Jordan’s internet infrastructure is well-established and continuing to grow, especially in major urban centres like Amman, Zarqa, and Irbid, where fibre-to-the-home connections are becoming the norm rather than the exception. By 2024, approximately 91% of the population had access to the internet, and the national average fixed broadband speed had reached 142 Mbps. Most newcomers can get a connection up and running within days through a relatively simple process, although it pays to understand certain content restrictions and the complications surrounding VPN use before you make the move.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Internet penetration (as of 2024) | 91% of the population |
| Average fixed broadband speed (as of 2024) | 142 Mbps (combined fibre and ADSL) |
| Global speed ranking (as of 2024) | 33rd globally, 4th in the Arab world (Ookla/TRC) |
| Main ISPs | Orange Jordan, Zain, Umniah, Damamax, Mada, VTEL, Blink Networks |
| Mobile coverage | 4G LTE covers over 90% of the population; 5G rollout underway |
| Telecoms regulator | Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) — trc.gov.jo |
Who are the major internet service providers in Jordan?
Jordan’s ISP sector is both competitive and expanding. The market is dominated by three mobile network operators — Umniah (owned by Batelco Bahrain), Zain, and Orange Jordan — each of which holds more than 30% market share. All three also provide fixed residential broadband, so whether you need home internet or mobile data, these names will feature prominently in your research.
Orange Jordan is the country’s most established large-scale provider, with a broad portfolio encompassing fibre, ADSL, and mobile broadband products. The company has committed significant investment to expanding its fibre-optic footprint. Their current packages and pricing are listed at orange.jo. Since offers are updated regularly, it is always best to check the official site for the latest figures.
Zain Jordan delivers both fixed home broadband and mobile data services. Zain is among the operators with a licence to deploy 5G, and it offers a varied range of home internet packages. You can view current plans and check network coverage at jo.zain.com.
Umniah has a strong presence in the mobile segment and also supplies home fibre broadband packages. Full details of their current offerings are available at umniah.com.
Damamax is a specialist fixed broadband provider that has been active in Jordan since 2008, when it was granted an individual telecommunications licence. It focuses on residential fibre services and has built a solid reputation in this space. Visit damamax.jo to browse current plans.
Mada, VTEL, and Blink Networks are among the additional ISPs operating within Jordan’s telecoms ecosystem. These providers may offer attractive pricing in certain regions or serve particular use cases such as business connectivity. Coverage and availability differ by governorate, so check individual provider websites for up-to-date maps and pricing.
Fibertech (Jordan Advanced Fiber Company) operates not as a retail ISP but as a key wholesale infrastructure provider. Fibertech was created to build and run Jordan’s first open-access wholesale fibre network, delivering mass-market high-speed connectivity in close collaboration with retail broadband providers. When you sign up with a retail ISP on the Fibertech network, you are drawing on this shared national fibre infrastructure. Fibertech’s network now reaches 1,700,000 residential and commercial units across Jordan.
What types of internet connection are available in Jordan?
Several distinct connection technologies are on offer in Jordan, and which is available to you will depend largely on your location. Urban residents benefit from rapidly modernising infrastructure, while those in more remote parts of the country rely on different solutions.
Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) represent the gold standard and are now increasingly accessible in Amman and other major cities. Fibertech’s multi-purpose fibre network supports speeds ranging from 100 Mbps up to 10 Gbps. Retail providers including Orange, Damamax, Umniah, and Zain all deliver fibre packages across this shared infrastructure. If you are moving into a recently built apartment block in Amman, there is a strong likelihood fibre is already present in the building. Confirm availability at your address using Fibertech’s online checker at fibertechjo.com.
ADSL (DSL) is still available and continues to serve areas not yet reached by fibre. Download speeds over ADSL are considerably lower than fibre — generally between 2 Mbps and 20 Mbps — though this level of performance can satisfy everyday browsing, email, and video-calling requirements. ADSL is more prevalent in older properties and smaller towns.
