Uruguay

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":

Operator	2G (EDGE)	3G (HSPA+)	4G (LTE)	planned for LTE
Antel	1800 MHz	850, 2100 MHz	1700 MHz (4)	700 MHz (28)
Movistar	850, 1900 MHz	850, 1900 MHz	1900 MHz (2)	700, 1700 MHz (4, 28)
Claro	1900 MHz	1900 MHz	1700 MHz (4)	700 MHz (28)

In 2017 new spectrum was auctioned to all three operators to be used for 4G/LTE, see table above.

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 copies are not accepted) and formerly had to give a local address, which is also not mandatory anymore.

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 with 53% of all cellular customers and the best network in the country: 2G/3G/4G Coverage Map. 3G covers about 90% of population. 4G/LTE started in 2011 and is available for prepaid without surcharge, but limited to the city centers so far

Availability

Their prepaid SIM card is called Chip Prepago and available for $ 65 containing 512 MB and 500 domestic SMS for 30 days 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 for $ 1-1000 extending SIM life from 5 to 120 days according to top-up amount. Check balance by *77 for a $1 fee.

Data feature packs

There is no internet without bundles. So after activation you must top-up and choose one of these data bundles:

Price	Data	Time	Plan	Activation
$ 30	3 GB	24 hours	once-off	DIA 30
$ 100	1.5 GB	7 days	once-off	BAM 100
$ 100	500 MB	30 days	once-off	100
$ 100	600 MB	30 days	recurring	ALTA MES 100
$ 200	1.75 GB	30 days	once-off	200
$ 200	2 GB	30 days	recurring	ALTA MES 200

For activation text code to 226. To check data balance text SALDO to 226. To stop recurring bundles, text BAJA MES <###> to 226.

Tourist SIM

In 2017 Antel released two tourist SIM cards that are sold exclusively to visitors in their stores. You will need to show your foreign passport. These two starters are sold:

• 1 GB for 1 day (24 hours): $ 150
• 40 GB for 7 days: $ 1000

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 just 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 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 $ 20-1000 giving 7-90 days of credit.

Chip prepago offers discounted rates to certain Movistar numbers (according top-up), no data included. Minimum top-up: $ 50 in 15 days. Internet is on the daily rate: 25 MB per calendar day (until 11.59 pm) for $12.90.

Data feature packs

For more data, you should choose a combo package called Paquetes de Internet:

Data	on-net Voice	Time	Price
3 GB	100 mins	1 day	$ 39
3 GB	100 mins	5 days	$ 99
3 GB	100 mins	10 days	$ 159
3 GB	100 mins	15 days	$ 199

To activate, download app "Mi Movistar". "Paquetes de internet" are not auto-renewed.

Auto-renewed option is called "Preplan" and include voice, text and data:

• 3 GB, unlimited mins/SMS on-net, 25 mins/100 SMS off-net, $ 195 for 7 days.
• 4 GB, unlimited mins/SMS on-net, 40 mins/150 SMS off-net, $ 295 for 7 days.

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 has started in 2014 in Montevideo and spread to 2 other towns. So make check network, before you buy a SIM card or check their 2G/3G/4G coverage map.

Availability

The prepaid SIM card called "Chip Claro Tajetero" is sold for $ 40 with lots of bonuses and freebies 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 $70-99: 100 MB for 7 days
• top-up $100-149: 200 MB for 10 days
• top-up $150-199: 300 MB for 15 days
• top-up $200-299: 400 MB for 15 days
• top-up $500-: 500 MB for 21 days

To check your balance, enter *888 or send an empty SMS to 888.

Data rate

Internet beyond the data bonueses is on the daily rate: 50 MB per calendar day (until 11.59 pm) for $15. Using more than 50 MB per day, the rate is $0.30 per MB.

Data packages - need activation (prices in pesos uruguayos):

Price	Data	Validity	Activation
$ 50	unlimited	2 hours	2HORAS
$ 18	200 MB	24 hours	200MEGA
$ 25	500 MB	24 hours	500MEGA
$ 35	1 GB	24 hours	1GIGA
$ 45	1 GB	2 days	2DIAS
$ 55	1 GB	3 days	3DIAS
$ 75	3 GB	3 days	3GIGA
$ 75	2 GB	5 days	5DIAS
$ 120	3 GB	7 days	7DIAS
$ 160	3 GB	10 days	10DIAS
$ 200	3 GB	15 days	15DIAS

To activate, dial *989# or text code above to 454. All packages include free WhatsApp traffic.

More Info

• APN: internet
• Username: ctiweb
• Password ctiweb999

• Website in Spanish: http://www.claro.com.uy