If you're planning a trip to Comoros, you've probably already realized that finding reliable information about internet in Comoros is almost as difficult as finding cheap flights to Moroni. I've spent many hours cross-referencing operator data, coverage maps, and traveler forums to write this guide, and I'll tell you without sugarcoating: Comoros is a beautiful and wild destination, but it's also one of the worst-connected archipelagos in the Indian Ocean. Here, I'll explain how real connectivity works on the islands, what options you have (local SIM, hotel Wi-Fi, Comoros eSIM as part of an international plan), and how to organize yourself so you don't get cut off between Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli.
Is there internet in Comoros? The honest answer
Yes, there is internet in Comoros, but it is limited. There is usable 4G in Moroni and in the capitals of each island, irregular coverage on roads, and areas without signal in the interior, beaches, and marine parks. Don't count on 5G or total coverage: plan your trip assuming you'll be disconnected at times.
Comoros is an archipelago of three islands —Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)— with just under a million inhabitants and a telecommunications infrastructure that has been trying to catch up for years. The good news is that the country is connected to the world by submarine cable: the EASSy reached Moroni around 2010, and the FLY-LION3 added a second route towards Mayotte, providing the country with international capacity and redundancy. The bad news is that the bottleneck is not in the cable, but in what comes next: the terrestrial mobile network, the number of antennas, and —very importantly— the electricity supply, because power outages are frequent, and when the power goes out, the local data network also suffers.
In practice, this means that an average traveler will have a two-speed experience. In Moroni, you'll be able to use WhatsApp, upload a few photos, check email, and make a short video call with patience. As soon as you leave the capital and get on the Grande Comore ring road, in the northern villages, on the ascent to Karthala volcano, or in the Moheli marine park, it's normal for your phone to switch to 2G or directly to "no service." It's not a fault with your card or your phone: there's simply no antenna there. Accepting this from day one will save you frustration and, incidentally, force you to enjoy the trip with your phone in your pocket, which isn't so bad either.
Comoros operators: Comores Telecom and Telma
The Comorian mobile market is small and divided between two players. Knowing them helps you understand why coverage is the way it is and which network you'll end up using, whether you buy a local card or arrive with an international plan.
- Comores Telecom (brand name Huri): the historical, state-owned operator. It has the most antennas spread across the archipelago, including rural areas, although much of that network is still 2G and 3G. It is the most likely to give you a bar in a remote village.
- Telma Comores (Axian group, rebranded as Yas): entered the market in 2016, breaking the monopoly and deploying 4G LTE. It usually offers better speed and more aggressive rates, but its footprint is more concentrated in cities.
This duality explains a practical rule that many travelers repeat: if you are looking for speed in the capital, the modern network will give you better results; if you are looking for reach in rural areas, the historical operator wins. It also explains why the experience with an international card depends so much on who your provider has an agreement with: in Comoros, there aren't ten networks to jump between, there are two.
A point that often surprises people: the local currency is the Comorian franc (KMF), pegged to the euro (around 492 KMF per €1), so local prices are easy to translate mentally. And yes, in Comoros, mobile data is paid for in cash, in physical stores, with paper top-ups. Don't expect to buy data bundles with the operator's app from the airport as you would in Europe.
Real coverage island by island
This is where it's worth getting into detail, because saying "Comoros has 4G" is as true as it is useless. Useful signal is concentrated in very few square kilometers. This is the realistic picture, island by island, according to what operators, signal measurements, and recent travelers report:
| Island / Area | Typical Technology | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Moroni and metropolitan area (Grande Comore) | 4G / LTE | Messaging, maps, email, social media, short video calls |
| West coast of Grande Comore (Itsandra, Mitsamiouli) | Intermittent 4G / 3G | WhatsApp, maps, limited video |
| Interior and Karthala volcano | 2G or no signal | Little or nothing: download everything beforehand |
| Mutsamudu and Domoni (Anjouan) | Basic 4G / 3G | Messaging and slow browsing |
| Fomboni (Moheli) | 3G, some 4G | Messaging; forget streaming |
| Moheli marine park, remote beaches | Unreliable signal | Total disconnection mode |
Translated into an itinerary: if your plan is to land in Moroni, go diving or humpback whale watching between July and October, sleep in an eco-lodge in Moheli, and cross by ferry to Anjouan, you will spend entire days with minimal or no connectivity. And no card, whether local or international, can fix that: if there's no antenna, there's no data. What you can control is having good coverage when you return to the capital, at the airport, and during transfers, which is precisely when you need it to confirm internal flights, notify home, or pay something online.