4G/5G home broadband provides a practical fixed-line alternative where wired infrastructure is absent. Mobile operators supply a 4G or 5G router that taps into the cellular network to provide home internet without the need for a physical cable connection. This approach suits rural governorates and expats whose housing situation changes frequently.
Jordan now has 4G LTE coverage for more than 90% of its population, and in September 2022 the TRC concluded agreements licensing the three principal mobile operators — Orange, Umniah, and Zain — to roll out 5G. Each operator has committed to extending 5G to at least 50% of the population, with a target of 75% coverage by 2026.
Unlike countries such as South Korea or Singapore where fibre has been rolled out almost universally, Jordan’s fibre network is concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas. Rural and remote governorates — particularly in the south and east — tend to depend on 4G mobile broadband or older DSL connections. If you are relocating outside the main cities, verify address-level availability with your intended provider before committing to a contract.
Satellite internet is theoretically accessible as a fallback in areas with no other service, though it sees limited uptake in Jordan given that 4G mobile coverage is already extensive.
How fast and reliable is the internet in Jordan?
Jordan’s internet performance has undergone substantial improvement in recent years and now holds a respectable position on the world stage. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) confirmed that Jordan ranks 33rd globally and 4th across the Arab world for average internet speeds, recording a national average fixed speed — combining fibre and ADSL — of 142 Mbps in March 2024, according to Ookla measurements.
The TRC expects speeds to continue climbing, crediting the growing number of fibre subscriptions — particularly in the central governorates — as the primary driver of this progress. To put this in context, Jordan’s fixed broadband speed places it comfortably ahead of many regional neighbours and on a par with parts of Southern and Eastern Europe.
Mobile speeds tell a somewhat different story. Ookla data from the start of 2024 put the median mobile internet speed over cellular networks in Jordan at 22.11 Mbps. This is adequate for most everyday uses — video streaming, voice and video calls, social media browsing — though it falls noticeably short of the fibre experience.
More recent figures from 2025 point to further gains. In 2025, the fastest fixed broadband in Jordan was delivered by Orange, which achieved an average download speed of 129.9 Mbps and the highest average upload speed at 64.4 Mbps. Over the same period, Orange also led on mobile internet, recording an average download speed of 59.3 Mbps.
Service reliability is generally strong in Amman and other large urban centres. As in any country, occasional outages do occur, and speeds may ease off during peak evening hours in densely populated neighbourhoods. Rural areas are more susceptible to variability in both speed and consistency. For the most current benchmarks, consult the Ookla Speedtest Global Index filtered by Jordan, or review the TRC’s annual market statistics at trc.gov.jo.
How do I get an internet connection set up in Jordan?
Arranging a residential internet connection in Jordan is a manageable process, provided you have the necessary documents to hand. The steps outlined below reflect the standard procedure at major providers such as Orange, Damamax, Umniah, and Zain — always confirm the exact requirements with your chosen provider, since processes can differ.
- Verify availability at your address. Start by using the coverage tool on your preferred provider’s website, or use Fibertech’s address lookup at fibertechjo.com, to find out whether fibre is available at your property. If it is not, ADSL or a 4G home broadband router may be the appropriate route.
- Select a package and get in touch with the provider. Browse plans via the provider’s website, call their helpline, or walk into one of their retail branches, which are present in Amman and other cities throughout the country. Compare speeds, monthly fees, contract durations, and installation charges before making a decision.
- Gather your documents. You will generally need a valid passport, your residency permit (where already issued), and evidence of your address, such as a tenancy agreement or utility bill. Foreign nationals yet to receive residency may find that some providers accept a passport combined with a rental contract — clarify this with the provider before visiting.
- Sign the service agreement. Read through the full contract before signing, paying close attention to the term length (commonly 12 months), charges for early cancellation, and any automatic renewal clauses. Both fixed-term and rolling monthly arrangements are typically available, with fixed-term deals generally offering better value.
- Book your installation appointment. Fibre connections require an engineer to run the fibre cable from the street or building riser into your home and set up the router. In most cases, appointments are booked within a few days to a week of signing, though this depends on your area.
