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Uruguay

From Droam Prepaid SIM Encyclopedia

Cellular Operators

Claro Uruguay (AM Wireless Uruguay S.A.)

Claro was launched in Uruguay with services on CDMA/1XRTT and GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless technologies. It is providing 3G UMTS/HSDPA network to the largest cities in Uruguay.

APN settings

  • username: igprs.claro.com.uy
  • password: clarogprs999
  • APN name: igprs.claro.com.uy

Antel

Antel is a brand under which Uruguayan government-owned telecommunications company Antel provides mobile phone services since 1 September 1994

APN settings

  • username: (blank) (or) bam
  • password: (blank) (or) bam
  • APN name: wap (or) ancel (or) prepago.ancel

Movistar Uruguay (Telefnica Moviles del Uruguay S.A.)

APN settings

  • username: movistar
  • password: movistar
  • APN name: apnumt.movistar.com.uy (or) webapn.movistar.com.uy

Prepaid plans

If you want to use a prepaid mobile line from any Uruguay mobile operator, you must register your equipment (mobile phone/mobile broadband modem) with Uruguay customs when you enter the country - just go to the customs office, show the equipment and tell that you will use with a local simcard. You will be asked to fill a form and after one day you can start working with any simcard using your equipment. If you just want to use your home simcard (roaming) this procedure is not required.

Claro

Claro Prepaid Starter Kit can be purchased at Claro outlets, or by calling 0800 1 611. In case you already have Claro account dial *611 to switch to Claro Prepaid.

When purchasing Claro Prepaid card you get:

  • 250 SMS in Claro network valid for 10 days since the day of Claro Prepaid activation.
  • UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 one-time bonus valid for 30 days since the day Claro Prepaid has been activated. It includes UYU 50 / US$ 2.37 to be used in Claro network and UYU 50 / US$ 2.37 to be used for the calls to other networks.
  • UYU 600 / US$ 28.42 - the first 6 top-ups with UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 will give you bonus UYU 100 / US$ 4.74. The bonus can be used for testing, calling or surfing the Internet.
  • 1 favorite Claro number you can talk to without any limits. + 2 favorite Claro numbers to test without limits. To enable and maintain these numbers you should continue topping up with not less than UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 per month, and have at least UYU 5 / US$ 0.24 on your balance.
  • Up to 5 favorite Antel, Movistar to speak to only for UYU 3.99 / US$ 0.19 per minute inclusive VAT. To activate the numbers dial *2233 from your Claro prepaid and follow the instructions.

Prepaid Internet Packs for you Claro mobile:

Daily packs
Price UYU 150 / US$ 7.11 UYU 200 / US$ 9.47 UYU 300 / US$ 14.21 UYU 500 / US$ 23.69
Validity 1 day 2 days 5 days 10 days
Hourly Packs
Price UYU 25 / US$ 1.18 UYU 40 / US$ 1.89 UYU 60 / US$ 2.84 UYU 85 / US$ 4.03
Validity 1 hour 2 hours 4 hours 6 hours

To choose the pack you need send SMS with HORAS (for Hourly packs) or DIAS (for Daily packs) to 454. The same packs are valid for Prepaid Broadband Internet (the offer is called Internet Prepago Cyber).

Blackberry packs are as follows:

Name Price Allows Notes
BLACKBERRY BIS MAIL UYU 190 / US$ 9.00 Unlimited use of e-mail, only one email account of the type usuario@clarouy.blackberry.com and PIN to PIN messages The cost of mobile GPRS connection usage is not included and is billed as a surplus.
BLACKBERRY BIS SOCIAL UYU 299 / US$ 14.16 Access to Facebook, MySpace, BlackBerry Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk and PIN to PIN messaging
BLACKBERRY BIS LITE UYU 477 / US$ 22.60 Unlimited use of e-mail, BlackBerry Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk and PIN to PIN messages
BIS BLACKBERRY BUNDLE UYU 490 / US$ 23.21 BlackBerry Internet Browser, unlimited use of e-mail, chat, social networking and PIN to PIN messages

How to top up

Prepaid recharge:

Prepaid Card Recharge Value Other Networks Claro Network
Non Peak Hours Peak Hours Non Peak Hours Peak Hours
UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 14 min 14 min 14 min 29 min
UYU 150 / US$ 7.11 20 min 20 min 41 min 88 min
UYU 200 / US$ 9.47 27 min 27 min 54 min 117 min
UYU 250 / US$ 11.84 34 min 34 min 68 min 147 min
UYU 300 / US$ 14.21 41 min 41 min 81 min 176 min
UYU 500 / US$ 23.69 68 min 68 min 136 min 293 min

Non Peak Hours are those from 9pm to 8am from Monday to Friday. Saturday, Sunday, and all holidays - during the whole day. Peak Hours - 8am to 9pm from Monday to Friday.

