Basics
Chile has 4 network operators:
- Entel
- Movistar
- Claro
- WOM (previously Nextel)
Entel and Movistar are fighting for leadership. Both networks are on par with Claro as 3rd provider. 2G is on 1900, 3G on 850 and 1900 MHz. Though WOM/Nextel has a very limited GSM coverage in 3G only using AWS Band (1700/2100). 4G/LTE started on the big 3 on 2600 MHz (band 3), but is only open on Movistar for prepaid yet. In 2015 WOM started with its 4G/LTE on AWS (1700/2100 MHz, band 4) frequency, available for prepaid. In 2016 spectrum on the 700 MHz (band 28 like in Asia Pacific, not 13-17 like in the US) was added on the three major operators.
Since 2012 MVNOs operate in Chile: Virgin Mobile, Falabella Móvil and VTR Móvil are the biggest so far. They tend to offer lower prices than the network operators.
Easter Island is covered by Entel and Movistar (not every part of the island is covered, consult their maps). As a tourist you can't get a SIM card on the island. You must get it on the mainland of Chile before.
The networks are pretty much on par. According to OpenSignal's country report compiled in 2017, Movistar had the best overall performance and 4G coverage, while Claro had the best 4G speeds.
Since 2014 all stores of mobile providers in Chile deal exclusively with customers on contracts and don't sell prepaid cards anymore. You get their SIM cards in supermarkets, kiosks and other sales points, MVNO cards in their agencies and sales outlets. Top-ups can be made at many locations all over the country.
Prices given in $ here are in Chilean Pesos (CLP), not in US$ and include taxes.
Regulations
At the stores you might be asked for your RUT number, that's a Chilean tax number. It should be no problem purchasing a SIM without it, if they insist on it (e.g. on an online form) just give 9 times 9 (e.g. 999999999).
IMEI registration
Effective September 2017 Chilean regulator Subtel has ordered that mobile users are required to pre-register the IMEI of their devices before they can be activated. They imposed a very bureaucratic system to enlist the IMEI numbers of all phones of visitors wanting to use a local SIM card.
This legislation was temporarily suspended in December 2017 for at least 120 days. According to Subtel you are now free to go on a local SIM card without registering your device prior to visiting the country. In April 2018 a new and much more facilitated system will be introduced for visitors. That's why Chile has been (temporarily) removed from our Greylist. Some embassies and foreign offices still mention the old regulation as a warning for travellers not to rely on local SIM cards. Effective December 2017 this warning is outdated.
Entel
Entel, short for Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, is the old state-owned provider for landlines and cellular services which was privatized some years ago. They were the first to bring GSM, UMTS and LTE to the country. Coverage and speed is good throughout the country Entel Coverage Map.
In 2016 4G/LTE was opened to prepaid too. It already covers 90% of population by the end of the year on 700 MHz (band 28) and 2600 MHz (Band 7) which is the widest footprint of any operator in the country. 1900 MHz (Band 2) is available in some places (like Metro).
Availability
Entel prepaid SIM cards called Super Chip are available at many supermarkets and sales points. Top- ups can be made in these supermarkets, pharmacies and other locations.
Their prepaid SIM is sold for $ 3,500-4,000 with $ 1,000 credit. In their stores they will activate it for you, otherwise call 301 for activation after having inserted the chip in your phone. They have Tarifas Anita and Carlos. These don't make a difference for data, as there is no data connection unless you buy a data add-on they call "bolsa de navegación".
To check balance dial *103# (free once per day, $100 for each more).
Data feature packages
These bolsas for data are offered:
| Data | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 100 MB | 3 days | $ 500 |
| 200 MB | 7 days | $ 1,000 |
| 500 MB | 15 days | $ 2,500 |
| 500 MB + 50 mins | 7 days | $ 3,000 |
| 1 GB | 30 days | $ 5,000 |
| 1 GB + 100 mins | 15 days | $ 5,000 |
| 2 GB | 2 days | $ 2,000 |
| 2 GB + 150 mins | 30 days | $ 8,000 |
| unlimited night
pack |
7 nights
(11pm-7am) |
$ 2,000 |
You can subscribe a maximum of 15 packs per month. Activation is online on your Entel account or by typing *119#. Packages don't renew automatically and are valid for the whole country including Easter Island on 4G/LTE too.
