Cyprus has built a surprisingly strong telecom market for its size. The major Cyprus mobile networks are Cyta-Vodafone (Cytamobile), Epic (formerly MTN), PrimeTel, and Cablenet. Cyta and Epic lead in 5G coverage and speed, PrimeTel focuses on lower pricing, and Cablenet, which started as an MVNO, leases the infrastructure of other operators and sells budget plans.
These 4 largest providers share the market with MVNOs and international providers like Ohayu eSIM. Ohayu sells digital SIM cards for travelers that can be installed before the trip and activated in minutes after arriving in Cyprus. Travel eSIMs are digital (no SIM card needed) and can connect you to supported local networks without visiting a store.
Cyprus mobile market overview
The telecom industry in Cyprus has grown quickly. In the last five years, operators expanded LTE-Advanced and rolled out 5G to 100% of the population.
At the same time, the island invested in trans-Mediterranean submarine cable projects to strengthen its international connections. These steps improved coverage and mobile internet speed, as recent tests and user reviews confirm.
According to the Speedtest Global Index, Cyprus ranked 45th worldwide for mobile internet speed in June 2026. Average download speed was 112.21 Mbps, and upload speed reached 20.01 Mbps, with latency around 16 ms.
This puts Cyprus below Western European leaders such as the Netherlands and Denmark, but ahead of the United Kingdom and Japan. The improvements come from steady investment in LTE-Advanced and 5G expansion across the island.
Here’s how Cyprus compares globally on mobile download speeds.
| Place | Country | Median mobile download speed |
| 4 | Bahrain | 267.68 Mbps |
| 7 | South Korea | 240.68 Mbps |
| 10 | United States | 197.34 Mbps |
| 14 | Denmark | 176.61 Mbps |
| 19 | Netherlands | 164.06 Mbps |
| 25 | Croatia | 148.86 Mbps |
| 35 | Thailand | 137.04 Mbps |
| 45 | Cyprus | 112.21 Mbps |
| 59 | United Kingdom | 75.57 Mbps |
| 68 | Japan | 67.85 Mbps |
The table is created based on Speedtest Global Index data, retrieved June 2026.
The numbers show Cyprus in the middle tier of advanced markets. While not on par with global leaders, the island’s mobile networks are fast enough for remote work, video calls, and streaming, which makes travel here much easier compared to other Mediterranean countries and a great destination for digital nomads.
Top 4 mobile operators in Cyprus
By 2023, Cyprus had more than 1.3 million active mobile subscriptions, which is above the island’s population (many people keep two or more SIMs for business and personal use). Four operators share the market: Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel, and Cablenet.
Independent tests confirm that Epic and Cyta compete at the top. The Mobile Benchmark Certificate by Accenture gave Epic an overall score of 913/1000 and Cyta 905/1000, while PrimeTel and Cablenet trailed far behind.
Coverage data from nPerf also shows Cyta with the broadest reach, and Ookla’s Speedtest Awards have repeatedly recognized Epic as the fastest network in Cyprus.
To see what each of them has to offer to locals and tourists, let’s review each of the Cyprus mobile networks in more detail.
Cyta (Cytamobily-Vodafone)
Cyprus Telecommunications Authority, known as Cyta, is the country’s oldest and largest network operator. It is also the first internet service provider in the country. For over 70 years, it has expanded and added the following services.
- Fixed PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), and FTTH (Fiber To The Home);
- Cytanet Broadband (another brand of web services);
- Pay TV Cytavision;
- eSIM;
- VoLTE/VoWiFi (Voice over LTE/Wi-Fi, new voice transmission technologies);
- Mobile communications under the Cytamobile-Vodafone brand.
Cyta has the widest 4G and 5G coverage, reaching even remote areas and some points at the open sea. It also has been awarded by Ookla as the fastest mobile network in Cyprus.
Its main tariffs are Freedom, Red, and SoEasy Combo.
- Red starts from €12.50/month with unlimited calls, SMS, and 4 GB data.
