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Brazil is a world of its own. Very chaotic and not easy to handle for foreigners. Don’t expect anyone to speak or understand English. The state of the service industry and mobile providers in particular are reason for many complaints by locals too. But with a few guidelines, you can make it through the country, though prices for data on prepaid remain high compared to other Latin American countries.

Br

Basics

Operators

There are 4 national network operators, that share 97% of the mobile market in Brazil:

  • Vivo (Telefónica Brazil, owned by Spanish Telefónica)
  • TIM (owned by Telecom Italia)
  • Claro (owned by Mexican América Móvil)
  • Oi (formerly Brasil Telecom)

Furthermore, there are some regional providers:

  • Nextel (covers many states, but roams on Vivo's network in some of them. In March 2019, América Móvil (aka Claro) announced the purchase of Nextel Brazil)
  • Algar Telecom (formerly CTBC) in parts of Minas Gerais state
  • Sercomtel in parts of Paraná state

MVNOs have been pretty useless in Brazil so far. Up to 2015, they catered almost exclusively for M2M companies for tracking vehicles, portable credit card machines or insurance companies. In 2015 the first public MVNO started with Mais AD. The first viable MVNO Correios Celular has started in 2017 by the Brazilian Post Office (Correios) in the Sao Paulo region to spread nationwide using TIM's network. Porto Seguro Conecta, Brazil’s largest MVNO by subscribers, has announced in 2018 to shut down and transferring its 600,000-strong user base to network host TIM.

Finally, a company currently offer 4G/LTE subscriptions only to fixed connections through modems:

  • SKY (acquired by AT&T)

Sky operates on the 2600 MHz TDD-LTE band and don’t show intention of extending their services to mobile devices. Services are available only to select regions like some municipalities of the São Paulo state, DF and certain states of the North, Northeast and South East regions. As they are not for prepaid, they are not mentioned any further.

Regulations

Up to 2012 the mobile market was hardly accessible to foreigners. To get a prepaid SIM card in Brazil, a CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física) number was often asked for, which corresponds to a tax ID or Social Security Number, which only Brazilian residents have.

The government relaxed rules in 2012 for the Football World Cup: mobile providers were encouraged to accept passport data from foreigners instead of only CPFs. This makes it nowadays much easier for travelers to get a local SIM card.

It took a while until the shops implemented the new rules, and it still can raise eyebrows when you tell them that you want to get your SIM card without having a CPF (“não tenho CPF”). But some of the employees are familiar with it by now (see Registration below) as long as you show your passport.

Although a CPF is not mandatory, you can face problems without one. For example, Vivo's smartphone app doesn't work without a CPF and a lot of public wifi networks, for example in shopping centres, require a CPF to be entered. If you can easily visit a Brazilian consulate in your home country, then a CPF can be obtained free of charge and the process will take up much less of your time than it would in Brazil. A CPF can be beneficial for other purposes; for example some Brazilian car hire websites ask for it.

Frequencies

The mobile industry in Brazil is organized according to area codes called DDD. Mind you the same provider can be on different frequencies according to their licenses in every state (or even by area code in some cases).

Operator 2G GSM (MHz) 3G/HSDPA (MHz) 4G (MHz and bands) in FDD-LTE
Vivo 850, (900, 1800@, 1900§) 850, 2100 700 (B28), 1800 (B3), 2600 (B7)
TIM 900, 1800 850, (900*), 2100 700 (B28), 850 (B5)#, 1800 (B3),

2100 (B1)#, 2600 (B7)

Claro 900, 1800, 1900(=) 850, 2100 700 (B28), 2600 (B7), 1800 (B3)
Oi 900, 1800 2100 1800 (B3)*, 2600 (B7)
Nextel N/A(!) 2100 1800 (B3), 2100 (B1)

The 700 MHz (B28) frequency for 4G/LTE is being gradually deployed as soon as analog TV has left this band. As it has been delayed a few times, realistically it's now expected to start in 2018 and to be fully employed by 2020.

(1900§): Vivo's 1900 MHz frequency has been realigned to 3G (as uplink for 2100 MHz) in most parts of the country and is used for 2G only in the Northeastern region.

850# and 2100#: 850 MHz (B5) for LTE is only available in the countryside and in remote regions. 2100 MHz (B1) is currently only available in the Sao Paulo Metro Area.

