Cape Town - 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?
I got a local SIM card and local number. I came with an unlocked Android phone. I did not keep a U.S. plan, but I kept my Google Voice number which allowed me to make calls from my laptop or via the app in my phone. - Aug 2021
Vodacom. Grab a pre-paid SIM at the airport. - Apr 2021
Easy enough to pop in a R1 (ten US cents?) SIM card into a phone and top up when needed from any shop or via an app. We use a plan than combines enough data/sms/airtime for us that costs about $7US per month, so that seems pretty cheap. - Feb 2018
We brought our (unlocked) mobile phones from the States and use local providers on a pay-as-you-go basis, which I think is fairly common. Vodacom offers monthly plans as well and I know some people who use them. Vodacom is nice because you can purchase airtime online without having to go into a store. - Oct 2017
Buy a phone and SIM card and just buy data bundles as you go. You can buy data and airtime at every grocery store. - May 2014
Cell phones are provided for officers. Spouses/kids can get cell phones and a "pay as you go" plan locally. Or you can bring an unlocked, quad-band phone and buy a local chip. - Aug 2013
Local phone plans are expensive - I use pre-paid, which works well for my work. Coverage is good. Prices are too high, but not insane. - Oct 2007
