ONE Albania SIM Cards and eSIM: Detailed Guides for Tourists

Do you need a One SIM Card and eSIM for your phone when visiting Albania? One Albania is one of the main suppliers for local tourists and travelers. This full guide will teach you everything about using One SIM Card and eSIM if you are a visitor to Albania.

1. Quick facts about ONE Albania

• ONE is owned by PTK, the state-owned telecom company of Albania
• Has the best overall coverage in Albania (>98% population coverage)
• Provides 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE services
• Overall good speeds and connectivity across Albania
• Offers prepaid and postpaid plans
• Prepaid SIM cards and eSIM available for tourists

2. Albania ONE Coverage and Speed

If you’re traveling to Albania, having a good mobile operator that offers wide-ranging coverage and quick internet speeds is necessary. Here are the factors make Albania stand out:

2.1. ONE coverage in Albania

According to the October 2023 report from Opensignal, ONE is the quickest mobile network in Albania. It scored at 97.6% of times on Availability. ONE is good at making mobile games. They give players a top-notch gaming experience accounting for 8.4% while Vodafone just accounts for 7.9%.

2.2. ONE Albania speed

According to the October 2023 report from Opensignal, ONE is the quickest mobile network in Albania both download speed experience and upload speed experience.

Here’s a breakdown of ONE’s speed performance:

• Upload Speed Experience: ONE’s upload speed experience score of 11.9Mbps stands out, surpassing Vodafone’s score by 1.7Mbps. This substantial difference indicates ONE’s strong network capability for handling data uploads.
• Download Speed Experience: ONE’s download speed experience score of 37.7Mbps is statistically tied with Vodafone, placing them both as the joint leaders in this category. This achievement demonstrates ONE’s ability to deliver consistently fast download speeds for its users.

Overall, ONE’s speed performance across both upload and download categories places it at the forefront of mobile network providers in Albania. Its consistent and reliable speeds make it an attractive option for users seeking a fast and responsive mobile network experience.

3. ONE connectivity options for travelers to Albania

Getting a local ONE Albania SIM card or eSIM is the best option for longer stays and heavy data usage. With a One Albania SIM card you get cheap local rates.

If you have an unlocked phone, activating an eSIM is most convenient. But SIM cards can still be useful as a backup.

For short trips and light usage, roaming with your home SIM may work. But roaming rates are expensive, so get a local SIM if staying longer.

4. Best ONE Albania SIM cards for tourists & cost

ONE’s main prepaid SIM card options for visitors are ONE Tourist Pack. Tourist SIM has more starter data, but has premium calls bundled.

You may need to top-up more later depending on your usage. Data packs are very affordable on ONE.

5. Does ONE Albania support eSIM?

No, ONE Albania does not provide eSIM services as of 6 Nov 2023.

However, some other eSIM providers cover Albania, such as albaniaesim.com, which has different data plans and prices for travelers. You can compare and find the best eSIM for your needs on albaniaesim.com.

6. Where can you buy a ONE SIM card and eSIM?

To be able to access ONE’s cell phone service around Albania, you first need the right SIM card or eSIM for your device. Here we will look at where those can be bought.

6.1. Where to buy ONE SIM for Albania

You can easily find ONE Albania SIM cards in their branded stores located at Tirana airport arrivals. There are also ONE stores in Tirana city and other towns:

• ONE Albania Stores: ONE Albania has numerous stores located throughout the country, particularly in major cities and towns. These stores offer a wide range of SIM cards, including Tourist SIM cards, and can assist with activation and top-ups.

• Airports: ONE Albania SIM cards are readily available at Tirana International Airport (TIA) and other major airports in Albania. This convenient option allows you to acquire a SIM card immediately upon arrival, ensuring seamless connectivity from the moment you land.

• Authorized Dealers: ONE Albania has partnered with various authorized dealers, including newsstands, convenience stores, and electronic shops. These dealers offer a convenient and accessible way to purchase ONE SIM cards, often found in tourist areas and shopping centers.

• Online: ONE Albania also provides an online platform for purchasing SIM cards. This option offers flexibility and convenience, allowing you to order your ONE Albania SIM card in advance and have it delivered to your address or pick it up at a selected location.

To find the most convenient and accessible option for you, consider your location, travel itinerary, and preference for in-person or online purchases.

6.2. Where to buy Albania ONE eSIM

You need to buy your One eSIM before going to Albania. This way your phone can connect to the network when you get there.

You have to order eSIMs early because they set up service automatically without inserting a SIM card. You need to prepare ahead of time for your eSIM to work normally in Albania.

7. How to activate ONE Albania SIM/eSIM

Getting a ONE Albania SIM card is important to connect to the network. But don’t forget the activation part! Here are easy instructions to follow so your ONE Albania SIM card/eSIM is ready to go.

7.1. How to use ONE Albania SIM card

• Get starter pack from ONE store or retailer
• Insert SIM and turn on phone
• It will auto-configure
• A ONE welcome SMS will be sent
• Choose prepaid plan and recharge voucher

To recharge, you can visit ONE stores or use online methods like ONE website/app, kiosks, and e-pin retailers.

7.2. How to activate ONE Albania eSIM

If you got eSIM from a provider like albaniaesim.com:

1. Install the eSIM
2. Activate the eSIM
3. Set up the eSIM
4. Start using the eSIM: Once the eSIM is activated and set up, you can start using its services.

8. Albania ONE Call & SMS rates

Please note that these rates are approximate and may vary depending on the current exchange rate. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the ONE Albania website.

9. Useful USSD codes for ONE Albania SIM/eSIM

USSD codes are useful shortcuts you can dial using phone’s dial pad to check balances, recharge etc. Some common USSD codes for ONE Albania:

• *100# – Check balance
• *888*CODE# – Recharge voucher
• *222# – Check data balance
• *101# – Customer care

10. How to top-up ONE Albania SIM/eSIM

You have several ways to recharge your ONE Albania SIM card:

• Vouchers – Buy top-up scratch cards from ONE shops and retailers. Denominations are 500, 1000, 2000 etc. 
• Online – Recharge using ONE website or mobile app via credit/debit card or PayPal.
• Mobile banking apps – Apps like M-Pesa allow instant online recharges.
• Customer Services – Through another mobile phone (mobile number) calling at +355681000141.

For prepaid SIM, you need to manually top-up as required.

11. Alternatives to ONE Albania

Though ONE has the best coverage, you could also consider these networks in Albania:

• Vodafone – Second largest operator, also good coverage and speeds
• Telekom Albania – State-owned operator, decent coverage in cities
• albaniaesim.com – Offers eSIM compatibility. Plans start at ~$5. Requires compatible iPhone or Android device.

Major eSIM providers like albaniaesim.com allow you to buy Albania eSIM conveniently on websites. After placing an order and payment, you will get detailed instructions to scan a QR code and activate the eSIM plan on your phone.

12. FAQs about ONE in Albania

13. Final words

We hope this detailed guide gives you all the information you need to stay connected with ONE network when traveling to and within Albania. ONE Albania SIM cards provide excellent coverage and speeds across the country at affordable rates. With widespread 4G, Albania is ready for the digital era. Enjoy your trip!