(900, 1800@): Vivo's 900/1800 MHz frequency for 2G is available only in the Minas Gerais state, legacy from the Telemig Celular (former mobile telco acquired by the spanish operator back in 2007)

(900*): TIM's 900 MHz for 3G is only used in the Sao Paulo Metro area to boost coverage and network performance.

1900(=): Claro owns a 1900 MHz block on some states exclusively for WLL usage, legacy from a old company acquired by them. This block used to be a CDMA1x carrier in the past, and went to GSM some time after.

All operators have now opened 4G/LTE for all of their prepaid plans without surcharges, but often throttle max. speed to 5 Mbit/s or similar.

Coverage and speeds

You have coverage in all states on the 4 major providers Vivo, TIM, Claro and Oi. This is also true to Nextel up to 3G thanks to a roaming agreement giving all of them a 3G coverage of 85-92% and a 4G/LTE coverage of 65-78% of population in 2018 according to OpenSignal. The two local providers Algar Telecom and Sercomtel only have a very limited coverage in their own region and are not recommended for travelling.

The four major players are pretty much on par. Vivo is the overall market leader by customers, thanks to a strong postpaid share, TIM and Oi are the prepaid leaders, TIM has the biggest 4G coverage and Claro leads in the 3G section and for 4G with the highest speeds.

As a golden rule: The richer your area is, the better your coverage and speed will be. This applies on a state-wide as well on a local level to all providers. As you know, the gap is huge in Brazil ranging from non-existent to hyper speed. For more infomation, check each provider.

What speed is concerned OpenSignal and Ookla users measured the highest speeds with Claro at 28 Mbit/s and slowest with Oi at 10-12 Mbit/s in 2018. This is different from 4G coverage led by TIM, followed by Vivo and Claro.

Availability

SIM cards are called chips and cost around R$ 8-15, mostly without credit. You can get one at many locations, but better stick to the mobile provider shops, as they can do or may help with registrations without CPF. There you need to show your passport and sometimes give a local address (like a hotel address). Try to make clear that you need a prepaid SIM card which is called chip pré-pago (pronounced locally: sheepy preh pah go).

Claro and TIM sell tourist SIM cards which are not available for local residents. Generally, they give good rates, but have been proven to be hard to find sometimes.

Recharges

You can refill accounts almost everywhere like in drugstores, supermarkets, newsstands, convenience stores, post offices or by online agencies like Recarga.com, iCelex and Onepay. Most prepaid SIM cards need to be topped up at least every 60 days to stay alive. Sometimes they’ll hand you a little card with a scratchable code that you’ll have to call a number and add the code or, most often, they’ll ask your 11-digit phone number and just top up like most places.

Registration

While newsstand and street sellers offer SIM cards too, you'd better go to an official store with your passport (or South American ID card), if you don’t have a CPF. Otherwise, you need to contact the operators special service for non-Brazilian residents, which require to give passport data, a local address (like your hotel's), and a local phone number in order to activate over the phone.

The regular registration with CPF is shown HERE. During registration you can select your area code - called DDD, like in the US. Generally, you should select the region where you are going to use it most, if you want to make domestic voice calls (see voice plans). In some cases the carrier automatically selects the area code of where you are.

Some SIM cards come preloaded with credit which can be checked by the user by calling a specific number provided by the operator from which a text message is sent showing the total credits available for that card. These numbers are: Vivo: *8000 Claro: *544#  TIM: *222# and Oi: *804

Voice Rates

Starting in 2015, in an effort to curb multi-SIM use, TIM and Oi have stopped charging differential tariffs for calls to other carriers for all their plans in November 2015. The other major carriers followed later and nowadays for most tariff lines there are no more intra-national roaming charges. They now mostly offer two rates: a cheaper rate for on-net calls within the same network nationwide and a more expensive rate for calls to all other national providers.

So it's not so important anymore where (or rather to which DDD region) your number is assigned, but still which operator you are using and to whom you place your call. Better stay within the same provider, if you are going to make a lot of calls to one particular number.

