How to Stay in Touch with Loved Ones from Greenland

Published on April 27, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Traveling to or settling in Greenland means accepting a certain degree of geographic isolation. The world’s largest island has fewer than 60,000 inhabitants, scattered across a vast, icy expanse of sea ice, fjords, and mountains. Yet despite the distances, it is entirely possible to maintain regular contact with family and friends, whether you’re passing through Ilulissat to admire the ice fjord, on assignment in Nuuk, or on an expedition in the backcountry.

Good to know:

To stay in touch from Greenland, it’s crucial to understand the local infrastructure, choose the right tools based on your location, and adapt your digital habits to a costly and limited connection. Solutions range from WhatsApp calls and social media to satellite phones, and even postcards.

Understanding Greenland’s Digital Landscape

Even though Greenland remains an isolated territory, its telecom infrastructure is far from rudimentary. It has benefited from significant investments in recent decades, allowing most residents to be connected today.

The country relies on a central player: Tusass (formerly TELE Greenland or Tele-Post Greenland). This state-owned company, 100% owned by the Greenlandic government, manages mobile networks, internet access, the international submarine cable, and even postal services. Its headquarters are in Nuuk.

The backbone of Greenlandic internet is a submarine fiber-optic cable, Greenland Connect, which links Qaqortoq to Iceland and Nuuk to Canada. An extension, Greenland Connect North, runs along the west coast between Nuuk and Aasiaat, with landing points in Maniitsoq and Sisimiut. In areas that cannot be connected to the cable—such as Tasiilaq, Qaanaaq, or Ittoqqortoormiit—the connection relies on satellite, resulting in lower speeds and higher latency.

Attention:

The 4G mobile network is now available in all inhabited locations in Greenland, though quality may vary. A 5G network is being rolled out with Ericsson. Outside inhabited areas (at sea, in the mountains, on the ice cap), there is no mobile coverage, requiring satellite solutions.

To gauge the level of connectivity, the numbers speak for themselves: in 2019, there were over 66,000 mobile subscriptions for a population of about 56,000. In 2024, the number of active mobile connections still exceeded the population (over 120% penetration rate). However, internet access remains more uneven: around 80% of the population is connected, but capacity and speed differ greatly between fiber-wired towns and satellite-dependent areas.

Towns, Villages, and Backcountry: Three Connectivity Realities

To organize communication with loved ones, you need to distinguish three types of situations.

Tip:

In major Greenlandic towns like Nuuk, Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq, and Aasiaat, 4G coverage is stable and fixed broadband is available. Public places often offer Wi-Fi, allowing internet use similar to Denmark or France. However, plans remain significantly more expensive than in the rest of Northern Europe.

In smaller villages, 4G and sometimes 3G provide good service continuity, but speeds may be limited, especially in the evenings when everyone connects. Public Wi-Fi is rarer: you’ll need to rely on your accommodation’s connection or your own SIM card.

Finally, as soon as you head out by boat, skis, or hiking away from settlements, the mobile network disappears entirely. National park areas, ice caps, and some coasts remain out of range of ground towers. Under these conditions, only satellite communication (phone or dedicated messenger) allows you to stay reachable—and it’s often a matter of safety as much as social connection.

Using a Local Tusass SIM Card to Call and Send Messages

The most straightforward solution for staying reachable in Greenland is to buy a local Tusass SIM card. This avoids the sometimes steep shock of international roaming with your home operator, while benefiting from consistent rates across the country.

Prepaid SIM cards are available at Tusass stores, some kiosks, grocery stores, shopping centers, and at airports in Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq, and Ilulissat. Buying at the airport is usually the most convenient for travelers who want to be connected upon arrival. A passport is generally required for registration.

50-200

The price of a prepaid SIM in Greenland is typically between 50 and 200 Danish kroner (DKK).

Here is a typical overview of prepaid offers from the sources:

The unlimited plan includes access to Tusass Wi-Fi hotspots, helping to offload 4G when near an access point.

These offers allow you to make local calls, send SMS, and use data for messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.). It’s important to monitor your usage, as out-of-bundle charges can add up quickly.

