ETAPA Phone Service
The Convenience of a Landline Phone

ETAPA phone service is the only landline telephone service in Cuenca, so if you don't like using cell phones, ETAPA is your communications lifeline.

The ETAPA logo

Unlike what most North Americans are used to, you pay a low monthly fee (very low) and then pay per call (also very low).

Prices

For residential use, the stated prices are:

• 0 to 200 minutes per month package, $1.99 per month, and 0.2 cents (two tenths of a cent) per call.
• 201 to 500 minutes per month package, $3.99 per month, and 0.6 cents per call.
• More than 500 minutes per month package, $4.79 per month, and 0.7 cents a call.

However, there are a few deals that have been in place for several years:

• For the first plan (0 to 200 minutes), you receive 300 free local minutes (don't ask me how to make sense of that).
• For anyone with a package over 200 minutes and less than 501:
• If you use 300 minutes or less, the monthly fee is $1.99 (a 50% discount).
• If your usage is 301 to 400 minutes, the monthly fee is $2.59 (a 35% discount).
• If you use 401 to 500 minutes, you receive a 15% discount ($3.39 per month).
• If you have the 500 or more plan, and use fewer than 701 minutes per month, you receive a $.48 discount (10%), taking it to $4.31 per month.

So the most expensive package (if you use fewer than 701 minutes per month) is $4.31 plus a maximum of $3.50 for the local calls, for a total of $7.81 plus tax.

Of course, if you use more than 700 minutes, the price will be higher. But regardless of how much you talk, it's an excellent deal compared to phone bills in North America!

If you have a disability or are over 65, you'll receive a 50% discount of the basic service (not the local calls), which will save you a maximum of $2.40 a month. You need to be a permanent resident to receive the discounts, and you'll need proof of age or disability.

In addition, the installation fee is $90 for residential lines.

ETAPA Phone Service Details

If you want to see it all in writing, more details are available at www.etapa.net.ec/Telecomunicaciones/tel_telfij_tar_pro.aspx. This page is all in Spanish, so you may need someone to translate it for you.

Long Distance

As with other countries, long distances charges are separate, although you'll receive them on the same bill.

At the time of writing, calls to the US, Canada and Mexico are $.12 a minute. For the rest of the world, prices range from $.24 per minute to $.30 per minute. Except for Cuba, where the cost is $1.15 per minute.

Long Distance Details

If you want to see the most current long distance charges, you'll find them at www.etapa.net.ec/Telecomunicaciones/tel_telint_tar_pro.aspx. This page is also all in Spanish, so you may need someone to translate it for you.

Payments

If you bank at Banco Bolivariano or Banco de Guayaquil, you can pay your bill online. Otherwise you'll have to pay in person. Here's a list of payment locations for your phone (and water) bill.

Summary

Regardless of how much you talk, the ETAPA phone service is a great deal, especially if you prefer not to use a cell phone on a regular basis. (We think you should always have one for emergencies here in Ecuador.)

Just pick the plan that's right for you, and start calling. And remember to pay your bill on time.

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