The Best SIM Card in American Samoa for Travellers

First things first, you need to make sure that your phone is unlocked, is compatible with GSM networks and with frequencies of 1,900 Mgh/850 Mghz band.

Where to Get a SIM Card in American Samoa?

American Samoa SIM cards can be purchased from an ASTCA or Bluesky office in American Samoa. Both companies have outlets on Tutuila. Offices are usually open from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays, while Bluesky is also open from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. The outlets that most visitors will use are:

• ASTCA Central Office – Route 106, Tafuna (near the airport)
• ASTCA – Nu'uuli (across the road from the Laufou Shopping Center and Carls Jr.)
• Bluesky Nu'uuli – Laufou Shopping Center, Nu'uuli.

Important: You need a valid ID, like your passport, in order to set up a local SIM in American Samoa!

You'll find that many convenience stores and supermarkets offer e-charge (top-up) of local SIM cards. However, it's best to make an initial purchase of SIM cards from the phone network offices themselves. For a list of convenience stores, check out the Information, Shops & Services in American Samoa LINK#TTD096.

ASTCA (American Samoa Telecommunications Authority) offers a comprehensive range of prepaid phone plans and data bundles in American Samoa, with 5G Ultra coverage available.

Getting Started with ASTCA

A standard ASTCA SIM card costs US$5 and can be purchased at ASTCA offices (see locations in the section above). There is no special "tourist SIM" for ASTCA.

ASTCA Data Bundle Options

ASTCA offers several categories of bundles to suit different needs:

Prepaid Data Bundles (5G Ultra)

• US$2 – 2 GB of data, valid for 24 hours
• US$5 – 5 GB of data, valid for 3 days
• US$7 – 7 GB of data, valid for 7 days
• US$10 – 10 GB of data, valid for 10 days
• US$15 – 15 GB of data, valid for 15 days
• US$20 – 20 GB of data, valid for 15 days
• US$45 – 50 GB of data, valid for 30 days

Ultra Starter Bundles (Data Only)

• US$3 – 5 GB of data (5G Ultra), valid for 24 hours
• US$5 – 10 GB of data (5G Ultra), valid for 2 days
• US$7 – 15 GB of data (5G Ultra), valid for 3 days
• US$10 – 20 GB of data (5G Ultra), valid for 5 days

Ultra Premium Bundles (Talk + Data)

• US$15 – On-net unlimited talk, 30 GB (5G Ultra), valid for 1 week
• US$25 – On-net unlimited talk, off-net unlimited talk, 40 GB (5G Ultra), valid for 1 week

Ultra Freedom Bundles (Talk + Text + Data)

• US$35 – Unlimited talk (on-net), unlimited text, 50 GB (5G Ultra), valid for 30 days
• US$50 – Unlimited talk (on-net), unlimited text, 100 GB (5G Ultra), valid for 30 days
• US$100 – Unlimited talk (on-net), unlimited text, 200 GB (5G Ultra), valid for 30 days

Ultra Unlimited Bundles (Everything Unlimited)

• US$99 – Unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited data (5G Ultra) for 7 days
• US$199 – Unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited data (5G Ultra) for 15 days
• US$299 – Unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited data (5G Ultra) for 30 days

Prepaid MiFi Data Bundles

ASTCA also offers specialised MiFi bundles, ideal for those whose phone might not work on the local bandwidth. There are varying data allowances:

• US$5 – 2.5-4 GB, valid for 1-3 days
• US$9 – 5-6 GB, valid for 3-5 days
• US$19 – 10-15 GB, valid for 7 days
• US$29 – 15-25 GB, valid for 15 days
• US$49 – 30-50 GB, valid for 30 days
• US$99 – 70-150 GB, valid for 30 days

ASTCA Calling Rates

ASTCA offers competitive prepaid calling rates for both local and international calls:

Local and USA Calling Rates

• US$0.05 – ASTCA landline and local mobile calls
• US$0.10 – USA (Hawaii and mainland)
• US$0.15 – Guam, Saipan/Marianas, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

International Calling Rates

• US$0.10 – China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan
• US$0.15 – Australia, Japan and New Zealand
• US$0.18 – Philippines
• US$0.27 – Fiji
• US$0.40 – French Polynesia
• US$0.45 – Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and Palau
• US$0.50 – Micronesia
• US$0.75 – Cambodia and Cook Islands
• US$0.80 – Papua New Guinea, Samoa (both B/Sky and Digicel) and Vanuatu
• US$0.83 – Tonga
• US$0.90 – Solomon Islands
• US$1.10 – Kiribati
• US$1.25 – Tuvalu
• US$1.30 – Nauru
• US$1.45 – Tokelau
• US$1.60 – Niue
• US$1.75 – Wallis/Futuna

For more about ASTCA's coverage, check out the "Phone Coverage in American Samoa" section below.

Bluesky offers a comprehensive range of prepaid phone plans and data bundles in American Samoa, with a focus on providing data services for both locals and visitors.

Getting Started with Bluesky

With Bluesky, you have two options for getting started: online with their eSIMs, or in the store for a standard SIM card (see locations in the section above). SIM cards are free with prepaid plan purchases.

Bluesky Visitor's eSIM Card

A tempting solution for travellers with iPhones visiting American Samoa, Bluesky's Visitor's eSIM is designed to keep you connected throughout your entire trip. The Visitor's eSIM is an electronic or embedded SIM that eliminates the need for a physical SIM card. Instead of a physical card, SIM technology is built right into your phone, allowing you to activate your device by downloading an eSIM profile.