For travelers who prefer a guarantee of service without worrying about top-ups, there are also international SIM cards sold on Amazon (e.g., OneSimCard) that cover Greenland. However, they are generally less cost-effective than buying directly from Tusass.

eSIM: Stay Connected Without Visiting a Store

For those with a recent smartphone compatible with eSIM, the simplest way to stay reachable from the moment you land is to sign up for an eSIM before departure. An eSIM is a virtual SIM card integrated into your phone, activated by scanning a QR code.

Example:

An eSIM eliminates the hassle of handling physical SIM cards and working around local store hours. Its activation, often done online in minutes, is followed by enabling data roaming for the eSIM profile upon arrival.

Several international providers offer data plans for Greenland:

Most of these eSIMs are data-only: they do not provide a Greenlandic number for regular calls or SMS. To talk with loved ones, you use VoIP via apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, Viber, or Skype. For most travelers, this is more than sufficient.

Criteria for Choosing an eSIM Provider

Key points to check before signing up for an eSIM plan for your trip.

Device Compatibility

Make sure your recent smartphone (iPhone, Samsung, Google, Huawei, Oppo, Xiaomi) is compatible with eSIM technology.

Unlocked Phone

Check that your device is not locked to a carrier (unlocked) to activate an eSIM.

Tethering

Confirm whether the eSIM plan allows tethering (hotspot sharing).

Local Network Coverage

Verify that the eSIM uses the Tusass network for optimal coverage at your destination.

Tusass itself offers an eSIM solution called Tusass Hello, designed for foreign visitors. You can buy and activate it online with an international credit card and benefit from coverage across the entire territory where the mobile network exists. The offer is prepaid and contract-free.

Roaming: Keeping Your Home Number, But at What Cost?

Another strategy for staying in touch with loved ones is to keep your usual SIM card and use roaming. This is the most convenient option for family and friends: they can still call you on your regular number without any questions. But it can also lead to the steepest bills.

Roaming rates depend on agreements between your operator and Tusass. These operators offer daily or monthly “passes” for international use, which may include Greenland. Such plans typically involve paying a fixed fee to use your domestic plan abroad.

International mobile operators (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint)

A few specific offers are worth noting:

Before departure, calling your operator’s customer service is essential to find out rates for Greenland, any special packages, data caps, and the possibility of enabling a usage limit.

Even if a pass exists, it’s wise to keep usage in check: avoid video streaming on 4G, use Wi-Fi for heavy exchanges, and regularly monitor your data counter. Some operators charge several dollars per megabyte outside these plans, which can cause your bill to skyrocket in just minutes of browsing.

Wi-Fi: Cafés, Hotels, and Libraries as Links to the World

Beyond SIM cards and eSIMs, good old Wi-Fi remains a valuable ally for staying in touch with loved ones from Greenland, especially if you’re traveling on a tight budget.

In larger towns, many establishments offer free or included access:

– In Nuuk, cafés like Kaffivik or certain establishments downtown offer Wi-Fi for customers;

– In Ilulissat, cafés like Café Iluliaq provide access;

– Public libraries, such as the Nuuk library, are equipped with wireless networks;

– Many hotels and hostels, for example Inuk Hostels in Nuuk, include Wi-Fi in the room price.

The table below gives an overview of typical places where you can find Wi-Fi:

Keep in mind, however, that the bandwidth available for these hotspots depends on local capacities. In satellite-dependent areas, speeds can be significantly lower than what you’re used to in Europe. Wi-Fi therefore cannot fully replace a mobile connection, but it allows you to send news, compressed photos, and make some video calls under decent conditions.

Apps like Wiman can help you locate free hotspots in Nuuk or Nanortalik and even download offline maps of Wi-Fi networks. This remains a supplement: in most villages, there is no free public network accessible to everyone outside tourist or institutional structures.

Choosing the Right Apps to Save Data

In Greenland, mobile data remains expensive. Travelers with a limited plan or a small-volume eSIM have every reason to optimize every megabyte, especially if they want to share photos and video calls with loved ones.

Not all messaging services are equal when it comes to data consumption. Some apps are designed to work with very little bandwidth, or offer “data saving” modes.

Messaging Apps: From Lightest to Most Data-Hungry

Data collected on average data consumption per minute of voice calls shows significant differences:

Zangi Safe Messenger stands out as one of the most economical solutions. Its “Low Data” mode allows about 7 minutes of call with just 1 MB of data, while remaining functional even on 2G or very unstable connections. The app automatically adjusts audio quality to available bandwidth and uses a proprietary protocol claimed to be more efficient than standard ones.

