Eritel, officially known as Eritrea Telecommunications Services Corporation, is the sole telecommunications provider in Eritrea. Established in the early 1990s, Eritel has been instrumental in connecting the nation, offering essential telecommunication services to both urban and rural areas. As a state-owned entity, Eritel operates under the supervision of the Eritrean government, ensuring that its telecommunications infrastructure aligns with national development goals.
Eritel’s services include mobile telephony, fixed-line services, and internet connectivity. The company has been gradually modernizing its infrastructure, transitioning from 2G to 3G and, more recently, introducing 4G LTE services in select areas. While 5G and advanced technologies like VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and eSIM support are not yet available, Eritel continues to invest in expanding its network coverage and improving service quality.
Eritel operates on GSM (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) and UMTS (2100 MHz) frequency bands for 2G and 3G services, respectively. For 4G LTE, the company utilizes the 1800 MHz band. Despite being the sole operator, Eritel faces challenges in keeping up with global technological advancements due to limited resources and infrastructure constraints. However, the company remains committed to bridging the digital divide in Eritrea.
In recent years, Eritel has launched innovative products such as mobile money services, aiming to enhance financial inclusion in a country where traditional banking services are limited. The company also provides USSD-based services for balance checks, airtime purchases, and mobile financial transactions, catering to the needs of its subscribers.
Comprehensive List of Eritel USSD Codes
Below is a detailed list of USSD codes for Eritel, including descriptions and translations in Tigrinya and Arabic. These codes are essential for accessing various services, including mobile money and internet settings.
General USSD Codes
| Service | Code | Description | Tigrinya | Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check Balance | *123# | Check your current airtime balance. | ቀሪምካ ምርምር | التحقق من الرصيد |
| Recharge Airtime | *124*Voucher Code# | Recharge your account using a voucher. | ኣየርታይም ምልላይ | إعادة شحن الرصيد |
| Check Data Balance | *125# | Check your remaining data balance. | ዳታ ምርምር | التحقق من رصيد البيانات |
| Customer Care | *111# | Contact Eritel customer service. | ኣገልግሎት ደጋፊ | خدمة العملاء |
| My Number | *222# | Display your phone number. | ቁጽሪ ስልኪ | عرض رقم الهاتف |
Mobile Money Services
| Service | Code | Description | Tigrinya | Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Register for Mobile Money | *888# | Register for mobile money services. | ምዝገባ ሞባይል ገንዘብ | التسجيل في خدمة المحفظة الإلكترونية |
| Check Mobile Money Balance | *888*1# | Check your mobile money account balance. | ምርምር ሞባይል ገንዘብ | التحقق من رصيد المحفظة الإلكترونية |
| Send Money | *888*2*Phone Number*Amount# | Send money to another mobile money user. | ገንዘብ ምልኣኽ | إرسال الأموال |
| Buy Airtime | *888*3*Amount# | Purchase airtime using mobile money. | ኣየርታይም ግዚ | شراء رصيد باستخدام المحفظة الإلكترونية |
| Withdraw Cash | *888*4*Agent Code*Amount# | Withdraw cash from your mobile money account. | ገንዘብ ምውጻእ | سحب النقود |
APN Settings for Mobile Internet
To access mobile internet on Eritel, configure your device with the following APN settings:
- APN Name: eritel
- APN: eritel
- Username: (leave blank)
- Password: (leave blank)
- Authentication Type: None
- APN Type: Default
Customer Care Contact Information
- Customer Care Number:
+291 1 126 126(long code) - Short Code:
111(for on-network calls)
Eritel remains a cornerstone of Eritrea’s telecommunications sector, providing essential services to millions of users. While the company faces challenges in keeping pace with global technological advancements, its commitment to expanding network coverage and introducing innovative products like mobile money services is commendable. The USSD codes and APN settings provided above are invaluable tools for Eritel subscribers, enabling them to manage their accounts, access mobile financial services, and stay connected.
As Eritel continues to modernize its infrastructure, the introduction of advanced technologies like 4G LTE and mobile money services marks a significant step forward. With ongoing investments and a focus on customer-centric solutions, Eritel is poised to play a pivotal role in Eritrea’s digital transformation.
