When choosing a SIM card or telecom service provider, it’s mostly about two things: network coverage or bundle packages offered percent?
SautiTech is introducing a weekly series in which we shall show you the different data packages (weekly, monthly, annually, quarterly, daily, 3 days,) so that it can also guide you when picking an internet service provider.
If it becomes necessary, we shall also do voice bundles, but we’ve opted for data bundles first since they’re increasingly becoming the most used these days.
We shall look at the three biggest mobile internet providers in the country, namely, Airtel, Africell & MTN.
We are starting with the weekly data packages.
MTN, Airtel and Africell offer different sizes of weekly data packages. The costs also vary from telco to telco.
For instance, MTN’s cheapest weekly internet pack is at Shs3,500 for 500MBs, Airtel sells 1GB at Shs7,000 and Africell vends 50MBs at 1,750.
The prices range from as low as a little below Shs2000 to as high as 30,000.
MTN and Airtel only offer 3 options in the weekly data plan while Africell offers many options, which were even more spiced up with the introduction of 4G bundles (for people using 4G sim cards).
We have presented the weekly data packages offered by the different telecoms in table format so it can be easy for you to skim through them.
Airtel weekly data packages
To activate the Airtel weekly data packages, you’ll dial *165 or 185*2*1*2# when using mobile money or *175*2*2# when using airtime.
| Volume | Cost (Shs) |
|---|---|
| 1GB | 7000 |
| 3GB | 15000 |
| 5GB | 20000 |
In November, Airtel also introduced OTT data packs (data bundles combined with OTT tax) and they also have weekly plans.
| Volume | Cost (Shs) |
|---|---|
| 1GB | 8400 |
| 3GB | 16400 |
| 5GB | 21400 |
Africell weekly data packages
To activate, Africell weekly mobile internet bundles, you’ll dial *133*1*1*2#.
| Volume | Cost (Shs) |
|---|---|
| 200 MBs | 2,500 |
| 500 MBs | 4,000 |
| 1.5 GBs | 8,000 |
| 4.5 GBs | 15,000 |
To activate MTN weekly data packages, you’ll dial *165*2*3*1*2# when using mobile money *160*2*2*1*2# when using airtime or mobile money.MTN weekly data packs
| Volume | Cost (Shs) |
|---|---|
| 500MB | 5000 |
| 1.5GB | 10,000 |
| 5GB | 20000 |
Basing on prices, Airtel appears to be the cheapest and Africell, the most expensive. However, Africell offers a chance to low data consumers to buy a weekly data package.
Remember, some telcos offers cheap data but the consumption rate is high or the network could be poor in your area and the speeds are low.
Related:
MTN unveils new voice bundles ahead of Kabaka 25th coronation
Smile Communications offers special data package ahead of Xmas