Rates still differ from state to state about 10% because of different taxation. Some providers offer special rates for rural areas. Due to the steep price differences between voice tariffs, you should be aware of two basic guidelines for voice calls (except on TIM and Oi):

Dialing rules (long-distance and international)

The Brazilian system for long-distance and international dialing is relatively unusual and somewhat confusing, insofar as the choice of the carrier determines the actual sequence to be dialed.

To dial a long-distance number within Brazil, one needs to use a carrier selection code to choose which long-distance carrier will be used. The carrier selection code is specified before the area code; so, to actually place a call, one should dial 0-xx-aa-nnnn-nnnn, where xx is the two-digit carrier selection code, aa the area (= DDD) code and nnnn-nnnn the local number.

This is true to international calls as well. The sequence is 00-xx-cc-aa-nnnn-nnnn where cc stands for the country code. More info about dialing rules HERE. The carrier selection codes are given in the respective section at the bottom of each operator.

Technical Details

Tethering is allowed and possible on all plans, as well as VoIP calls. Operators sometimes don’t allow their prepaid voice & data SIM cards to be used in a modem or tablet. But it works anyway and the same rates are charged for Mobile Broadband plans.

There are some areas where service suddenly drops or slows down due to congestion. When you are unsatisfied with the service in your area, there is not much hope in complaining. Better get a new SIM of a competitor instead. When shopping around, always ask about promotions.

vivo

Vivo

Vivo (pronounced like 'VEE-voo') is the largest mobile carrier in Brazil, which is owned by Telefónica from Spain and has 32% of the Brazilian market share in 2018. From their total of 75 million subscribers only 57% are using prepaid plans. It was the last operator to allow prepaid customers on 4G/LTE in 2015. Vivo is known to have the most reliable network at the highest rates in the country.

Vivo's network has national coverage and it became the brand for all consumer services provided by Telefónica in Brazil, which include broadband internet, TV subscription and fixed telephone lines.

Traditionally, Vivo operated a CDMA network but changed to GSM from 2007 on. Vivo has the best 3G coverage of the country’s operators covering 92% of the population and is on par with Tim for 4G/LTE with 77% in 2017: coverage Map

Availability

Vivo SIM cards are sold at many places. It's best to get them in their own branded stores, if you come from abroad: Store Locator

Recharge vouchers can be found all over the country ranging from R$ 12 for 30 days to R$ 50 for 120 days (some states / provinces may have exclusive options, like R$ 5, R$ 7 or R$ 60). Online on their website you can top up R$ 12-300 using credit cards or PayPal. Check balance by texting ‘SALDO’ to 8000 or by code *8000.

If you fail to recharge, your line will be cancelled and you will not be able to use it at all, even to receive SMS. Within 180 days of cancellation, recharging will immediately reactivate your line. Recharging on the Vivo web site usually requires receiving a validation SMS, which you cannot do if your line is cancelled. Bear in mind that if you have any recurring services on your line such as Vivo Turbo that you did not cancel, then any credit that you add will immediately cause a renewal of those services. Therefore be sure to cancel any recurring services before your line becomes disconnected in case you decide to reactivate the line with a recharge.

Daily Plan (Plano Pré)

Plano Pré Diário is now the new standard tariff. The starter pack comes with R$ 10 bonus valid for 3 days.

The default rate is a separate daily rate: one for voice and another for data and SMS. It's charged only on the days you are using each service:

  • R$ 2.49: unlimited intra-network calls (outside of DDD using prefix 15), 150 MB data, 300 intra-network SMS, 15 SMS to other domestic operators
  • R$ 1.99: 10 minutes off-net calls (landline or mobile)

Combo plans (Vivo Turbo)

Combo plans are called Vivo Turbo (for activation text ‘TURBO’ to 9003). There are options with different validity (considering DDD 011 - São Paulo):

Price Validity Data Calls & Texts & WhatsApp
R$ 7.99 7 days 500 MB unlimited to Vivo, free WhatsApp
R$ 8.99 7 days 500 MB unlimited to Vivo, free WhatsAapp, NBA and Vivo Bem apps
R$ 8.99 7 days no unlimited to Vivo, 200 mins to others
R$ 9.99 7 days 1 GB unlimited to Vivo, free WhatsApp, NBA and GoRead apps
R$ 14.99 7 days 2 GB unlimited to Vivo, 40 mins to others, free WhatsApp, NBA, GoRead and Vivo Bem Apps
R$ 8.90 15 days 1 GB unlimited to Vivo, free WhatsApp
R$ 11.99 15 days 1 GB unlimited to Vivo, free WhatsApp, Vivo Bem app
R$ 19,99 30 days 2 GB unlimited to Vivo, 20 mins to others, free WhatsApp
R$ 39.99 30 days 1.2 GB unlimited to Vivo, 25 mins to others, free WhatsApp

Free WhatsApp to send messages, photos and videos (not for calls).

