Last Updated on February 15, 2025
In Bolivia, the telecommunications sector is dominated by a few major companies. While there are options, the market isn’t as diverse as in some other countries. Interestingly, one of the leading providers is a state-owned company. However, all three major providers offer phone and mobile services to foreigners without restrictions.
There are currently only three phone companies operating in Bolivia: Entel, Tigo, and Viva. Entel leads the market with a 49% share, followed by Tigo (38%), and finally Viva (12%). These three companies offer prepaid and postpaid mobile plans ranging in price from $1.50 to $50.
As Bolivian citizens and business experts who have been clients of these three phone companies for many years, we’ve witnessed their evolution firsthand. Here, we’ll discuss every aspect of these companies, including their services for foreigners, their histories, phone plans, and other relevant details.
Only Three Phone Companies Operate in Bolivia
Bolivia has a limited selection of phone companies. Currently, only three companies are authorized to operate within the country:
- Entel S.A.
- Tigo
- Viva
1) Entel S.A.
Entel S.A. is Bolivia’s largest telecommunications and phone company, owned and managed by the government. The Bolivian state considers this large company a strategic asset for the country’s financial stability. Entel is also one of the top 10 largest companies in Bolivia based on annual revenue.
Entel currently holds a significant presence in Bolivia’s phone and internet market, *commanding approximately 49.43% of the market share*. It offers various services, including mobile phone connectivity, home and mobile internet, satellite TV, etc., throughout the country, even in remote rural areas.
Entel could easily be a monopoly in Bolivia’s phone and internet markets. However, by law, this is prohibited, and to promote fair competition, two other companies, Tigo and Viva, also operate in these markets.
Brief History
Entel was established as a public company by the Bolivian government over 60 years ago. Its primary objective was *to expand connectivity and communication across the country and its population*. In the 1990s, Entel was partially sold (50% of its shares) to an Italian company (Telecom) as part of the privatization and capitalization efforts of the liberal government at that time.
Following this event, significant socioeconomic challenges arose in Bolivia. *The public demanded the nationalization of major companies* that were, at that point, owned by foreign capital, including Entel. Eventually, the socialist government of Evo Morales, representing the MAS political party, assumed power.
One of this government’s actions was to nationalize strategic companies, including Entel. *As a result, Entel returned to full Bolivian ownership and government control in 2008*. Since then, it has experienced substantial growth and is now Bolivia’s most important telecommunications and phone company, despite being managed by the Bolivian government.
Services for Foreigners
Entel offers its full range of services *to both Bolivian citizens and foreigners or expats without any restrictions*. This is because no laws, regulations, or rules prohibit telecommunication companies from serving foreigners in the same way they serve Bolivians.
Therefore, if you want to activate your phone for calls and internet use in Bolivia, *you can easily do so at any Entel office* by presenting your passport or visa. If you’re a foreigner renting an apartment or house in Bolivia, you can also obtain any internet or satellite TV service without limitations, simply by requesting the services.
A) Activating Foreigners’ Cell Phones
Activating your phone with a Bolivian number and using it in Bolivia is very straightforward, provided it meets the technical requirements for bandwidth (750 MHz, 850 MHz, 1,700 MHz, etc.). Simply visit an Entel office with your visa or passport, pay approximately $30 for activation, and that’s it. However, you also need to be aware of certain technical details regarding this process.
We have a detailed guide outlining the steps and requirements for activating phone service for your cell phone with Entel S.A. in Bolivia, available here: Will my phone work in Bolivia? All the details and steps.
B) Calling and Mobile Plans
The following are the mobile and calling plans currently offered by Entel (source):
- Mobile prepaid plans: Recharge cards ranging from $1.50 (1GB or 9 minutes) to $30 (25GB or 190 minutes).
- Mobile postpaid plans: 40-150 minutes, 7-30 GB, priced at $14-$46.
- International calling ($5-$7/minute).
- LTG (4G) technology (5G is expected to be available in Bolivia in 2024).
If you intend to use 4K video in Bolivia, you’ll likely encounter difficulties, as the 4G mobile network here is not yet capable of handling those download speeds. However, everything less demanding will function smoothly in most areas, except for remote rural regions.