Your four options for getting connected
On paper, you have four paths, and none is perfect in a destination like this. I'll lay them out for you with their real pros and cons, without any hype:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Roaming with your Spanish operator | You don't do anything: you arrive and it works | Comoros falls into the most expensive tariff zone; many travel bundles don't even include it |
| Local SIM (Huri or Telma) | Cheap local price, better rural reach | Requires passport, stores with limited hours, cash top-ups, you change your number |
| Hotel and cafe Wi-Fi | Free, sufficient for messaging | Scarce outside Moroni, slow, shared and sensitive to power outages |
| Travel eSIM (international plan) | You activate it from home, no paperwork or stores | Depends on network agreements; must verify that Comoros is on the list of countries |
The first option is the most expensive and the one that causes the most headaches: outside the European Union, rates skyrocket, and the travel bundles advertised by operators usually cover the United States, Morocco, or Turkey, not an Indian Ocean archipelago. If you want to fully understand the cost difference, I break it down in the guide on how much international roaming costs and in the comparison of eSIM vs. roaming. And if you're torn between showing up at a store in Moroni or having it sorted out from home, in eSIM vs. local SIM, I compare times, prices, and procedures. In Comoros, a local SIM is still a legitimate option if you're staying for weeks and moving through rural areas; for a short stay, the hassle rarely pays off.
eSIM for Comoros: what to expect and what not to
I'm going to be transparent with you, because I'd rather lose a sale than leave you stranded 8,000 kilometers away: at PuraSIM, we don't have a specific Comoros plan. What we do have are international and global plans that cover many countries worldwide, and that's the sensible approach for a niche destination like this. The correct way to approach it is this: you look for an international plan, open its details, and check if Comoros (KM) appears in the list of covered countries. If it does, perfect: you'll have data wherever there's an antenna. If it doesn't, that plan won't work for you in the archipelago, and the honest thing is to tell you: in that case, stick with a local card when you land.
Second important nuance, and it's about expectations. A digital travel card does not create coverage: it relies on the existing networks in the country. Since in Comoros there are two such networks and their deployment is what it is, no provider in the world—neither us nor anyone else—can promise you stable 4G across the entire island. What it does save you is the hassle: no queues, no passport photocopy, no searching for an open store on a Friday afternoon. You arrive, land, activate the roaming data profile, and if there's a network, it connects automatically.
My rule for destinations like Comoros: the digital card is for the moments that matter—the airport, the transfer, confirming the ferry, notifying home—not for living connected 24/7. If you expect fiber on the beach, the problem isn't the card, it's the expectation.
And if you've never used one and aren't sure how it works internally, start with the basics in what an eSIM is: in five minutes, you'll understand the concept and avoid common installation errors.
How much data you really need
Good news for your wallet: in Comoros you will consume less data than you think. Not because you are more disciplined, but because the network itself will slow you down. You won't be watching Netflix on the bus or uploading a roll of 300 photos to the cloud in real-time here. The typical consumption of an adventure traveler in the archipelago is quite similar to this:
- WhatsApp and messaging (text and audio): about 20-50 MB per day. This is what you will use most.
- Maps and navigation: 30-60 MB per day if you check on the go; almost 0 MB if you download maps before leaving (which I recommend).
- Email and light web browsing: 50-100 MB per day.
- Uploading photos to social media: 100-300 MB for each serious batch. This is where your balance goes.
- Video call: about 150-300 MB for every 15 minutes, and only if the network holds up.
With those numbers, for a typical 7 to 10-day trip to Comoros, most people manage perfectly well with 3 GB, and those who post a lot or occasionally work remotely will go for 5 GB. Getting a 20 GB plan for this destination is a waste of money: you won't have enough time to use it up with the available speed on the ground. My practical advice is to buy less, activate your phone's data usage alerts, and if you really run out of data, top up. It's much cheaper to err on the side of too little than too much, especially in a country where you'll be without signal half the days anyway.
How to get everything ready before flying
Comoros is not a destination where you improvise connectivity upon landing. Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport (HAH), on the outskirts of Moroni, is small, and you won't always find an operator store open depending on when your flight arrives. That's why I get the digital part sorted from home, with good Wi-Fi and without rushing. This is my checklist before leaving:
- Check that your phone is compatible. Almost all iPhones since the XR and most mid-to-high-end Android phones are, but verify it and make sure it is unlocked.
- Confirm plan coverage. Before paying, look for Comoros in the list of countries for the international plan. If it's not there, don't buy it for this trip.
- Install the profile at home, with Wi-Fi. Scanning the QR requires internet; doing it in Moroni without data is the classic chicken and egg problem.