In some provinces of Brazil (where Vivo is not the first in market share) you will get slightly more data or more voice minutes for other operators. You can add daily data add-ons for more data or renew the Turbo plan by texting "ANTECIPE" to 9003.

Three weekly add-on packages are offered in addition to Turbo plans:

  • 30 mins to all domestic providers: R$ 1.99
  • 1 GB for social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest): R$ 2.99
  • 2 GB for video and audio streaming (Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, Napster): R$ 4.99; activation.

Activation is through *9003.

Monthly prepaid data-only (Pré Mensal)

For tablets and modems Vivo sells Pré Mensal. This is a data-only SIM, but not such a good deal as you can only book the monthly packages and add-ons mentioned under Internet Pré shown above. It costs R$ 19.90 for 400 MB.

More info

TIM

Tim1

TIM (pronounced like 'cheem'), owned by Telecom Italia, is the prepaid leader in the country. It’s the overall no. 3 with a total share of 24% or 56 million subscribers, 79.5% are using a prepaid plan. TIM is present in all Brazilian states. 85% of population are covered by 3G and 77% by 4G in 2017 on par with Vivo: coverage map .

Availability

SIM cards are sold at many places. It's best to get them at their branded stores (store locator) for registration.

Recharge vouchers of R$ 10, R$ 15, R$ 20, R$ 30, R$ 40, R$ 50 and R$ 100 are sold extending with a validity 30 to 180 days in banks, lottery agencies, pharmacies, supermarkets and other places. You can also top up using your credit card online (site TIM - "recarga express"), app "Meu TIM" or over the phone by typing *244 or *244#. You can check balance by typing *222#. There is an option to program auto-recharge when balance is low or by chosen a specific day.

TIM sells data plans in daily or monthly packages (TIM Pré Internet) as well as voice and data combos on a weekly or monthly base (TIM Pré Internet + Minutos).

TIM Pré Internet

This is TIM's data (and SMS) offer based on daily or monthly packages. Tariffs and offers may differ slightly from state to state. Max. speed is 1 Mbit/s on 3G and 5 Mbit/s on 4G.

  • daily packages (based on a calendar day from midnight to midnight) - called "TIM Pré Infinity Web":
    • 100 MB: R$ 1.49 - activation: WEB100
    • 250 MB: R$ 1.99 - activation: WEB250
    • 500 MB: R$ 3.49 - activation: WEB500
    • 1 GB: R$ 4.99 - activation WEB1GB

To activate text code to 4141, go online to your personal account or call *222 or *144#.

Daily packages include a data allowance only charged when you use internet and unlimited WhatsApp and SMS to all operators. For more data you can upsize at same rates, for activation text "MAIS100MB", "MAIS250MB", "MAIS500MB" or "MAIS1GIGA" to 4141.

  • monthly packages (for 30 days) - called "TIM Pré Smart Web":
    • 500 MB: R$ 19
    • 1 GB: R$ 29
    • 3 GB: R$ 59 (TIM Music by Deezer included)
    • 5 GB: R$ 69 (TIM Music by Deezer included)

To activate, text code "TIMPRE" to 4140, go online to your personal account or call *222 or *144#. The monthly bundles are auto-renewal. To cancel, text code "SAIR500", "SAIR1GB", "SAIR3GB" or "SAIR5GB" (according to the pack) to 4141 or call *222.

The monthly packages don't contain SMS, but WhatsApp use and some audio streaming. If you use more without any allowance, internet will be blocked. For more data you can either upsize: 150 MB at R$ 5 for 7 days - activation: "MAISWEB"' to 2000 (TIM Pré Smart Web 500 MB and 1 GB) or "MAISWEB" to 4141 (TIM Pré Smart Web 3 GB and 5 GB).