Good to know:

WhatsApp offers a “low data usage” mode to reduce consumption during calls and disable automatic media downloads on 4G. This feature, accessible in settings, can significantly cut mobile data usage while retaining core functionality. Note: many operators worldwide include WhatsApp in their plans, but this practice is not guaranteed in Greenland.

“Lite” versions of certain apps can also help limit data and memory usage on your phone: Messenger Lite, Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite, or lightweight clients of Telegram. They sacrifice some features for speed and efficiency.

Tips for Reducing Data Consumption

With a limited Tusass plan or an eSIM with just a few gigs, every habit counts. A few best practices are essential:

Tip:

To save your 4G/5G plan, several tips are effective: disable automatic media downloads in messaging apps and only retrieve them over Wi-Fi; prioritize text messages and short voice notes over sending long videos; reduce photo resolution before sending or use automatic compression services; make video calls only on Wi-Fi (hotel, café) and reserve 4G for audio calls and messages; finally, use a data-efficient browser like Opera Mini, which compresses web pages through its servers.

Finally, for navigation, it’s very wise to download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before leaving a high-speed area. This way you can find your way around without using data, freeing up volume for exchanges with loved ones.

When Nothing Else Works: Satellite Phones and Emergency Messengers

In remote fjords, on the sea ice, or in parts of East Greenland, even the most robust 4G fails to pick up. Yet that’s often when you most need to maintain a link, both to reassure loved ones and for safety in case of trouble.

Satellite phones fill this gap. They connect directly to orbiting constellations (Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar, Thuraya) and offer global or near-global coverage, including the poles for suitable networks. They allow voice calls, SMS, and sometimes even data (simple emails, weather…) anywhere with a clear sky.

Good to know:

For short stays, renting is usually more cost-effective due to the high cost of devices. However, for professionals (mountain, sea) or regular explorers, purchasing may be justified.

Here is an overview of some iconic models and their features:

For Greenland, devices using the Iridium network are particularly relevant, as their coverage includes polar regions. They allow you to stay in touch even in the northernmost areas, such as Qaanaaq or Pituffik (Thule), or in the vast northeast national park.

30 to 150

The monthly cost of a satellite subscription ranges from 30 to 150 dollars depending on the operator and plan chosen.

In addition, satellite communicators like the Garmin inReach Messenger or ZOLEO allow you to send SMS, emails, and SOS signals via the Iridium network, with batteries lasting several days or even weeks. They are lightweight and designed for hikers or climbers who want to give regular updates via short texts and GPS location, often at a more reasonable cost than a full satellite phone.

Using Mail and Packages for a More Tangible Connection

Staying in touch isn’t limited to your smartphone screen. In Greenland, snail mail still holds a special place, if only for the unique stamps and postmarks associated with this Arctic island.

The local postal service, also managed by Tusass, handles incoming and outgoing letters and parcels. It offers two main categories: Priority (A) parcels, sent via the first available flight or boat, and Economy (B) parcels, shipped by the first vessel—slower but often cheaper.

Good to know:

For sending letters and small packages internationally, several major carriers are available: USPS, DHL Express, FedEx, and UPS. Platforms like ParcelABC, Nex, or Parcelbound can help optimize costs and routes. From the United States, USPS offers several services with varying delivery times and prices.

Below are some starting rates for international shipments to/from Greenland, sourced from the data:

On the Greenlandic side, Tusass applies regularly updated rates for letters and packages leaving the island, with same-day notification in local post boxes if the parcel arrives at the post office before 3 PM on weekdays.

Using services like NanaGram illustrates another way to keep in touch: they allow you to send printed photos from digital pictures to loved ones via postal mail. A touching option for family members less comfortable with digital tools, who will regularly receive images of your life in Greenland.

Staying Connected Through Social Media

In Greenland, social media plays a major role, almost more central than in many more populous countries. With a population of around 56,000, virtual communities become digital public squares where everyone crosses paths.

