Sri Lanka - 3.4 Telecommunications
Overview
In Sri Lanka, telecommunication network coverage is provided by both government and private companies. In 1996, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka was established to regulate the functioning of this field and maintain the competitiveness. In Sri Lanka, there are 5 fixed broadband service providers, namely Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobitel, Dialog, Lankabell, and Airtel. Additionally, there are 4 mobile broadband service providers, namely Dialog, Mobitel, Hutch, and Airtel.
In general, the telecommunication network coverage is good in Sri Lanka and SIM cards are readily available. Upon completing baggage claim at the airport, there are booths where you can conveniently obtain prepaid SIM cards. However, those booths only offer tourist packages which come at higher costs and low data offers. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a SIM card directly from an authorized mobile provider store, where the presentation of a passport might be required.
Internet services are provided countrywide from 5 Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The main companies which provide mobile broadband facilities are Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobitel, Dialog, Lankabell and Airtel.
For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List
|
Telephone Services |
|
|---|---|
|
Is there an existing landline telephone network? |
Yes |
|
Does it allow international calls? |
Yes |
|
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) |
30 minutes |
|
Mobile Phone Providers |
Dialog Mobitel Airtel Hutch |
|
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage |
Countrywide |
Telecommunications Regulations
Regulations on Usage and Import
|
Regulations in Place? |
Regulating Authority |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Satellite |
Yes |
Requires approval from Ministry of Defence and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka |
|
HF Radio |
Yes |
Requires approval from Ministry of Defence and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka |
|
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile |
Yes |
Requires approval from Ministry of Defence and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka |
|
UHF/VHF Repeaters |
Yes |
Requires approval from Ministry of Defence and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka |
|
GPS |
Yes |
Requires approval from Ministry of Defence and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka |
|
VSAT |
Yes |
Requires approval from Ministry of Defence and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka |
|
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required |
||
|
Yes |
||
|
Frequency Licenses Required |
||
|
Yes |
||
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
Existing UN Telecommunication Systems
|
UNDP |
WFP |
UNICEF |
OCHA |
WHO |
FAO |
UNHRC |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VHF Frequencies |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
HF Frequencies |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Locations of Repeaters |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
VSAT |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
|
Internet Service Providers |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Are there ISPs available? |
Yes |
|
|
If yes, are they privately or government owned? |
Both |
|
|
Dial-up only? |
Yes |
|
|
Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) |
Dial-up |
USD 2 / 10 hours |
|
Broadband |
Approx. USD 500 for 15 MBPS monthly |
|
|
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth |
Up to 100 MBPS upload and download speeds on leased lines |
|
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.
|
Company |
Number of Agent Outlets by Area |
Network Strength by Area |
Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer Programmes? |
Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursement, Receive & Make Payment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dialog |
Countrywide |
Rural – medium Urban – high |
Yes |
Merchant Payment, Money Transfer, Receive & Make Payment |
|
Mobitel |
Countrywide |
Rural – medium Urban – high |
Yes |
Merchant Payment, Money Transfer, Receive & Make Payment |
|
Hutch |
Countrywide |
Rural – low Urban – medium |
Yes |
Has a system called eZ cash where transactions can be made to settle mobile bills and reloads. |
|
Airtel |
Countrywide |
Rural – low Urban – medium |
Yes |
Has a system called eZ cash where transactions can be made to settle mobile bills and reloads. |