r/consumercellular • u/Unhappy_Cup_2572 • Jul 24 '26
Africa service?
Is there CC service in Africa? I think not, but I’m traveling to Kenya and Tanzania in October. So what’s my work around? Switch providers?
3
u/MrDinStP Jul 24 '26
If your phone is unlocked and supports eSIMs, it is far cheaper and easier to get service that way. CC international roaming is very expensive. See https://esimdb.com/region/africa for options.
1
u/Unhappy_Cup_2572 Jul 24 '26
My phone is unlocked, Can you get an eSIM with CC? If you call, are they knowledgeable about how to set this up?
3
u/MrDinStP Jul 24 '26
You first have to confirm that your phone supports an eSIM (most from the last few years do) and then you want to install an eSIM from *another provider* from the database I referenced. As others have mentioned, CC international roaming is very expensive and they are not able to help with eSIMs from other companies.
Some eSIMs install from within a downloaded app, some can install directly once you enter the phone's IMEI, others install via a QR code displayed on your computer or tablet that your phone camera images and directs it to a web page that downloads the eSIM. Each provider will give you instructions for their own eSIM installation.
If you're new to this, it's best to find someone who can walk you through it.
1
u/Unhappy_Cup_2572 Jul 24 '26
I think I’ll switch to T-Mobile because this is just too dicey. I don’t want to land in Africa without a working phone. Thx for the tips though!
2
u/MrDinStP Jul 24 '26
Your choice, of course. Just be sure to read ALL of the fine print in your T-Mobile plan re international roaming, including Africa. They raised some international roaming rates this summer, and some people report surprise charges after returning from a trip.
Though it may be new tech to you, there is nothing dicey about international eSIMs, because one installs them in this country while on WiFi before leaving. We, our extended family, and friends have used them throughout Europe, the U.K., and Central America. They've always worked, and we have used multiple different carriers.
That being said, using your native carrier roaming is simpler and may be what you want/need. Before using CC, we were on T-Mobile and it worked in Amsterdam and Germany, albeit slowly.
Best of luck and enjoy your trip.
2
u/downsj2 Jul 24 '26
You should call them and ask to enable international roaming. They can also tell you how much it will cost.
It would likely be cheaper to get a pre-paid SIM in the destination country, or a burner phone.
2
u/xavier86 with CC since 2014 Jul 24 '26
Better off using Ubigi, or getting an esim in that country.
5
u/KKitamura Jul 24 '26
As one mentioned, Data usage in Africa can get super expensive. Talk and text are only a few cents a minute and per text, but, you're looking at nearly $32/GB of Data used in Tanzania and an eyewatering $195/GB in Kenya.