National Anthem
Basics[]
There are 4 network operators in the Central American state of El Salvador
- Tigo
- Claro
- Movistar
- Digicel
In January 2019 Telefonica planned on selling their network Movistar to America Movil (brand: Claro). But the deal wasn't completed due to America Movil (Claro) Not accepting the terms proposed by the Competition Superintendence for the purchase, and finally abandoned the process.
2G and 3G is on 850 and 1900 MHz, except on Digicel which is on 900 MHz only. 4G/LTE has started in 2016 on 850 and 1900 MHz (bands 2 and 5) by Movistar and Tigo, followed by Claro. While Digicel's "4G" nework is still 3G/HSPA+ based, but expected to be soon on 4G/LTE too.
For purchase, the operators have offices in every town. Bring your passport. Your SIM will be activated in the store (don’t leave until it is) and they will accept cash or any international credit card. You can top-up in convenience stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, ATMs (Citibank, HSBC, and Scotiabank), and gas stations all over the country. However, credit cards won’t be accepted at small shops in rural areas.
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved the introduction of a 5% tax on telecommunications services in 2015. From 2016 on you need to add a tax called CESC of 5% on the prices (mentioned below) for the final price now.
Since January 2001 the USD$ (US Dollar) is the official currency in El Salvador and given prices have taxes included.
Claro[]
Claro by Mexican América Móvil (Also known as Telcel) is the market leader with a 31% market share in 2016. It has a similar coverage to Tigo, but offers cheaper calls abroad. Claro's 4G/LTE is on 1900 MHz (band 5): 4G coverage map.
Prepaid Services[]
Their SIM Cards (Nano SIM with Adapters for different SIM Card Sizes) Are currently at $1 , They can be purchased in the Carrier stores country-wide. But mainly in Grocery stores , Small rural stores or in pharmacies.
Recharges are sold in most rural shops , but mainly in the Claro's Recharge Portal (A National Card needs to be used to make the purchase) And they have a 90 Day duration before the number gets flagged as inactive.
Available Data Packs[]
Default or overuse rate is $0.05 per MB. These packages called superpacks are offered for smartphones:
(Prices from Claro's Recharge Portal)
| Navigation Only | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Volume | Validity | Extras |
| $ 1.50 | Unlimited | 1 day | None |
| $ 2 | Unlimited | 2 Days | None |
| $ 0.50 | 200 MB | 1 Day | Unlimited WhatsApp and Instagram |
| $ 1 | Unlimited (Restricted) | 3 Days | Gaming Package with Unlimited Free Fire, Call of duty,
Mario Kart Tour y Clash Royale |
| $ 1 | 2 GB (Restricted) | 2 Days | Social media Package Only Tiktok , Twitch and Instagram |
| Navigation + Air Time | |||
| $ 4 | 3 GB + 2 GB (Restricted)
40 Minutes Air Time |
8 Days | 2 GB For Youtube/Spotify + 40 min All Carriers USA/CAN
+ Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Unlimited WhatsApp |
| $ 7 | 4 GB + 2 GB (Restricted)
50 Minutes Air Time |
16 Days | 2 GB For Youtube/Spotify + 50 min All Carriers USA/CAN
+ Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Unlimited WhatsApp |
| $10 | 5 GB + 2 GB (Restricted)
60 Minutes Air Time |
30 Days | 2 GB For Youtube/Spotify +600 min All Carriers USA/CAN
+ Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Unlimited WhatsApp |
This list represents a short amount of packages in the Carrier's store.
Data-only SIM[]
For modems and tables these packages are offered valid for one month:
| Price | Volume | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| $ 2 | 1 GB | 1 day |
| $ 3 | 2 GB | 2 days |
| $ 5 | 3 GB | 7 days |
| $ 10 | 5 GB | 15 days |
| $ 15 | 10 GB | 30 days |
All data packages come with unlimited Facebook and have roaming included in Claro networks in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The Physical and the Online Carrier Store Accepts Bitcoin as a Payment Method.
Alternative Recharge Methods[]
As alternative methods (Not recommended) available in country thru retailers or company's branch shops you can also recharge your prepaid number via global online portals such as swiftrecharge.com which allows to buy recharges from anywhere in the world using foreign bank cards along with crypto currencies like bitcoin, ethereum or usdt.
Mobile Data Speeds[]
Claro Offers a 4.5G (LTE+) service offers a promedium of About 45mbps , Depending on your location. In rural areas the coverage can be severely affected.
More info []
- APN: internet.ideasclaro
- Website in Spanish: http://www.claro.com.sv
- Claro (America Movil) Is the owner of all the Cellular Towers in the country. And it rents them to the other carriers
Movistar[]
Movistar by Spanish Telefónica is the 2nd provider with a market share of 26% in 2018. It has a slightly lower coverage (coverage map), but its data allowance can be used in some neighbouring countries too through their sin fronteras plan. In 2016 4G/LTE started on 1900 MHz (band 2) in the capital.
