Country guide · OceaniaLocal SIM Cards in Solomon Islands: Carriers, Plans & Prices (2026)
Tourist SIM cards in Solomon Islands start at $12 from Our Telekom (STELCO). Buy at Our Telekom or bmobile store in Honiara. Passport required for registration. For instant data without a store visit, a HelloRoam eSIM costs from $7 and activates in 2 minutes. See the comparison table below.
- Recommended
- HelloRoam eSIMfrom $7, instant activation
- Setup time
- Under 2 mininstall before your flight
- Physical SIM from
- $12 USDOur Telekom (STELCO)
- Network
- 4G LTEOur Telekom (STELCO)
Solomon Islands has two carriers but Our Telekom is the stronger choice for visitors. Honiara has 4G. Gizo in Western Province has coverage in town. The Marovo Lagoon, one of the Pacific's most famous dive destinations, has no mobile signal. Mandatory SIM registration with passport is enforced. Plans start at about $14 USD for 3 GB. Buy in Honiara as outer island options are scarce.
Solomon Islands is a Melanesian archipelago east of Papua New Guinea. Honiara on Guadalcanal is the capital and main entry point. Western Province, reached by domestic flight, is the diving hub.
eSIM for Solomon Islands: the fastest option
Travel eSIMs skip the physical SIM process entirely. Buy online, scan a QR code, and your phone connects to a local network. No passport check, no airport queue, no SIM ejector tool. Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS.
A local Our Telekom SIM is the most reliable option. eSIM roaming exists but is not consistently available across providers.
HelloRoam Solomon Islands eSIM: our tested pick
Our Telekom is more widely available than any eSIM roaming option for Solomon Islands.
Affiliate link. Commissions never affect our rankings or editorial findings.
eSIM vs physical SIM card in Solomon Islands
Here is how a HelloRoam eSIM compares to buying a local SIM card in Solomon Islands across the factors that matter most to travelers.
| Feature | HelloRoam eSIM | Local SIM Card |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | 15-60 minutes |
| Available before travel | Yes, install up to 30 days early | No, buy on arrival |
| ID required | No | Yes, passport |
| Price from | $7 USD | $12 USD |
| Data included | 1 GB to unlimited | Varies by plan |
| Hotspot | Included | Included on most plans |
| Support | 24/7 English | Local language, business hours |
| Local phone number | No, data only | Yes, included |
| Voice calls | Data only, use WhatsApp/FaceTime | Included |
Best SIM cards for tourists in Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands has 2 providers offering tourist-friendly prepaid SIM cards. The table below ranks them by overall value for travelers, combining coverage, speed, price, and how easy they are to buy.
| Provider | Type | Network | Cheapest plan | Plans | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Telekom (STELCO)Top pick | major | 4G LTE | 120 SBD / $14 | 2 | Airport, Carrier Store |
| bmobile | major | 4G LTE | 100 SBD / $12 | 1 | Carrier Store |
SIM card plans compared
Below are every available tourist plan across all providers in Solomon Islands, sorted by price. Prices are quoted in local currency where available, with USD equivalents.
Our Telekom (STELCO)
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 GB / 7 daysBest value | 3 GB | 120 SBD | 7 days | Local included | Included |
| 8 GB / 30 days | 8 GB | 280 SBD | 30 days | Local included | Included |
bmobile
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 GB / 7 daysBest value | 2 GB | 100 SBD | 7 days | Local included | Included |
Where to buy a SIM card in Solomon Islands
The best place to buy is Our Telekom or bmobile store in Honiara. Here is what each channel offers and what to expect.
Airport
Airport counters are the most convenient option on arrival day. Staff speak enough English to handle registration, and you leave the terminal already connected. Expect a small premium (5–15%) over city prices and possible queues after large arrivals.
Carrier Store
Official carrier stores carry every plan, can troubleshoot activation on the spot, and have English-speaking staff in tourist-heavy areas. Prices match the carrier website.
Buying experience
Our Telekom's main Honiara store is on Mendana Avenue. Bring your passport for mandatory registration. Payment in Solomon Islands dollars (exchangeable at the airport). The process takes about 10 minutes. Bmobile has a smaller presence and narrower plan range. Top-up cards are available in Honiara supermarkets. Outer island resorts sometimes have top-up available but do not rely on it.
