Internet options in Madagascar are becoming more varied as technology continues to progress.  Although Madagascar may be a developing country, internet speeds are generally quite good here, and connectivity is becoming the lifeline of local businesses. 

When considering internet service providers in Madagascar, there are a few options to choose from whether you are searching for personal or professional internet use.  

Internet Providers in Madagascar

Airtel, Orange, and Telma: the three telephone networks in Madagascar all offer data and larger home internet plans. Fees will include the purchase of a SIM card, the apparatus, and the internet plan. 

Some companies boast the ability to provide 4G and 5G connections, and you can choose between plan options, including pre-paid and pay-as-you-go. Area coverage of the telephone companies varies from city to city, even parts of a city may have better coverage of one network than others. Telma and Orange also offer fiber optic internet services. 

Telma

Telma (Telecom Malagasy) is the former national, now privatized, internet provider of Madagascar. 

Telma is by far the biggest internet provider in the country, and they own much of the internet infrastructure, such as fiber optic cables and mobile data emission towers, which they lease out to other internet providers.

As far as the traditional internet providers go, Telma is probably the best option to go for, as they have the largest, most reliable network, and generally the best prices.

If you’re looking for reliable, high speed internet in a fixed location, go for a Telma fiber-optic plan.

Orange

Orange is a French multinational telecommunications company, and the second largest telecommunications company in Madagascar after Telma.

Orange offers fiber-optic plans, as well as widely reliable 4G and 5G mobile connectivity at affordable prices.

Airtel

Airtel is an Indian telecommunications company and one of the market leaders in Madagascar for telecommunications. Airtel offers some of the most affordable mobile data bundles, making them a very popular choice in rural Madagascar where incomes are generally lower. Airtel does not offer fiber optic connectivity at this point in time.

Blueline 

Blueline offers its Airfiber (data transfer by high quality antennae) Ultra4G unlimited internet as part of its services, with speeds up to 20 Mbps HC. 

It also caters to businesses with specialized services and packages, including cloud and cybersecurity offers. Amongst its other offer, Blueline has IZY TV, which provides users with access to a variety of national and international channels via internet tv. 

Starlink 

Starlink arrived in Madagascar in mid-2024, but already it is beginning to show great promise, especially for more remote regions, such as Fort Dauphin, where phone signal is incredibly impacted by the local geography. Starlink requires an initial investment in the device and a reasonable monthly payment for unlimited high-speed internet. It comes in both standard and mini size formats. 

Locals’ tip: while the telephone company in your area may have a reasonably reliable internet offer and they can support streaming, their reliability may be limited as it is highly affected by technical issues, weather, and the number of other users in the vicinity. Many residents often choose a provider for data on-the-go but consider more stable options for home streaming needs.

Internet Infrastructure

Given the various stages and remoteness of areas on the island, the internet infrastructure used by a service provider can have a significant impact on the quality of your internet and should therefore be considered when making a choice. The types of infrastructure in Madagascar include: 

Radio tower/Antenna: The more original infrastructure types for internet providers. Highly impacted by geography and the functioning of the radio towers, making it less dependable than others.  Used by Airtel, Orange, Telma and Blueline.

Fiber-Optic: One of the most dependable and widely used types of internet in the country.  Fiber optic cables have been laid all around the country. This is the type used by Telma.  

Satellite:  The newest to join Madagascar and showing great promise in terms of coverage and reliability. Offered by Starlink Madagascar. 

Other Factors to Consider

Apart from the type of infrastructure being used by your service provider, other main factors to consider include: 

Coverage in your area:  Not all networks operate the same in small towns and large centers, and can even vary from city to city.  It is important to ask around to people living there to determine which provider currently has the best and most reliable connectivity. 

What you will be using it for: Will you be connecting from time to time for research and writing needs or are you planning to be streaming videos and games. Will you be using a smart tv or just standard devices, like phones and tablets?  

Certain devices will function with higher data transfer rates. As the connectivity and data transfer for streaming is intensive, it is important to do some homework first and ensure you are getting the best data plan that ensures the best continuity of coverage. No one likes pixelated images on a beautiful screen! 

Package prices: while most of the service providers in Madagascar offer similar pricing plans, it is the packages that offer the greatest benefits.  

Amongst the three telephone networks, internet data packages will include message and call minutes as well as data, while their home internet options are now growing in competitiveness.  Some providers may offer unlimited connection for a higher price while others offer faster, but limited, for a low price.  

Often the price for a signed contract will be cheaper, but ensure you are willing to keep the provider for the entirety of the contract as the fine print includes an anti-rupture clause that involves you paying the entirety of the contract in case of early termination. 

Locals’ tip: with the arrival of Starlink, local internet providers now find themselves on the defense to keep their existing customers, meaning more promotions and increased quality of service is currently the focus. 

Expect more competitive offers from local providers in the coming months that might very well make them worth considering!