Movistar Uruguay is a telecommunications company operating in Uruguay, part of the larger Movistar brand owned by Telefónica, a Spanish multinational telecommunications company. The Movistar brand was first launched in Spain in 1995 with the introduction of GSM services. Telefónica acquired the BellSouth mobile operations in South America on 5 April 2005, which expanded the Movistar brand's presence in the region. Despite acquiring O2 in 2005, Telefónica retained the O2 brand in the United Kingdom and Germany, operating it as a separate branch. Movistar Uruguay has since been a key player in the country's telecommunications market, offering a range of mobile network services.
Country
Uruguay
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
Telefónica Group
Movistar Logo

3G Network

Movistar Uruguay launched its 3G network in July 2007 using the UMTS B2 (1900 MHz PCS) frequency band, which was part of its broader 3G network infrastructure aimed at providing high-speed data services. The 1900 MHz PCS band is widely used in the Americas for UMTS services, enabling Movistar to offer advanced mobile broadband capabilities. The network was upgraded in November 2011 with introduction of HSPA+.

Network Frequency Band Status
B2 (1900 MHz)
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

Movistar Uruguay commercially launched its 4G LTE services on 5 September 2014, using spectrum in the 1900 MHz frequency band. The 4G service was initially available in selected locations in Montevideo, with plans to expand to other areas. Movistar secured four 10 MHz blocks in the 1900 MHz band during the Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones (URSEC) March 2013 mobile spectrum auction, bidding USD 8.002 million for each lot of paired spectrum. The 4G/LTE network offered speeds up to 300 Mbps down, with real-world speeds averaging around 20-50 Mbps in Montevideo and other cities. This network supported applications like web browsing, video streaming, gaming, and calls.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Status Known EARFCNs
B2 (1900 MHz)
Active
750, 900
B7 (2600 MHz)
Active
3200
B28 (700 MHz)
Active
9285
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

Movistar Uruguay launched 5G services in September 2023, offering speeds up to 1 Gbps down in limited parts of Montevideo, with ongoing expansion to other cities. The network construction began in May 2023, Movistar secured 5G frequencies in Uruguay's first 5G spectrum auction. The company acquired a block of 100 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band for USD 28.05 million. The auction, held by URSEC, offered three blocks of 100 MHz, with one reserved for state-owned Antel. Movistar was required to deploy 70 base stations within the first year of obtaining the spectrum.

Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status
n78 (3500 MHz)
100
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 5G Network
Launch