Antel

Prepaid Sim card costs UYU 48 / US$ 2.27. You'll be asked to show your ID (passport) and register your address in Uruguay (it can be your hotel address). The Sim card activation can take up to several hours, after that you can buy credit and activate bundle.

Once you've bought your Antel prepaid kit you get:

  • 250 SMS to any Antel number (valid for 45 days)
  • UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 if you've also purchased a GSM phone, or UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 - 3.7G device (both credits are valid for 30 days)
  • UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 Mobile Broadband Card with 384 MB if you've purchased 3.7G device (credit valid for 30 days)
  • 3 free destinations (1000 mins to call to a landline, 1000 mins and 1000 SMS - to Antel mobile)
  • 5 friends to talk to for UYU 0.99 (US$ 0.05) / min

Prepaid Blackberry packs:

Price How to activate Validity Period
UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 Send SMS with 100 to 227 5 days
UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 Send SMS with 200 to 227 10 days
UYU 300 / US$ 14.22 Send SMS with 200 to 227 15 days
UYU 500 / US$ 23.70 Send SMS with 500 to 227 25 days

To check your balance send SMS with Saldo to 227.

Prepaid Mobile Broadband and Prepaid Mobile Internet plans are pretty much the same:

Price Data Traffic Included Validity Period How to activate
UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 384 MB 30 days Send SMS with 100 to 226
UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 786 MB 60 days Send SMS with 200 to 226'
UYU 300 / US$ 14.22 1,152 MB 90 days Send SMS with 300 to 226
UYU 500 / US$ 23.70 1,920 MB 90 days Send SMS with 500 to 226
UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 1,024 MB 5 days Send SMS with BAM 100 to 226
UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 3,072 MB 10 days Send SMS with BAM 200 to 226
Mobile Braodband Only
UYU 500 / US$ 23.70 1,920 MB 90 days Send SMS with 500 to 226
Mobile Internet Only
UYU 300 / US$ 14.22 10,240 MB 30 days Send SMS with BAM 300 to 226

To check your balance send SMS with SALDO to 226.

How to top up

You can top up your prepaid Antel using one of the following methods:

  • Through Zona Movil from your cellphone;
  • Call *CARGA (* 22742);
  • Call *611 from your Antel mobile;
  • Via top-up cards
  • At Antel Sales Agents
  • Using Oca or Cabal credit cards;
  • At Antel outlets;
  • At kiosks.

Available recharges are:

Price You can call during You can receive calls during Phone Number Validity
UYU 10 / US$ 0.47 5 days 5 days 365 days
UYU 25 / US$ 1.18 10 days 10 days
UYU 50 / US$ 2.37 15 days 15 days
UYU 100 / US$ 4.74 30 days 180 days
UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 60 days 180 days
UYU 300 / US$ 14.22 90 days 365 days
UYU 500 / US$ 23.70 120 days 365 days

Movistar

Prepaid Internet Fácil (Easy Internet) offer from Movistar is a prepaid internet service for mobile devices and laptops / PC. It includes:

  • 600 MB valid for 45 days;
  • 50 SMS to any Movistar mobile;
  • No modem

There is one prepaid plan that includes some Internet traffic:

  • the cost is UYU 395 / US$ 18.72;
  • 241 mins to any Movistar number at nights and weekends;
  • 120 mins to any Movistar number during the day;
  • 1000 mins to any 3 Movistar numbers per month;
  • 100 SMS to any 2 Movistar numbers per month;
  • 50 MB.

There also are some data packs for prepaid users:

Pack Price How to activate Valid for
25 MB UYU 30 Send SMS with Semanal 25 MB to 888 7 days
50 MB UYU 40 / US$ 1.90 Send SMS with Semanal 50 MB to 888
10 MB + Socia Networks UYU 30 / US$ 1.42 Send SMS with Semanal Redes Sociales to 888
Free Social Networks + 10 MB UYU 60 / US$ 2.84 Send SMS with Redes Sociales to 888 15 days
10 MB for navigation purposes UYU 30 / US$ 1.42 Send SMS with 10 Mb to 888 10 days
25 MB for navigation purposes UYU 60 / US$ 2.84 Send SMS with 25 Mb to 888 15 days
50 MB for navigation purposes UYU 90 / US$ 4.27 Send SMS with 50 Mb to 888 30 days

To check your balance send SALDO to 222.

