Benin
Mobile networks and carriers in Benin use 2 GSM bands and 1 UMTS band. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in Benin. See the tables below for details.
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Check device compatibilityBenin's mobile network has experienced significant growth and development over the years. The country's mobile sector has been dominated by a duopoly between Moov and MTN since the closure of services from Glo Mobile and Libercom in 2018. This duopoly has been a major factor in the sector's growth, with both operators investing heavily in network expansion and modernization.
Historically, Benin's mobile network began to take shape in the late 1990s with the introduction of GSM technology. The rapid growth of the GSM sector was driven by the increasing demand for mobile communication services, particularly in urban areas. By 2007, the mobile telephone sector had become a popular technology, with significant coverage in major cities like Cotonou and Porto Novo. However, geographical coverage remained a challenge, with the government intervening to enforce universal service objectives, requiring operators to deploy their networks to achieve 85% coverage.
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of SIM cards and mobile subscribers. As of December 31, 2023, Benin had 16.3 million SIM cards in circulation, with 8.5 million unique subscribers. The mobile penetration rate stood at 67.3%, indicating a high level of adoption among the population. The number of SIM cards with access to mobile internet services was 10.9 million, with an estimated 6.9 million unique mobile internet subscribers, reflecting a penetration rate of 55.4%.
The mobile sector has also seen improvements in internet connectivity, with internet traffic surging by 37.8% to reach 280 million gigabytes in 2023. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity and the expansion of mobile broadband services.
Despite these advancements, Benin still lags behind in terms of fixed-line infrastructure and broadband internet access. The country's fixed-line infrastructure is underdeveloped, and broadband internet connections are limited, with only 34% of the population having access to the internet. However, there are ongoing efforts to improve broadband connectivity through the deployment of a national fiber optic backbone network, which is expected to enhance internet access and reduce costs.
Overall, Benin's mobile network has made substantial progress, driven by the growth of mobile communication services and the expansion of mobile broadband. However, the country still faces challenges in developing its fixed-line infrastructure and improving broadband internet access.
Carriers
| Name | # of frequency bands in use |
|---|---|
| BBcom | 2 |
| Glo | 2 |
| Moov | 2 |
| MTN | 3 |
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Frequencies in use
GSM
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| 900 MHz (E-GSM) | GSM |
| 1800 MHz (DCS) | GSM |
UMTS
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | UMTS |
