Hury (formerly Comores Télécoms), in which the government is still the majority shareholder, and Telma (Telecom Madagascar) share the telecommunications market in the Comoros. Telma has a slightly wider network coverage and offers a better quality of internet connection, while Hury is significantly cheaper and more widespread in terms of subscription.

Buying SIM cards can be done in the official shops of both companies after showing an ID card or a passport, while many informal retailers sell credit refills.

The state institution that regulates and regulates telecoms is the ANRTIC (National Authority for Regulation of Information Technologies and Communications), under the Ministry of Transport, Posts and Telecommunications. One of its main functions is the protection of consumers and the arbitration of possible disputes between companies.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.10 Additional Services Contact List. 

Telecommunications Regulations

At the moment, the importation of non-commercial telecommunication equipment does not require any special authorization or tax. The frequency delivery is done with the ANRTIC.

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

The United Nations has a VHF telecommunication system in place under the responsibility of UNDSS. This system covers a large part of the island of Grande Comore and can reach Mohéli and Anjouan thanks to a system of repeaters.

Despite the availability of this communication network, no application has been officially adopted as a common United Nations security tool in Comoros.  As an example, there is no vehicle tracking system.

There is currently no SOC / UNDSS radio room in the Comoros. A radio base is installed at the UNDSS office in Moroni and can be used when needed.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Comoros has recently been connected to the Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy) cable, which guarantees increased security for high-speed Internet and communications in the region up to 4 terabytes of bandwidth. The connection and redistribution of bandwidth is managed and redistributed to ISPs by a government company called Comoros Cable.

The internet connection is therefore of good quality, and the two operators Telma and Hury offer individual packages or companies that can be customized on demand.

Fibre optic or ADSL connection is only possible in provincial capitals. Secondary cities must be content with 4G or 3G depending on the location.

The use of VSAT is not common in the Comoros, they are mostly used by UN agencies or by some embassies for security reasons and to communicate with their headquarters with secure connections. There is no company offering this service in Comoros, the VSAT must be ordered and contracted from a foreign country or directly on their website.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

Mobile services are generally good in Comoros. The arrival of competition with Telma has boosted the market and new services such as mobile banking and money transfer service have developed. Projects allow the direct payment to sellers of certain brands and the payment of certain bills such as water, electricity, etc ... should be available shortly.

Each of the two operators has its own pylons, after hurricane Kenneth, the mobile networks were restored and operational within 24 hours in the most affected areas and most of the services had not bothered at all.

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.