These add-ons are available for social media:

  • for WhatsApp: R$ 1.50 until the end of the day or R$ 12 for 30 days
  • for Facebook: R$ 9.90 for 30 days
  • for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: R$ 10 for 7 days or R$ 20 for 30 days

TIM Pré Top

These new plans were introduced at the end of 2018 for social media users. It includes unlimited calls to all operators and zero-rated use of messenger apps: Facebook, FB Messenger, WhatsApp and Twitter. All top-up directly translate into a set of allowances:

Recharge Data Time Extras
R$ 10 1 GB 7 days
R$ 15 1.4 GB 10 days
R$ 20 2 GB 14 days
R$ 30 3 GB 21 days
R$ 40 4 GB 28 days
R$ 50 4.3 GB 30 days R$ 7.14 credit
R$ 60 4.3 GB 30 days R$ 17.14 credit
R$ 100 4.3 GB 30 days R$ 57.14 credit

All packages include unlimited local minutes or through IDD 41, 100 SMS, unlimited zero-rated messenger data and a general data quota. To change to this plan, text 'TOP' to 4141.

After the release of Tim Pré Top, Tim introduced another option called Tim Pré Top Mais, which delivers more data (with slightly shorter validity) to each top-up:

Recharge Data Time Extras
R$ 10 1.3 GB 5 days
R$ 15 1.8 GB 7 days
R$ 20 2.7 GB 10 days
R$ 30 4 GB 15 days
R$ 40 5.4 GB 20 days
R$ 50 6.7 GB 25 days
R$ 60 8.1 GB 30 days
R$ 100 8.1 GB 30 days R$ 40 credit

To change to this plan, text 'TOPMAIS' to 4141.

Visitor TIM

Visitor TIM is their tourist SIM and may be hard to find, as it's for foreigners only. If you find it somewhere on the streets, activation process requires calling the code *144 and providing your name, passport number and temporary address in Brazil.

It's sold for R$ 50 and includes the same credit. For 7 days you can add a 1.5 GB pack of data plus TIM WiFi use for R$ 25. All national calls are R$ 0.50 per min and international calls R$ 1 per min using carrier prefix 41, all SMS are R$ 0.50.

For more data or beyond 7 days, you can text ‘WEB OK’ to 2500 and buy another 1.5 GB data valid for another week for R$ 25. More info in English: HERE

More info

TIM has the most advantageous tariffs for calling abroad, depending on the destination country (excluding TIM Visitor, that has special tariffs). To take advantage of these prices you must make a call using the prefix 41 when calling abroad.

  • TIM carrier code: 41
  • APN: timbrasil.br or tim.br
  • Username and password: tim
  • Website in Portuguese: www.tim.com.br

Claro

ClaroLogo

Claro (pronounced like 'CLAH-row') is the third largest mobile operator in Brazil owned by Mexican América Móvil. It has kept a 25% of the Brazilian market share making it no.2 in the country. Of their total of 59 million subscribers, 74% are using a prepaid plan.

Claro's network has national coverage and similar to Vivo, Claro offers additional services, like fixed broadband connection, telephone line and TV subscription.

3G coverage is on 91% of population and 4G/LTE 73% in 2017: Coverage Map

Availability

Claro SIM cards are sold at many places. It's best to get them at their store for immediate activation without a CPF (store locator).

You can add credit online by credit card or using vouchers sold in all Claro stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, lottery stores etc. Values of R$13 to R$100 are available. Enter voucher code like this *577*<voucher pin="">#. Check credit by typing *544#.</voucher>

Planos Pré

Their standard prepaid plan is called Prezão Diário, which gives you unlimited on-net calls, 10 min off-net calls, unlimited SMS on-net, 15 SMS off-net and 100 MB of internet (WhatsApp messages without discounting from quota), costing R$1.99 (billed after the first use), valid for the rest of the day (until 23:59:59).

