Verified Facts
The internet in Sao Tome and Principe is relatively underdeveloped, but it has been improving in recent years, with several mobile carriers offering 3G and 4G services, making it possible for tourists and residents to stay connected.
Quick Facts
Internet Overview
The internet quality in Sao Tome and Principe is generally slow, with an average speed of 5 Mbps download, which can make it challenging to stream videos or download large files. The urban areas, such as the capital city Sao Tome, tend to have better internet connectivity than the rural areas, where the internet is often unavailable or very slow. The reliability of the internet is also a concern, with frequent outages and disconnections, especially during peak hours or bad weather.
The government has been working to improve the internet infrastructure, including the installation of fiber-optic cables and the expansion of 3G and 4G networks. However, the progress has been slow, and the internet remains a luxury for many residents. Despite the challenges, the internet has become an essential tool for businesses, education, and communication, and many people rely on it for their daily activities.
Getting a SIM Card
To get a SIM card in Sao Tome and Principe, tourists can visit the offices of the main carriers, such as CST, Unitel, or Meo, and provide their passport and a proof of address. The SIM card cost is approximately 10 USD, and it usually comes with a prepaid plan that includes a certain amount of data, minutes, and texts. The recommended carriers for tourists are CST and Unitel, which offer a range of plans and have good coverage in the urban areas.
| Carrier | Tourist Plan | Data | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CST | Prepaid Plan | 1 GB | 10 | Valid for 30 days |
| Unitel | Tourist Plan | 2 GB | 20 | Valid for 30 days |
| Meo | Data Plan | 500 MB | 5 | Valid for 7 days |
| CST | Monthly Plan | 5 GB | 30 | Valid for 30 days |
WiFi Availability
- Hotel WiFi quality is generally good, with many hotels offering free WiFi to their guests
- Cafe WiFi culture is not very common, but some cafes in the capital city offer free WiFi to their customers
- Coworking spaces are limited, but some hotels and restaurants offer coworking facilities with WiFi
- Public WiFi is not available, and the internet is generally not accessible in public areas
- Some restaurants and bars offer free WiFi to their customers, but the speed and reliability can be poor
For Remote Workers
- Coworking spaces are limited, but some hotels and restaurants offer coworking facilities with WiFi
- Reliable cafe chains are not common, but some cafes in the capital city offer good WiFi and a comfortable working environment
- Backup internet options are limited, but some hotels and restaurants offer backup internet services in case of outages
- VPN needs are essential, as the internet censorship is not strict, but some websites may be blocked
- Some hotels and restaurants offer virtual private network (VPN) services to their guests and customers
Tips & Warnings
- Internet censorship is not strict, but some websites may be blocked, especially those that are considered to be a threat to national security
- Blocked sites include some torrent websites and social media platforms that are considered to be a threat to national security
- VPN recommendations include ExpressVPN and NordVPN, which offer good speeds and reliability
- Roaming alternatives are available, but they can be expensive, and it is recommended to buy a local SIM card instead
- eSIM options are not available, and it is recommended to buy a physical SIM card instead
- It is essential to be careful when using public computers or public WiFi, as they may be infected with malware or monitored by hackers