Monaco – Internet

Who are the major internet service providers in Monaco?

Monaco Telecom is the principality’s dominant — and effectively only — telecommunications provider. Founded in 1997 when the government chose to privatise the previously state-run Office Monégasque des Téléphones, the company has since become the cornerstone of Monaco’s digital infrastructure. For anyone moving to Monaco, it is the one and only practical option for a residential fixed-line connection.

The telecom market in Monaco functions under a distinctive public-private monopoly arrangement. Monaco Telecom holds exclusive rights for fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile services under a 20-year concession that was renewed in 2021. Unlike larger European nations where multiple cable operators and alternative fixed-line providers compete for customers, Monaco has no such competitive landscape.

Through its residential product range, Monaco Telecom provides fibre broadband, a variety of mobile plans on its 5G network, and combined packages that bring both together. The company additionally offers voice telephony and internet services to residential customers.

On the business side, Monaco Telecom provides speeds of up to 10 Gbps via its all-fibre Fiber Pro service, which it bills as the most powerful offering on the market. Corporate clients benefit from dedicated support teams based entirely within Monaco, with specialist advisers operating from a professional commercial facility in Fontvieille and fibre-installation technicians available for on-site work.

For those interested in satellite internet as a supplementary or backup option, no publicly known legal barriers prevent the use of Starlink in Monaco — the government has raised no public objections to private satellite terminals, and Starlink lists Monaco as a supported country. That said, local building regulations may be a practical obstacle, given Monaco’s strict controls over external modifications to building façades and rooftops.

You can visit Monaco Telecom’s official website at monaco-telecom.mc to review current plans, confirm availability, check pricing, and begin the sign-up process.

What types of internet connection are available in Monaco?

Monaco’s status as a compact city-state spanning just 2 km² has made total fibre deployment both feasible and complete — virtually every building in the principality can be connected, with the exception of those currently undergoing structural renovation. The old DSL network has been fully retired, with residential copper internet switched off at the close of 2023. This makes Monaco one of the very few places globally where fibre-to-the-home is the sole fixed residential broadband option.

Since 31 January 2024, not a single Monaco resident has been accessing the internet over the copper network. While much of Western Europe still relies on a hybrid of fibre and copper — where FTTC (fibre-to-the-cabinet) delivers the signal most of the way before handing over to a copper “last mile” — Monaco has pushed past that model to achieve a fully end-to-end fibre rollout across its entire territory.

The practical benefits of fibre over copper are considerable: download speeds of up to 10 Gbps versus around 60 Mbps on copper, superior resilience in poor weather conditions, and lower maintenance overhead. Residents also enjoy symmetrical or near-symmetrical speeds, meaning upload performance matches or approaches download performance — a significant advantage for remote workers, video conference participants, and content creators.

Monaco Telecom also operates 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G mobile networks. The 5G network went live in July 2019, positioning Monaco as one of Europe’s earliest commercial 5G adopters. Mobile broadband via 5G or 4G is available throughout the principality, functioning both as a standalone mobile service and as a useful fallback for fixed-line customers in the event of a temporary outage.

Satellite internet is technically an option as well. Beyond Starlink’s low-earth orbit service, traditional geostationary satellite broadband remains available through providers such as Viasat, Inmarsat, and Eutelsat Konnect, all of which offer Ka-band coverage across Europe, including the French Riviera. In practice, satellite is rarely the first choice for Monaco residents given the outstanding fibre infrastructure already in place, though it may be of interest to yacht owners or occupants of buildings where a fibre installation is temporarily on hold.

How fast and reliable is the internet in Monaco?

Monaco’s determined push to deploy fibre everywhere has transformed it into a global benchmark for fixed broadband performance. In 2021, it recorded the highest average download speeds of any country worldwide, clocking in at roughly 226 Mbps, and median figures have continued to rise as gigabit fibre plans became commonplace, reaching approximately 247 Mbps by early 2024.