You have the choice of daily, weekly or monthly packs, all including zero-rated WhatsApp use (no VoIP):

  • weekly packages (free WhatsApp included):
    • 1 GB + 1 GB for renewal (bonus, valid for 6 months), unlimited calls to any operator: R$ 9.99, activation: text 'SEMANA' to 2006
  • monthly package:
    • 3 GB + 3 GB for renewal (bonus, valid for 6 months), unlimited calls to any operator: R$ 34.99, activation: text 'MES' to 2006

Data is up to 4G/LTE and 5 Mbit/s. It will be shut off, when having reached the quota. Then all packages can be purchased new, even ahead of time. Activate by *1052# or use one of these add-on packages:

  • daily add-ons (valid until midnight):
    • 100 MB for R$ 1.39
    • 200 MB for R$ 1.99
  • monthly add-ons:
    • 300 MB for R$ 7.99
    • 500 MB for R$ 13.99
    • 1 GB for R$ 21.99
    • 2 GB for R$ 23.99

More info

  • Claro carrier code: 21
  • APN: claro.com.br
  • Website in Portuguese: http://www.claro.com.br (you have to pick an address)

oi

Oi

Oi (the Brazilian word for 'hi') is the fourth largest mobile operator in Brazil that is currently owned by CorpCo, a joint venture with Portugal Telecom, and has 17% of the Brazilian market share. Of their total of 39 million subscribers, they have a high prepaid share. 81% are using a prepaid plan making Oi the number two on the prepaid phone market.

Oi network has national coverage and also offers additional services similar to other major operators, like fixed broadband connection, telephone line and TV subscription.

Oi may be the smallest of the big four, but it has the largest WI-FI network in Brazil with more than 1 million access points. Oi has furthermore a national roaming agreement with TIM closing some gaps due to its lower coverage. On its own resources, it covers 72% of the population by 3G and 55% by 4G in 2017: Coverage map. In November 2015 they stopped charging differential voice prices to other operators.

In 2019 Oi seems to be once again in financial difficulties, so that a shake up of the Brazilian market is expected.

Availability

Oi SIM cards are sold at many places. It's best to get them at their stores: store locator (select state, then city).

Top-up online by credit card or by vouchers sold at all Oi stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, banks or lottery shops. Top-ups are available from R$ 10 to R$ 200 giving 30 to 180 days of service.

You can check balance by typing *805.

Their prepaid plans differ according to region (DDD). In areas where they have a low market share, prices may be discounted. For their prepaid SIM you have 4 choices - all called "Oi Livre". Prices/data below in São Paulo state (DDD 11)

Oi Livre por dia

This is their new daily plan at R$ 1.29 for 60 MB and 30 SMS. You pay only on the day you are using internet. Voice calls R$ 0.99 to Oi (package with 300 min) or R$ 0.30 per minute to other domestic operators. Max. speed is 5 Mbps.

Oi Livre

This plan can be customized and is auto-renewed, according to its balance or top-up. It comes in three tariff lines and here are the basic rules:

Oi Livre Reload Data SMS Voice to all operators Validity
Standard R$ 1 50 MB 30 20 mins 1 day
Ilimitado R$ 1.42 158 MB 30 unlimited calls 1 day
Mais Intenet R$ 2 250 MB 50 unlimited calls 1 day

This means that on their Standard plan, you get for every R$ loaded, 50 MB data, 30 SMS and 20 mins voice time plus 1 day of validity. The others plans differ in allowances. Here are some examples of this scheme for usual top-up values:

Oi Livre Standard Plan
Top-up Data SMS Voice Validity
R$ 10 500 MB 300 200 mins 10 days
R$ 14 700 MB 420 280 mins 14 days
R$ 20 1 GB + 1 GB 600 400 mins 20 days
R$ 30 1.5 GB + 2 GB 750 600 mins 30 days
Oi Livre Ilimitado Plan
R$ 14 1.3 GB 270 unlimited 9 days
R$ 20 2.1 GB + 1 GB 420 unlimited 14 days
R$ 30 3.2 GB + 2 GB 630 unlimited 21 days
R$ 45 4.6 GB + 2 GB 900 unlimited 30 days
Oi Livre Ilimitado Mais Internet Plan
R$ 14 1.7 GB 350 unlimited 7 days
R$ 20 2.5 GB + 1 GB 500 unlimited 10 days
R$ 30 3.8 GB + 2 GB 750 unlimited 15 days
R$ 60 7.6 GB + 2 GB 1500 unlimited 30 days

Promotionally some area codes (DDD) have different values, Check out Oi's website for more information. R$ 20 top-ups give 1 GB and R$ 30 2 GB bonus valid only for 14 days.

