Brazil

The telecom scenario in Brazil is a bit chaotic. So, keep in mind the following points before travelling to Brazil:


 * The tariffs for voice calls shown below may vary from state to state, due to tax differences in various states.
 * Historically, for a foreigner to subscribe to a cellular service in Brazil, a CPF (cadastro de pessoa fisica) was required, that corresponds to a TAX ID or Social Security Number (for some countries). The procedure for issuing a CPF can be found at: http://www.receita.fazenda.gov.br, or at any Post Office Station (Correios). Starting from September 2012, mobile networks are supposed to accept passports from foreigners as seen on the Ministry of Communications website (you might need to use google translate): http://www.mc.gov.br/telecomunicacoes/noticias-telecomunicacoes/25704-turistas-estrangeiros-poderao-comprar-chips-de-celular-apresentando-passaporte
 * Activation may take a couple hours, but the tricky part is that you can't use data until you have made a chargeable call (no matter where) to complete the billing setup on their end.
 * Some operators accept data navigation on modems without signup to subscribe a prepaid dataplan directly at browser (like Tim, Claro and Vivo).
 * The majority of telecom operators have operatives that don't speak fluent English in their callcentres. So, if you need support, the best way is visiting any big mall and look for telcos store (Claro, TIM, Vivo and Oi). There's always someone who can speak English or at least someone who can try.
 * The data network quality can vary in some states. For example: in the Northeast and Northern regions, the infrastructure can be poor in certain states. In cities that are densely populated, you may experience some slowdowns but, it should not affect navigation.
 * In areas of of high population you may have some problems with a low signal when usage is at a peak. For example, your telephone shows a "Network busy" message when attempting tp make a call. However, this problem is very rare today so, don't worry!
 * When using a carrier, ask about promotions with the operators callcentre. In some cases, the default basic plans can be expensive Also, it's recommended to buy packages (as indicated bellow) as they can work out cheaper.
 * The governamental regulator of telecommunications in Brasil, it's ANATEL (http://www.anatel.gov.br).


 * Brazil, works with GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA. HSPA and some states have iDEN radio coverage. You can have some lucky, and find a test LTE network active in some momments.
 * Just for curiosity: Brazil also has a AMPS, TDMA (D-AMPS) CDMA1x and EV-DO rev0 networks, on past, of first celluar operators. In some cities, its possible yet to find analogue signal due the use of them in rural telephony.

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In general you shouldn't have to think too much about data on TIM. When I got my TIM Sim card data just worked out of the box. I barely even noticed the money it deducted from my account. I think the 10mb plan shown below was the one I was automatically put on. (24-March-2012)=====

Homepage: http://www.tim.com.br

GPRS EDGE UMTS HSDPA HSPA+

Smartphone packages:

 * 10mb for 24 hours: 0,75R$/day with 500kbps speed: after surpassing 10mb the speed maybe capped to 50kbps without any excess tariff. No subscription needed, just an Infinity Pré simcard. This package also offers a unlimited SMS package for any national operator.
 * 40mb for 24 hours: 2,90R$ (send sms to 4141 with TWDIA to subscribe)


 * 150mb for 1 week: 9,90R$ (send sms to 4141 with TWSEMANA to subscribe)


 * 300mb for 30 days: 34,90R$ (send sms to 4141 with TWMES to subscribe)

Blackberry packages:


 * unlimited for 24 hours: 1,00R$/day (w/o cap, with fair use politicy).

To subscribe for BBM package, send a SMS message to "8080", with "ilimitado" word (w/o quotes), and wait the sms with hyperlink for subscription.

Modem packages:

Infinity Web Pré Modem:
 * 80mb for 24 hours: R$1,99/day with up to 3mbps speed (contract inserting a new bought chip on modem, and subscribe, or call to *222 and go to option 5 at URA menu for subscribe in plan).

Max speed: 300kbps up to 3mbps, depending on the region or the dataplan contract.

