The Best SIM Card in the Marshall Islands for Travellers

First things first, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the Marshall Islands’ mobile frequencies. Your phone needs GSM 900 MHz or 1,800 MHz for 2G calls, while 4G LTE data operates on Band 28 (700 MHz) - the latter being the most popular and available SIM card option.

If your phone is not compatible with the local network, portable WiFi routers (MiFis) can be purchased from NTA.

Where to Get a SIM Card in the Marshall Islands?

Travellers can purchase a local SIM card from the Marshall Islands National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) at its Majuro headquarters or the Ebeye Administration Building. Both offices are open from 7 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday.

Where is the Marshall Islands National Telecommunications Authority (NTA)?

In Majuro, NTA is located in Uliga.

From Delap Park (where the K&K Island Pride Supermarket is), head north on the main road. Continue past the International Convention Centre and take the fourth road on your right. In other words, approximately 722 ft (220 m) north of the Convention Centre. Follow the road all the way to the large unmissable building at the end.

The Marshall Islands National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) offers physical SIM cards and eSIMs, along with a range of data-only and all-in-one plans.

NTA SIM Cards and eSIMs

A physical SIM card or eSIM costs US$10. You will need to show your passport when purchasing one, while card payments are accepted.

You can purchase and activate either option at the NTA headquarters in Delap or the Ebeye Administration Building. Staff can usually set everything up on the spot, saving you from battling the settings menu yourself.

Lite and Basic Data Plans

For travellers who mainly need mobile data, NTA offers the following Lite and basic plans:

• US$10 Lite - 5 GB data
• US$20 Lite - 10 GB data
• US$5 Data Plan - 5 GB data - 7 days
• US$10 Data Plan - 10 GB data - 7 days
• US$20 Data Plan - 20 GB data - 14 days

My Drifter Plans

The My Drifter plans are designed for short stays and light internet use:

• US$5 My Drifter - 500 MB data - 7 days
• US$10 My Drifter - 1,000 MB data - 7 days
• US$20 My Drifter - 1,500 MB data - 30 days

The smaller plans should cover messaging, maps and checking bookings, but perhaps not an entire season of your favourite show.

My Simple Data Plans

NTA’s My Simple Data plans provide more data for stays of up to 15 days:

• US$19 My Simple Data - 3 GB data - 15 days
• US$22 My Simple Data - 5 GB data - 15 days

iSurf Data-Only Plans

The iSurf plans are aimed at longer stays and travellers who need more mobile data:

• US$59 iSurf - 10 GB data - 30 days
• US$99 iSurf - 20 GB data - 30 days

These are data-only packages, so local calls and texts are not included.

RevUp Packages

For data, calls and texts in one package, NTA offers the following RevUp plans:

• US$35 RevUp 6/15 - 6 GB data, 60 minutes local calls, 60 local texts and WiFi access - 15 days
• US$40 RevUp 6/30 - 6 GB data, 100 minutes local calls, 100 local texts and WiFi access - 30 days
• US$45 RevUp 10/15 - 10 GB data, 100 minutes local calls, 100 local texts and WiFi access - 15 days
• US$50 RevUp 10/30 - 10 GB data, 120 minutes local calls, 120 local texts and WiFi access - 30 days

These packages are generally the most convenient choice for travellers who expect to make local calls as well as use mobile data.

Monthly Mobile Plans

Travellers staying for a month or longer can consider NTA’s monthly plans:

• US$10 Lite - 5 GB data - 1 month
• US$30 Free Call - unlimited local calls - 1 month
• US$50 Plus - 50 GB data and unlimited local calls - 1 month
• US$70 Max - unlimited local calls, texts and data - 1 month

Voice-Only Plan

NTA also offers the following voice-only option:

• US$20 Voice-Only Plan - unlimited local calls and texts, with no mobile data - 1 month

For a short trip, the US$5 Data Plan with 5 GB for seven days is the most cost-effective option. For longer stays or trips where you need calls and texts, one of the RevUp packages offers the best all-in-one value.

You can check your remaining credit by dialling the *223# USSD code from your phone. For a fuller overview of your account, visit the MI NTA Self-Care Portal, where you can check your balance, add credit and manage your data plan online. However, a login for this needs to be created at the NTA store, best done when you pick up your SIM card.

For visitors, the easiest option is to simply call NTA at 692 6252273 to ask about your account.

Where to Top Up Your Phone in the Marshall Islands

You can top up using an NTA scratch voucher, available in the following denominations:

• US$5 voucher
• US$10 voucher
• US$20 voucher
• US$100 voucher

Follow the instructions printed on the voucher to add the credit to your phone. You can also make payments and purchase data through the MI NTA Self-Care Portal.

Scratch vouchers are sold at the NTA main office in Delap, central Majuro, and the Ebeye NTA headquarters. You can also find vouchers at many larger convenience stores and hotels across Majuro, so you should not need to cross the atoll every time your data runs low.

Learn more about convenience stores and supermarkets in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in the Marshall Islands.

Mobile coverage is strongest around Majuro, where a 4G connection is available across most populated areas. However, reception can become weak or unreliable around Raitok and Ajeltake, so do not expect perfectly smooth streaming everywhere along the atoll.

Coverage also extends to several outer islands and atolls. The NTA has 53 cellular mobile towers across the country, helping connect even some of the most remote communities.

Signal quality on the outer islands can vary considerably depending on your location, the weather and your distance from a tower.

Download maps, booking details and other essentials before leaving Majuro, just in case your phone decides to embrace island time.

Finally, here are some quick tips to make the most of your Marshall Islands SIM card and, most importantly, save your mobile data for when you actually need it.

1. Choose a plan that matches your trip length. The seven-day data plans are usually best for short visits, while RevUp or monthly plans suit longer stays and travellers who need local calls and texts.
2. Monitor your credit and data balance by dialling *223# or using the MI NTA Self-Care Portal. Checking regularly helps avoid the classic holiday surprise of discovering your data disappeared three days ago.
3. Download maps, booking details and important documents before travelling to the outer islands. Mobile coverage exists beyond Majuro, but signal strength can vary considerably.
4. Switch off automatic updates, cloud backups and background data downloads. These can quietly use a surprising amount of data while your phone is sitting in your pocket.
5. Switch off mobile data when you are not using it and connect to WiFi at your accommodation where available.

These tips adapt the practical data-saving advice used in the Samoa SIM card guide.