For top-ups Entel gives out unlimited social media for a time:
- for $ 1,000 top-up: WhatsApp, Facebook, FB Messenger, Twitter for 3 days
- for $ 2,000 top-up: WhatsApp, Facebook, FB Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, for 7 days
- for $ 3,000 top-up: WhatsApp, Facebook, FB Messenger, Twitter, Instagram for 7 days
- for $ 5,000 top-up: WhatsApp, Facebook, FB Messenger, Twitter, Instagram for 15 days
- for $ 10,000 top-up: WhatsApp, Facebook, FB Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify for 30 days
Data-only SIM: BAM Prepago
Entel has released a data-only SIM card aimed at tablets and routers. They can be recharged by these packages:
| Data | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 150 MB | 1 hour | $ 500 |
| 500 MB | 3 hours | $ 990 |
| 1 GB | 24 hours | $ 1,990 |
| 2.5 GB | 7 days | $ 4,990 |
| 5 GB | 15 days | $ 9,990 |
Activation is online through your Mi Entel profile.
More info
- APN: imovil.entelpcs.cl
- Username and Password: entelpcs
- Website in Spanish: http://www.entel.cl
Movistar
Movistar, formerly CTC (Compañía de Teléfonos de Chile), now owned by Telefónica is on par with Entel. Unlike Entel, its 3G is not only on 1900 but on 850 MHz too. In 2015 Movistar opened as first operator its 4G/LTE for prepaid: 4G coverage map on 700 (Band 28) and 2600 MHz.
Availablility
The SIM card called chip or kit prepago is sold for $ 2,000 without credit. For 4G, you need a special LTE-enabled chip sold in stores (store list) and supermarkets. Sometimes they insist on a RUT number, so let them direct you to a sales outlet nearby.
Top-ups can be made all over the country. Check balance by *303# for a $70 fee
For activation you just insert the SIM card in your phone and dial 103. Wait for an confirmation by SMS which however can take up to 24 hours.
Data feature packs
There are no data on these SIM cards by default. You have to add packs with data or data and domestic calls. There are two options:
- Auto-renewal (called "PrePlan"):
| Data | Voice | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 160 mins | 7 days | $ 2,000 |
| 1.6 GB | 200 mins | 7 days | $ 3,000 |
| 3 GB | 300 mins | 15 days | $ 5,000 |
| 4 GB | 400 mins | 30 days | $ 7,000 |
| 6 GB | 600 mins | 30 days | $ 10,000 |
Activation is online on your Movistar account or by typing *303#, option 2. There is unlimited access (except VoIP calls / video calls) to use WhatsApp, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and Twitter while not consumed the amount of data of each "PrePlan".
- Non auto-renewal (called "Bolsas Prepago"):
| Data | Voice | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB (*) | 1 day | $ 500 | |
| 200 MB | 20 mins | 1 day | $ 500 |
| 2 GB | 60 mins | 2 days | $ 2,000 |
| 100 MB | 3 days | $ 1,000 | |
| 200 MB | 5 days | $ 2,000 | |
| 300 MB | 50 mins | 3 days | $ 1,000 |
| 800 MB | 7 days | $ 3,000 | |
| 1.5 GB | 180 mins | 7 days | $ 3,000 |
| 1.5 GB | 15 days | $ 5,000 | |
| 3 GB | 250 mins | 15 days | $ 5,000 |
| 2 GB | 30 days | $ 7,000 | |
| 4 GB | 350 mins | 30 days | $ 7,000 |
Packages must be subscribed online on your Movistar account or by typing *303#. Max. speed is 30 Mbps on 4G and 10 Mbps on 3G. All packages include unlimited use of social media/app (no VoIP calls) WhatsApp, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter and Instagram not debited from the data allowance except on the smallest (*) package.
Roaming offer
For unlimited roaming on all Movistar or partner networks in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela and in Ireland you can buy a "Pasaporte Prepago" by typing *101#:
- for 12 hours: $ 4,490
- for 24 hours: $ 6,990
More info
- APN: web.tmovil.cl
- Username and password: web
- Website in Spanish: http://www.movistar.cl
Claro
Claro, owned by América Móvil, formerly known as Smartcom and Chilesat PCS is the 3rd operator in the country with a still good coverage. It was the first to bring LTE to Chile in 2013 that was opened to all prepaid customers in January 2016. Coverage Checker.
Availability
The starter pack called chip is sold at $ 1,000-2,500 in their shops and outlets Store Locator. The chip is often discounted or sold with credit in promotions. Top-ups can be found everywhere.