- Activate and test your service. After the engineer has finished the installation and the line is live, run a speed test at speedtest.net. If your recorded speeds are substantially below the contracted figure, raise this with the provider’s technical support team without delay.
Having a local phone number is helpful throughout this process, as providers typically send SMS confirmations and use it to coordinate your installation visit. Picking up a Jordanian mobile SIM shortly after arrival (see the mobile section below) is therefore a sensible first step. A local bank account is not usually required, as most providers accept cash payments at their branches or payments by international card.
Can I get internet access before my permanent connection is installed in Jordan?
Being offline while your fixed-line service is being set up is easily avoided. A number of practical interim options are accessible from the moment you land in Jordan.
Prepaid SIM cards with mobile data are the quickest and most convenient bridge solution. SIMs from Orange, Zain, and Umniah are sold at the airport as you arrive, at mobile phone retailers across every major city, and in many supermarkets. A passport is required to purchase and register one. Prepaid data bundles activate immediately and provide sufficient bandwidth for video calls, streaming, and everyday browsing — making them the ideal stopgap while you wait for your home connection.
Mobile Wi-Fi (MiFi) devices — compact portable routers — are available for rental or purchase from operator stores. Running on the 4G network, they allow several devices to connect at once, making them a sensible option if you need to get a laptop, tablet, and phone online from the outset.
4G home broadband routers are offered by all three main mobile operators and represent another solid short-term alternative for those not yet ready to sign a fixed-line contract. Like MiFi devices, they use the cellular network, and they can be set up on the spot during a visit to the operator’s store.
Cafés and co-working spaces in Amman — particularly in areas such as Abdoun, Sweifieh, and Rainbow Street — provide dependable public Wi-Fi. Co-working venues including Ibtikar, Regus, and WeWork offer day passes and short-term memberships, giving professionals a reliable, fast connection for work purposes during the gap between arrival and getting their home internet installed.
For overall value and coverage, all three major operators — Orange, Zain, and Umniah — offer competitive short-term data bundles. Comparing their current prepaid deals in-store or at the airport on arrival is worthwhile, as allowances and prices change on a regular basis.
What does internet service typically cost in Jordan?
Internet pricing in Jordan is broadly competitive within the region, and the expansion of fibre infrastructure has brought higher speeds within reach at accessible price points. The figures below give a general sense of market pricing as of 2024–2025; always confirm current rates directly with providers, as promotions and tariffs shift frequently. The TRC also publishes market data at trc.gov.jo that can be used as a reference point when comparing offers.
Residential fibre broadband packages are structured around speed tiers. Entry-level options (roughly 50–100 Mbps) typically begin at around JOD 15–25 per month (as of 2024–2025), while mid-range packages (200–500 Mbps) fall in the approximate range of JOD 25–40 per month. Gigabit-speed plans are available at the premium end. Providers including Damamax, Orange, and Umniah publish tiered pricing on their websites — check each one directly for the most accurate current rates.
ADSL broadband is generally priced below fibre but delivers correspondingly lower speeds. Basic DSL packages are available from around JOD 10–15 per month, though these are gradually being discontinued in areas where fibre has now been deployed.
Installation and activation fees are standard with most providers, typically falling in the range of JOD 20 to JOD 50, depending on the provider and whether the building already has a fibre drop installed. These fees are sometimes waived as part of promotional campaigns.
Equipment — comprising the router and/or optical network terminal — is normally supplied by the ISP as part of the service package or for a modest ongoing rental charge. Some providers give you the option to buy the equipment outright, which can reduce long-term costs.
Contract durations most commonly run to 12 months for fixed broadband, with month-to-month arrangements available at a slight premium. Annual contracts typically attract early termination fees, so review these terms carefully before signing.
Mobile data prepaid plans are flexible and affordable, with bundles spanning 5 GB to 50 GB available for as little as JOD 2–10 per month depending on the operator and plan type. Unlimited data plans that apply speed caps once a threshold is reached are also widely available. Current offers are listed on the official websites of Orange Jordan, Zain Jordan, and Umniah.