Voice Plans: TIM Infinity Pré:


 * 0,25R$ per call in on-net calls valid for local and long distance on-net calls, using the operator code 41.
 * 0,60R$ per call in off-net calls for fixed landline phones, valid only for local calls.


 * 1,29R$ per minute in off-net mobile calls.
 * 0,75R$ per day to send any number of SMS messages to any carrier phone (included in 0,75/day internet package).
 * 0,20 per minute for international calls for United States (mobile or fixed phones).
 * 0,50 per minute, for international calls for Portugal, Spain, Argentina, and Italy (fixed phones).
 * 0,99 per minute for international calls for Germany, Chile and Mexico. (fixed phones).
 * 1,99 per minute for international calls for the rest of Europe
 * 6,99 per minute for international calls for Asia, Cuba, and Oceania.

You can verify your remaining credits, calling to *222# or *767# for promotions.

Roaming:

For calls made outside of your DDD registry area: 0,25R$/call only (for intranetwork calls), or the cost of call, if the call is made for outside of TIM network.

For calls received outside of your DDD registry area: 1,43R$/call only (any call)

Data feature packs
GPRS EDGE UMTS HSDPA HSPA+ LTE


 * Vivo Internet Diária at 0,99/day, with 15mb quota (after, the speed cap up to 32kbps). The package subscribe it's automatic
 * Datapack for smartphones at 9,90R$, with 200mb per month, (after, the shoud be speed cap up to 32kbps when reaches limit).
 * Vivo internet Semanal, at 2,99/week, with 40mb quota (after, the speed cap up to 32kbps).
 * Datapack for modems and tablets at 2,99R$/day, with 150mb (after, the speed caps to 128kbps, until the next 24 hours).

Max speed: 1mbps.

Subscribing:

To subscribe to the packages above, you need to:

Vivo on: Call to the customer service, and request the vivoon promotion, or enter on customer area on Vivo's site, and subscribe on there.

Data bundles: You may access the customer area on site to subscribe, or send a SMS message to 8200 number, with the following text:


 * Smartphone datapack - Send a SMS to 1515 with the word "internet" in text field, and wait the confirmation response. At the first activation, the customer gets 15 days for free in package. For all smartfones datapack, you can get a 10-day free use sending the word "gratis" to 1515, before contracting any datapack.
 * Semanal datapack -  Send a SMS to 1515 with the word "semana" in text field, and wait the confirmation response.

Other information

Voice Plans:

Vivo ON:

1. Rest of Brazil

Package with voice/sms/data and intranetwork bonuses.
 * 1,39R$ per minute, for intra, extranet calls, and fixed line phones.
 * Bonuses of 125R$ to use with VivoON clients network, plus (18R$ package)
 * Bonuses of 125R$ to use with any Vivo client at local intranetwork calls (18R$ package)
 * 50mb of quota to internet general access
 * Bonuses of 255R$ to use with VivoON clients network, plus (25R$ package)
 * Bonuses of 255R$ to use with any Vivo client at local intranetwork calls (25R$ package)
 * 200mb of quota to internet general access

Vivo toda hora + Vivo sempre package:
 * 1) Rest of Brazil

Promo package valid for 6 months after aplication. Need revalidation after the period


 * 0,05R$ per minute in on-net calls valid for local and long distance calls, using the 15 operador code


 * 0,35R$ per minute for fixed landline calls


 * 1,39R$ per minute for off-net calls

2. São Paulo (DDD 11 to 19)

Promo package valid for 6 months after aplication. Need revalidation after the period


 * 0,05R$ per minute in on-net calls valid for local and long distance calls, using the 15 operador code


 * 0,10R$ per minute for fixed landline calls


 * 1,39R$ per minute for off-net calls

You can verify your remaining credits, calling to *8000, and wait the SMS confirmation, or send a SMS to 8000 number with the "SALDO" word.

Data feature packs
GPRS EDGE UMTS HSDPA HSPA+ LTE

Packages for modems:


 * Pacote modem 1 dia - 1 day package: 1,99R$ with 80mb (caps the speed to 64kbps when reaches the limit).

