National Anthem
Basics[]
Operators and frequencies[]
Uruguay has 3 mobile operators:
- Antel (state-owned)
- Movistar (by Telefónica)
- Claro (by América Móvil)
Coverage and speed are pretty good for Latin American standards. But frequencies are very diverse. While Antel has 2G and 3G on "European bands", Movistar and Claro use "American frequencies". In 2017 new spectrum was auctioned to all three operators to be used for 4G/LTE, see table below:
| Operator | 2G (EDGE) | 3G (HSPA+) | 4G (LTE+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antel | 1800 MHz | 850, 2100 MHz | 700, 1700 MHz (B 4, 28) |
| Movistar | 850, 1900 MHz | 850, 1900 MHz | 700, 1700, 1900 MHz (B 2, 4, 28) |
| Claro | 1900 MHz | 1900 MHz | 700, 1700 MHz (B 4, 28) |
Legal requirements[]
You can now use your own device together with a Uruguayan SIM card registering at a kiosk or store when you buy the card. Previously, the device was required to be declared at customs. This is no longer obligatory. For purchasing a Uruguayan SIM card in a shop, you must still show your passport (in original as any copies are not accepted) and formerly had to give a local address (such as accomodation or hotel address), which is also not mandatory anymore.
Mercosur roaming []
The countries of the Mercosur Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay have agreed in 2019 to implement a "roam like at home" scheme similar to the EU. After this deal is approved by all local parliaments operators must not charge additional fees for roaming between the bloc’s member states, and must apply the same tariff conditions that apply in the user’s home state for local outgoing calls, SMS and data.
Antel[]
Antel stands for Administración Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, the state-owned, national provider of telecommunication. It has a monopoly for landlines, but on mobile networks, it competes with Movistar and Claro. Still, it's the market leader about 50% of all cellular customers and the best network in the country: 2G/3G/4G Coverage Map (change systems on top right). 4G LTE covers nearly everywhere, and 4.5G LTE Advanced is available in select cities.
Availability[]
Their prepaid SIM card is called Chip Prepago and available for $ 65. It is available in their shops and sales outlets: Antel Shop Locator. You can buy a SIM card in an Antel shop in Montevideo airport, right after you exit customs.
Recharges can be made there and everywhere where you spot the Antel logo, including Redpagos, Abitab and HoyJuega. Top-ups have a life from 3 to 120 days according to top-up amount. Incoming calls expire 180 days after a 30-day top-up, and 365 days after a 90-day top-up.
WhatsApp is free when you top up at least $ 165 every month.
Top-ups[]
Since 2018, their money and data balances are merged, so top-ups can be used for calls, SMS and data with no further action:
| Price | Data | Time | Renewal | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $ 120 | 30 GB | 3 days | once-off | "30 GB" |
| $ 200 | 40 GB | 7 days | once-off | "40 GB" |
| $ 250 | 50 GB | 10 days | once-off | "50 GB" |
| $ 165 | 760 MB | 30 days | once-off | top-up |
| $ 180 | 1 GB | 30 days | recurring | "ALTA TOTAL" |
| $ 200 | 900 MB | 60 days | once-off | top-up |
| $ 300 | 1.4 GB | 90 days | once-off | top-up |
| $ 500 | 2.3 GB | 120 days | once-off | top-up |
To check data balance text "SALDO" to 226. For activation text code to 226. To stop recurring bundles, text "BAJA TOTAL" to 226.
Tourist SIM[]
Antel released tourist SIM cards that are sold exclusively to visitors in their stores. You will need to show your foreign passport. These starter options are sold:
- 1 GB for 1 day (= 24 hours): $ 150
- 40 GB for 7 days: $ 1000
- LTE WiFi Hotspot router and 40 GB for 7 days: $ 2900
For more data you can top-up and add their usual packages.
More info[]
- APN: antel.lte
- Username and password: BAM
- Website in Spanish: http://www.antel.com.uy
Movistar[]
Movistar by Spanish Telefónica is the second provider in the country with a 34% share. It has good coverage on "American" frequencies (see above). 3G coverage is about 50%, 4G/LTE has started in Montevideo and is given out for free when you have a 4G SIM card. 2G/3G/4G coverage map.