Data feature packs
Data depend on which prepaid plan you get: $ 50 per MB (“Tarifa 50“), and $ 500 per 60 MB (“Multimedia 119+” and “Tarifa Duplica”)
The packages of data (called Bolsas Internet Móvil) are better options. There is an auto-renewal bundle called “Bloque Recurrente 50 MB", that cost $ 250 per 50 MB, valid for 1 day (23:59). Activated only through your personal profile. When the quota or validity ends, the pack will be renewed automatically.
Other data options are (without auto-renewal):
| Data | Time | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB | 24 hours | $ 500 | IM500 |
| 200 MB (#) | 3 days | $ 1,000 | IM1000 |
| 400 MB (#) | 3 days | $ 1,500 | IM1500 |
| 700 MB (#) | 7 days | $ 2,000 | IM2000 |
| 1 GB (#) | 15 days | $ 3,000 | IM3000 |
| 2 GB (#) | 15 days | $ 5,000 | IM5000 |
| 3 GB (#) | 30 days | $ 7,500 | IM7500 |
To activate the packages above, send a free SMS with the code to 2020, call 103 or access your personal profile.
(#) = These packages offer 2 GB bonus to access social media WhatsApp, Facebook (both not for calls), Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.
More info
- APN: bam.clarochile.cl
- Username and password: clarochile
- Website in Spanish: http://www.clarochile.cl
WOM (previously Nextel)
WOM was called Nextel until 2015 and is the smallest network operator in Chile. It has 3G and 4G AWS (1700 MHz, band 4) MHz for voice and data, but no 2G/GSM, check WOM coverage. It has the lowest prices and a market share of 8% gaining rapidly in 2017.
In 2017 they discontinued domestic roaming on Entel and moved to Claro and Movistar for roaming when you are outside an own WOM coverage area, or if your phone is not compatible with AWS bands. WOM has started 4G/LTE in Santiago and Viña del Mar in 2015 using its own AWS (1700/2100) MHz band.
Voice and data SIM
Their SIM cards are available at their shops WOM store locator and sometimes in markets like Falabella or in kiosks. They have three starter SIM card packages on offer. Their prepaid starter is for $ 2000 including 150 MB and 20 dom. minutes valid for 30 days and $ 2000 credit
Top-ups of any amount can be made in Cruz Verde pharmacies, whereas supermarkets and service stations like Petrobras or Shell often require a minimum charge. They give out heavy bonuses for top-ups:
- top-up $ 1,000-$2,999: you get free WhatsApp for 30 days and 500 MB social media for 7 days.
- top-up $ 3,000-$4,999: free WhatsApp for 30 days and 2 GB data for 15 days.
- top-up more than $ 5,000: free WhatsApp and 4 GB data for 30 days.
WhatsApp (VoIP calls included!)
Data feature packages
Default data is $ 5 per MB. These bolsas are offered:
| Data | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 50 MB | 1 day | $ 250 |
| 100 MB | 3 days | $ 500 |
| 200 MB | 7 days | $ 1,000 |
| 500 MB | 15 days | $ 2,500 |
| 1 GB | 30 days | $ 5,000 |
Activation is through your personal profile or by calling *103#.
For unlimited WhatsApp use for 1 year they offer a pack for $ 2,990. VoIP calls are included, but video calls are not.
Data-only SIM
Futhermore, they offer a data-only SIM for tablets and modems called Internet Móvil Prepago. This SIM is only compatible with WOM's own AWS 1700 MHz coverage, and no roaming on Claro. It comes with a 4G Huawei E5573 WiFi hotspot for $ 39,990. These packages can be added through: http://portal.wom.cl/:
| Data | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 250 MB | 1 day | $ 500 |
| 1 GB | 3 days | $ 2,000 |
| 2 GB | 7 days | $ 4,000 |
| 5 GB | 15 days | $ 7,000 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $ 10,000 |
| 15 GB | 30 days | $ 13,000 |
More info
- APN: internet
- Website in Spanish: http://www.wom.cl
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile started 2012 as first MVNO in Chile. It uses the network of Movistar in 2G, 3G and 4G since 2015. For coverage see Movistar (or their site). It has very good 4G coverage and probably the best value/quality prepaid company with the biggest MVNO share of 1.5% in 2017.
Availability
SIM cards, so-called chips are sold at their sales points locator (or at most metro stations, but you will need some help to activate your SIM card).
