safarilover

I will spending a month in Namibia and am interested in using a USB mobile modem with my laptop for internet service. Currently, I have a South African Vodacom USB modem. When I am in Namibia, can I purchase a MTC SIM card and use it in my modem? Or must I buy a new modem and SIM card in Namibia? If so, where can I purchase the modem and what is the approximate cost?

Discover_Namibia

I am not entirely sure that using the SA Vodacom stick will work. I tried to do that when I first moved here and couldn't get it to work at all.
It may be that you just have to configure it in some way...but I wouldn't know how to do that and MTC were certainly not going to help me do that when they could sell me a new one.

You can get Netman USB modems at MTC shops. I have also seen them in Spar supermarkets at the cigarette counters.
The modem is about N$399 and then you either buy airtime and convert it to data or you can buy data bundles at MTC shops.

Don't use the airtime direct as it will cost a small fortune.
Send a blank sms to 147 and follow intructions to convert ton data.

N$30 = 50MB
N$55 = 100MB
N$250 = 500MB
N$450 = 100MB
N$800 = 2000MB

I find it more expensive here than South Africa but the speed isn't too bad.

Gemma Dry - Owner - Discover Namibia Safaris

Cameronase

Depending on where you're staying, most of the hotels has WiFi network. if you're staying in a hotel, that will save you the cost of Data.




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Discover_Namibia

I would contact the lodges or hotels you are staying at before you go ahead.

Certainly I would not say that most hotels here have WiFi, indeed some lodges don't even have cellphone reception!

If you are staying in Windhoek then it is reasonably common with some guesthouses even offering it, and in the larger hotels you will be fine. Swakopmund and Walvis Bay you will also be fine...but if you are trekking off to Damaraland, Sesriem, Etosha etc then it is much less likely you will find WiFi on arrival!


You can find a list here of lodges and other spots that have WiFi hotspots. http://www.telecom.na/index.php/products/wifi-hotspots
It isn't fully comprehensive but will give you somewhere to start from.

safarilover

Thanks for your responses. The information is very helpful especially the rates and the air time conversion directions. The rates are considerably higher than South Africa, so this will help me in my planning. I understand that SA mobile modems need to be unlocked (like cell phones are unlocked) in order for them to work with a Namibian SIM.

Discover_Namibia

I bought my cellphone in SA and it works fine in Namibia. It is from MTN. I have a contract MTN phone and a pay as you go Vodacom phone and both work with MTC sims here.

I did ask in the MTN shop before I bought the phone in December and they said that new phones are no longer blocked, but it's worth checking with your cell phone provider before you come, just in case.