Airtel eSIM and SIM Cards: Detailed Guides for Tourists

Would you like to visit the spectacular island that is the paradise of Sri Lanka? Connectivity is important for any tourist as he/she needs to be in touch with those left behind or access the internet for more information. One of the leading telecommunication providers in Sri Lanka, Airtel has credible and reasonable options for visitors. This exhaustive guide shall inform you about all aspects of Airtel SIM cards and eSIMs, their coverage, speed, connectivity options, cost, activation process, call and SMS fees, helpful USSD codes, etc.

I. Quick Facts about Airtel

Bharti Airtel owns Airtel Sri Lanka, a mobile network operator in Sri Lanka. Born in January 2009, it is headquartered in Colombo Sri Lanka. Airtel Sri Lanka provides several mobile network services such as voice calls, SMS, mobile internet, and value-added services.

Quick Facts about Airtel Sri Lanka:

• Founded: January 12, 2009
• Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Parent organization: Bharti Airtel
• Website: Airtel
• Number of subscribers: 5.5 million (as of June 30, 2023)
• Market share: 22.4% (as of June 30, 2023)
• Services: Voice calls, SMS, mobile internet, value-added services

The company further provides an array of value-added services including mobile money, mobile TV, and music streaming. Airtel Sri Lanka is one of the main Mobile Network Operators in Sri Lanka which focuses on offering cheap and quality mobile services to its customers.

II. Why Airtel When You’re Exploring Sri Lanka – Coverage and Speed

Speed and coverage are critical when choosing a telecom provider for travel. Let us examine the services provided by Airtel for its coverage and Internet speed here in Sri Lanka.

1. Airtel Coverage in Sri Lanka

Airtel offers a good overall mobile experience in Sri Lanka. Thereon, it falls short of Dialog and Mobitel regarding speed and prevalence, especially for cumbersome activities such as gaming. However, the Airtel network is stronger in the urban and the countryside coverage may be limited.

• Availability: Airtel’s scores on coverage are 88.6% compared to the national average. As a result, Airtel users get a signal 88.6 times out of every 100.
• Consistency: Airtel has a consistency score of 46.1%, much lower than both Dialog and Mobitel. Consequently, Airtel customers are likely to suffer intermittent changes in their mobile service delivery.

Hence, when looking for a mobile operator in Sri Lanka, it is advisable to check out the coverage in your area and compare its plans to the rest.

2. Airtel Speed

According to a report by Opensignal published in July 2023, Airtel’s coverage in Sri Lanka is somewhat mottled. It can’t match the leaders in certain critical areas but has made some progress as well. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:

• Download Speed: The third is Airtel with an average download speed of 8.3 Mbps. This is considerably less than Dialog’s fronting 12.8 Mbps and Mobitel’s 10.9 Mbps. Nevertheless, Airtel’s subscribers demonstrated the greatest uptick in the download speed in contrast to the previous survey, by 2 MBps.
• Upload Speed:  Airtel still lags with an average upload speed of 1.8 Mbps. It is also relatively low compared to Dialog’s 4.8 Mbps and Mobitel’s 3.8 Mbps.w The latest report indicates that there was no statistically significant change in upload speeds for Airtel users.

Though Airtel’s mobile network coverage is not so good in Sri Lanka, the down load speeds have improved. Yet, it is always far behind the leaders when it comes to upload speed, overall speed experience, and consistency.

III. Airtel Connectivity Options for Travelers to Sri Lanka

Airtel offers two main connectivity options for travelers in Sri Lanka. Here is a comparison of both options:

In essence, buying a Prepaid Airtel SIM card is the best alternative for the majority of travelers in Sri Lanka because it is affordable and convenient.

IV. Best Airtel SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

Airtel provides various prepaid SIM card plans, and among them, the Freedom Pack is ideal for tourists as it includes a free Airtel SIM Card: 

Sri Lanka travel package has packs that offer generous data allowances, voice call minutes, and SMS facilities to keep you connected on your tour. Opt for an appropriate pack according to the duration of your stay and the amount you expect to use.

V. Does Airtel Support eSIM in Sri Lanka?

No, Airtel in Sri Lanka currently is not available for eSIM as of 2023.

As of 2023, none of the major mobile network operators in Sri Lanka (Dialog, Mobitel, Hutch) offer eSIM support for consumers.

VI. Where Can You Buy an Airtel SIM Card and eSIM?

Choosing of where to get an Airtel SIM or setting up an eSIM as a tourist when visiting India should be among the important decisions to consider.

1. Where to Buy Airtel SIM Card for Sri Lanka

Here are a few options for buying an Airtel SIM card in Sri Lanka:

• Airtel Stores – Airtel has its retail stores located in major cities and towns across Sri Lanka. You can walk into a store to purchase a SIM card. Some popular locations include stores in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, etc.
• Telecom Agents/Resellers – Licensed Airtel agents and resellers also sell Airtel SIM cards. Look for prominent signs or ask around local mobile shops. Agents may be more convenient if there is no Airtel store nearby.
• Online – Airtel SIM cards can be ordered online from the Airtel Sri Lanka website. They may deliver it to your location for a fee. Online payment is required.
• Airport Counters – The main airports in Sri Lanka like Colombo Airport have Airtel counters where you can buy a SIM on arrival. This is very convenient for tourists.
• Supermarkets/Convenience Stores – Larger supermarkets and convenience stores like Keells/Cargills sometimes stock Airtel SIM cards for sale. Worth checking these out too.

