Claro Internet Service
Stay Connected Anywhere in Ecuador

If you think you'll be traveling a lot within Ecuador, or live far from a city, Claro internet service is probably what you'll need to stay connected to friends and family.

Known as banda ancha móvil (mobile broadband), cellular internet allows you to connect to the internet wherever you can pick up cell phone service, which is just about everywhere in Ecuador.

There are several options available, including portable and home service on a payment plan, and prepaid (and much more expensive) if you're here for just a few days at a time. You can even obtain a netbook if you don't already have a computer.

Or choose from Claro's wired internet plans, from 512 Kbits/sec up to 8 Mbits/sec (that's very fast for Ecuador).

How Cellular Internet Works

If you've ever used a thumb drive or similar USB storage device that plugs into your computer, then you're familiar with the modem that Claro provides to those who want portability.

Not much bigger than a thumb drive, your Claro modem connects to the internet from your notebook computer's USB port. You then dial up as you might have done 10 years ago with a desktop dialup modem, but it's at a much faster connection.

If you prefer, there's a desktop model that's bigger, and lets up to five computers access the internet at the same time. The office version gives you more gigabytes of download and upload than the home version.

The service runs on a 3.5G cellular network (4G with much higher speeds will be in Cuenca soon), which means you'll connect at a speed of up to 1.2 Mbits/sec (although Jeff has seen speeds as high as 2.0 Mb/sec.

Monthly Plans

If you want total portability, you'll want one of the thumb drive-type devices. If you live somewhere without access to cable or phone DSL, you'll want the home or office plan.

The monthly plans are labeled as postpago (post-paid—in other words, they take the money out of your account after the month is up, rather than making you pay first).

Plan Banda Ancha Móvil Postpago

If you need the internet only for email and surfing the web, one of the cheaper plans will likely fill the bill for you.

• For $21.28 a month (including tax), you receive 1 GB of download/upload, with extra MBs at 11.2 cents each (including tax). At the time of writing, Claro is offering a one-year bonus, doubling your 1 GB to 2 GB.
• For $32.48, including the tax, receive 2 GB. With the one year bonus, you'll have 4 GB per month. Extra MBs are 11.2 cents.
• For $43.68, tax included, you'll receive 3 GB, upped to 6 GB with the one year bonus. Extra MBs are 11.2 cents.
• The top service, at $54.88 including the tax, offers unlimited internet. However, the speed drops to 256 Kbits/second from 1.2 Mbit/sec after 5 GB of upload/download each month.

The device is free, but you need to sign an 18 month contract. Otherwise, the device is $56 including the tax.

The unlimited plan is now available with tablets, including the Galaxy Tab.

Mi Hogar and Mi Oficina

If you're stationary but don't have access to any other internet provider, the Mi Hogar or Mi Oficina plan may work for you.

• Mi Hogar (My Home) gives you 6 GB of download/upload for $66.08 per month including the tax. This allows you to have up to five computers running off this device (essentially it's a wireless router).
• Mi Oficina (My Office) offers 12 GB for $88.48 including the tax. Again, you can have up to five computers using the device.

The Mi Hogar and Mi Oficina plans come with a free email account, if you think you'll need one.

Postpago and Mi Hogar/Mi Oficina Payments

All payments are by direct debit from your bank account, so you'll need one set up with an Ecuadorian bank or credit union if you want a Postpago service.

Plan Banda Ancha Móvil Prepago

The prepaid (pay as you go) plans are much more expensive, but if you're only here for short periods (like a week at a time), this could end up costing less. There are two options.

• Unlimited internet for one day is $3.00 for 100 MB (.1 GB).
• Unlimited internet for 7 days is $16.00 for 700 MB (.7 GB).

Additional KBs (not MBs) are .2 cents each, which works out to $2.00 plus tax per MB.

You also have to buy the device, which will run you $110.88 including the tax.

Claro Internet Service by Netbook

If you aren't bringing a computer, you aren't stuck using internet cafes. Claro offers two netbook services on an 18 month plan.

• A netbook with 3 GB download/upload is $43.68 per month with extra MBs at 11.2 cents.
• A netbook with 5 GB is $54.88 per month, tax included, with extra MBs at 11.2 cents each.

At the end of the 18 months, the netbook is yours.

Internet by Phone

If you have an iPhone, Blackberry or other smartphone, Claro also offers internet for it. Prices are expensive for what you receive, but if you need access to email all the time, it may be worth it.

This link displays the prices and also discusses roaming internet charges for other countries.

And there are now plans for the Galaxy Tab and a Huawei tablet. Both come with limited or unlimited plans. The good news is that they both come with cameras, and they both allow you to tether multiple computers to them, giving them all access to the internet. That's definitely a problem with the cellular modem devices.

Claro's Banda Ancha Fijo (Wired Internet)

If you need faster connections,or need unlimited downloads and uploads, Claro's new service is right for you. You can get as high as 15 Mbit/sec (the fastest we've seen here in Ecuador, by a big margin!), with unlimited downloads and uploads, for $145 plus IVA tax ($162.40 total). And that includes free installation and free wireless equipment to share your connection with other computers.

Yes, that's expensive by North American standards. But consider that Jeff was paying $175 a month in Cotacachi for .256 Mbit/sec wireless (in other words, 1/60th of Claro's top speed).

If you don't need 15 Mb/sec, or even 8 Mb, go with one of the slower plans. All the info is here.

Summary

Claro internet service includes a wide range of options for those on the go and those who can't use other internet services.

If you need your service to call North America or Europe using Skype or MagicJack, you may want to go with the top Postpago plan, which offers 10 GB of downloads and uploads for one year. Or, if you don't need portability, use the wired internet now offered by Claro.

If you don't need communications, and don't download a lot of videos, one of the cheaper plans should be enough for your needs.

Or go wired and get very fast internet with unlimited downloads and uploads with Claro's new fijo service.

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