Availability[]
Their prepaid SIM card is called Movistar Prepago and available in their shops and sales outlets: Movistar Shop Locator You can order online (Pedí tu chip) to an Uruguayan address. The delivery is free, but the SIM costs $ 60 (discounted on first recharge).
Recharges can be made there and everywhere, where you spot the Movistar logo. You can send a free SMS to 944 with the word DONDE and they text you the nearest locations. Top-ups are $ 20 to $ 1000 giving 7-90 days of credit depending on value.
Their Chip prepago offers discounted rates to certain Movistar numbers (according top-up), no data included. Minimum top-up: $ 50 in 15 days. Free WhatsApp is included.
Data feature packs[]
Internet is by default on the daily rate: 40 MB per calendar day (until 11.59 pm) for $ 18.
For more data, you should choose combo packages: Auto-renewed options called Preplan: with unlimited mins and SMS on-net for 7 days. Activation on Movistar Uruguay website or by "Mi Movistar" app:
- Preplan Super : 3 GB, 25 mins,100 SMS off-net: $ 235 for 7 days;
- Preplan Ultra: 4 GB, 40 mins, 150 SMS off-net: $ 335 for 7 days.
- Dúo Semanal: 6 GB daytime + 12 GB at nightime, 50 mins on-net, $ 169 for 7 days
- Dúo Música: 6 GB daytime + 12 GB nightime, free "Movistar Música" app traffic, $ 179 for 7 days
- Dúo XL: 12 GB daytime + 30 GB nighttime; $ 280 for 7 days - no auto-renewal!
Another not auto-renewed options are called Paquetes de Compra Puntual with data and on-net calls:
| Data | on-net Voice | Time | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 GB | 100 mins | 5 days | $ 120 | 5 DIAS |
| 3 GB | 100 mins | 10 days | $ 190 | 10 DIAS |
| 3 GB | 100 mins | 15 days | $ 230 | 15 DIAS |
| 3 GB | 100 mins | 20 days | $ 300 | 20 DIAS |
To activate, download app "Mi Movistar" or text code to 888.
More info[]
- APN: webapn.movistar.com.uy
- Username and password: movistar
- Website in Spanish: http://www.movistar.com.uy
Claro[]
Claro by Mexican América Móvil is the smallest network in the country on "American" frequencies (see above) and a 13% market share. 4G started in 2014 in Montevideo and has spread to other towns. Better check their 2G/3G/4G coverage map.
Availability[]
The prepaid SIM card called "Chip Claro Tajetero" is sold for $ 40 with lots of bonuses in kiosks and their shops. Claro Shop Locator .
Top-ups can be made there from $ 20-300 valid from 3 to 21 days respectively. For top-ups they give out heavy data bonuses:
- top-up $100-190: 100 MB for 7 days
- top-up >$200: 200 MB for 10 days
To check your balance, enter *888 or send an empty SMS to 888. Free WhatsApp is included.
Data rate[]
Internet beyond the data bonuses is on the daily rate: 100 MB per calendar day (until 11.59 pm) for $22. Using more than 100 MB per day, the rate is $0.90 per MB.
Data packages - need activation (prices in pesos uruguayos):
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| $ 40 | 1 GB | 1 day |
| $ 110 | 3 GB | 3 days |
| $ 90 | 2 GB | 5 days |
| $ 100 | 1 GB | 7 days |
| $ 120 | 2 GB | 7 days |
| $ 150 | 3 GB | 7 days |
| $ 190 | 3 GB | 10 days |
| $ 220 | 3 GB | 20 days |
To activate, dial *989# or access claro.com.uy/packs. All packages include free WhatsApp traffic, 1 GB extra free YouTube and 1 GB extra for "Free Fire" game/app.
More info[]
- APN: internet
- Username: ctiweb
- Password ctiweb999
- Website in Spanish: http://www.claro.com.uy