You may need your passport to purchase the SIM and complete the verification process. Activation packs with some initial data/call quota are available for around LKR 500-1000. I’d recommend getting one from an Airtel store or authorized agent for the best support.

2. Where to Buy Airtel eSIM for Sri Lanka

Currently, Airtel does not support eSIM, however, visitors can consider Dialog eSIM from the #1 eSIM provider in Sri Lanka – esimsrilanka.com which is a popular eSIM provider with tourists.

Get a Sri Lanka eSIM and you’ll be online upon arrival. Enjoy high-speed 4G/LTE without roaming charges. Setup is a breeze – get the eSIM delivered instantly via email and scan the QR code on your compatible device.

Find the best options for your trip below:

Plan that may interest you

VII. How to Activate Airtel SIM in Sri Lanka?

It is easy to activate your Airtel SIM card or eSIM. Let’s discuss the activation procedures for both options:

1. Activating Airtel SIM Card

To activate your Airtel SIM card, follow these steps:

• Slide your SIM card into your phone.
• Turn on your device and check whether it picks up the Airtel network.
• Airtel will send you a message outlining the steps to take to complete the activation process.
• Ensure you switch on using the SMS guidelines provided.
• You will then be able to make calls, send SMS, and browse after the activation process.

However, the specific steps could differ for a device model or the OS version. Still, the best rule is always to follow the instruction book of the device manufacturer.

2. How to activate Sri Lanka Airtel eSIM

Getting started with an eSIM for Sri Lanka is quite easy as follows:

• Install the eSIM
• Activate the eSIM
• Set up the eSIM
• Start using the eSIM: After activating and setting up your eSIM, your services will be up and running.

VIII. Sri Lanka Airtel Call & SMS Rates

Here are the call and SMS rates for Airtel Sri Lanka:

👉 Note

There are also offers for calls and SMS to other countries. Check the Airtel bill.

IX. Useful USSD Codes for Airtel SIM/eSIM

Short numeric codes that you can use to reach different services or information via your phone are known as USSD codes.

Here are some useful USSD codes for Airtel SIM/eSIM users in Sri Lanka:

• Balance Check: *550#
• Recharge Code: *567#PIN#
• Own Number: #123#
• Airtel Loan Code: *345#
• Activate Internet: *155#
• Check Data Usage: *550#
• Switch to New 4G SIM: *780#
• Trace Phone: *#06#
• Register for Prepaid: #132#
• Data Loan: *345#
• Send Credit to Friends: 456*#

USSD codes enable users to connect instantly to necessary resources making the usage of Airtel SIM/eSIM even more convenient.

X. How to Top-up Airtel SIM/eSIM

Here are a few ways to top up your Airtel SIM/eSIM:

• Online via Airtel website: Go to the Airtel website, log in to your account, and select the top-up option. Make payment online.
• Use Recharge Code Voucher: Dial USSD code *567#PIN#
• Third-party recharge apps: Use apps like Paytm, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, etc to top up your Airtel number. Select Airtel as the operator and enter the amount.
• Banks/UPI: Use internet/mobile banking facilities or scan UPI codes to transfer money to your Airtel number.
• Retail stores: Purchase physical recharge vouchers from retail stores like pawn shops or Kirana stores. Give them your number and they will credit the balance.
• Airtel outlets: Visit your nearest Airtel store with valid ID proof. Inform them of your number and pay to get the balance topped up.

Airtel offers various top-up options to cater to different preferences and needs, ensuring uninterrupted service during your time in Sri Lanka.

XI. Alternatives to Airtel Sri Lanka

Here are some of the major alternative telecom providers to Airtel Sri Lanka:

• Dialog Axiata: The largest telecom provider in Sri Lanka by subscriber base. Offers mobile, broadband, and TV services across the country.
• Mobitel: Fully owned by the Sri Lankan government. Provides 2G/3G/4G mobile services and broadband internet. Has coverage nationwide.
• Hutch: Owned by Vodafone Plc. Mobile network operator with nationwide 2G/3G coverage. Provides prepaid and postpaid plans.
• esimsrilanka.com: Another global eSIM option from esimsrilanka.com allows activating data-only plans using local Sri Lanka mobile operators’ networks.

So in summary, while eSIM adoption is still growing, Dialog, Mobitel, and esimsrilanka.com offer the most viable local eSIM alternatives currently for connectivity in Sri Lanka.

12. FAQs about Airtel in Sri Lanka

12. Final Words

With Airtel’s SIM cards and eSIMs, staying connected as you enjoy what Sri Lanka offers is easier than ever. Through their extensive coverage, fast internet, flexible plans, and affordable rates, Airtel allows tourists to communicate smoothly while on the road. Airtel has both prepaid SIM cards and eSIM technology for this convenience.
Thus, when planning another tour to Sri Lanka, do not forget to carry an Airtel sim card or switch on eSIM to communicate and have a lifetime memory minus the connectivity problems and disturbances.