- Freedom begins at €22.40/month for unlimited use, capped at 10 Mbps.
- SoEasy Combo offers prepaid deals, and starts at €10.00/month. Pay-as-you-go rates are €0.15/MB and international SMS at €0.065.
Epic
Epic is part of Monaco Telecom and It provides a bunch of telecommunication services.
- 2G to 5G mobile services;
- Fiber optic broadband (up to 5 Gbps);
- Digital TV (37 channels included);
- Niche business services (corporate tariffs, VoIP, ICT solutions);
- VoLTE and eSIM.
Epic’s coverage map shows strong 4G and 5G availability in all major cities and along the southern coast.
Its plans are cheaper than Cyta’s.
- “Holiday Internet Pack” is popular among visitors, and costs around €15.00 for unlimited data over 15 days.
- Regular postpaid options include simple pay-per-use at €2.00/month and unlimited 5G data plans starting at €19.99.
PrimeTel
PrimeTel is the third ISP on the island with a market share of 10.7%. It operates not only in Cyprus but also in Germany, Greece, and the UK. The company invests in fibre optic and international IP (Internet Protocol) transit, in particular between Europe and the Middle East.
In 2026, PrimeTel still lags behind Cyta and Epic in 5G rollout, but it now offers 5G plans and gradually expands its new 5G network across Cyprus major urban centers.
The provider compensates for coverage drops with flexible tariffs for voice calls, which are mostly used by locals.
- “Giga Packages” start at €14.99/mo and include limitless calls and SMS with eSIM access.
- “International Traveller Plan” costs €21.99/month and includes EU roaming, 500 international minutes, and 3 GB in 26 countries.
- “Pay-As-You-Go” options are available from €1.50 for 1 GB daily.
Cablenet
Cablenet is the newest operator in the Cypriot telecom market. It started as an MVNO, but today it has a spectrum license and runs its own mobile services.
Cablenet operates on its own dedicated mobile network infrastructure in Cyprus. For users, this means reliable high-speed connectivity with consistent performance even during peak hours.
Cablenet now offers 5G Unlimited mobile plans, with prices starting from €15.00/month. The standard plan provides unthrottled data, minutes, and SMS, while “5G Unlimited Max” costs €25.00/month and includes HBO Max Standard plus 200 EU minutes. Prepaid “Always On” options range from €0.99 for 24 hours to €22.00 for 60 days.
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in Cyprus
Cyprus also has a small but growing MVNO market. These operators lease capacity from the major Cyprus mobile networks and resell it under their own brand. Prices are often lower, but speeds can drop at busy times since the host operator prioritises its own customers.
Some of the active MVNOs include:
- Lemontel – prepaid SIM cards with cheaper local call rates.
- MTN Business (MVNO branch) – corporate solutions built on Epic’s network.
- VivaCell – low-cost plans focused on international calls.
Cablenet itself began as an MVNO before acquiring its own spectrum licence in 2021, which moved it into the MNO category.
For travellers, MVNOs are less convenient, as many focus on niche markets or business contracts. The main networks, or an eSIM option like Ohayu, remain easier to use for short-term stays.
Cyprus eSIM
When I travel, I prefer an eSIM to a physical SIM card. It saves time – there is no need to queue in a shop, show a passport, or handle a plastic card. You buy the plan online, scan a QR code, activate it, and you are online instantly. This makes it especially useful if you want data access the moment you land.
Ohayu has eSIM packages for Cyprus that connect to the supported local Cyprus mobile networks – Epic or Cyta, depending on coverage in your area. That means you avoid being locked into one operator and might have a better connection compared to single-carrier SIM cards.
Compared to a traditional SIM, eSIMs have several advantages.
- No need to replace or remove your primary SIM, so you can keep your home number active for calls and texts.
- Quick online setup without visiting a shop or kiosk.
- Flexible duration – there are country plans for short or long trips, and a Global subscription that works in 120+ countries (including Cyprus). It switches local networks as you travel and cross borders.
