Telephone
Ecuador's phone system is operated by the
Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones
(
CNT
). Some older signs on calling centres may also read
Andinatel
or
Pacifictel
(or
ETAPA
in Cuenca). In addition, mobile phone service is provided by 3 private companies:
Alegro
,
Movistar
and
Porta
. The latter 2 have phonecard-operated public cell phones, which are more economical than landlines for calling other mobile numbers in Ecuador. Phonecards for public cell phones may be purchased at kiosks and shops; they are specific to one company (ie you cannot use Porta cards in Movistar phones nor vice versa).
All cities and towns have a great many
cabinas telefónicas
(or just
cabinas
, calling centres). There are so many of these in fact that we cannot list them in our maps or text, look and ask around and you will usually find one close at hand. You are assigned a cabin, dial your own calls, and pay on the way out. Rates vary considerably, so enquire in advance and keep an eye on the meter while you talk.
Ecuador converted from 6- to 7-digit phone numbers in 2002. Many people nonetheless still think in terms of 6-digit numbers. When asked for a phone number, they may give only the last 6 digits and assume you will add a '2' at the beginning. Note, however, that there are now also numbers starting with digits other than '2'. Best ask for the complete 7-digit number. When written or printed, Ecuadorean phone numbers can have their digits grouped in every imaginable way.
To make direct international calls from Ecuador dial 00 followed by the country code, the area code (dropping any initial zeroes) and the local number.
Mobile phonesForeign GSM-850-enabled mobile phones should, in principle, roam in Ecuador but there are many quirks and incompatibilities. Calls made or received in this way may also be very expensive. Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM chip and one month of service, which gives you a local number. A simple mobile phone costs under US$20 in Ecuador.
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This is edited copy from Footprint Handbooks. For comprehensive details (incl address, tel no, directions, opening times and prices) please refer to book or individual chapter PDF
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