In general, you’ll be well-served by purchasing a prepaid recharge card for around $30 or a postpaid plan for $40. This should be sufficient for a full month in most cases.
C) Other Services
If you’re in a rental apartment or a location where you have the right to add utilities and basic services in Bolivia, you can easily install other Entel services, such as:
- Fiber optic internet
- Satellite TV
To obtain these services in your house or apartment in Bolivia, simply visit an Entel office with your visa or passport and your residential address, and request the service, *regardless of whether you’re a foreigner or a tourist*.
Business Hours and Agency Locations
Almost all Entel agencies operate on a 9 AM to 5 PM schedule on weekdays. Many agencies also operate from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays, and a few are open in the mornings on Sundays. *However, it’s best to visit the agencies during standard business hours on weekdays or Saturdays*; they are most likely to be open during those times.
However, more precisely, some of this company’s agencies may have significantly different opening hours. You can find the exact operating hours for each agency in the country at the following link (Spanish):
Contact Information
Entel has several *hundreds of agencies throughout the country*. Many are located in the downtown areas of major cities, but some are also in rural areas and very remote towns. Entel has a vast presence throughout Bolivia.
If you want to know the location of each Entel office, you can find it on the same page where the opening hours are listed:
You can also contact Entel through the following methods:
- Customer Service and Support Phone Numbers (*Spanish-speaking operators*):
- 800-10-10-10
- 800-19-36-38
- 800-10-44-88
- 800-10-50-00
- Entel Headquarters Phone Number in La Paz city (*Spanish-speaking operators*):
- +591 (2) 2141010
- Entel Headquarters Address:
- No. 1771 Federico Zuazo Ave., La Paz, Bolivia.
- Entel Websites:
- https://www.entel.bo/ (general website)
- https://institucional.entel.bo/inicio3.0/ (corporate website)
- Entel Social Media Pages:
- Entel Phone App:
2) Tigo
Tigo Bolivia is the second-largest phone company in the country. This company is part of a network of enterprises across South America also called Tigo, which is owned by a parent company in Luxembourg called Millicom. This company offers a variety of services that extend beyond just phone connectivity and the internet.
Tigo is well-positioned in the Bolivian market and has managed to remain relevant for over two decades, competing with the government-backed company Entel, which is the market leader. Tigo is also one of the largest firms in Bolivia.
Brief History
Tigo was initially established in 1990 as a Bolivian telecommunications company and was first branded Telecel S.A. It began to face challenges competing in the Bolivian market, and a decade later, it was acquired by Millicom, a company headquartered in Luxembourg, which owns the Tigo brand that has a significant presence across many South American countries.
Tigo expanded its operations to serve Bolivians in various ways, to the point where it became the second most important company in Bolivia’s phone and internet markets, capturing 37.65% of the market share in 2021, significantly outpacing its closest competitor, Viva, with only 12.9%.
Today, this company is very well-positioned in consumers’ minds and is not expected to exit the market or face serious difficulties in the short or even medium term, unlike Viva, which is struggling to survive in the Bolivian phone market.
Services for Foreigners
A) Activating Foreigners’ Cell Phones
As with Entel, you won’t encounter any restrictions or limitations, *beyond the technical requirements your cell phone needs to meet*, to activate your phone in Bolivia with Tigo. To do this, simply visit any Tigo agency. They will ask you to provide your passport and visa to register the phone under your name, and you’ll need to purchase a mobile plan for around $30, and that’s it.
We have an in-depth guide on the steps and requirements to activate your phone for Bolivia with Tigo here: Will my phone work in Bolivia? All the details and steps.
B) Calling and Internet Plans
The following are the mobile and calling plans currently offered by Tigo (source):
- Mobile prepaid plans: Recharge cards ranging from $1.50 (0.5 GB or 7 minutes) to $30 (20 GB or 150 minutes).
- Mobile postpaid plans: 60-150 minutes, 10-unlimited GB, priced at $20-$50.
- International calling ($5-$7/minute).
- LTG (4G) technology (5G is expected to be available in Bolivia in 2024).
As you can see, Tigo has slightly higher prices for mobile plans for both data and calling minutes compared to Entel.
