator Name | Orange Cameroun S.A. | | Network Name | Orange | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live January 2000 | | Website | orange.cm | |
Central African Republic |
| Operator Name | Centrafrique Telecom Plus | | Network Name | Centrafrique Telecom Plus | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | |
| Operator Name | Nationlink Telecom RCA | | Network Name | Nationlink Telecom RCA | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 2004 | | Website | nationlinks.net | |
| Operator Name | TELECEL CENTRAFRIQUE | | Network Name | TELECEL CENTRAFRIQUE | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 1999 | |
Chad |
| Operator Name | CelTel Tchad SA | | Network Name | CELTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live October 2000 | | Website | msi-cellular.com | |
| Operator Name | MILLICOM TCHAD | | Network Name | MILLICOM TCHAD | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | |
Comoros |
| Operator Name | Societe Nationale des Telecommunications (Comores Telecom) | | Network Name | HURI | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Planned September 2003 | | Website | comorestelecom.km | |
Congo, Republic of the |
| Operator Name | CelTel Congo SA | | Network Name | CelTel Congo | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1999 | |
| Operator Name | Libertis Telecom | | Network Name | Libertis Telecom | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live May 2000 | |
Congo, Democratic Republic of the |
| Operator Name | Celtel Congo | | Network Name | CelTel Congo SA | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 2000 | |
| Operator Name | SAIT Telecom SPRL | | Network Name | SAIT Telecom | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 1800 | | Network Status | Live December 2000 | |
| Operator Name | Supercell Sprl | | Network Name | Supercell Sprl | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live July 2002 | |
| Operator Name | Vodacom Congo (RDC) sprl | | Network Name | VODACOM CONGO | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live December 2001 | |
Djibouti |
| Operator Name | Djibouti Telecom SA | | Network Name | Evatis | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 2001 | | Website | intnet.dj | |
Egypt |
| Operator Name | ECMS-MobiNiL | | Network Name | MoBiNiL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live October 1996 | | Website | mobinil.com | |
| Operator Name | Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E | | Network Name | vodafone | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 1998 | | Website | vodafone.com.eg | |
Equatorial Guinea |
| Operator Name | GETESA | | Network Name | GETESA | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 2000 | |
Eritrea |
| Operator Name | Eritrea Telecommunications Services Corporation (Eritel) | | Network Name | Eritel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live March 2004 | |
Ethiopia |
| Operator Name | Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation | | Network Name | ETMTN | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 1999 | | Website | telecom.net.et | |
Gabon |
| Operator Name | Celtel Gabon SA | | Network Name | Celtel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 2000 | | Website | celtel.com/ | |
| Operator Name | Libertis S.A. | | Network Name | LIBERTIS | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live March 1999 | |
Gambia |
| Operator Name | Africell (Gambia) Ltd | | Network Name | AFRICELL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live October 2001 | | Website | africell.gm | |
| Operator Name | Gambia Telecommunications Cellular Company Ltd (Gamcell) | | Network Name | GAMCELL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live May 2001 | | Website | gamtel.gm/ | |
Ghana |
| Operator Name | Ghana Telecommunications Company Ltd | | Network Name | Ghana Telecom Mobile GSM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live September 2000 | | Website | onetouch.com.gh | |
| Operator Name | Millicom Ghana Limited | | Network Name | MOBITEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live July 2002 | | Website | mobitelnet.com | |
| Operator Name | Scancom Ltd | | Network Name | Spacefon areeba | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 1996 | | Website | spacefon.com | |
Guinea |
| Operator Name | Sotelgui sa | | Network Name | LAGUI | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1997 | | Website | sotelgui.net | |
| Operator Name | Spacetel Guinee | | Network Name | Spacetel Guinee | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live September 1997 | |
| Operator Name | Telecel Guinee SARL | | Network Name | Telecel Guinee SARL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live January 2000 | |
Guinea-Bissau |
| Operator Name | Guinetel | | Network Name | Guinetel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | | | Website | gtelecom.gw | |
| Operator Name | Spacetel Guinee-Bissau SA | | Network Name | Spacetel Guinee-Bissau SA | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 2003 | |
Kenya |
| Operator Name | Celtel Kenya Limited. | | Network Name | Celtel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live August 2000 | | Website | celtel.com | |
| Operator Name | Safaricom Limited | | Network Name | Safaricom | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 1996 | | Website | safaricom.co.ke/ | |
Lesotho |
| Operator Name | Econet Ezi Cel Lesotho (Pty) | | Network Name | Econet Ezi-Cel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live May 2002 | |
| Operator Name | Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Ltd | | Network Name | VODACOM LESOTHO | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 1996 | |
Liberia |