In 2019 Telefónica decided to quit the Salvadorean market and sold Movistar to its rival Claro for $ 315 million. Pending approval, the new merged network will be marketed under the Claro brand.
Availability[]
Their SIM cards are sold at $1-3 (depending on promotion) in their stores (locator) and come with a $2 credit valid for three days.
You can top-up online by credit card or using vouchers sold all over the country.
Data feature packs[]
These data packages are offered:
| Price | Validity | Data | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 0.60 | 2 days | 100 MB | |
| $ 1 | 2 days | 200 MB | |
| $ 2 | 5 days | 600 MB | Free WA, FB, 50 mins on-net, 10 mins off-net |
| $ 4 | 7 days | 1 GB | Free WA, FB, 100 mins on-net, 10 mins off-net |
| $ 10 | 15 days | 3 GB | Free WA, FB, unlimited on-net, 20 mins off-net |
Activation is by typing *700#. Overuse is charged at $1.49 per MB.
American roaming option[]
In 2015 Movistar started its "sin fronteras" (without borders) option for regional roaming in Central America. Now you can surf, talk and text on the Movistar networks of Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica for the domestic El Salvador rate.
In 2016 they added the US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela where you can roam on El Salvador packages for a US$ 5 US surcharge per day. You can use up to 300 MB per calendar day until speed will be throttled to 128 kbps. Activation is by *131#.
More info[]
- APN: internet.movistar.sv
- Username and password: movistarsv
- Website in Spanish: http://www.movistar.com.sv
Tigo[]
Tigo is owned by Millicom International Cellular (MIC) and used to be the market leader in the country. But in 2018 it has fallen to 3rd position with a 27% market share. It still has a good coverage, but at the highest rates in the country: 3G/4G coverage map. Tigo's LTE is on 850 MHz (band 5).
In 2020 it covers 92% by 2G/3G, 80% by LTE and 4.5g it covers 10%
Availability[]
Their prepaid SIM card is sold for $1 to $1.50 depending on promotion. It's sold as mini-SIM and micro-SIM in their shops (Shop locator). It contains 75 MB for 2 days or the double amount.
Prepaid vouchers are sold starting at $1.05 because of the 5% tax or top-up by app.
Data feature packs[]
These packages for data called paquetigos are sold:
| Price | Volume | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| $ 1 | 1GB | 2 day |
| $2 | 2GB | 4 days |
| $4 | 3GB | 8 days |
| $7 | 4GB | 16 days |
| $10 | 5GB | 30 days |
Unlimited WhatApp chat (no VoIP) is added for free. Subscription is by typing *123# and choosing the package, or online on your Tigo account or app. All packages auto-renew.
More info[]
- APN: tigo.com.sv
- Website in Spanish: http://www.tigo.com.sv
Digicel El Salvador[]
Digicel is the smallest provider with a 12.4% market share in 2012. Their acquisition by Claro was rejected twice by the regulator in 2012. It has the lowest coverage by 3G, now available only in parts of all 14 departments and full coverage of Greater San Salvador area: Coverage Map. But it gives out data at the lowest rate, if you have coverage.
Note that its 3G/HSPA is still marketed as "4G". All of its 2G and 3G ("4G") is on 900 MHz so far. They have announced in 2017 to invest US$ 450 million in the deployment of a 4G/LTE network across the country over the next five years. So here too, 4G/LTE can be expected soon.
Availability[]
The chip is sold at $1-3 depending on promotion with a $3 balance preloaded in their stores (store locator). Top-ups can be made at many points across the country: (top-up points).
Data feature packs[]
Default rate is $ 0.04793 per MB. These daily or weekly bundles are offered for data:
| Price | Volume | Validity | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 0.50 | 50 MB | 1 day | Free WA, 5 mins airtime |
| $ 0.50 | 100 MB | Free WA | |
| $ 1 | 300 MB (*) | 2 days | Free WA, unlimited on-net calls |
| $ 0.50 | 50 MB | 7 days | Free WA |
| $ 1 | 150 MB | Free WA, 10 mins airtime | |
| $ 1 | 200 MB | Free WA | |
| $ 3 | 500 MB | Free WA, FB, TW, IG | |
| $ 3 | 1 GB (*) | Free WA, unlimited on-net calls | |
| $ 5 | 1.5 GB | Free WA, FB, TW, IG | |
| $ 5 | 2 GB (*) | 14 days | Free WA, unlimited on-net calls |
| $ 10 | 4 GB (*) | 30 days | Free WA, unlimited on-net calls |
Activation is by typing *444#, in shops or through their app. All plans don't auto-renew. Check data balance: *120*131#.
(*) = these plans have unlimited night surfing 11pm-5am included
More info[]
- APN: wap.digicelsv.com
- Website in Spanish: http://www.digicel.com.sv