What Do You Need to Know Before Relying on Connectivity in Morocco?
Travelers often question connectivity in Morocco. What if you decide to explore the desert and your mobile internet is no longer usable? Or you book a hostel, and there is no reliable Wi-Fi. Yet, Morocco has invested in its telecommunications infrastructure over the past ten years, and it shows. Tourists don’t have to worry about being left behind with no connection, no matter if they rely on Wi-Fi, eSIMs, or portable hot spots.
This country is one of the most affordable in terms of internet connection, and even smaller
tourist towns let you message others, browse social media, and watch movies online without a second thought. In this guide, we’ll tell you about the local networks, places where connections might not be the best, Wi-Fi, and more.
Local Networks in Morocco
There are three mobile network operators in Morocco. Each offers SIM cards for tourists and has its pros and cons. When you arrive, you’ll see these stands at the airport:
● Maroc Telecom (IAM);
● Inwi;
● Orange Morocco.
Maroc Telecom is one of the most expensive operators, with its Jawal Tourist SIM. For what it’s worth, you will receive 10 GB of data and 30 minutes of local calls for 30 days. The coverage it provides is the best in Morocco, both rural and on the highway. You’ll connect to 4G nationwide and 5G in Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Marrakech. If you plan on visiting places like the Sahara and Atlas Mountains, it’ll allow you to call and browse despite a weak connection.
Note that the Maroc Telecom customer service might be a little slow. Additionally, registering a tourist SIM can take longer than the usual local plan.
The tourist SIM from Inwi is slightly cheaper, but the terms are also better suited to tourists
visiting for shorter periods. You’ll have 7 GB of data and 20 minutes of local calls for 14 days in total. The coverage is excellent in cities and major highways, but remote areas like the desert and mountains might be lacking. Peak hours, unfortunately, might affect your connection, making it weaker.
Orange Morocco offers travelers the Orange Holiday SIM. You receive 8 GB of data and 60
minutes of local calls for 30 days. Additionally, it provides reliable customer service in French and English.
Where You Should Expect Challenges Connecting
Although most of Morocco has outstanding connection through 4G and 5G towers, you might still experience slower internet in remote areas.
In the Sahara Desert, for example, the coverage is mostly limited to towns and major highways. The signal will either drop significantly when you enter desert camps or completely disappear. In Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, luxury camps have slow satellite Wi-Fi, but those camping in Zagora and Erg Chigaga should expect to stay offline for the night.
In the Atlas Mountains, the coverage varies. The Imlil village has good 3G and 4G connections, but it might drop as you start ascending to Toubkal. The refuge doesn’t have any coverage, so you will be offline. The Ait Bougmez Valley, or the “Happy Valley,” has limited coverage, regardless of the provider. Some guesthouses have slow Wi-Fi.
Options for Affordable Internet
Local mobile connection providers are some of the most affordable, but eSIM plans might be cheaper and more convenient, depending on your requirements and traveling goals. You should choose an eSIM if your phone supports this technology and you don’t want to switch SIM cards all the time. eSIM is embedded in the smartphone, so all you need to do is choose the plan.
Before choosing a plan, you should decide which provider to use. With eSIM technology
booming, there are plenty of options on the market. The right eSIM provider should offer reliable
coverage in Morocco, affordable plans, and an easy activation process. If you want a quick
recommendation, Saily’s Ultra plans usually offer the best value.
Once you arrive, it will activate automatically. This means you’ll have a connection without
searching for the local SIM card in the airport and stores. Affordable internet via an eSIM is also best suited for tourists visiting for less than 2 weeks because buying a month-long plan would just be a waste of resources.
What About Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is available in Morocco, but the speed varies based on location and region. Cafes,
restaurants, and hotels often have functional public Wi-Fi. If you book riads with thick medina walls, ask for a room near the router for a better signal. Most public networks in Morocco are not encrypted, however, so it’s recommended to turn on the best VPN available before you connect to keep your sensitive data safe. VPNs are legal there, and you won’t have any problems using one.
Staying Connected in Morocco Is Easier Than Ever
Morocco’s connection is a lot better than it was 10 years ago, and tourists generally don’t have a problem using the internet and calling others nationwide. Although some remote regions have limited coverage, local providers and eSIM plans support 4G and 5G connections almost everywhere.