Max Speed: 3mbps

Packages for smartphones:


 * Pacote diário - 0,50 per-day in case of usage, with 10mb/day (and 300mb/month) of quota (caps the speed to 32kbps when the limit is reached) (don't need contract, automatic activation).
 * Pacote Internet Smartfone 15 dias - 2 week package: 6,90R$ with 150mb (caps the speed to 32kbps when reachs the limit).
 * Pacote Internet Smartfone 1 mes - 1 month package: 11,90R$ with 300mb (caps the speed to 32kbps when the limit is reached).
 * Pacote Internet Smartfone 3GMax - 1 month package: 0,99/day with 15mb (The speed on this package don't have any caps, and can going up to 6mbps - Caps to 64kbps when the limit is reached).

Blackberry Packages (All plans above, give a @claro.blackberry.com mail.)
 * 15 days (R$11,90) package with same features above, plus 50mb pack for video and audiosteaming
 * 30 days (R$19,90) package, with same features above, plus 100mb pack for video and audio steaming

Max speed: 300kbps

Subscribing:

To subscribe to the packages above, you need to:

For classic databundles: For Smartphone packages (note: These packages blocks modem connections):
 * Call the customer service, and ask for datapacks for use in modem.
 * Send a SMS with the word "INTERNET" for the 768 number, and wait the confirmation.
 * To agree the blackberry packages, send the word "Pacote" to 769.

Max speed: up to 3mbps, depending of plan.

Voice plans:

Claro toda hora + Fala mais Brasil promo Package.

Brazil:
 * 0,21R$ per call for local and long distance on-net calls using the 21's carrier code, to Claro Movel, Claro Fixo (as former Embratel Livre), and Net Fone.
 * 0,60R$ per call for local calls to fixed landline phones.


 * 1,50R$ per minute to offnet mobile calls.
 * 0,50 per day in a unlimited SMS package for any national operator.

Roaming:

For make calls outside of registry area code: The regular local tariff in receivment, or making calls.

For received calls outside of registry area code: R$0,00/min (free)

CTBC Celular (Algar Telecom)


Homepage: www.ctbccelular.com.br

Data feature packs:

GPRS EDGE UMTS HSDPA

Plans:

Basic:

With a topup of R$ 15,00/at month, the client can activate the package. The package have 300mb/month. When the limit is reached, the pack it's capped to 64kbps

The voice call tariff follow as bellow:


 * R$0,12/min intra-network calls, local landline and cellphone (using 12's carrier code)


 * R$1,53/min extra-networks calls.

Maxspeed: 1mbps.

Oi Móvel
GPRS EDGE HSDPA

Data feature packs:

After the use of all package, the internet access it's blocked until next package buy, or next month.
 * 5mb for 24 hours: R$0,50 (call to *3305 to signup)
 * 20mb for 7 days: R$2,99 (call to *3320 to signup)
 * 50mb for 1 month: R$9,99 (call to *3350 to signup)
 * Odd pack: 0,079/mb

Max speed: up to 1mbps.

Voice plans: Oi Carregue e Ganhe:
 * 1) National (including São Paulo state):
 * Refilling your line with credits from 17R$ up to 50R$, you earn the same value in bonus for intranetwork mobile and fixed calls for Oi phones (local and long distance using the 31 code).
 * R$1,50/min intranetwork and fixed landline calls for local Oi movel (mobile) and Oi Fixo phones (fixed).
 * R$2,00/min extranetworks mobile calls

Data feature packs
GPRS EDGE UMTS HSDPA

Packages for smartphones:
 * 0,50/day - 1mbps, and cap up to 10mb/day. After, speed falls to 64kbps.

Max speed: up to 1mbps.

Voice plans:

Celular e-Conomico: 0,04/min: intranetwork calls

0,20/min: fixed landline calls

1,39/min: extranetwork calls

Roaming:

Not avaliable.