City in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Internet in Port Elizabeth: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Port Elizabeth?
Median fixed broadband in South Africa is 50 Mbps and mobile is 70 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Wifi is fine in cafés and malls; coworking is limited.
Getting online in Port Elizabeth
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre in most suburbs from Openserve and others; about R500–R900 a month for 100 Mbps. |
| Cafés and coworking | Wifi is fine in cafés and malls; coworking is limited. |
| Outages | Load-shedding rare since 2024; water outages are more of a problem than power. |
| Tourist SIM | Vodacom and MTN counters at Johannesburg and Cape Town airports; passport and address needed for RICA registration. Data costs more than in much of Africa. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom |
| Monthly data plan | R200–450 ($12–27) |
Coworking in Port Elizabeth
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in Africa
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Port Elizabeth?
Median fixed broadband in South Africa is 50 Mbps and mobile is 70 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Wifi is fine in cafés and malls; coworking is limited.
Which SIM card should I get in Port Elizabeth?
Vodacom and MTN counters at Johannesburg and Cape Town airports; passport and address needed for RICA registration. Data costs more than in much of Africa.
Can I use an eSIM in South Africa?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Port Elizabeth
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Going to Port Elizabeth solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: South Africa
- Vodacom
- MTN
- Cell C
- Telkom
- Airports Company South Africa
- Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
- South African National Parks
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.