Cell Phone Plans in Ecuador — Claro, Movistar, CNT Compared

The Three Carriers

Ecuador has three mobile carriers: Claro, Movistar, and CNT. There are no MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) worth mentioning and no discount carriers like you might find in the US or Europe. Your choice comes down to these three.

Each one has different strengths, and the "best" carrier depends on where you live, how much data you use, and whether you prioritize coverage or price. Here is what you need to know to make a decision and get set up.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Claro	Movistar	CNT
Network	4G LTE nationwide, 5G in limited areas	4G LTE nationwide	4G LTE, expanding
Coverage leader	Yes — best rural coverage	Second best	Third, but improving
Price	Mid to high	Mid	Lowest
Customer service	Acceptable	Acceptable	Weakest
Stores	Most locations	Many locations	Fewer locations
eSIM support	Yes (select plans)	Yes (select plans)	No
Best for	Reliability and coverage	Balance of price/quality	Budget users

Claro — The Market Leader

Claro (owned by América Móvil / Carlos Slim) is the dominant carrier in Ecuador with approximately 55% market share. It has the largest 4G LTE network, the most cell towers, and the best rural and highway coverage.

Why Expats Choose Claro

If you travel outside major cities — visiting coastal towns, driving the Pan-American Highway, hiking in national parks, or spending time in smaller Sierra towns — Claro is the safest bet. It is the only carrier with consistent signal in places like Vilcabamba, Baños, Mindo, and along the coast between Guayaquil and Salinas.

In cities like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, all three carriers work fine. The difference shows up when you leave urban areas.

Claro Prepaid Plans (Prepago)

Claro's prepaid system works through "recargas" (top-ups). You buy credit and then activate a plan package. Plans are sold in 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day cycles.

Popular prepaid data packages (2026 pricing):

• $5 / 7 days: 3 GB data + 50 minutes + 50 SMS
• $8 / 15 days: 6 GB data + unlimited Claro-to-Claro calls + 100 minutes other networks
• $15 / 30 days: 12 GB data + unlimited Claro-to-Claro calls + 200 minutes
• $22 / 30 days: 20 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited SMS
• $30 / 30 days: 35 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited SMS + social media bonus data

You activate plans by dialing *123# and following the menu, or through the Mi Claro app.

Claro Postpaid Plans (Postpago)

Postpaid requires a cedula (Ecuadorian ID) and a credit check. Foreigners with a cedula can sign up; those without one cannot.

Popular postpaid plans:

• Plan $19.99/month: 15 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited SMS
• Plan $24.99/month: 25 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited SMS + 5 GB roaming
• Plan $34.99/month: 40 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited SMS + 10 GB roaming + Netflix Mobile included

Postpaid plans include a phone subsidy option if you want to finance a device over 12–24 months.

Getting a Claro SIM Card

Visit any Claro store (there is at least one in every city and most large towns). Bring your passport or cedula. The SIM card costs $3–$5 and comes with a small amount of initial credit. The staff will install it and activate your line on the spot. The entire process takes 15–30 minutes.

Major Claro stores in expat areas:

• Cuenca: Mall del Río, Gran Colombia y Benigno Malo (downtown)
• Quito: CCI Mall, Quicentro Norte, Quicentro Sur
• Guayaquil: Mall del Sol, San Marino

Movistar — The Middle Ground

Movistar (owned by Telefónica, the Spanish telecom giant) is Ecuador's second carrier with roughly 30% market share. Its 4G LTE network covers all major cities and most secondary towns but drops off faster than Claro in rural areas.

Why Expats Choose Movistar

Movistar hits a sweet spot between Claro's coverage and CNT's price. If you live in a major city and rarely travel to remote areas, Movistar delivers comparable daily performance to Claro at slightly lower prices. Their data packages tend to include more gigabytes per dollar.

Movistar also has a stronger international roaming network thanks to Telefónica's global footprint, which matters if you travel to Colombia, Peru, or other Latin American countries frequently.