| Operator Name | Atlantic Wireless (Liberia) Inc. | | Network Name | LIBERCELL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live March 2004 | | Website | libercell.info | |
| Operator Name | Celcom Telecommunications, Inc | | Network Name | Celcom Telecommunications | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live September 2004 | | Website | cellcomgsm.com | |
| Operator Name | Comium Services BVI (Liberia) | | Network Name | Comium Liberia | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Planned August 2004 | | Website | comium.com | |
| Operator Name | Lonestar Communications Corporation | | Network Name | Lonestar Cell | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live May 2001 | | Website | lonestarcell.com | |
Libya |
| Operator Name | AL MADAR Telecomm Company | | Network Name | AL MADAR Telecomm Company | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 1996 | | Website | almadar.ly | |
| Operator Name | Libyana Mobile Phone | | Network Name | Libyana Mobile Phone | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live September 2004 | | Website | libyana.ly | |
Madagascar |
| Operator Name | Madacom SA | | Network Name | Madacom | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live August 1997 | |
| Operator Name | Orange Madagascar S.A. | | Network Name | Orange Madagascar | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live March 1998 | | Website | orange.mg | |
Malawi |
| Operator Name | CelTel Limited | | Network Name | Celtel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live October 1999 | | Website | msi-cellular.com/ | |
| Operator Name | Telekom Network Ltd | | Network Name | CALLPOINT 900 | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1995 | | Website | telekom.co.mw | |
Mali |
| Operator Name | IKATEL SA | | Network Name | IKATEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live February 2003 | | Website | ikatel.net | |
| Operator Name | Malitel SA | | Network Name | MALITEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live October 2000 | | Website | malitel.com.ml | |
Mauritania |
| Operator Name | MATTEL | | Network Name | MATTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live October 2000 | | Website | mattel.mr | |
| Operator Name | MAURITEL MOBILES | | Network Name | MAURITEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 2000 | | Website | eljawal.mr | |
Morocco |
| Operator Name | IAM | | Network Name | IAM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 1994 | | Website | mobileiam.ma | |
| Operator Name | Medi Telecom | | Network Name | MEDI TELECOM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live March 2000 | | Website | meditel.ma | |
Mozambique |
| Operator Name | Mocambique Celular S.A.R.L (mCel) | | Network Name | mCel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live November 1997 | | Website | mCel.co.mz | |
| Operator Name | VM, S.A.R.L. | | Network Name | Vodacom Mozambique | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | |
Namibia |
| Operator Name | MTC Namibia | | Network Name | MTC | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live April 1995 | | Website | mtc.com.na | |
Niger |
| Operator Name | Celtel Niger | | Network Name | Celtel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live September 2001 | |
| Operator Name | Sahel-Com | | Network Name | SahelCom | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live August 2002 | | Website | intnet.ne | |
| Operator Name | Telecel Niger SA | | Network Name | Telecel Niger | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 2003 | |
Nigeria |
| Operator Name | Globacom Ltd. | | Network Name | Glo Mobile | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live July 2003 | | Website | gloworld.com | |
| Operator Name | MTN Nigeria Communications Limited | | Network Name | MTN Nigeria | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live August 2001 | | Website | mtnonline.com | |
| Operator Name | Nigerian Mobile Telecommunications Limited (M-TEL) | | Network Name | Mtel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live October 2001 | |
| Operator Name | Vee Networks Limited | | Network Name | Vmobile Nigeria | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live August 2001 | | Website | vmobile-nigeria.com | |
Rwanda |
| Operator Name | MTN Rwandacell SARL | | Network Name | Rwandacell | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1998 | |
Sao Tome and Principe |
| Operator Name | Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicacoes SARL | | Network Name | CSTmovel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 2002 | | Website | cstome.net | |
Senegal |
| Operator Name | SENTEL GSM S.A. | | Network Name | SENTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 1999 | | Website | sentelnet.com | |
| Operator Name | Sonatel | | Network Name | Alize | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live July 1996 | | Website | sonatel.sn;alize.sn | |
Seychelles |
| Operator Name | Cable & Wireless (Seychelles) | | Network Name | CABLE & WIRELESS | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 1995 | | Website | cws.sc | |
| Operator Name | MediaTech International Limited | | Network Name | MediaTech International Limited | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 850 | | Network Status | Live November 2004 | | Website | smartcomgsm.com | |
| Operator Name | MediaTech International Limited | | Network Name | MediaTech International Limited | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live November 2004 | | Website | smartcomgsm.com | |
| Operator Name | Telecom (Seychelles) Ltd | | Network Name | AIRTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1998 | | Website | airtel.sc | |
Sierra Leone |
| Operator Name | Celtel (SL) Limited | | Network Name | CELTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live April 2000 | | Website | celtel.com | |