C) Other Services
As a company, Tigo offers compelling services that extend far beyond providing mobile and internet services within the country. For instance, it also offers:
- A mobile wallet system called Tigo Money, which allows users to send and receive money for goods and services using only their mobile phones, and also use this account to store their money. This service is not available to tourists; you must be at least a temporary resident of Bolivia to use Tigo Money.
- A roaming service called Tigo Roaming, which enables a Bolivian phone line to be used in 145 countries, with preferential rates in many of them.
- A sports streaming service called Tigo Sports, where users can follow popular Bolivian sports, such as the soccer league, which is extremely popular here, among others.
- Cable and satellite TV, previously called Tigo Star, but it has been discontinued. Despite this, it’s still available as a service. Viva provides these TV services to Bolivian homes and can be ordered by expats or tourists staying in the country without any limitations.
Business Hours and Agency Locations
Generally, Tigo agencies are open to clients on weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM, but the main agencies in each city or those located in highly commercial areas may remain open until 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM. On weekends, most agencies are also open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Some will even be open on Sunday mornings.
Opening hours for any specific Tigo agency are listed on the following page; some of these schedules may vary significantly:
Contact Information
If you want to know the location of each Tigo agency, along with its contact phone numbers, opening hours, etc., visit this same link:
You can also contact Tigo through the following channels:
- Customer service and support phone number (*Spanish-speaking operators*):
- 800-17-50-00
- Tigo WhatsApp support number (*Spanish-speaking operators*):
- +591 77390000
- Tigo main agency addresses for principal cities:
- La Paz: 1st floor, HANSA high-rise, Mariscal Santa Cruz Av. (*El Prado*)
- Cochabamba: No. 548 Ballivián Av. (*El Prado*)
- Santa Cruz: El Trompillo Av., Second ring (*Cine Center*)
- Tigo websites:
- https://www.tigo.com.bo/ (general website)
- https://ayuda.tigo.com.bo/hc/es (support webpage)
- Tigo social media pages:
- Tigo phone app:
3) Viva
Viva is currently the third and least significant telecommunications company in Bolivia. It’s currently experiencing challenges as its market presence diminishes year by year, *now holding a market share of only 12.9%*. The company’s situation has become so precarious that it was recently acquired by the US company Balesia Technologies.
With this acquisition, Viva is planned to be transformed into a more specialized company that will serve its clients in more advanced and personalized ways, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to deliver new digital experiences. Therefore, it will soon transition from its position as a traditional phone company to become more of a specialized service provider.
Brief History
Viva was founded in 1999, with founding capital from the Bolivian phone association Comteco (28.5%), which provides home phone services to the city of Cochabamba, and also with capital from the US company Western Wireless (71.5%), and later Alltel (71.5%) through Trilogy International Partners (71.5%).
This company had a significant presence during the 2000s, with approximately 25% of the total market share. This remained relatively consistent until 2017, when it began to lose traction rapidly, experiencing a decline in market share and presence in the minds of Bolivian consumers. Currently, in 2022, it holds less than 13% of the phone and internet markets in the country.
As Bolivians, we perceive that this company no longer has a significant presence in our environment. It used to heavily advertise internet and mobile plans, sponsor various events, and launch new technologies and services. However, for some time now, it has been silent, and only Entel and Tigo continue to compete aggressively in the market.
Services for Foreigners
A) Activating Foreigners’ Cell Phones
You won’t encounter any issues activating your cell phone in Bolivia with a Bolivian number *with Viva either*. Simply visit a Viva agency anywhere in the country, bring your passport and visa, pay around $30, and the employee will activate your phone and register it under your name in the country.
Remember that your phone must meet the technical requirements to connect to the Bolivian phone network and mobile network with specific bandwidths. You can learn more about this in our guide on the topic.
We have a comprehensive guide on the steps and requirements for activating your cell phone with Viva in Bolivia, available here: Will my phone work in Bolivia? All the details and steps.
B) Calling and Internet Plans
The following are the mobile and calling plans currently offered by Viva (source):
- Mobile Prepaid Plans: Recharge cards ranging from $1.50 (0.5GB or 8 minutes) to $30 (25GB or 120 minutes).
- Mobile Postpaid Plans: 40-110 minutes, 12-20 GB, $16-$35.