By accessing "Minha Oi" app, minutes can be changed to data and vice versa: 1 min = 2 MB in the stardard plan, 10 mins = 1 MB in Ilimitado Plan and 7 mins = 1 MB in Mais Internet plan. Unused data rolls over to the next period, if the plan is renewed. Change of plans costs R$10. For out of DDD calls or other operators, you need to use Oi carrier code (see below). Unlimited use of more than one million Oi WiFis is included.

All times are based on calendar days in the time zone associated to your DDD. To add, change or teminate plan, type *880 or *3007.

Data overuse is charged at R$ 1 per 20 MB per day. To get more data, you have to wait for renewal or buy one of these add-ons:

Data Time Price Activation
60 MB until midnight R$ 0.99 *4160
200 MB until midnight R$ 2.99 *41200
250 MB 7 days R$ 3.99 *41250
400 MB 30 days R$ 9.99 *41400
800 MB 30 days R$ 19.99 *41800
1 GB 30 days R$ 24.99 *4101
2 GB 30 days R$ 39.99 *4102

Oi WiFi Fon

Oi phone

Unlimited Oi WIFI Fon with more than 1 million access points is added for free to all Oi plans and packages. WIFI locator There, it’s graphically shown, how to get your access code too. If you have an regular Oi account that gives you Wi-Fi access, you can use the 'Oi WiFi' app (available for iOS and Android) and enjoy auto-connect.

In 2016 Oi has launched a pilot project to permit access to 2 million hotspots of its WiFi network, free of charge, for users of any operator. This service is part of Oi's strategy, which includes sponsored internet access. All those interested will have to download the Oi WiFi app, opt in to receive advertising and when accessing the internet will see an advertising banner. For the start, access is only possible on Android smartphones. Those who want to access the internet without advertising can buy passes using a credit card:

  • R$ 5.79 for 1 hour
  • R$ 8.90 for 24 hours
  • R$ 19.90 for 30 days

More info

  • Oi carrier codes: 31 (for area codes starting with 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 or 9), 14 (for area codes starting with 4, 5 or 6)
  • APN: gprs.oi.com.br
  • Username and password: oi
  • Website (in Portuguese): http://www.oi.com.br
  • Website for Oi WiFi in English: https://www6.wifioi.com.br/

nextel

Nextel nuevo logo

Nextel used to be a provider offering iDEN technology which is not compatible to GSM. In 2010 they started to build a so far limited 3G network and in 2014 4G/LTE launched in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo on 1800 MHz. In many other places they still rely on roaming with Vivo. On its own resources it covers 47% of the population with 3G and only 5% with 4G/LTE in 2017. It's old iDEN-based network was shut down in 2018 and 800 MHz (B20) is now used for LTE. In 2018 they've reached a market share of 1.3% on 3G/4G.

Nextel began to accept prepaid users through a new plan called Happy, for which the user can customize his own allowances using their app (for Android or iOS). Moreover, the user can change packages, refill using prepaid vouchers or credit cards or even cut off/cancel their line using this app.

In March 2019, América Móvil (Claro's owner) announced the purchase of Nextel Brazil (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nii-holdings-m-a-america-movil/mexicos-america-movil-to-buy-nextels-brazil-operation-filing-idUSKCN1QZ1AU).

Availability

The SIM card is available in their stores within their coverage areas (locator) for R$ 10. This plan is only applicable on its 3G/4G network, and won't work with iDEN mobile phones. It can be a little tricky for visitors to subscribe to this plan, since it's only available in the area codes (DDD) of São Paulo 11, 12, 13, 15, 19 and Rio de Janeiro 21, 22, 23, 24 so far.

The plan is controlled by an app (available in Google Play and App Store). You can download the app first, configure the plan and buy the SIM card (chip) through the app. It will be delivered in your adress in Brazil in 4 working days.

Happy

Happy by Nextel

Happy offers unlimited calls and SMS, free national roaming, and messaging apps (such as WhatsApp, Messenger and Telegram) without discounting from quota. The following package combos for its 3G/4G data are offered:

  • for 7 days:
    • 1 GB: R$ 9.99
    • 2 GB: R$ 17.99
  • for 30 days:
    • 4 GB: R$ 39.99
    • 8 GB: R$ 69.99
    • 12 GB: R$ 89.99

More info

Algar Telecom

Algar Telecom

Algar Telecom belongs to the Algar Group and operates a small mobile network formerly called CTBC Celular in the central inland of Brazil. The company is based out of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais and has 0.4% of the Brazilian market share. From their total of 1.1 million subscribers 71% are using their prepaid plan.