| Operator Name | Comium Sierra leone INC | | Network Name | Comium Sierra leone INC | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Planned October 2004 | | Website | comium.com | |
| Operator Name | Datatel GSM | | Network Name | Datatel GSM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Planned October 2005 | |
| Operator Name | LINTEL (Sierra Leone) Limited | | Network Name | LINTEL (Sierra Leone) Limited | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Planned October 2004 | |
| Operator Name | Millicom SL | | Network Name | MILLICOM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live May 2001 | | Website | millicomsl.com | |
Somalia |
| Operator Name | Golis Telecommunications Company Ltd | | Network Name | Golis | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | |
| Operator Name | Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc | | Network Name | Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Planned November 2003 | |
| Operator Name | Nationlink | | Network Name | Nationlink | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live July 2001 | | Website | nationlinks.net | |
| Operator Name | Somafone FZLLC | | Network Name | SOMAFONE | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live March 2005 | | Website | somafone.com | |
| Operator Name | Telesom Company | | Network Name | TELESOM | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | | | Website | telesom.net | |
South Africa |
| Operator Name | Cell C (Pty) Ltd | | Network Name | Cell C | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 1800 | | Network Status | Live November 2001 | | Website | cellc.net | |
| Operator Name | MTN - Mobile Telephone Networks (Pty) Ltd. | | Network Name | MTN - Mobile Telephone Network Ltd. | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 1994 | | Website | mtn.co.za | |
| Operator Name | Vodacom Group Pty Ltd. | | Network Name | VodaCom | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 1994 | | Website | vodacom.co.za | |
Sudan |
| Operator Name | Bashair Telecom Co.Ltd | | Network Name | Bashair Telecom Co.Ltd | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Planned July 2005 | | Website | areeba.com.sd | |
| Operator Name | Bashair Telecom Co.Ltd | | Network Name | Bashair Telecom Co.Ltd | | Technology / Frequency | 3G | | Network Status | Planned August 2005 | | Website | areeba.com.sd | |
| Operator Name | Mobitel | | Network Name | MobiTel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live January 1997 | | Website | sdn-mobitel.com | |
Swaziland |
| Operator Name | Swazi MTN Limited | | Network Name | Swazi MTN Limited | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live November 1998 | | Website | mtn.co.sz | |
Tanzania and Zanzibar |
| Operator Name | Celtel Tanzania Limited | | Network Name | celtel | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800/400 | | Network Status | Live November 2001 | |
| Operator Name | MIC Tanzania Limited | | Network Name | MOBITEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live September 2000 | | Website | mobitel.co.tz | |
| Operator Name | Vodacom Tanzania Limited | | Network Name | Vodacom Tanzania Limited | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live August 2000 | | Website | |
| Operator Name | Zanzibar Telecom Ltd | | Network Name | ZANTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900/1800 | | Network Status | Live August 1999 | |
Togo |
| Operator Name | Telecel Togo | | Network Name | Telecel Togo | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1999 | | Website | telecel.tg | |
| Operator Name | Togo Telecom | | Network Name | TOGO CELL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live September 1997 | | Website | togocel.tg | |
Tunis |
| Operator Name | Orascom Telecom Tunisie | | Network Name | TUNISIANA | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 2002 | | Website | tunisiana.com | |
| Operator Name | Tunisie Telecom | | Network Name | TUNTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live March 1998 | |
Uganda |
| Operator Name | CelTel | | Network Name | CelTel Cellular | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1994 | | Website | celtel.co.ug | |
| Operator Name | MTN Uganda Ltd | | Network Name | MTN-UGANDA | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live October 1998 | | Website | mtn.co.ug | |
| Operator Name | Uganda Telecom Ltd | | Network Name | UTL-Mango | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live January 2001 | | Website | utl.co.ug | |
Zambia |
| Operator Name | Celtel Zambia Limited | | Network Name | CELTEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live December 1998 | | Website | msi-cellular.com | |
| Operator Name | Telecel (Zambia) Ltd | | Network Name | TELECEL ZAMBIA | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live May 1999 | | Website | telecel.co.zm | |
| Operator Name | Zambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (ZAMTEL) | | Network Name | Zambia Telecommunicaitons Company Ltd (ZAMTEL) | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | | | Website | zamtel.zm | |
Zimbabwe |
| Operator Name | Econet Wireless (Private) Limited | | Network Name | ECONET | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live July 1998 | | Website | econet.co.zw | |
| Operator Name | Net*One Cellular (Pvt) Ltd | | Network Name | Net*One Cellular (Pvt) Ltd | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live June 1996 | | Website | netone.co.zw | |
| Operator Name | Telecel Zimbabwe (PVT) Ltd | | Network Name | TELECEL | | Technology / Frequency | GSM 900 | | Network Status | Live July 1998 | |
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| Travel-Island.com 2004, 2008 |
