Intelvision Seychelles Internet Packages
Lara Preece
IFC's support to Intelvision, which provides data, Internet, and Internet-based voice services as well as pay-TV, includes an up to $10 million loan from its own account and an additional loan of $10 million mobilized from partners under the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP).
The funding will enable Intelvision to lease a new cable being built by Vodafone Carrier Services as a branch of the 2Africa cable network, one of the largest subsea projects in the world, spanning over 37,000 kilometers and connecting 26 countries around the world.
The new cable will complement the existing Seychelles East Africa System and is expected to lower the cost of connectivity for telecom operators on the islands and increase competition for fixed broadband and mobile data services.
"I think it will revolutionize the way we experience the internet here in Seychelles. We are pleased to work together with Vodafone and IFC amidst the challenges of the pandemic. Our aim is to enhance the telecommunication infrastructure of Seychelles and strengthen our digital offering to the people of Seychelles," said Mukesh Valabhji, Chairman, Intelvision. "Our innovative products and services will continue to add value to the ever-growing demands for Internet connectivity. We have been at the forefront of offering affordable connectivity solutions to the Seychellois Nation and we intend to continue on the same path."
Through the 15-year lease agreement with Vodafone, Intelvision plans to launch mobile telephony services in Seychelles, a country where most consumers access the Internet through a mobile phone. The new cable system will also allow Intelvision to eventually expand its terrestrial network by providing 4G and 5G mobile networks to the whole of Mah and the inner islands.
"By working with Intelvision to expand Seychelles' digital offering, we can help the country meet growing demand for Internet connectivity while helping to lower prices to build a strong foundation for the country's digital economic development," said Marcelle Ayo, IFC's Country Manager for Seychelles.
Seychelles' economy relies heavily on tourism, accounting for 30 percent of GDP, which has suffered due to COVID-19-related travel disruption. Seychelles' government is focused on strengthening the digital economy to support recovery and the next phase of the country's economic growth.
Intelvision is a triple-play (Internet, TV, Voice) operator based and operating in Seychelles since 2004. Starting on the main island of Mahe providing cable tv services over a HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coaxial) network, Intelvision then branched out and launched Broadband internet and VOIP services in 2006. This led to the launch of affordable capped broadband internet packages and subsequently unlimited internet package for residential customers. Intelvision subsequently purchased connectivity to the SEAS submarine cable from the SCS (Seychelles Cable System) consortium, which then led to the launch of its fiber optic network (GPON). Today 80% of Mahe is covered on GPON and Intelvision has fully covered the sister island, Praslin on GPON.
Vodafone is also taking significant steps to reduce our impact on our planet by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2025 and becoming net zero by 2040, purchasing 100% of our electricity from renewable sources in Europe and across our entire operations by 2025, and reusing, reselling or recycling 100% of our redundant network equipment.
Regardless of whether you're visiting the Seychelles to swim in the crystaline waters of Anse Source d'Argent or explore the jungles of Valle de Mai, you'll probably be wondering how to connect your smartphone to the internet as soon as possible after you arrive.
That's where getting a local SIM card comes into the picture. Fortunately for you, in most cases, finding and purchasing a Seychellois SIM card should be a breeze, and in this short guide, we show you the two major ways in which you can get the job done affordably and effortlessly!
If you're planning your trip to the Seychelles, it shouldn't be a surprise to learn that you won't be able to call, text, or access the web on the go with your smartphone as you usually would at home. And if you do manage to get connected via roaming, it can result in hefty additional charges. That's where SIM cards come into the picture. By getting yourself a local Seychellois SIM card (or, as we'll see, a digital eSIM), you'll be able to connect to the internet via mobile data while on the move and, depending on the bundle you choose, even send SMSes or make local phone calls.
The image below illustrates the differences in size, with the three smaller SIM cards on the right side representing standard, micro, and nano SIMs respectively, and the larger SIM card on the left (known as 1FF) no longer being used these days:
Nowadays, most SIM card retailers, including in the Seychelles, offer only nano SIMs. But if the retailer you visit doesn't offer nano SIMs (or if the SIM cards sold don't fit into your phone), you can ask for a SIM card adapter, which is normally very cheap and available in most cell phone shops or kiosks.
If you run out of data, you can recharge your SIM easily, too. To do this, visit your network provider's website or go to the counter of pretty much any cell phone shop, convenience store, kiosk, or tourist information in the Seychelles and ask about data recharge. Many Seychellois retailers countrywide offer data packages for major networks like Airtel and Cable Wireless, making it a quick and accessible option.
If you don't plan on using your Seychellois SIM for a future vacation after you arrive home, make sure you cut your SIM card chip in two with a sturdy pair of scissors to prevent fraudsters from pulling any personal data from your card, and, if possible, recycle it with other electronic waste.
A digital alternative to physical SIM cards, eSIMs are regular SIM cards that don't require inserting an actual microchip into your device while providing the exact same benefits. Newer smartphones (but also smartwatches, tablets, and other devices) can be equipped with eSIMs, and since you don't need a physical microchip to install an eSIM, you can also get one before you even take off on your trip to the Seychelles. To do this, you just need to visit an online eSIM service, purchase the eSIM you want, and follow the instructions to download and install it onto your device.
Like regular SIM cards, prepaid eSIMs come bundled with a certain fixed amount of data (or, more rarely, SMSes or telephone minutes) which you can use at your leisure while traveling in the Seychelles. You get to choose the package you want, and you can generally also extend your eSIM's validity easily right from an app.
In general, eSIMs cost about the same as physical Seychellois SIMs or are slightly more expensive per gigabyte, but in our opinion, their accessibility and eco-friendliness make them the better option for most travelers. We delve into why a bit later in this article.
Whether you use a physical SIM or eSIM, it's good to keep in mind that Seychellois telecommunications are dominated by a handful of network operators. These networks provide the infrastructure that allows you to use mobile data on the go. In the Seychelles, the biggest players are listed below, so be on the lookout for their names on storefronts (if you're looking for a physical SIM card) or on the top right-hand corner of your smartphone (which shows you which network you're currently connected to):
In general, network connectivity for mobile data in the Seychelles is reasonably good, meaning that you shouldn't have any problems accessing the web from one of the major networks, but on smaller or more isolated islands, the connection can sometimes still be a bit spotty here and there.
In general, it's very easy to buy a Seychellois SIM card. Normally, you can buy a SIM once you arrive at the airport, but you can typically also do so at shops, convenience stores, and kiosks in city centres, malls, or business or market districts. (Don't forget that SIM cards aren't only sold in brick-and-mortar outlets and sometimes in pop-up booths or temporary stalls, depending on where you are.)
However, there is one potential issue around compatibility. Not all devices support eSIMs. If your device was released before late 2019, we recommend double-checking on the internet or contacting a representative from an eSIM service to confirm whether your device is compatible before you purchase an eSIM. In general, the following devices will support eSIMs though:
Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for the Seychelles. Its online platform offers global access to eSIMs through collaboration with big local telecom providers. In the Seychelles, for example, Airalo works directly with Airtel and Cable Wireless to provide you with high-speed coverage directly from their networks, wherever you are in the country.
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The public relations executive, Bella Damou, told SNA recently that "the CWS 5G network has been up and running since then, but the company was waiting for suitable packages to offer to its customers."
"Due to the pandemic, CWS had to halt most of its projects. For now, the 5G network covers the following areas: Perseverance 1, Beau Vallon Promenade, Victoria, Roche Caiman, Eden Island and the Airport," said Damou.
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