Movistar Prepaid Plans

Popular prepaid data packages (2026 pricing):

• $4 / 7 days: 3.5 GB data + 50 minutes
• $7 / 15 days: 7 GB data + 100 minutes + unlimited Movistar-to-Movistar
• $12 / 30 days: 14 GB data + unlimited Movistar-to-Movistar + 150 minutes
• $18 / 30 days: 22 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited SMS
• $25 / 30 days: 35 GB data + unlimited calls + unlimited SMS + streaming bonus

Activate through the Mi Movistar app or by dialing *611#.

Movistar Postpaid Plans

Popular postpaid plans:

• Plan $17.99/month: 14 GB data + unlimited calls
• Plan $22.99/month: 25 GB data + unlimited calls + 5 GB roaming
• Plan $29.99/month: 40 GB data + unlimited calls + HBO Max Mobile included

Cedula required for postpaid.

Getting a Movistar SIM Card

Same process as Claro. Visit a Movistar store with your passport or cedula. SIM costs $3–$5. Activation is immediate.

CNT — The Budget Option

CNT (Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) is the state-owned carrier. It has the smallest network of the three but the lowest prices. CNT's 4G coverage is solid in major cities and decent in medium-sized towns but noticeably weaker in rural areas and along highways.

Why Expats Choose CNT

Price. If you live in Cuenca, Quito, or another major city and primarily use Wi-Fi at home, a cheap CNT plan as a backup mobile line can cost under $10 per month. CNT is also the main provider of home internet (fiber optic) in many areas, so some expats bundle their mobile and home services.

CNT Prepaid Plans

Popular prepaid data packages (2026 pricing):

• $3 / 7 days: 2 GB data + 30 minutes
• $5 / 15 days: 5 GB data + 60 minutes
• $9 / 30 days: 10 GB data + 100 minutes
• $14 / 30 days: 18 GB data + unlimited calls + SMS
• $20 / 30 days: 30 GB data + unlimited calls + SMS

CNT Postpaid Plans

• Plan $12.99/month: 10 GB data + unlimited calls
• Plan $18.99/month: 20 GB data + unlimited calls
• Plan $25.99/month: 35 GB data + unlimited calls + streaming bonus

Getting a CNT SIM Card

CNT stores are less common than Claro or Movistar outlets, especially in smaller cities. In Cuenca, the main CNT office is on Benigno Malo near the Parque Calderón. Bring your passport or cedula. SIM costs $2–$3.

Prepaid vs. Postpaid: Which Should You Choose?

Start with prepaid. Here is why:

• No cedula required (passport works)
• No contract, no commitment
• No credit check
• Easy to switch carriers if you are unhappy
• You control exactly what you spend

The downside of prepaid is that you need to manually recharge each month. You can do this at any pharmacy (Fybeca, Pharmacys), convenience store, or through bank transfer. The Mi Claro / Mi Movistar apps also accept debit card payments for recargas.

Switch to postpaid when:

• You have your cedula
• You want automatic monthly billing
• You want to finance a phone
• You need a higher data cap or roaming

Most expats stay on prepaid permanently. The cost difference is minimal, and the flexibility is worth it.

Using Your US Phone in Ecuador

Will My Phone Work?

Almost certainly yes, if it is unlocked. Ecuador's carriers use the following bands:

• 4G LTE: Bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 28 (Claro); Bands 2, 4, 5, 7 (Movistar); Bands 3, 7, 28 (CNT)
• 5G: Band n78 (Claro, limited deployment)

Any modern iPhone (iPhone 8 or later) or flagship Android (Samsung Galaxy S10 or later, Google Pixel 3 or later) supports these bands. Budget Android phones from the US market also generally work.

Unlocking Your Phone

If your phone is locked to a US carrier, you need to unlock it before using an Ecuadorian SIM. Contact your carrier:

• T-Mobile: Automatically unlocks after 40 days of active service. Can request earlier through customer support.
• AT&T: Request unlock through att.com/deviceunlock. Must be fully paid off.
• Verizon: Most phones are automatically unlocked after 60 days.

Do this before you leave the US. It is much harder to deal with from Ecuador.

