Mobile Connectivity in Croatia: How to Use Your Phone While Traveling
Oct 26,2024 | Snowdust
Table of contents
Will My Phone Work in Croatia?
Will My Original Plan Still Work in Croatia?
Mobile Network Carriers in Croatia
- A1 Mobile Coverage
- Hrvatski Telekom Mobile Coverage
- TELE2 Coverage
- Coverage Comparison of Carriers
- Overall Experience of Three Carriers
Options to Stay Connected in Croatia
FAQs: How to Use My Phone in Croatia
Will My Phone Work in Croatia?
In most cases, the answer is yes. You can use your phone normally in Croatia just as in your home country. However, there are several factors that may affect your phone's function in Croatia.
First, check if your phone is compatible with network frequencies in Croatia. This information is essential to gauge how fast your internet connection will be during your travels. And the best way to check this is to contact your phone carrier directly.
Additionally, you should also check whether your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you won't be able to connect to a different internet network than the one you use at home. You can check this by contacting the carrier or by yourself. Here is an instruction for steps to check.
Will My Original Plan Still Work in Croatia?
Most network carriers provide roaming services in other countries for their users. Internet data roaming is quite convenient for users since they don't need to change SIM cards and need to do nothing. They can use their original SIM card to access Croatian networks. And send messages, make phone calls and use mobile data via Croatian networks.
But roaming charges sorely if you stay for extended days. If you don't want to go back home with an unexpectedly costly roaming fee bill, it's always wiser to double-check with your carriers about internet roaming services and prices.
---> You may want to know how to save roaming fees.
Mobile Network Carriers in Croatia
A1 Mobile Coverage
Known for its extensive network in urban and coastal regions, A1 Mobile offers fast 4G and some 5G coverage in major cities. It’s ideal for users who primarily stay in popular tourist spots or urban areas and want reliable, high-speed data.
Hrvatski Telekom Mobile Coverage
As Croatia’s largest mobile provider, Hrvatski Telekom has the widest coverage, including rural and remote areas. With strong 5G in cities and stable 4G across the country, it’s a good choice for travelers looking for comprehensive coverage and dependable connectivity anywhere in Croatia.
TELE2 Coverage
TELE2 focuses on big cities and high-traffic areas, offering solid 4G and some 4G+ coverage, though its 5G and rural network presence is limited. It’s best for city users with moderate data needs who don’t often venture into rural areas.
Coverage Comparison of Carriers
The network characteristics of each of these three carriers make them suitable for different user needs. Depending on the user's activity area and network needs, choosing the right carrier can improve the network experience.
Overall Experience of Three Carriers
Hrvatski Telekom Mobile (HT) provides the best experience in terms of 5G video experience, with 77.7 points (full points 100). A1 Mobile and Telemach (TELE2) follow closely behind HT, with 76.4 points and 76.7 points respectively.
However, Telemach (TELE2) is the absolute winner of the overall Video Experience. Just as this data shows, users in Croatia have the best video streaming experience with the TELE2 Mobile network. TELE2 is far ahead of other carriers in Video Experience, with 71.7 points (full points 100). Hrvatski Telekom Mobile (HT) follows closely behind TELE2, with 70 points. And A1 scored worse with only 68.6 points.
Speed comparison. Data Source: Opensignal
Hrvatski Telekom Mobile achieved the fastest download speed on its network with a median of 334.7 Mbps. Also, it performs best in terms of upload speed, with a median speed of 39.9 Mbps. TELE2 Mobile was average on both upload and download speeds, with 30.3 Mbps and 174.4 Mbps respectively. Additionally, A1 Mobile had the same upload speed as TELE2, but the worst experience in upload speed, with a median of 22.7 Mbps.
Options to Stay Connected in Croatia
Maintaining connectivity while traveling is crucial for navigating your routes, checking the attractions, and sharing your experiences on social media. Additionally, staying informed about updates concerning the weather, flights, and local events is important.
Fortunately, there are four options for you to stay connected while traveling in Croatia. Let's explore together.
ByteSIM Croatia eSIMs
Let's start with the perfect choice --- ByteSIM Croatia eSIMs. All you need is just a phone that is compatible with eSIM and remains unlocked. There are many eSIM providers in Croatia, but ByteSIM definitely stands out. Let's explore together.
Comparison of different eSIM providers.
ByteSIM offers the widest network choice in Croatia, supporting Hrvatski Telekom, A1, and TELE2. This network diversity allows users to find the best signal in different areas of Croatia, avoiding issues with unstable connections. In contrast, Holafly and Airalo have fewer network options.
Additionally, ByteSIM’s plans are flexible, ranging from 500MB/day to unlimited data, catering to different data needs. Holafly and Airalo have more limited data options. While Holafly only offers a single unlimited data plan, Airalo’s fixed plans range from 1GB to 20GB but lack flexibility.
ByteSIM also stands out for its affordable prices ($2.9–$59.90). For example, Airalo provides 20GB for 30 days, for $32 ($1.6/GB), while ByteSIM provides the same data plan for only $28.90 ($1.44/GB). Holafly's unlimited data plan for 30 days costs $74.90 ($2.50/day), but ByteSIM offers a 5G unlimited data plan for 30 days only for $59.90 ($1.97/day).
Additionally, ByteSIM offers unrestricted hotspot sharing, making it ideal for those who need dependable connectivity and frequent hotspot use. Holafly's hotspot, on the other hand, is only 500MB per day, a limitation that may not be friendly enough for users who need a lot of hotspot connections.
Croatia SIM Cards
If you don’t have a phone that supports eSIMs, Croatia prepaid SIM cards are a fantastic alternative! Just check that any online retailer can deliver the SIM card to your country before you buy. If you’re planning to snag one from a local operator in Croatia, just keep in mind that setting up your internet connection might take a little time. Also, you might find that there are fewer plans designed specifically for tourists compared to those for residents—but don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of options!
Pocket WiFi for Croatia
Another option to consider is the popular Pocket WiFi! This handy little device acts as a portable hotspot. It allows you to connect to the internet with any device you have. The best part is you can even link up to 5 to 10 devices at once. In this case, your smartphones, laptops, and tablets can all get online together!
Just a quick heads-up, though! While Pocket WiFi is super convenient, it can get a bit pricey. Besides the data plan, there are often rental fees for the device and shipping costs. Also, you may need to pay for a few extra charges for accessories or insurance.
Public WiFi in Croatia
If you're looking to stay connected for free, Public WiFi will be a good choice. Croatia has lots of great spots with free Public WiFi! You can enjoy internet access in places like shopping malls, restaurants, bars, and even your hotel.
However, it's important to note that free WiFi can sometimes be at risk. Public WiFi is accessible to anyone. So your information could be vulnerable to hackers. Plus, you have to stay close to these locations to keep your connection strong. Based on this, we recommend using free WiFi for emergencies or as a last resort.
FAQs: How to Use My Phone in Croatia
Can I use my phone in Croatia?
Just as mentioned before, you can still use your phone in Croatia in most cases. But it's always wise to check your phone's compatibility and plan your travel in advance.
Will I be charged for data roaming in Croatia?
If you still use international plans provided by your home country's carrier, then you have to pay for roaming fees. Choose another option like ByteSIM Croatia eSIM for data access if you don't want to be charged for roaming.
Do I need a separate eSIM for each country?
No. With ByteSIM, you can enjoy a stable and fast Internet connection in Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Hvar Island and other tourist destinations in Croatia. Additionally, you can switch networks manually in three major Croatian carriers with the freedom to improve the internet experience.