In Q3 2025, Monaco Telecom posted an average download speed of 304.2 Mbps and an average upload speed of 140.5 Mbps according to SpeedGEO, which compiles data from real-user speed tests. The lowest recorded ping on the Monaco Telecom network stood at just 27 milliseconds — a figure that makes the connection well suited to latency-critical uses such as video calls, competitive online gaming, and financial trading platforms.

At the premium end of its product range, Monaco Telecom’s fibre network is capable of delivering up to 10 Gbps. Even the entry-level plans available to Monaco residents deliver throughput that clearly outpaces what most users in neighbouring France or Italy enjoy on comparably priced packages.

Because Monaco is entirely urban and extremely compact, there is no urban-rural quality divide to contend with. Every household and business has access to the same high-performance fibre infrastructure. Outages are uncommon, but when the single network is affected — for example, by a physical fibre break — users have no alternative wired network to fall back on. Some residents address this vulnerability by keeping a 4G/5G mobile router on hand as an emergency backup.

For up-to-date speed benchmarks, the Ookla Speedtest Global Index and SpeedGEO’s Monaco statistics page both publish regularly refreshed figures based on real-user tests and are worth consulting when evaluating plan options.

How do I get an internet connection set up in Monaco?

Getting a residential internet connection established in Monaco is a relatively uncomplicated process — there is, after all, only one fixed-line provider to deal with. You can handle the sign-up either in person at the Monaco Telecom retail store or through the provider’s online portal. The following steps walk you through the process from start to finish.

1. Check availability at your address. Use the Monaco Telecom website to confirm fibre availability at your specific property. Given that coverage extends across virtually the entire principality, this step is largely a formality — but it is still worth completing, particularly if you are moving into a building that has recently undergone renovation, where a brief delay may apply.
2. Choose a plan. Monaco Telecom’s portfolio runs from Basic to Premium, catering to a range of usage patterns and budgets. You can select a broadband-only package or a combined deal that pairs your home internet with a mobile SIM. Since plan details and data allowances are updated periodically, reviewing the current options on the official website before deciding is advisable.
3. Contact Monaco Telecom and place your order. Orders can be placed online, over the phone, or in person at the Monaco Telecom retail store at 9 Rue du Gabian, Monaco. The store is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 5:30pm. At the point of sign-up, you will need to present a valid identity document (passport or national ID card), your Monaco address, and evidence of your right to reside in the principality. Foreign nationals should bring their residency permit (carte de résident or equivalent documentation).
4. Schedule a technician visit. Activating a fibre connection requires a physical visit from Monaco Telecom technicians, who will link the property to the network and install the required equipment. This service is provided free of charge. You will be allocated an appointment window — typically within a few days to a couple of weeks, subject to engineer availability.
5. Get your equipment installed and activated. During the visit, the technician will fit a fibre termination point and set up Monaco Telecom’s router box, which supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable wireless connectivity throughout your home. The router handles speeds of up to 10 Gbps and carries Wi-Fi 6 certification along with Smart Wi-Fi functionality. In most cases, the connection goes live on the same day the installation takes place.
6. Set up billing. Monthly charges apply, and most plans include a convenient online payment option. Having a Monaco or French bank account arranged ahead of your sign-up will make the billing process smoother, though Monaco Telecom can walk you through the available payment methods at the time of your order.

If you are a newly arrived foreign national and your residency paperwork is still being processed, it is worth reaching out to Monaco Telecom to ask whether any interim or temporary arrangement is possible while your formal status is finalised, as requirements can vary by situation.

Can I get internet access before my permanent connection is installed in Monaco?

During the days or weeks between your arrival and the installation of your home fibre connection, a number of practical options exist to keep you online in Monaco.

Mobile SIM cards: For a locally purchased SIM, Monaco Telecom is your only option in the principality. As is the case in many Western European countries, SIM card purchases in Monaco do not require you to register your personal details. SIM cards and no-commitment mobile plans are available from the Monaco Telecom retail store. Cards are typically priced between €10 and €20, with data plans beginning at roughly €5 for smaller bundles and scaling upwards for larger data volumes.