Are there any restrictions or censorship affecting internet use in Jordan?
Jordan applies a degree of content filtering and regulatory oversight to its internet environment that newcomers should take time to understand. While it does not operate as a fully restricted system, it is not an open-access environment either. By 2023, the TRC had reported that the total number of blocked websites and applications had reached 300, with several blocked at the request of other government bodies — including unlicensed rideshare platforms.
Online news outlets are required to hold a licence from the Media Commission. Those operating without one are liable to be blocked. Since July 2023, the popular satirical news site AlHudood has been inaccessible. This licensing regime has periodically affected access to both domestic and international news publications.
VPNs require particular attention. As of June 2024, a number of widely used VPN services — including ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, NordVPN, and TunnelBear — were found to be inaccessible across several major Jordanian ISPs. The 2023 Cybercrime Law further attempts to prohibit the use of VPNs, proxy servers, and other anonymisation tools such as Tor. In contrast to the permissive stance on VPN use found across most of the EU, Jordan’s legal framework creates genuine risk around the use of anonymisation tools, and technical blocks on common VPN protocols have been widely reported. Expats who depend on VPNs for work or personal use — for instance, to connect to employer networks or access streaming services from their home country — should thoroughly research the current position before relocating and monitor any legal developments.
Mainstream platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) are accessible in Jordan under normal circumstances. Isolated, temporary disruptions to social media and messaging services have occurred during major national events, but these have not translated into permanent blocks on mainstream applications.
Internet activity in Jordan is also governed by the Cybercrime Law, which contains provisions relating to online speech, defamation, and material deemed offensive or harmful. Expats should bear in mind that content published or shared online falls under Jordanian law, and the thresholds for what constitutes acceptable online expression differ from those in many other countries.
What should I know about mobile data and SIM cards in Jordan?
Mobile connectivity is excellent across Jordan’s cities and dependable throughout most of the country. 4G LTE coverage now extends to more than 90% of the population, and all three principal operators — Orange, Umniah, and Zain — have begun rolling out 5G services under licences signed with the TRC in September 2022.
The market is shared between three providers: Umniah (a Batelco Bahrain subsidiary), Zain, and Orange Jordan, each holding in excess of 30% market share. All three offer prepaid and postpaid SIM options, along with data-only SIMs designed for tablets and portable routers.
SIM registration is compulsory in Jordan. Foreign nationals must present a valid passport to purchase and activate a SIM — anonymous acquisition is not permitted. SIM cards are readily available at the airport upon arrival, at operator retail stores, and through authorised phone dealers across the country. Registration at the point of sale takes only a few minutes.
Mobile device registration is also worth being aware of. The TRC manages three device categories — white, black, and grey lists. The grey list applies to devices temporarily brought into the country, covering guests, diplomats, and short-term visitors, which means handsets from abroad should continue to operate normally. Devices purchased through official retail channels in Jordan are automatically added to the white list.
eSIM support is offered by all three major operators for compatible handsets, which is a convenient option for newer smartphones. Confirm with your chosen operator whether your specific device model is eligible before relying on eSIM activation.
International roaming can serve as a short-term solution on arrival if your home-country SIM includes a Middle East or global roaming package. However, roaming data charges can be steep and speed restrictions are common. A local prepaid SIM will almost invariably be more economical for stays lasting more than a few days. Roaming terms and charges vary by operator — check with your home provider before travelling.
Who regulates internet and telecoms services in Jordan?
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is the principal authority responsible for licensing telecommunications providers and internet service providers in Jordan. Its remit extends across spectrum management, licensing, consumer protection, and market competition oversight.
The TRC’s website — trc.gov.jo — is a genuinely useful resource for incoming expats. It publishes quarterly and annual market statistics covering broadband speeds, subscription figures, and coverage data, providing a reliable basis for understanding market conditions both before and after your move. It also carries information on licensed providers and the rights available to consumers.