Coverage & network in Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands operates on 4G LTE networks. Coverage quality varies by provider and region.
Coverage Map for Solomon Islands
Visit each carrier's website for their interactive coverage map
Our Telekom (STELCO)
major carrier
Urban
Good
Rural
Patchy
bmobile
major carrier
Urban
Moderate
Rural
Weak
Our Telekom (STELCO) leads on overall coverage with a rating of 3/5 for reach and 3/5 for speed. In cities, all providers perform similarly. Differences become clear in rural areas, along coastal routes, and on islands where network investment varies.
Real-world connectivity
Honiara and the surrounding Guadalcanal coast have solid 4G from Our Telekom. The road to Bloody Ridge and the WWII memorial sites has signal. Gizo town on New Georgia Island has 4G. The Marovo Lagoon lodges between Gizo and Honiara are completely offline. Rennell Island, a UNESCO site, has no commercial coverage. Malaita province has signal in Auki town. The outer islands of Temotu and Makira have very limited or no coverage.
Our verdict on SIM cards in Solomon Islands
Best for: WWII history visitors in Guadalcanal, Divers in Western Province.
Solomon Islands connectivity is a step below Vanuatu in tourist infrastructure but comparable in outer island gaps. Both require offline preparation for remote travel.
Activation & registration
Check your phone is unlocked
Your device must be carrier-unlocked to accept a Solomon Islands SIM. Check Settings or contact your home carrier before you leave.
Choose a plan before you buy
Decide on data volume and validity period. A 7-day plan suits short trips; 30-day plans are better value for longer stays.
Bring your passport
Registration is mandatory. The vendor scans your passport ID page and enters details into a government portal. Keep your passport accessible.
Insert and configure
Insert the nano-SIM using the ejector tool. Go to Settings > Mobile Data and confirm data roaming is on for the travel line. Run a speed test to confirm you are connected.
Tips for travelers in Solomon Islands
Our Telekom has broader coverage than bmobile. Prefer it for outer island travel.
Registration with passport is mandatory for all SIMs in Solomon Islands.
Guadalcanal has reliable 4G in Honiara. Western Province has coverage in Gizo town.
Outer islands and the famous diving areas of Marovo Lagoon have no commercial signal.
Common mistakes to avoid
Expecting coverage in the Marovo Lagoon diving area. It is entirely off-grid.
Not registering your SIM. Unregistered SIMs are deactivated under Solomon Islands law.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a SIM card in Solomon Islands?
Yes. Our Telekom and bmobile sell SIMs in Honiara. Mandatory registration with passport. Plans from about $14 USD.
Is registration required for a SIM in Solomon Islands?
Yes. You must register with your passport. The process takes 5-10 minutes at the point of sale.
Does Solomon Islands have 4G?
Our Telekom has 4G in Honiara and some provincial centers. Outer islands and lagoon areas have no signal.
Which carrier is best for tourists in Solomon Islands?
Our Telekom (STELCO) has wider coverage and is the better choice for visitors traveling beyond Honiara.
Which eSIM is best for Solomon Islands?
HelloRoam connects to Solomon Islands's 4G LTE network with plans from $7. It works well for travelers who want data active before landing. Airalo offers a wider range of plan sizes at competitive prices. Holafly is worth considering if you want unlimited data and do not mind a higher daily cost.
Should I buy a SIM card or eSIM for Solomon Islands?
A local Our Telekom SIM is the most reliable option. eSIM roaming exists but is not consistently available across providers. A local SIM from Our Telekom (STELCO) starts at $12 and requires passport registration. Choose eSIM if your phone supports it and you value convenience. Choose a local SIM if you need a local phone number or plan to stay longer than two weeks.
Helpful guides
- eSIM vs Local SIM: Which to Choose
- eSIM Setup Guide (iPhone and Android)
- SIM Registration Requirements
- Best SIM Cards by Region
SIM card guides for nearby countries
Traveling beyond Solomon Islands? These guides cover nearby destinations.
