Communications in PNG & on the Kokoda Trail

Before and after the trek, you’ll spend the night in a good quality, 4-star hotel in Port Moresby with television and an Internet connection. After the trek you’ll have the ability to contact your friends and family and upload photos and testimonials onto the Kokoda Trail Expeditions website to show them your accomplishment. You’re welcome to bring your own laptop to PNG which we will securely store at the hotel before setting off on the trek.

Kokoda Trail – Mobiles, satellite phones and VHF radios

The Kokoda Trail itself is located in remote jungle areas and you will not be contactable for the duration of the trek except in case of emergency, via our head office. During the trek, your guide/porter will be responsible for all communications and will send daily situation reports to our Kokoda Trail Expeditions head office in Australia.

Our guides/porters use mobile and handheld Iridium Satellite Phones for every day communications and emergencies. Mobile phone coverage is only available in certain areas along the Kokoda Trail, however, there is wide coverage in Port Moresby, Kokoda and Popondetta. Satellite communications is only used in the event of an of emergency and is often the only means of contacting emergency services from the remote, rugged and heavily densed tropical rainforested areas of Papua New Guinea where most forms of communications is impossible. At Kokoda Trail Expeditions, we always ensure we have communications for all our treks.

Mobile coverage using Telstra and Digicel SIM cards are possible. Digicel is a PNG telecommunication company and their SIM cards can be bought in Port Moresby.

Kokoda Track Authority also have VHF radios installed at certain villages along the trail. These radios can be used in the event of an emergency.

Communications in the Buna, Gona and Sanananda areas

In Buna, Gona and Sanananda it’s possible to communicate via mobile phones, using voice, text messaging and the internet.