In Palau, the mobile market in February 2026 is anchored by the Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC), which provides the country's only nationwide 4G LTE network. The latest offerings focus on high-volume "Combo Plans" and a dedicated Visitor SIM for travelers.
1. Major Network & Data Offers
PalauCel (PNCC) Prepaid Combo Plans
Prepaid users can activate these "All-in-One" bundles by dialing *780#. These are highly recommended as the default data rate is a steep $0.15 per MB.
* 2-Day Pass: $2.12 USD for 2GB data + 15 mins local voice + 100 SMS.
* 8-Day Pass: $8.50 USD for 4GB data + 40 mins local voice + 500 SMS.
* 15-Day Pass: $15.90 USD for 6GB data + 110 mins local voice + 1,000 SMS.
* 30-Day Pass: $26.50 USD for 10GB data + 190 mins local voice + 2,000 SMS.
Visitor/Tourist SIM
If you are arriving at Palau International Airport, you can pick up a specialized Tourist SIM at the PNCC kiosk (open for all incoming flights).
* Price: $21.20 USD.
* Includes: 10GB of data.
* Validity: 15 days.
* Note: This SIM is data-only and does not include voice or text allowances.
Postpaid Monthly Plans
For residents or long-term visitors, PNCC offers several tiered plans (all include free local texting):
* Starter Plan ($30/mo): 5GB of data and 300 local minutes.
* Friends & Family ($26.50/mo per line): 20GB of data and unlimited calls between plan members (min. 3 lines).
* Unlimited Plan ($158.99/mo): Unlimited local voice/SMS and an optional 30GB high-speed data bucket.
2. Current Smartphone Prices (USD)
Since Palau uses the US Dollar, prices for hardware are often comparable to US retail plus shipping/import adjustments. Most flagship devices are sold through PNCC offices in Koror and Airai.
* iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB): Approximately $1,250 – $1,350.
* iPhone 17 (128GB): Approximately $850 – $950.
* Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Retailing near $1,150.
* Samsung Galaxy A56 5G: A popular mid-range choice at $420.
* Budget 4G Devices: Basic Android models (like the Tecno or older LG series) start as low as $120 – $150.
3. Connectivity & Buying Tips
* Sat2Phone Integration: As of early 2026, PNCC has expanded its partnership with Lynk Global, allowing subscribers to receive basic SMS and emergency alerts via satellite in areas with no cellular towers (crucial for those on boats or remote beaches).
* WiFi Hotspots: Palau has over 250 PalauNet WiFi hotspots. You can buy a $10.60 card for 20 hours of access (valid 30 days), which is often more stable for large file uploads than 4G.
* eSIM Availability: While international travel eSIMs (like SimOptions) offer Palau plans for about $45 for 1GB, they are far more expensive than getting a local physical SIM from PNCC for $10.60 (which includes $10 of airtime).
* SIM Registration: Mandatory for all users. You must present a valid passport to purchase and register a SIM card at the PNCC offices in Koror (across from the post office) or Airai.
1. Major Network & Data Offers
PalauCel (PNCC) Prepaid Combo Plans
Prepaid users can activate these "All-in-One" bundles by dialing *780#. These are highly recommended as the default data rate is a steep $0.15 per MB.
* 2-Day Pass: $2.12 USD for 2GB data + 15 mins local voice + 100 SMS.
* 8-Day Pass: $8.50 USD for 4GB data + 40 mins local voice + 500 SMS.
* 15-Day Pass: $15.90 USD for 6GB data + 110 mins local voice + 1,000 SMS.
* 30-Day Pass: $26.50 USD for 10GB data + 190 mins local voice + 2,000 SMS.
Visitor/Tourist SIM
If you are arriving at Palau International Airport, you can pick up a specialized Tourist SIM at the PNCC kiosk (open for all incoming flights).
* Price: $21.20 USD.
* Includes: 10GB of data.
* Validity: 15 days.
* Note: This SIM is data-only and does not include voice or text allowances.
Postpaid Monthly Plans
For residents or long-term visitors, PNCC offers several tiered plans (all include free local texting):
* Starter Plan ($30/mo): 5GB of data and 300 local minutes.
* Friends & Family ($26.50/mo per line): 20GB of data and unlimited calls between plan members (min. 3 lines).
* Unlimited Plan ($158.99/mo): Unlimited local voice/SMS and an optional 30GB high-speed data bucket.
2. Current Smartphone Prices (USD)
Since Palau uses the US Dollar, prices for hardware are often comparable to US retail plus shipping/import adjustments. Most flagship devices are sold through PNCC offices in Koror and Airai.
* iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB): Approximately $1,250 – $1,350.
* iPhone 17 (128GB): Approximately $850 – $950.
* Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Retailing near $1,150.
* Samsung Galaxy A56 5G: A popular mid-range choice at $420.
* Budget 4G Devices: Basic Android models (like the Tecno or older LG series) start as low as $120 – $150.
3. Connectivity & Buying Tips
* Sat2Phone Integration: As of early 2026, PNCC has expanded its partnership with Lynk Global, allowing subscribers to receive basic SMS and emergency alerts via satellite in areas with no cellular towers (crucial for those on boats or remote beaches).
* WiFi Hotspots: Palau has over 250 PalauNet WiFi hotspots. You can buy a $10.60 card for 20 hours of access (valid 30 days), which is often more stable for large file uploads than 4G.
* eSIM Availability: While international travel eSIMs (like SimOptions) offer Palau plans for about $45 for 1GB, they are far more expensive than getting a local physical SIM from PNCC for $10.60 (which includes $10 of airtime).
* SIM Registration: Mandatory for all users. You must present a valid passport to purchase and register a SIM card at the PNCC offices in Koror (across from the post office) or Airai.
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