- Do not activate it prematurely if the plan starts counting upon installation: check whether validity begins upon installation or upon first connection.
- Download everything offline: maps of the three islands, tickets, reservations, travel insurance, a French-Spanish translator (French and Comorian are the languages in use), and some entertainment for the ferries.
- Upon landing: activate the data profile, deactivate your Spanish line's data to avoid any surprises, and wait a few minutes for it to connect to the local network.
That last point matters more than it seems: many bill shocks come from leaving the main line with active data "just in case." In the guide on how to avoid roaming, you'll find the exact settings, screen by screen, for iPhone and Android.
Tips for traveling connected through the archipelago
Beyond the SIM card, there are a series of habits that make the difference between a smooth trip and a week of struggles with your phone. These are the ones I would definitely apply in Comoros:
- Download offline maps of Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli before you leave. Your phone's GPS works without data, so with downloaded maps you can navigate even if you don't have a single bar.
- Carry a power bank. Power outages are common, and many small accommodations rely on generators. A 20,000 mAh charger can save you more than one night.
- Download important things when you have 4G. Take advantage of Moroni to download what you need; outside the capital, the network won't allow it.
- Account for the ferries. The journey between islands can take hours, and the signal at sea is nonexistent. Notify home before boarding, not during.
- Keep some cash in Comorian francs. Digital payments are limited, and cash is still king; don't rely on your phone to pay.
- If you are diving or whale watching (approximate season from July to October), assume you will spend the entire day without coverage. Share your itinerary with someone at home before embarking.
And a sincere reflection: in Comoros, poor connectivity ends up being part of the charm. There's no overcrowding, no resorts with fiber, no live streams on every beach. Get your data sorted for the moments that matter and enjoy the rest without a screen.
Frequently asked questions
Does an eSIM work in Comoros?
Yes, as long as the plan includes Comoros in its list of countries. There are no country-specific plans in many catalogs, so the usual way is an international or global plan that covers the area. Verify coverage before purchasing; if Comoros is not listed, it will not work.
How much 4G coverage is there really in Comoros?
4G is concentrated in Moroni and the capitals of each island. Outside these areas, you will find 3G, 2G, or directly no signal, especially in the interior of Grande Comore, on remote beaches, and in the Moheli marine park. There is no reliable 5G for travelers.
How much does a local SIM card cost in Comoros?
Between 500 and 2,000 Comorian francs depending on the operator, plus the data bonus. You need your passport to register and purchase it at an official Comores Telecom (Huri) or Telma store. Recharges are paid in cash, not via app.
How many GB do I need for 7 days in Comoros?
3 GB is more than enough for a week. The network isn't suitable for streaming or massive uploads, so actual consumption will be limited to messaging, maps, and email. If you post a lot on social media or telework occasionally, go for 5 GB. Buying 20 GB is a waste of money.
Is there Wi-Fi in hotels in Comoros?
In Moroni, yes; outside the capital, it's inconsistent. Hotels and guesthouses in the capital and Mutsamudu usually offer Wi-Fi, but it's slow, shared among all guests, and depends on the electricity supply. Don't rely on it as your sole source of connection.
Can I use my Spanish operator's roaming in Comoros?
You can, but it's the most expensive option. Comoros falls into the most expensive tariff zones for Spanish operators, and many international travel bonuses don't even include it. Check your plan before you leave and deactivate data on your main line by default.
Is there coverage in Mohéli and Anjouan?
Yes, but limited to the capitals. Mutsamudu (Anjouan) and Fomboni (Mohéli) have basic coverage, with 3G and some 4G. The rest of both islands, including the beaches and the Mohéli marine park, ranges from 2G to no signal at all.
Do I need my passport to connect to the internet in Comoros?
Only if you buy a local SIM: registration with an ID is mandatory. With an international plan downloaded to your phone, there's no paperwork: you install the profile from home, and once you land, you just need to activate data.
Conclusion
Comoros is a true adventure destination, and that includes accepting that connectivity won't be like Bali or Zanzibar. You'll have decent 4G in Moroni, inconsistent signal in the capitals of Anjouan and Mohéli, and digital silence in much of the archipelago. With that clear picture in mind, the sensible strategy is simple: have your data sorted before you leave for critical moments—airport, transfers, ferries, checking in at home—and download everything you can offline before flying.
If you want to sort out the digital side without paperwork, check our collection of international plans and verify that Comoros is listed among the covered countries before purchasing. I'd rather you do that pre-check and travel with peace of mind than sell you a promise that the Comorian network cannot sustain. Have a good trip to the Indian Ocean.
