Pretoria - Post Report Question and Answers
Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Local provider is fine. - Oct 2024
My office gave me a phone with a lot of data (20g) so I just tethered to my personal phone if needed and used my work number if I needed a local number for dr offices etc. I also kept google fi so I could get opt texts. Data and phone plans are relatively inexpensive though unless you use a ton of data/want unlimited. - Apr 2023
You need a local phone number for my service-related things. I researched getting a local phone/SIM before arrival, but I end up not needing one at all. I use my work mobile phone for the local number, and use my U.S. phone/number (GoogleFI) for everything else. - Mar 2023
T-Mobile works in South Africa; some others might also. Most people do use local phones, but keeping your US phone might also be an option and makes US two-factor authentication a lot easier. - Jun 2022
You may need a letter form the Embassy stating residency to get a local SIM card - or you may not. You have to ask for this letter prior to arrival if you want to get a phone set up within a few days of arrival. It seems like something that should be easier, but seems to be usually require visiting a few offices to get it complete. is very expensive compared to the US. - Jan 2020
Local provider is necessary. Data is expensive. - Dec 2019
Service is cheap and reliable on any of the major carriers (I use Vodacom). Bring an unlocked phone and buy a SIM card here. - Mar 2019
If you don't have a local bank account and a job you cannot get a plan. However, for pay-as-you-go you still need a contract which means you need a letter of residence and a passport. Vodacom is the main carrier but their website never works for me and the staff do not seem helpful. - Jun 2018
I use the embassy-provided Blackberry. Smart phones and so forth are everywhere here -- you can set this up on arrival. - Jan 2018
Work usually will provides one for the government employee. As for spouses, you can get a prepaid sim card for your phone or get a prepaid phone plan here. It cost less than the States but the plans are different, not all inclusive like in the U.S. Wi-Fi is available here but not the same as in the States - you usually need to pay for the data that you use from a "free" Wi-Fi location. This is accomplished with an add-on to your cell phone plan to cover your data usage over wi-fi. - Oct 2014
You need one. They are readily available here. - Jun 2012
Cheap options, prepaid or with a plan. - Dec 2009
Everyone has a cell phone here and it is essential for safety. Most employees get their dependents pre-paid cell phones which run anywhere from US$20 on up. Embassy employees are issued cell phones. - Feb 2009
Easy to arrange on your first day in town. - Oct 2008
It is a different system than the US. Embassy personnel get an Embassy cell phone, anyway. - Sep 2008
Vodacom is the most popular. You also have others to choose from. - Jun 2008