International roaming and alternative SIM options: Monaco sits outside both the EU and EEA, which means the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” regulation does not apply there. Roaming charges from most European mobile providers are unregulated in Monaco and can be substantially higher than within the EU. Some EU operators choose to extend EU roaming terms voluntarily, but the majority do not and may apply significant surcharges. It is important to verify your current provider’s Monaco roaming tariffs before you arrive. One useful workaround: French mobile operators have been permitted by both governments to install base stations in Monaco, meaning their antennas cover much of the principality. If you hold a French SIM card and do not enable international data roaming, you may be able to use it in Monaco without incurring any roaming costs at all.

eSIMs: A growing range of international eSIM providers offer data-only plans valid in Monaco, which can be purchased and activated remotely before you even land. This is an especially convenient solution for those with compatible devices who need connectivity from the moment they arrive. Check your phone’s compatibility with any eSIM plan before purchasing.

Public Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi access is widely available in hotels, restaurants, cafés, and various public spaces around Monaco. For complete freedom of movement without relying on hotspot availability, a local SIM card remains the more reliable choice. Monaco Telecom also runs a public Wi-Fi network; existing Monaco Telecom customers can access it at no extra cost, and first-time users are offered a complimentary two-hour Discovery Pass.

Co-working spaces: Monaco has developed a modest but expanding co-working scene, with the Fontvieille district being a notable hub. These facilities generally provide reliable high-speed Wi-Fi and represent a practical working base for remote professionals waiting for their home broadband installation to be completed.

What does internet service typically cost in Monaco?

Internet pricing in Monaco broadly aligns with — or sits slightly above — premium European markets, a reflection of both the principality’s elevated cost of living and the exceptional quality of infrastructure being delivered. All figures below should be verified directly with Monaco Telecom, as plans and pricing are subject to periodic revision.

Bundled broadband and mobile plans (as of 2024): Monaco Telecom’s entry-level combined package — bringing together 100 Mbps broadband, a Basic TV bundle, unlimited calls to landlines in Monaco and France, and a 5G mobile plan with 100 GB of data — is priced from €54.99 per month for the first 12 months, after which it rises to €74.99 per month.

Standalone mobile plans (as of 2024): No-commitment mobile plans from Monaco Telecom are available at the following price points: €39.99 per month for 20 GB of data usable across Monaco, metropolitan France, Europe, Switzerland, Andorra, and the French Overseas Departments; €49.99 per month for 50 GB covering the same territories and including unlimited calls and texts; and €109.99 per month for 100 GB with the additional benefit of coverage extending to Canada and the United States. Current plan details are subject to change and should be confirmed on the Monaco Telecom website.

Comparative context: With only one major provider in the market, fixed broadband prices in Monaco are higher in absolute terms than basic-tier plans in some larger EU markets — approximately €40 for 100 Mbps, against €20–30 in parts of the EU — though this should be viewed in the context of Monaco’s considerably higher average income levels.

Pricing oversight: To guard against the potential for monopoly pricing, Monaco employs a system of price benchmarking. The National Council (parliament) and the Government jointly assess Monaco Telecom’s pricing against international comparators on an annual basis, providing consumers with a degree of structural protection even within a single-operator market.

New subscribers receive fibre broadband installation free of charge. An activation fee of €4.99 applies to any new subscription taken on a no-commitment basis. For the most up-to-date pricing, contract durations, and any active promotional offers, consult the official Monaco Telecom website at monaco-telecom.mc.

Are there any restrictions or censorship affecting internet use in Monaco?

Monaco imposes no censorship on internet content. As a Western European jurisdiction, it maintains a strong commitment to freedom of expression online, and the government does not block social media platforms, messaging applications, news outlets, or streaming services of the kind that face restrictions in some other parts of the world.