- Can have reliability in rural areas, since the device can switch between supported networks like Epic and Cyta depending on signal strength.
For short-term visitors, this is often a more convenient option.
How to buy a SIM card in Cyprus
If your phone does not support eSIM, or you prefer the old-school way of using a plastic SIM, getting one in Cyprus is quite straightforward. SIM cards are sold at operator shops, partner outlets, and at the airports in Larnaca and Paphos. You’ll need your passport for registration. Prepaid top-ups are available in supermarkets and kiosks across the island.
| Operator | How to buy and activate | Google Play | App Store | Key features |
| Ohayu eSIM | Buy online at ohayu.com, activate with QR code | Ohayu Android | Ohayu iOS | Works on Epic and Cyta networks, no physical SIM needed, works in 170+ countries with the same app, tourist plans start from €6.00 |
| Epic | Epic stores, kiosks, supermarkets; activate with *USSD 123# | Epic Android | Epic iOS | Fastest in Cyprus, offers a 15-day “Holiday Internet Pack” for tourists, which costs €15.00 |
| Cyta | Cyta shops, partner outlets, airports; activate with *USSD 132# | Cytamobile Android | Cytamobile iOS | 4G/5G coverage, supports VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, roaming included in the EU at €22.40/month |
| PrimeTel | PrimeTel shops, partner resellers; activate with *USSD 133# | PrimeTel Android | PrimeTel iOS | GIGA bundles with unlimited calls/SMS, “International Traveller Plan” with EU roaming + 500 international minutes from €14.99/month |
| Cablenet | Cablenet shops, prepaid vouchers; activate with *USSD 135# | Cablenet Android | Cablenet iOS | Budget-friendly 5G Unlimited plans from €15.00/month |
Most operators use USSD codes (*132#, *123#, etc.) for SIM activation and checking balances. After inserting the SIM, you dial the code to register the card, choose bundles, or top up. Apps for iOS and Android are also available for account management, checking data usage, and adding credit.
FAQ about mobile networks in Cyprus
No. The Republic of Cyprus uses Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel, and Cablenet. Northern Cyprus, under Turkish administration, relies on Turkish operators such as Turkcell and Telsim. SIM cards and coverage are separate, and roaming charges apply when you cross the border.
In general, Cyprus has reliable 4G and 5G service across the island. According to the Speedtest Global Index, the average mobile download speed in June 2025 was 108.97 Mbps. Connection issues mainly occur in very rural areas or at peak hours with smaller providers.
Yes. Cyprus is part of the EU “Roam Like at Home” programme. This means operators cannot add extra roaming fees on top of your domestic plan when you travel to another EU country. However, it doesn’t mean mobile data is automatically free. You still need to have an active package or monthly plan that includes calls, SMS, mobile internet, or all three. What this programme ensures is that when you use these services in Cyprus, the price should match what you pay at home.
Keep in mind that providers can apply fair use limits or base pricing on their local tariffs. For example, if your domestic plan is very expensive, they can use this as a reference for EU roaming charges. Always check the details of your own tariff before travelling – and compare with travel eSIM providers like Ohayu, which can offer better rates.
Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, airports, and tourist areas, but speeds vary. For navigation around the cities or remote work, a local SIM or Ohayu eSIM is a reliable backup.
Independent tests by nPerf show Cyta with the broadest 4G/5G coverage, followed closely by Epic. PrimeTel and Cablenet cover major towns but are weaker in rural areas.
Conclusion
Cyprus has one of the most advanced telecom markets in the region, with full 5G coverage and average speeds above 100 Mbps. Cyta and Epic compete at the top in terms of coverage and speed, while PrimeTel and Cablenet keep prices lower.
For longer stays, Cyta and Epic are the safest bets if you want consistent 4G/5G access. For visitors preferring physical SIM cards, Epic’s “Holiday Internet Pack” or Cablenet’s “Always On” prepaid options have the most favorable prices. And if you prefer to skip queues at the airport or get prepared for your trip in advance, Ohayu gives you an eSIM that can be activated right on arrival.