While they operate for business customers in some centers, private customers on prepaid are restricted to a small area mostly in the state of Minas Gerais. Without roaming in other places, they are not recommended for travellers. In 2016 they switched on 4G/LTE on 700 MHz (band 28), in 2017 1800 MHz (B3) is refarmed for 4G/LTE. It only covers around 1-2% of the national population in these areas in 2017.

It has a daily and a weekly plan:

  • Pro Giga Pré: daily plan at R$ 0.99 including unlimited WhatsApp, unlimited local calls and 100 MB of data. All overuse is at R$ 0.15 per MB or buy additional packages. Activation: text 'GIGA' to 123
  • weekly plan at R$ 8.99 including 1 GB local data, unlimited local calls for 7 days. Activation: text 'SEMANAL' to 100.

For more data you can add 100 MB at R$ 0.99 or 300 MB at R$ 1.99 by texting '100' or '300' to 100.

In a short, as Algar is just a regional carrier (operating in a bunch of cities in the Triangulo Mineiro region and some little near cities around), this operator is not suitable for a traveler, and we recommend another operator above while roaming here, due to its very limited coverage.

Sercomtel

Sercomtel

Sercomtel, formerly Sercomtel Celular, is the smallest Brazilian mobile operator. It's a super local mobile operator based in Londrina, Paraná and only provides network coverage in the Londrina area; however, in 2009 Anatel gave Sercomtel licenses to expand services throughout the entire Paraná state. At the moment, Sercomtel has 0.02% of the Brazilian market share with only 52,000 subscribers.

Brazilian regional operator Sercomtel has introduced new prepaid plans with a weekly or monthly option:

  • Livre semanal: 1 GB + 500 MB roaming data in Brazil for a week- R$ 9.
  • Livre: 1 GB + 500 MB roaming data for a month: R$ 18 + R$ 0.43 for every day of use

As Sercomtel has very limited roaming, it's not recommended for travellers and it's market share remains below 0.5%.

  • Sercomtel carrier selection code: 43
  • APN: sercomtel.com.br Username and Password: sercomtel
  • Website (in Portuguese): http://www.sercomtel.com.br

Correios Celular

Correios-celular

The first viable MVNO in the country has started in March 2017 by the Brazilian Postal Offices (Correios). Correios Celular is a joint venture between the Post Office and EUTV, using the mobile network of TIM in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE, but no international calls can be made and no international roaming is offered so far.

Availability

SIM cards by the state-owned company are available in post offices throughout major parts of Brazil (store locator) . They started in the metropolitan regions of São Paulo, Brasília and Belo Horizonte, in June 2017 Rio de Janeiro was added. As of November 2017 the SIM is sold in Brasília, São Paulo, Campinas, Ribeirão Preto, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Pará and Santa Catarina. The goal is to reach all Brazilian states at more than 3,600 locations and 12,400 counters by the end of 2018.

The SIM card is sold for R$ 10. You can top-up in post offices R$ 30, 90 or 180 valid for the same number of days. Check balance by *222# and check number by *221#.

Plans

The operator offers 4 monthly prepaid plans valid for 30 days:

Plan Voice Data Price
Alô 30 100 mins 1 GB R$ 30
Alô 40 200 mins 3 GB R$ 40
Alô 60 300 mins 5 GB R$ 60
Alô 90 400 mins 8 GB R$ 90

Voice calls are to all operators and DDDs. For overuse data is throttled to 32 kbps. Default data is R$ 0.10 per MB. WhatsApp use is not debited from the data allowance as long a plan is active and this includes VoIP calls too, but no video exchange. Unused data rolls over to the next month, if a new plan is bought.

For more data you need to top-up R$ 15 which is only available in post offices. By *223*1051# you can activate 750 MB for R$ 15. To check data balance, enter *225#.

More info

  • it's still very much unknown, how and if this operator will be accessible to foreigners without CPF
  • APN: internet.br
  • Website in Portuguese: http://www.correioscelular.com.br/
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