- International Calling: $5-$7/minute.
- LTE (4G) technology (5G is expected to be available in Bolivia in 2024).
As you can see, Viva’s prices for both data (megabytes) and calling minutes are slightly higher than Entel’s.
C) Other Services
Beyond mobile and internet plans and connectivity, Viva also offers a comprehensive home connectivity service that includes satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and mobile plans. It also provides apps called HypeGames and HypeMusic, which allow users to play popular games and listen to a wide variety of music without limitations, or for a small fee of around $5/month.
Viva also used to offer a mobile wallet system, but it didn’t achieve the same success as Tigo Money. Currently, it’s not accepting new users, though it continues to serve existing ones.
Business Hours and Agency Locations
Viva’s various agencies across the country generally operate from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, and also on Saturdays and Sunday mornings. Some agencies located in highly commercial downtown areas of Bolivia’s major cities are open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Sunday.
You can find detailed information about each Viva agency’s schedule and location here:
Contact Information
Everything from phone numbers to email addresses, social media links, and the locations of each agency can be found at the same link:
You can also contact Viva through the following channels:
- General Support Phone Number (*Spanish-speaking support*):
- 800-14-14-14
- Viva WhatsApp Support Number (*Spanish-speaking support*):
- +591 79999977
- Viva Main Agency Addresses in Principal Cities:
- La Paz: Belisario Salinas St., Sopocachi (Avaroa Square)
- Cochabamba: No. 1344 Freddy Maldonado High-Rise, Santa Cruz Ave.
- Santa Cruz: San Martin Ave., 4th Ring (Ventura Mall)
- Viva Websites:
- https://www.viva.com.bo/ (General website)
- Translated (Customer support page)
- Viva Social Media Pages:
- Viva Mobile App:
Which is the Best Phone Company in Bolivia?
These are the only three companies that have been active in the Bolivian phone and internet markets: Entel, Tigo, and Viva. Since the 2000s, they’ve been engaged in a constant, intense competition to win over customers and become the industry leader.
However, only one company has managed to achieve market leadership, and it has held this position for many years. This company is Entel, and there’s a reason Bolivians choose it, with nearly 50% market share.
We Recommend Using Entel S.A.
Most of us have been using Entel for decades now, and it hasn’t presented any significant issues during this time. It offers generally good internet service, without major interruptions, fast connectivity, lower prices, wider coverage throughout the country, and mobile plans with more data. It’s also typically the first to implement new technologies.
Entel also offers the lowest prices for both data (megabytes) and calling minutes. Furthermore, it allows you to purchase monthly mobile prepaid plans, which are not available with either Tigo or Viva, *as these two companies only offer daily or weekly prepaid plans*.
Tigo and Viva are known for their extensive advertising. Despite this, their users frequently complain about poor connectivity with numerous interruptions, overly complex plans, hidden fees, etc.
As there are no restrictions for foreigners using their phones with this company, you’ll enjoy the same advantages when choosing Entel over the other two companies. *Therefore, we recommend going with Entel; you’re unlikely to encounter any major problems with them*.
Conclusions:
In this guide to Bolivian phone companies, you’ve seen that only three mobile operators are currently active in Bolivia. The first is Entel, which holds around 50% of the market and is the leading company in the telecommunications and mobile sector. Next is Tigo, a large South American company also present in Bolivia, with approximately 40% of the market. Finally, Viva, which is struggling to maintain its market presence, holds only 10% of the market.
You’ve also learned that you don’t face any limitations when using services from these companies regarding your cell phone or other services like internet, satellite TV, or roaming, except for Tigo Money, which is only available to at least temporary residents in Bolivia. You’ve also seen that mobile plans from these three companies start from $1.50 to $50, and that a $30 plan will generally be sufficient for a month.
Finally, you’ve received our recommendation to choose Entel for mobile services and activating your phone in the country. This company has the best network coverage in Bolivia, lower prices, and it has been the preferred provider for most Bolivians for many years.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to learn more about how to get your cell phone working in Bolivia with a Bolivian number, including all the details and technical requirements regarding bandwidth and other information, please visit our dedicated guide on this topic: Will my phone work in Bolivia? All the requirements and steps.
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