Movistar Internet Service
Stay Connected While on the Move

Movistar internet service is available everywhere in the urban Cuenca area, in the Yunguilla valley, and in some of the surrounding rural areas. It's also available in many other Ecuadorian cities, such as Quito, Guayaquil, Ambato, Santa Elena, Manta and Machala.

USB and Netbook Equipment

You have two options for cellular internet service with Movistar:

1. A USB modem that provides up to 2 Mbit/sec download/upload speed. Note that of the five devices available, one is not compatible with Mac computers.
2. A netbook computer with 1 GB of memory and a 160 GB hard drive, with the cellular chip built in.

Movistar Internet Service Plans

Movistar offers Pospago (monthly) and Prepago (pay as you go) plans. They also have Internet service available through your smartphone.

Pospago Plans

There are four options for USB modem internet service on a monthly plan:

1. $19 per month (plus tax) for 2 GB of download and upload.
2. $29 per month, for 5 GB.
3. $39 per month, for 6 GB.
4. $49 per month, for 10 GB. You'll want this one if you use Skype or MagicJack a lot, or download movies or TV shows.

The netbook plans are $39 per month (plus tax) for 3 GB of download and upload, or $49 per month for 5 GB.

Each additional MB (for USB and netbook plans) is $.10 (that's $100 per GB), so if you think you'll be using a lot, get a better plan. The difference between 6 GB and 10 GB on a USB modem plan is $10. It's $400 if you go over your limit on the 6 GB plan.

Pospago plans are for 18 months, with the device included in the monthly fee. You own the device at the end of the 18 months. Payments are by direct debit, so you need a bank account in Ecuador.

The Plan Total Smart (phone plan) has 11 different options, from $23 per month to $120 per month (plus tax).

The Plan Smart Todo Destino has 5 different options, from $20 per month to $100 per month (plus tax).

These plans are also by direct debit from a bank account.

Prepago Plans

The Prepago Plus plan gives you one year of service, including the USB modem, for $99 plus tax. That gives you 500 MB for the year, with each extra MB at $.02 (two cents), but with a minimum $3 recharge fee per month (or 150 MB each recharge).

The Plan Netbook Óptimo gives you 1 GB per month for the year. Each additional MB is $.10.

These plans are good if you plan to be away for three or six months, or only need internet access to check email and do some surfing. Both plans can only be done with a credit card.

Where To Set It Up

If you decide you want the Movistar internet service, you'll need to visit one of their stores in Cuenca.

Click on this link to go to the Movistar site and then select Cuenca from the menu. You have your pick of three locations, on Remigio Crespo, on Luis Cordero, or at Mall del Río.

Summary

Movistar internet service doesn't have quite the national coverage as Porta, but if you don't plan on traveling around the country, any of its plans are competitive, and some are better.

If you're living here permanently, go with a Pospago plan. If you're gone for weeks or months at a time, go with a Prepago plan.

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