SIM card

Of course it is super convenient to use your phone anywhere. So you can easily find something, check a recommended restaurant or stay easily accessible and in contact with the home front. In Cape Verde they have good wireless internet connections (WiFi). This way you have direct and fast access to the internet. Most restaurants, cafes and hotels offer their customers free wireless internet. If you do not want to be dependent on a WiFi connection, you can of course just use your current phone to make calls or use the internet. This is often not cheap and therefore a SIM card from Cape Verde is recommended. With this, calling and mobile internet is very cheap. Moreover, you do not have to be afraid of a high telephone bill. Below you can find more information about the SIM card from Cape Verde.

How can you make cheap calls and / or mobile internet in Cape Verde?

If you use your mobile phone abroad, you pay double costs. You pay for the costs of your own provider and for the costs of the provider in Cape Verde. According to the Consumers’ Association, a minute’s call is often 30 times more expensive abroad. And an MB data usage (internet) sometimes even 100 times as much. In order not to receive a huge bill afterwards, you can switch off data roaming (using a network other than your own provider) on your telephone. This way your phone does not connect with the mobile network. You can, however, still use free WiFi connections that are often available at the airport, your hotel or at restaurants.

You do not want to be dependent on WiFi connections? And do you not want to receive a high telephone bill after using your mobile phone? A prepaid SIM card from a local Cape Verde provider is the solution. Such a SIM card is valid on the Cape Verde islands and you call / internet at local rates. For a prepaid SIM card you do need a simlock free phone. The use of a local SIM card is a cheap solution that is used by tourists and travelers all over the world.

SIM card providers in Cape Verde

In Cape Verde there are two mobile network providers: CV Móvel and T-Mais. In most places a 2G coverage is available at the time of writing. In cities such as Praia (Santiago), Mindelo (Sao Vicente) and tourist areas there is a 3G coverage. Both providers are good, although CV Móvel has a larger coverage. 
The prices are low. A SIM card costs about 200 CVE (2 euros), which also includes a small calling credit. There are different types of SIM cards available. For example a SIM card with which you can call and upgrade with a data bundle for the internet. Or a SIM card with which you can only use a data bundle. A data bundle of example 1 GB that is valid for 30 days costs about 4.5 euros. Upgrading your bundle is always possible.

Buying a SIM card on Cape Verde is easy. There are many stores that sell the SIM cards and often they also show the logo of the providers CV Móvel or T-Mais. Of course you can also buy your SIM card at one of the airports. The advantage is that they often speak good English and they can also help you with the settings of your mobile phone. Within five minutes it is arranged and you can immediately call, internet and app.

Monitor data usage

It may be useful to see how much data you have used from your bundle and how much are left. This way you can upgrade your bundle in time. Your phone automatically records how much data you have used. After placing your prepaid SIM card, it may be useful to reset the data usage counter to zero, so that you have a good overview. The data usage counter can be found via the settings of your telephone. For an Android phone this is usually via: Settings> Connections> Data usage. For an iOS this is via: Settings> Mobile network> Reset data (at the very bottom). You can then follow the data usage via Settings> Mobile network