Tonga
Mobile networks and carriers in Tonga use 1 GSM band and 1 UMTS band. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in Tonga. See the tables below for details.
Will your phone or mobile device work in Tonga?
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Check device compatibilityTonga's mobile network has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, international and domestic communications in Tonga were via HF Radio until July 1978, when Cable and Wireless (C&W) began operating satellite communications. This marked the beginning of satellite-based communication in Tonga, with the first satellite operation starting in 1978. By the mid-1990s, Tonga had expanded its satellite services to include a total of 50+ voice circuits to New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
In 1992, Tonga introduced inter-island satellite communication, and by 1997, it had started digital satellite TV reception. The country also saw the first live terrestrial broadcast TV in 1999 via satellite/TVNZ. The use of VSAT systems became prevalent, with the first fully owned and operated VSAT system in the Pacific being established in 2000. This was followed by the introduction of DTH satellite services by Canal Caledonie, PBS, and Sky Pacific in 2002.
Today, Tonga has a robust mobile network with 107,938 mobile cellular telephones in use as of 2018. The main island has 4G mobile coverage, and the country relies on satellite earth stations for international communication. Despite these advancements, Tonga's digital infrastructure remains vulnerable to natural disasters, as evident from the 2022 volcanic eruption that severed the Tonga Cable System, leaving the country without internet access for several weeks.
Carriers
| Name | # of frequency bands in use |
|---|---|
| Digicel | 1 |
| TCC | 2 |
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Frequencies in use
GSM
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| 900 MHz (E-GSM) | GSM |
UMTS
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| B8 (900 MHz GSM) | UMTS |
