Ecuador - Telecommunications/ElectricEcuador - Telecommunications
Ecuador’s telephone network covers almost the entire nation, including the Galápagos Islands. Large cities and towns have relatively reliable telephone service.
Fixed-line telephony is provided by the public telecommunications company CNT (Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) and covers the coastal areas and the highlands. In the city of Cuenca, telecommunication services are provided by ETAPA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones, Agua Potable, Alcantarillado y Saneamiento de Cuenca), a public utility company owned and operated by the city.
There is effective cellular coverage throughout almost the entire country. There are three competing providers: Claro, Movistar, and CNT. Each company has kiosks around the country that sell prepaid and monthly plans for cellular usage as well as internet USB modems and mobile internet packages.
In the major cities and principal tourist locations, Internet access is readily available at larger hotels and Internet cafes. The latter typically also offer email, VOIP, telephone, and fax services.
Ecuador uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity. Plugs are typically the two-pronged flat type so travelers from the United States will not typically need a converter or adapter.