The Visitor's eSIM includes:

• 20GB Data
• Unlimited Local Minutes
• 20 Minutes National & International Calls
• Unlimited SMS
• Valid for 10 Days

The Visitor's SIM brings you data, talking minutes, and SMS for texting to last 10 days. Currently, it is only available for certain iPhone models.

Standard SIM Cards

A standard Bluesky SIM card is free with prepaid plan purchases at Bluesky offices (see locations in the section above).

Standard Data Bundles

Bluesky offers flexible data bundle options to suit different needs:

• US$2 Data Bundle – 2GB, valid for 24 hours
• US$3 Data Bundle – 4GB, valid for 24 hours
• US$5 Data Bundle – 5GB, valid for 3 days
• US$7 Data Bundle – 7GB, valid for 5 days
• US$10 Data Bundle – 10GB, valid for 7 days
• US$15 Data Bundle – 15GB, valid for 15 days
• US$25 Data Bundle – 25GB, valid for 25 days
• US$35 Data Bundle – 35GB, valid for 30 days
• US$55 Mega 55 – 100GB, valid for 30 days
• US$100 Mega 100 – 250GB, valid for 90 days

Specialised Data Bundles

Atamai Bundle

• US$2 – 1GB Daily

Mega Data Bundles

• US$5 – 5GB (1 Day)
• US$10 – 10GB (3 Days)
• US$15 – 15GB (5 Days)
• US$25 – 25GB (7 Days)
• US$35 – 35GB (15 Days)
• US$55 – 100GB (30 Days)
• US$100 – 250GB (90 Days)

Seki Data Bundles

• SEKI 5: US$5 – 2GB (24 Hours)
• SEKI 15: US$15 – 10GB (7 Days)
• SEKI 25: US$25 – 25GB (15 Days)

Social Media & Streaming Bundles

• E Siva Mai Bundle: US$3 – 1.5GB Daily (Valid for social media & streaming apps only)
• E Vaai Mai Bundle: US$5 – 2GB Daily (Valid for social media & streaming apps only)

Night Owl Data Bundle

• US$4.99 – Unlimited Data (Valid from 11:00 pm to 5:59 am)

Unlimited Data Bundle

• US$4.99 – Unlimited Data (Valid from 11:00 pm to 5:59 am)

Other Prepaid Plans

Go Extra Plans (Talk Minutes)

• Go Extra US$2 – 10 Talking Minutes, valid for 24 hours
• Go Extra US$7 – 40 Talking Minutes, valid for 7 days
• Go Extra US$19 – 100 Talking Minutes, valid for 15 days
• Go Extra US$39 – 230 Talking Minutes, valid for 30 days

SMS Plans

• Unlimited SMS – $0.50 for unlimited SMS, valid for 24 hours

Standard Rates with Bluesky

Once you've used up your bundle allowances, Bluesky's standard rates are:

SMS Rates:

• Local: US$0.07

Calling Rates (per minute):

• Local: US$0.07
• US: US$0.07

International Calling Rates (per minute):

• Samoa: US$0.25
• Cook Islands: US$0.25
• New Zealand: US$0.25
• Australia: US$0.25
• Philippines: US$0.25
• China: US$0.25
• Fiji: US$0.25
• Tonga: US$0.25
• Other countries: US$0.25

For more about Bluesky's coverage, check out the "Phone Coverage in American Samoa" section below.

How can you check how much data, texts and minutes you are using while in American Samoa? The best and easiest way is to download the MyASTCA Mobile App or My Bluesky App, which displays your usage and remaining balance very clearly. An alternative way to check your balance is to dial *888# to bring up a USSD menu.

How to Purchase Bundles

You can purchase ASTCA bundles through several methods:

• Text to 247: Use specific codes like US, UP, UV or UG for different bundle categories
• MyASTCA Mobile App: Available for download with full bundle management
• Text INFO to 247: For data bundle information and purchases
• In-store: Visit any ASTCA location for instant eBundles

For Bluesky customers, you can purchase bundles through several methods:

• My Bluesky App: Available for download with full bundle management
• My Bluesky Web App: Log in online for bundle purchases and account management
• Dial *888#: Buy bundles, check your balance and access other services
• In-store: Visit any Bluesky location for instant eBundles

Where to Top Up Your Phone in American Samoa

You can top up your phone balance at one of the ASTCA or Bluesky outlets or resellers in American Samoa. Bluesky also allows you to top up online through their web app.

Luckily, there are resellers across American Samoa, most of which are convenience stores with either an ASTCA or Bluesky sign clearly displayed out the front.

Mobile phone reception for making calls and texts is available in the most populated areas across American Samoa. Note that you will lose coverage in some areas inland. As for the coverage across the islands, this is where ASTCA and Bluesky differ.

Why Choose ASTCA?

According to local insights and firsthand experience during our last research trip, ASTCA is generally considered cheaper and better for calling compared to other providers in American Samoa, making it an excellent choice for travellers who need reliable voice communication alongside their data needs. All bundles include 5G Ultra coverage where available, and terms and conditions apply to all services.

ASTCA has coverage in most populated places in American Samoa, more importantly, across the Manu'a Islands, where Bluesky has dead patches.

Why Choose Bluesky?

Bluesky may be more expensive than other providers, but it offers superior data services, making it an excellent choice for travellers who prioritise reliable internet connectivity and data performance during their stay in American Samoa.

On the downside, Bluesky does not have coverage in Fitiuta on Ta'ū nor Olosega Island - both of which are in the Manu'a Islands.