Keeping Your US Number

If you want to keep your US number for banking verification codes, two-factor authentication, or staying reachable to US contacts, consider:

• Google Voice: Port your US number to Google Voice ($20 one-time fee) before canceling your US plan. You can receive calls and texts over Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. This is the most popular solution among expats.
• T-Mobile: Some T-Mobile plans include limited international data and texting. Check if your plan covers Ecuador.
• Dual SIM: Most modern phones support dual SIM (physical + eSIM, or two physical SIMs). Keep your US eSIM for verification codes and use an Ecuadorian physical SIM for daily use.

eSIM Options

Both Claro and Movistar offer eSIM activation for compatible phones. You still need to visit a store in person with your passport or cedula. The advantage is keeping your physical SIM slot free for a US SIM if you have one.

eSIM availability is expanding but not yet universal across all plan types. Call ahead to confirm your preferred plan supports eSIM activation.

International eSIM providers like Airalo and Holafly sell Ecuador data eSIMs that work on arrival. These are useful for the first few days before you get a local SIM, but they are more expensive for ongoing use ($10–$15 for 5 GB / 7 days). Do not rely on them as a long-term solution.

Porting Your Number

If you start with one carrier and want to switch to another, Ecuador supports number portability. The process:

1. Go to the new carrier's store
2. Request a portabilidad
3. Provide your cedula or passport and current phone number
4. The new carrier handles the transfer

Porting takes 1–3 business days. Your service may have brief interruptions during the switch. There is no fee for porting.

Coverage Tips by Location

Cuenca: All three carriers work well within the city. Claro and Movistar are roughly equal. CNT is acceptable but slightly spottier in outlying neighborhoods like Baños (the Cuenca suburb, not the tourist town) and rural areas of the Cuenca valley.

Quito: Excellent coverage from all three carriers throughout the metro area. The valle de los Chillos and Cumbayá/Tumbaco suburbs are well covered.

Guayaquil and the coast: Claro dominates. Movistar is good in cities, weaker between them. CNT is adequate in Guayaquil proper but spotty along smaller coastal towns.

The Oriente (Amazon region): Claro is the only carrier with meaningful coverage outside of major towns like Tena, Puyo, and Macas. Even Claro drops to 3G or nothing in deep jungle areas.

Galápagos: Limited coverage. Claro has the best presence on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. Do not expect reliable data on other islands.

Setting Up Your Phone for Ecuador

Once you have your Ecuadorian SIM active, a few setup items:

1. Download WhatsApp if you have not already. It is the primary communication tool in Ecuador — more important than calling or texting. Businesses, landlords, doctors, and friends all communicate through WhatsApp. Your Ecuadorian number becomes your WhatsApp identity.

2. Set up your carrier's app (Mi Claro, Mi Movistar, or Mi CNT) to track data usage and buy recharges.

3. Save emergency numbers:

   • 911 — General emergency
   • 101 — Police (ECU 911)
   • 102 — Fire department
   • 131 — Red Cross ambulance

4. Configure mobile banking. Your phone number is tied to your bank account for verification codes. See our guide on opening a bank account in Ecuador for details.

Data Usage Reality Check

Ecuador's mobile data speeds are adequate but not blazing. Expect 15–40 Mbps on 4G LTE in cities, dropping to 5–15 Mbps in smaller towns. This is fast enough for video calls, streaming, navigation, and all normal phone use. It is not fast enough for reliable hotspot use as your primary internet connection.

For home internet, most expats get a fiber connection through CNT or Netlife (now part of Claro) for $30–$50 per month with speeds of 50–300 Mbps. Your cell plan is for when you are out of the house.

If you use your phone primarily on Wi-Fi and only need mobile data for maps, messaging, and occasional browsing, a $12–$15 per month prepaid plan is more than sufficient. Heavy data users who stream video on mobile or use their phone as a hotspot should budget $20–$30 per month.

The Recommendation

For most expats: Get a Claro prepaid SIM on arrival. Buy the $15/month 12 GB plan. Recharge monthly through the Mi Claro app or at any pharmacy. Port your US number to Google Voice before you leave.

If you are budget-conscious and city-based: CNT prepaid at $9/month gives you enough data for daily use if you have good home Wi-Fi.

If you travel regionally (Colombia, Peru): Movistar's roaming packages offer the best value for cross-border travel.

You can always switch later at no cost. The important thing is getting a local number quickly — it unlocks WhatsApp communication, which is essential for everything from finding an apartment to ordering delivery to scheduling your visa appointment.