Top-ups can be made there, online by credit card on webpay or PayPal or at a lot of stores like Lider, Jumbo or Full Carga. To check your balance, call 103 for free, type *151# for $ 30 or check your account online.
The starter chips are sold in different versions:
- Chip con saldo: basic SIM: for $ 2,000 with the same credit valid for 90 days
- Chip + Antiplan 4 GB for $ 7,000 with 4 GB, 200 min, 100 SMS included valid for 30 days
- Chip + Antiplan 10 GB for $ 10,000 with 7 GB, 300 min, 100 SMS included valid for 30 days
You must register at virginmobile.cl and associate your number with the account. After your registration and activation of the SIM card and have topped up your SIM, you have this choice for data use:
- to stay on the default rate and pay per MB, not recommeded. Default rate is $ 500 per 5 MB.
- to buy a combo package called Antiplan, if you need domestic mins, SMS and data
- to buy a data-only pack called Bolsa de datos, if you only need data
Combo packages / Plans without contract (Antiplan/Plan sin contrato):
Their packs have to be subscribed online on your account, all with 30 days of validity:
- $ 7,000: 4 GB, unlimited Facebook and Twitter, 200 mins, 100 SMS
- $ 10,000: 10 GB, unlimited social networks and music*, 300 mins, 100 SMS
- $ 15,000: 18 GB, unlimited social networks and music, 400 mins, 100 SMS
- $ 20,000: 25 GB, unlimited social networks and music, unlimited mins*, 100 SMS
- $ 25,000: 30 GB, unlimited social networks and music, unlimited mins*, 100 SMS
- $ 40,000: unlimited* GB, unlimited mins, 100 SMS
Bonus data for social networks include Facebook, WhatsApp (without calls), Twitter, Instagram (not included on 10GB plan), Spotify and Apple Music.
Unlimited mins up to 300 different phone numbers.
For $40,000 unlimited GB plan: After 40 GB of data, speed will be reduced to 2 Mbps.
Data packs (Bolsa de datos):
Their packs have to be subscribed online on your account:
| Data | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 120 MB | 1 day | $ 1000 |
| 350 MB | 3 days | $ 2500 |
| 700 MB | 7 days | $ 3500 |
| 100 MB | 30 days | $ 2500 |
| 800 MB | 30 days | $ 5000 |
| 1.5 GB | 30 days | $ 7500 |
WhatsApp is unlimited in all data packs.
More info
- APN: virgin
- Website in Spanish: http://www.virginmobile.cl
Móvil Falabella (to be closed in Sept. 2018)
Móvil Falabella has been the MVNO of one of the biggest retail groups in the country. It operates on the network of Entel in 2G and 3G only (for coverage see Entel).
Chilean retail giant Falabella has announced that Móvil Falabella will cease operating on 30 September 2018, around 5 years after officially launching the service. Customers will be notified in the coming months and will be given the option of retaining their number by porting it to another operator.
Availability
Their SIM card is exclusively available in the stores of the Falabella group called Falabella, CMR Falabella, Tottus and Homecenter Sodimac: Stores List. It's sold for 10,000 $ including 10,000 $ credit and 150 MB (= 50 MB per month for 3 months). Top-ups of $100-30,000 can be made there or at Punto Total, Multi Caja, Jumbo, Prix Unis, Maxfácil and more. The SIM needs to be registered online on their website by giving a Ruf (see Basics).
Data feature packs
You can add these data packages called Bolsas de Internet:
To subscribe or check data volume type *103#
More info
- APN: internet.movilfalabella.com
- Website: http://www.movilfalabella.com in Spanish
VTR Móvil
VTR Globalcom S.A. is a Chilean telecommunications company and the largest provider of cable TV and 2nd largest provider of fixed broadband Internet access and fixed telephone service. As a triple player, it has a small mobile fraction and offers services as MVNO on the Movistar network in 4G/LTE too.
Availability
Their starter pack for their prepaid SIM is sold in these outlets (list) like supermarkets and service stations. That's where you can top up too. All three sizes are available for $ 4000 with the same credit on it.
Data feature packs
These bolsas for data are sold:
| Data | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10 MB | 1 day | $ 450 |
| 60 MB | 7 days | $ 1,590 |
| 200 MB | 30 days | $ 2,990 |
| 500 MB | 30 days | $ 3,990 |
To activate, type *103#, choose bolsas option 2 and then type 3.
More info
- APN: movil.vtr.com
- Username and Password: vtrmovil
- Website in Spanish: http://www.vtr.com