Sierra Leone has three mobile carriers: Africell Sierra Leone, Orange Sierra Leone, and Qcell. Africell has become the dominant carrier and was one of the first in West Africa to offer competitive 4G LTE coverage. HelloRoam plans connect via Africell and Orange.
Freetown, the capital, has 4G coverage in the city centre, Aberdeen Beach, Lumley Beach, and the main commercial areas. Lungi International Airport sits across the estuary from Freetown and has 4G coverage. Getting from the airport to Freetown requires a ferry or helicopter crossing, as the bridge is under construction. Download your transfer details before landing.
Tombo and the Freetown Peninsula beaches, including River No. 2 Beach and Bureh Beach, have 4G coverage near the main beach areas. Bo, Kenema, and Makeni (the three main provincial cities) have 4G in their city centers. Koidu in the diamond-mining Kono district has limited coverage.
Outlying Banana Islands and the Turtle Islands have minimal or no mobile coverage. Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary (for pygmy hippos and primates) in the south is remote with no signal.
Africell launched the first 4G LTE network in Sierra Leone and has expanded coverage steadily. Orange competes in urban areas. Network reliability improves during the dry season (November through April) as power outages and flooding affect infrastructure during the wet season. Australian travellers should confirm their handset is unlocked and supports the local network bands.
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