Note that those packs that are valid for 7 days are activated only once. So once you've activates any of these pack, it'll be automatically reactivated until you deactivate it.

How to top up

If you top up your prepaid Movistar with UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 or more than you'll get bonus 50 MB.

Top-up values:

Card Value/Price Validity Movistar to Movistar To other networks
Peak Hours Off-Peak Hours
UYU 120 / US$5.69 30 days 16 mins 32 mins 13 mins
UYU 150 / US$ 7.11 60 days 40 mins 80 mins 20 mins
UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 60 days 60 mins 120 mins 27 mins
UYU 250 / US$ 11.85 90 days 75 mins 150 mins 33 mins
UYU 300 / US$ 14.22 90 days 90 mins 180 mins 40 mins
UYU 500 / US$ 23.70 90 days 150 mins 300 mins 67 mins

Note that Peak Hours - Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10 pm; Off-Peak Hours - Monday to Friday from 10 pm to 7 am; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - 24 hours.


You can top up your Movistar using one of the following options:

1. At local Abitab, Redpagos, Tienda Inglesa, Disco, Devoto, Géant, TaTa, kiosks and salons across the country marked with Recarga Fácil Movistar logo;

2. Electronic recharge:

Recharge Amount Validity Movistar to Movistar Cost To Other Networks Cost
Peak Hours Off-Peak Hours
UYU 20 - UYU 49 / US$ 0.95 - US$ 2.32 7 days UYU 7.50 (US$ 0.36) / min UYU 3.75 (US$ 0.18) / min UYU 7.50 (US$ 0.36) / min
UYU 50 - UYU 74 / US$ 2.37 - US$ 3.51 10 days
UYU 75 - UYU 99 / US$ 3.55 - US$ 4.69 15 days
UYU 100 - UYU 149 / US$ 4.74 - US$ 7.06 30 days
UYU 150 - 199 / US$ 7.11 - US$ 9.43 60 days UYU 3.75 (US$ 0.36) / min UYU 1.88 (US$ 0.09) / min
UYU 200 - UYU 249 / US$ 9.48 - US$ 11.80 60 days UYU 3.33 (US$ 0.16) / min UYU 1.67 (US$ 0.08) / min
UYU 250 - UYU 1,000 / US$ 11.85 - US$ 47.39 90 days UYU 3.33 (US$ 0.16) / min UYU 1.67 (US$ 0.08) / min

Note that Peak Hours - Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10 pm; Off-Peak Hours - Monday to Friday from 10 pm to 7 am; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - 24 hours.

3. Easy Credit service - only for prepaid customers. To use be able to use this service you should order credit not less than UYU 75 / US$ 3.55 and not more than UYU 200 / US$ 9.48. Send SMS to 510 with the text CARGA followed by the amount of your top-up, for example, CARGA 100. Also using this service you can top up any other Movistar mobile - dial *222# and select Option 1, then CARGA followed by the amount of recharge and mobile number you want to top up, for example, CARGA 100 mobile number.

4. SOS Movistar service - if you're running out of credit and you need to make a call, dial *504 and get a UYU 20 / US$ 0.95 credit. This credit is valid for 30 days and will be deducted from the next recharge you make. To check your debt send SMS with CREDITOS to 222.

5. Online top-up can be performed [1] here]

6. Recarga en Banred service - Find opción de recarga (the recharge option) in otros servicios (the other services) / recarga de celulares (recharge cell) then enter your Movistar mobile number and choose the amount of your recharge. Top-up values start from UYU 200 / US$ 9.48 and go up to UYU 550 / US$ 26.07.

7. Using your credit card:

  • with OCA:

a) To register send an SMS with ALTA to 1730 at the price of a normal SMS.

b) To recharge your account send an SMS in the following format RECARGA(space)the amount of your top-up to 1731 (toll-free), you'll be asked to send you NIC (the 4-digit number you get upon your registration).

c) To recharge some other Movistar mobile send SMS in the format RECARGA(space)the amount of your recharge(space)Movistar mobile you want to recharge, e.g. RECARGA 200 094123456, to 1731. Once you complete the top-up, the number you've recharged will receive confirmation SMS.