Website blocking is limited to content that would be prohibited under international law — for instance, material involving the sexual exploitation of children or content linked to terrorism — just as it is in any comparable country. Monaco’s legal framework covering online copyright infringement, hate speech, and defamation closely mirrors French law, though consumer-level enforcement is generally measured.

The government does take an active role in cybersecurity, and suspected phishing sites or malware-hosting domains may be blocked at the ISP level to protect users, often in coordination with Monaco’s Cyber Security Agency. This is a defensive measure aimed at safeguarding residents rather than any form of political censorship, and it mirrors practices found in the vast majority of EU member states.

VPNs: No known legislation in Monaco restricts or prohibits the use of VPNs. Using a VPN for privacy, for secure remote working, or to access geo-restricted content is entirely lawful. This is consistent with Monaco’s broader stance as an open internet environment and its role as a centre for international finance and business activity.

Any entity seeking to provide public telecom services within Monaco would require a government-issued licence or concession. In practice, no additional licences for public networks have been granted beyond Monaco Telecom’s existing concession. This is a structural feature of the market and has no bearing on the freedoms available to end users.

Expats relocating to Monaco will find a genuinely open and unrestricted online environment, free from the content controls or surveillance concerns that characterise some other jurisdictions.

What should I know about mobile data and SIM cards in Monaco?

Monaco Telecom is the only mobile network operator in Monaco, running services across 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G. Its 5G network launched in July 2019, making Monaco one of the earliest commercial 5G deployments anywhere in Europe, and the technology now covers the full extent of the principality.

SIM card registration: In keeping with the practice in many Western European countries, you are not required to register your personal details when purchasing a SIM card in Monaco. However, if you are signing up for a full mobile subscription rather than a short-term visitor plan, you will generally need to provide identification and a Monaco address when completing the process at the store.

French network coverage: French operators have been granted permission by both governments to place base stations within Monaco, meaning their antennas cover the majority of the principality. Orange France reportedly delivers the best coverage and speeds there, though SFR, Bouygues Télécom, and Free Mobile can also be selected manually on compatible handsets. For holders of a French SIM card, it may therefore be possible to use their existing plan in Monaco without switching to Monaco Telecom’s network — and without triggering international roaming charges — simply by manually selecting a French network in the phone’s settings.

Roaming caution: Monaco is not a member of the EU or EEA, which means the “Roam Like at Home” rules introduced across Europe in 2017 do not extend to Monaco. Roaming charges from most European mobile providers are entirely unregulated there and can be considerably higher than equivalent costs within the EU. If you are travelling to Monaco with a non-French European SIM, check your provider’s Monaco-specific roaming tariffs carefully in advance, or consider manually selecting a French network to sidestep the issue.

eSIMs: Monaco Telecom supports eSIM technology for compatible handsets. International eSIM providers also offer data-only plans that draw on Monaco’s network coverage. eSIMs are a particularly convenient choice for newcomers who want to be connected from the moment they arrive, ahead of committing to a full residential plan.

For the latest mobile plan options, pricing, and information on eSIM availability, visit monaco-telecom.mc.

Who regulates internet and telecoms services in Monaco?

Oversight of Monaco’s telecommunications sector rests primarily with the government of the Principality, and specifically with the Direction du Numérique (Digital Platforms and Resources Department), which operates within the Prince’s Government. This body is responsible for shaping digital infrastructure policy, including the strategic framework within which Monaco Telecom functions as the sole concessionaire.

The telecom market operates under a public-private monopoly model, with Monaco Telecom holding exclusive rights for fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile services. To prevent any misuse of its dominant market position, annual pricing oversight is conducted jointly by the National Council and the Government, who compare Monaco Telecom’s tariffs against international benchmarks to ensure charges remain reasonable.

When a user has a complaint — whether over a billing dispute or a service quality issue — the first port of call is Monaco Telecom’s own internal resolution process, with the Monaco General Court available as a higher recourse if needed. Such escalations are reported to be uncommon, likely because the provider, given its partial public ownership, is generally attentive to customer concerns.