Should you find yourself in dispute with a telecoms provider — over billing discrepancies, poor service quality, or contractual obligations that have gone unmet — the TRC offers a formal consumer complaints mechanism. This role is broadly analogous to that of telecoms regulators in other countries, such as Ofcom in the United Kingdom or the ACMA in Australia, enabling customers to escalate grievances that cannot be resolved through direct negotiation with their provider.
The Media Commission is a distinct body responsible for licensing online news publications operating in Jordan. Websites that publish news content without a Media Commission licence are subject to blocking, which provides useful context for understanding why certain sites may be inaccessible.
For the most reliable and current data on network coverage, licensed providers, and consumer rights, always consult the TRC directly at trc.gov.jo, rather than relying solely on figures cited in third-party articles, including this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a home internet connection set up in Jordan?
For fibre broadband in urban areas, most major providers can complete the installation within three to seven working days of the contract being signed. How quickly this happens depends partly on whether your building already has fibre infrastructure in place. In less central locations, you may need to allow up to two weeks. Picking up a prepaid mobile SIM on arrival is the simplest way to stay online in the meantime.
Can I get internet in Jordan as a new arrival without a residency permit?
Many ISPs will set up a home broadband account for foreign nationals on the strength of a valid passport and a signed tenancy agreement, even where a residency permit has not yet been issued. That said, documentation requirements differ between providers, so it is advisable to ask your chosen ISP exactly what they need before you visit. Having a local mobile number also speeds things up, as providers typically use SMS for appointment confirmations and account verification.
Is fibre broadband widely available in Amman?
Yes. Fibertech’s wholesale fibre network now passes more than 1.7 million residential and commercial units throughout Jordan, with the bulk of coverage concentrated in Amman and its surrounding urban areas. Retail ISPs including Orange, Damamax, Umniah, and Zain all supply fibre packages via this infrastructure. You can check coverage at your specific address using Fibertech’s online tool at fibertechjo.com.
Are VPNs legal in Jordan?
The legal position of VPNs in Jordan is not straightforward. Although personal VPN use has not historically led to prosecutions, the 2023 Cybercrime Law includes provisions aimed at restricting the use of VPNs, proxy servers, and anonymisation tools. On a practical level, several widely used VPN applications were blocked on major Jordanian networks as of 2024. Expats who require VPN access for professional purposes should investigate the current situation carefully and, where necessary, take appropriate legal advice.
Which mobile network has the best coverage in Jordan?
All three principal operators — Orange Jordan, Zain, and Umniah — provide 4G LTE coverage to more than 90% of the population and are extending 5G in urban areas. Coverage disparities are most significant in rural and remote regions. Checking each operator’s online coverage map for your specific location is the most reliable approach. Third-party speed data from 2025 suggests Orange leads for average fixed broadband speeds, while Umniah has previously received recognition for its mobile network performance.
What documents do I need to buy a SIM card in Jordan?
A valid passport is required to purchase and register a SIM card in Jordan. Registration is obligatory and is handled at the point of sale, taking only a few minutes to complete. SIM cards can be obtained at Queen Alia International Airport upon arrival, at all major operator retail branches, and at licensed phone shops across the country.
How much does home broadband cost in Jordan?
As of 2024–2025, entry-level fibre broadband packages at speeds of 50–100 Mbps start from approximately JOD 15–25 per month. Higher-speed tiers and unlimited data options carry additional cost. Installation fees of JOD 20–50 are typically charged, though these are occasionally waived during promotional periods. For the most current pricing, check directly with providers via their websites: orange.jo, damamax.jo, and umniah.com.
Where can I find reliable, up-to-date information about internet quality and providers in Jordan?
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) at trc.gov.jo is the most authoritative official source, publishing market statistics and consumer guidance on a regular basis. For independent speed data, the Ookla Speedtest Global Index provides regularly refreshed country-level benchmarks. For pricing and coverage specifics, go directly to individual provider websites, as plans are updated frequently.