  • with CREDITEL:

a) To register send an SMS with ALTA to 4242, you'll receive a message requesting your card number and PIN, send the card number (space) PIN (3-digit number found on the back of your Creditel card). The cost of SMS is UYU 1 / US$ 0.05.

b) To recharge your account send an SMS in the format CARGA(space)the amount of top-up to 4243 (toll-free), e.g. CARGA 200.

c) In case you want to recharge the cell of another person, you should add the cell number you want to top up separated by a space from the amount of top-up to the above data (CARGA(space)the amount you want to top up with(space)the number to top up) to 4243.

  • with VISA:

a) To register send an SMS with CARGA to 3030. The system will ask you to register, you'll receive a link to a WAP page, where you must fill in your mobile number, your VISA card number and a 4-digit PIN you should use each time you want to make a purchase. If your phone does not support WAP, the system will send an SMS inviting you to register on the website from your PC (www.facilcel.com.uy). Or just call 900 3030 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm).

b) To recharge your account send an SMS in the following format CARGA(space)the amount of recharge to 3030(e.g. CARGA 200). The system will ask you to confirm the action by entering you 4-digit PIN.

c) In case you want to recharge the cell of another person send SMS in the following format CARGA(space)the amount of recharge(space)the number you want to recharge (e.g. CARGA 200 094123456) to 3030.

You can make up to 4 top-ups per month not exceeding UYU 1200 / US$ 56.87 per month.

  • using SANTANDER card (Visa or MasterCard)

a) To sign up you have to send the word ALTA to 1320. After a few minutes an operator will call you and request your information, you will be asked to send an SMS with the PIN you choose to be registered.

b) To recharge your account send an SMS in the format CARGA(space)the amount you want to top up with to 1321 (e.g. CARGA 200).

c) If you want to top up a cell of another person send CARGA followed by the amount and the number to recharge (e.e CARGA 200 094XXXXXX) to 1321. You will receive an SMS asking you to confirm your recharge by sending your PIN.

NOTE that messages to 1321 are free, and to 1320 - at the cost of a normal SMS.

  • with ITALCRED:

a) To register call 2623 0132 or at any Italcred office.

b) To recharge your account send an SMS in the following format ITAL(space)the amount of recharge (e.g. ITAL 200) to 5969.

c) If you want to top up a cell of another person send ITAL (space)the amount of recharge(space)the number you want to recharge, e.g. ITAL 200 095123456, to 5969.

  • with ANDA:

a) To register call 2628 5529 or fill in a form at any Anda office.

b) To recharge your account send an SMS in the format ANDA(space)the amount of recharge to 4030 (e.g. ANDA 200).

c) To top up somebody else's number send an SMS in the following format ANDA(space)the amount of recharge(space)mobile number you want to recharge, e.g. ANDA 200 094123456.

The amount of recharge should not exceed UYU 700 / US$ 33.18 per month. For more information call 2628 6227 or send an email to consultas@smsuruguay.com.

  • with CABAL:

a) To register call 2622 6553.

b) To top up your account send SMS in the format CABAL(space)the amount you want to top up to 4030.

c) To recharge somebody else's account send CABAL(space)the amount to top up with(space)the number to top up, e.g. CABAL 200 094123456, to 4030.

The amount of recharge should not exceed UYU 700 / US$ 33.18 per month. For more information call 2628 6227 or send an email to consultas@smsuruguay.com.

  • with CREDITOS DIRECTO:

a) To register call 18 918.

b) To top up your Movistar account send an SMS in the following format D(space)the amount to top up with, e.g. D 200, to 4030.

c) To recharge somebody else's account send D(space)the amount to top up with(space)the number to top up, e.g. D 200 094123456, to 4030.

Do not exceed UYU 700 / US$ 33.18 per month. For more information call 2628 6227 or send an email to consultas@smsuruguay.com.


eSIM availability

There is one provider, that has eSIM offers.

Claro

You have the following three options with Nomad for Uruguay:

1) Uruguay 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 20 USD/21 EUR/18.50 GBP/27.50 CAD.

2) Uruguay 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 48 USD/50 EUR/44.50 GBP/65.50 CAD.

3) Uruguay 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 54 USD/56 EUR/50 GBP/73.50 CAD.

Wi Fi Networks

References