As all over the world, mobile phones, or "celular" in Ecuador, are used by the vast majority of the Ecuadorian population, especially in large cities like Quito. Therefore, mobile phone services are available various forms and you will have to choose between a mobile phone contract and prepaid services.

Providers

The mobile phone market in Ecuador is dominated by three providers

• Claro
• Movistar
• CNT

Contracts

The length and cost of a mobile phone contract depends on if a new phone is part of the deal, and of course of what the package contains. If you have a SIM only contract, you can end the contract at one of your provider's service points at any time. If a new phone was part of the contract, it generally takes two years before you can end the contract.

There are some basic points you need to consider for choosing the right deal.

• Personal Use: Evaluate how much you use the phone, when, where you are calling, how often you use short message services (SMS), if you use the phone abroad, etc.
• Coverage: Most important if you live in a remote place or regularly using the mobile while traveling in the countryside as most companies offer decent coverage. For example, some parts of the country (like coastal area) are better covered by Claro than the other providers.
• Fees & Rates: Each operator offers several different plans and options. Investigate the plans carefully and evaluate your needs.

Pay As You Go
Prepaid mobile services are also frequently used in Ecuador. At many points, like small shops, pharmacies, and supermarkets you can buy credit for your mobile phone.

The newest option is a prepaid plan, meaning that you buy credit for a certain period allowing you to use a certain amount of minutes and MB, plus unlimited Whatsapp. A prepaid plan starts at $ 3 USD per week.

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