Usage figures are impressive: Facebook is, by far, the dominant platform, used by over 80% of the population. In 2024, there were about 39,000 Facebook users, nearly 70% of the total population and over 80% of internet users. In 2025, this figure even exceeded 81% of the population at certain times. TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger follow, with remarkable penetration rates.

Some orders of magnitude illustrate the scope of the phenomenon:

For staying in touch with loved ones from Greenland, these platforms obviously provide a privileged channel: private messages, video calls via Messenger, Instagram stories, TikTok videos, etc. A single post on Facebook can sometimes reach a large portion of Greenlandic society, given the limited population.

Attention:

In a hyper-connected and tight-knit society, information spreads very quickly, including rumors and fake news. Studies show increased risks of misinformation, especially during periods of international attention like elections. It is therefore crucial to verify your sources before sharing public information.

Managing Time Zones to Stay Reachable

Greenland spans several time zones, but the inhabited regions of the west coast—including Nuuk, Sisimiut, Ilulissat, and most tourist areas—use UTC‑2 year-round, following a reform adopted in 2023. Ittoqqortoormiit is one hour off (UTC‑1 in standard time, UTC+0 in summer), while the US base at Pituffik (Thule) follows UTC‑4 then UTC‑3 in summer. The Danmarkshavn weather station remains on UTC+0 year-round.

Good to know:

Greenland has harmonized its time zone. It now maintains a fixed offset of 3 hours from Central European Time (CET) and 3 hours from Eastern Time (ET). This simplifies planning calls with loved ones in Copenhagen, Paris, Montreal, or New York, as the difference remains more stable throughout the year.

To avoid misunderstandings and calls in the middle of the night, it helps to:

Tip:

To maintain contact with loved ones living in different time zones, it’s advisable to set a regular time slot for video calls that works for everyone (e.g., evening in Greenland and late afternoon in Europe). Using time zone management tools like World Time Buddy or Google Calendar helps quickly visualize overlapping hours. For contacts in very distant time zones, prioritize asynchronous communication (voice messages, emails, recorded videos) so each person can reply at their own pace and availability.

This organization is especially important for people on long-term assignments who need to maintain a lasting connection with their family, or for long-distance couples.

Practical Tips for a Connected Yet Controlled Stay

Staying in touch with loved ones from Greenland isn’t just about choosing the right tools—it’s also about planning ahead before departure and adjusting your digital habits once there.

Before leaving, it’s wise to:

Good to know:

Before departure, it’s crucial to check your phone’s compatibility with local networks (GSM 900/1800 frequencies, 3G, 4G) and ensure it is unlocked. To avoid unpleasant surprises, ask your operator about roaming rates and consider disabling mobile data upon arrival. Prepare for limited connectivity by downloading offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) and offline interfaces for translation apps in advance. Install and test the messaging apps used by your loved ones (WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal, Zangi, etc.) for calls and messages. Finally, for instant connectivity, consider buying an eSIM (like Airalo or Tusass Hello) before your trip.

Once there, a few habits will help you maintain a steady link without breaking the bank:

Tip:

To avoid nasty surprises, reserve 4G for messages and short audio calls, and use Wi-Fi at hotels and cafés for videos or bulk photo uploads. Also limit automatic cloud backups (photos, videos), which can consume several gigs without you noticing. Monitor your usage regularly through your operator’s interface. Finally, if you’re heading into an area without coverage, notify your loved ones in advance and set a date for when you’ll get back in touch, possibly using a satellite phone.

Lastly, for those staying several months, it can be healthy to view Greenland’s relative isolation as an opportunity: to more consciously choose your moments of connection, to favor quality exchanges over a constant stream of notifications, and to fully enjoy the Arctic experience without being glued to your screen.

In Summary

Between Tusass’s 4G, travel eSIMs, Wi-Fi hotspots at Nuuk’s cafés, data-efficient messaging apps, ubiquitous social media, and satellite phones for the backcountry, everything comes together to make continuous connection with the rest of the world from Greenland possible. The context simply requires a bit more preparation, frugality, and pragmatism than other destinations.

Good to know:

To share your Greenland trip, opt for a local SIM card or a suitable eSIM, monitor your data usage, and account for time zone differences. For very remote areas, a satellite phone may be necessary. The goal is to strike a balance between staying connected with loved ones and fully experiencing the journey.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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