The official Monaco Government portal — en.gouv.mc — is a valuable resource for understanding the regulatory and legal environment governing digital services, and publishes official communications about network developments and consumer protections. Monaco Telecom’s own website at monaco-telecom.mc provides service terms, consumer information, and contact details for customer support.

For independent performance data, the Ookla Speedtest Global Index and SpeedGEO Monaco statistics page both offer regularly refreshed speed benchmarks drawn from real-user tests, and are useful reference points when comparing plan options.

Frequently asked questions about internet in Monaco

Is there more than one internet provider in Monaco?

For fixed internet, Monaco Telecom is effectively the only option, a position rooted in a longstanding concession agreement with the state. No competing fixed-line or cable ISPs operate in the principality. For mobile data, French operators have coverage across much of Monaco and can be accessed by manually selecting a French network in your device settings, but they do not provide residential broadband services within Monaco itself.

How long does it take to get a fibre broadband connection installed?

Once your order is placed, Monaco Telecom will arrange a technician visit to install the required equipment. In most cases, an appointment can be arranged within a few days, though the wait may be longer depending on engineer availability. For properties being connected to the fibre network for the first time — such as recently renovated buildings — the timeline may extend somewhat. Getting in touch with Monaco Telecom as soon as you have confirmed your Monaco address is recommended.

Can I use a SIM card from another country while I wait for my connection to be set up?

Monaco is outside both the EU and EEA, meaning EU “Roam Like at Home” protections do not apply there. For holders of EU or EEA SIM cards, purchasing a local Monaco Telecom SIM is generally the most straightforward approach. Alternatively, buying an Orange SIM card in France and using it in Monaco on French network coverage can be a cost-effective workaround, as French operator antennas extend across most of the principality. In any case, always check your current provider’s Monaco roaming rates before depending on an existing SIM card.

Is the internet in Monaco fast enough for remote working and video conferencing?

Absolutely. In Q3 2025, Monaco Telecom recorded average download speeds of 304.2 Mbps and average upload speeds of 140.5 Mbps, making it highly capable for remote work, HD and 4K video conferencing, cloud-based applications, and other data-intensive tasks. Even the most basic fibre plans available in Monaco deliver speeds that comfortably surpass the threshold needed for professional remote working.

Are VPNs legal in Monaco?

Yes. There is no legislation in Monaco that restricts or bans the use of VPNs. As a Western European jurisdiction with a commitment to an open internet, Monaco does not censor content, and VPN use for purposes of privacy, security, and accessing geo-restricted services is entirely lawful. VPNs are used routinely by both residents and businesses operating in the principality.

Does Monaco have 5G mobile coverage?

Monaco Telecom brought its 5G network online in July 2019, and today 5G coverage blankets the entire principality. The network is fully multi-generational, supporting 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G, ensuring residents have access to the best available mobile data speeds. Access to 5G is included as standard across Monaco Telecom’s mobile plan range.

What documents do I need to sign up for broadband as a foreign national?

You will generally need a valid passport or national identity card, documentation confirming your Monaco address (such as a tenancy agreement or recent utility bill), and your Monaco residency permit where one has been issued. If your residency paperwork is still being processed, it is advisable to contact Monaco Telecom directly to explore what options are available in the interim, as the requirements may differ depending on your current status.

Is satellite internet like Starlink available in Monaco?

There are no publicly known legal obstacles to using Starlink in Monaco. The country’s telecom regulations focus on licensed public network operators, and personal satellite terminal use falls outside that framework, making it generally permissible. Before installing any satellite hardware, however, you should notify your landlord or building management, as Monaco enforces strict rules regarding structural and aesthetic modifications to building exteriors. That said, given the exceptional quality of Monaco Telecom’s fibre network, satellite internet holds little practical appeal as a primary residential connection for most users.