Telemor SIM Card in Timor-Leste: Prices, Data Plans and Internet Speed

When travelling around Timor-Leste, having mobile internet makes it much easier to check maps, look up practical information and keep our travel blog updated. We bought a prepaid SIM card from a Telemor shop in Dili and chose a weekly unlimited data package.

The SIM card itself cost US$3.50, while each seven-day data package cost US$5. We bought three scratch cards to cover three weeks, bringing the total to US$18.50, paid in cash.

One thing that surprised us was the price difference between the weekly package and a 30-day plan. We were quoted US$5 for seven days of unlimited data and US$30 for 30 days. However, Telemor offers several different packages, so the prices may not be directly comparable.

Here is what we learnt from buying and using a Telemor SIM card in Dili and on Atauro Island, including the top-up process and our experience of mobile internet speed.

🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：東ティモールのTelemor SIMカード購入体験｜料金・無制限データ・通信速度

What Is Telemor?

Telemor is a mobile telecommunications provider in Timor-Leste, offering mobile services and internet packages.

We bought our prepaid SIM card at a Telemor shop in Dili, the country’s capital. We wanted a local mobile data connection for everyday travel needs, including navigation, online research and updating our blog.

Telemor offers several types of data packages, including unlimited internet plans and packages that combine data with calls and SMS. Checking the details before purchasing is worthwhile, particularly if you plan to stay for several weeks.

How Much Does a Telemor SIM Card Cost?

Here is what we paid at the shop in Dili:

• SIM card: US$3.50
• Seven-day unlimited data package: US$5 each
• Three data packages: US$15
• Total: US$18.50

We paid the full amount in cash.

The data packages came on orange scratch cards labelled Sosa Pakete Fasil Liu. The cards also displayed US$5, 5G and the code *177#.

The SIM card and data packages were charged separately. We purchased three weekly packages at the same time, giving us enough credit for three weeks of use, although the second and third cards still need to be activated when we need them.

You Need Your Passport to Buy a SIM Card

We were asked to show a passport when buying the SIM card at the Telemor shop in Dili. If you plan to buy a local SIM card after arriving in Timor-Leste, remember to bring your passport with you.

Telemor Data Plans and Prices

At the shop, we were quoted the following prices for unlimited data:

• Seven days: US$5
• 30 days: US$30

At first glance, the 30-day option seemed surprisingly expensive compared with buying the weekly package. Three weekly packages cost US$15 in total, whereas the quoted monthly option was US$30.

However, Telemor has several different packages, and they do not necessarily offer the same benefits.

For example, Telemor’s official website lists the following options:

• DU4G7: US$5 for seven days of unlimited internet.
• DU30: US$25 for 30 days of unlimited internet.
• Diamond: US$30 for a package that includes unlimited internet and calls and SMS benefits.

The Diamond package is therefore not necessarily a like-for-like comparison with a data-only package. If you mainly need internet access, a data-focused plan may be more suitable. If you also need calls and messages, a combined package could offer better value.

One important point: although the price and duration of the DU4G7 package match what we paid, we have not confirmed the exact package code printed on our scratch cards. We therefore cannot say for certain that our cards were DU4G7.

The shop also showed us a few data packages with fixed data allowances, rather than unlimited internet. These may be worth considering if you do not use much mobile data or are only staying in Timor-Leste for a short time.

We chose an unlimited data package, but a plan with a fixed data allowance might be more suitable depending on your usage and length of stay. The prices and data allowances vary by package, so it is worth asking the staff about the available options before making a purchase.

Package prices and conditions may change, so check the current offers on the official Telemor website before buying.

How to Activate a Telemor Scratch Card

Our data packages came on scratch cards rather than being activated individually through an app.

The shop assistant activated the first seven-day package for us when we bought the SIM card. We plan to activate the remaining two cards ourselves, one at a time, as each seven-day period ends.

The process is expected to be straightforward:

1. Scratch off the covered section of the card.
2. Reveal the number underneath.
3. Follow the instructions provided with the card to enter the number and activate the package.
4. Check that mobile data is working after activation.

Our cards also displayed *177#. Telemor’s official website lists this code as one way to access its package registration options. However, follow the specific instructions printed on your card, as the exact activation procedure may vary.

We have not yet completed the second and third activations, so these steps describe our planned process rather than a fully tested experience.

Buying a SIM Card in Dili: Language Tips

The staff at the Telemor shop spoke Tetum, Indonesian and English.

Whilst English was more or less possible, we found it easier to communicate in Indonesian. We used Indonesian to discuss the packages and understand the prices.

Tetum and Portuguese are important languages in Timor-Leste, but Indonesian can also be useful in everyday situations. If you have travelled in Indonesia, it may be worth trying Indonesian when buying a SIM card or asking about mobile data.

Before paying, make sure you understand the package duration, whether the data is unlimited, and whether calls or SMS are included.

Mobile Internet Speed in Dili

We were able to use our Telemor SIM card to access the internet around Dili. However, we noticed that the connection seemed to become slower in the late afternoon.

This is our personal observation rather than the result of a formal speed test. Internet performance can vary depending on location, network congestion and the time of day.

The connection was usable for everyday tasks, such as browsing websites and checking information, although some activities took longer when the connection slowed down.

If you rely on mobile internet for work or uploading content, it is worth allowing extra time rather than assuming the connection will always be fast.

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Using Telemor on Atauro Island

After leaving Dili, we continued using the same SIM card on Atauro Island.

In the area where we stayed, the connection was not too bad, but it was not exceptionally fast either. It was adequate for general internet use, although we would not describe it as a particularly fast connection.

This reflects our experience in the places we visited rather than a measurement of coverage across the entire island. Signal strength and speed may differ in other villages and locations.

If you are travelling beyond Dili, it is sensible to check whether your accommodation has Wi-Fi or another connection option, particularly if you need reliable access for work.

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Does Telemor Slow Down When Using a Hotspot?

I use Mai’s smartphone as a mobile hotspot to connect my own phone to the internet.

We noticed that the connection seemed slower when sharing it through the hotspot. This was particularly noticeable when using two devices rather than just the phone with the SIM card.

Telemor also warns on some of its personal unlimited data packages that hotspot sharing can reduce internet speed. The provider’s conditions are worth checking if you plan to connect a second phone, tablet or laptop.

If you are travelling as a couple and intend to share one SIM card between two phones, remember that the connection may not perform as well as it does on the primary device alone.

Is a Telemor SIM Card Worth Buying in Timor-Leste?

For our trip, the total cost was US$18.50, including the SIM card and three seven-day data packages. This gave us a planned three weeks of mobile data access without needing to buy a 30-day package upfront.

Our experience was mixed but generally practical for travel. Internet speed seemed to slow down in Dili during the late afternoon, while the connection on Atauro Island was reasonable but not especially fast. Sharing the connection through a hotspot also seemed to reduce the speed.

Before purchasing a Telemor SIM card, I would recommend checking:

• The price of the SIM card itself.
• The price and validity period of the data package.
• Whether the plan offers unlimited data and what conditions apply.
• Whether calls and SMS are included.
• Whether hotspot use is supported and subject to speed restrictions.

The US$30 monthly package is not necessarily poor value, but it may include benefits that are not part of the US$5 weekly data package. The best option depends on how long you are staying and whether you need calls and messages as well as internet access.

For our needs, buying weekly scratch cards was a straightforward way to arrange mobile data for the first few weeks of our trip.

Prices and package conditions can change. The costs above reflect our own purchase in Dili, while the additional package information is based on Telemor’s published offers. We have not yet tested all three scratch-card activations.

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