Select a link Telephone services Making calls to Ecuador Country-direct access numbers Media Internet services Postal service & Couriers

 

Telephone services

The phone logistics of Ecuador are currently divided and operated via three major companies, namely: Pacifictel governing the coastal areas, Andinatel in the highlands and ETAPA in Cuenca.

The main privately run movile companies in Ecuador are Porta, Movistar and Alegro offering debit card systems and local telephone stalls all around the country together with reasonable cell phone rates both national and international. You can purchase these directly from their offices or in various shops and street vendors.

For longer International calls, another option is to visit any of the above mentioned company offices, make your call and pay after you've finished, unless the office requires you to pay beforehand (which is unusual).

Try to avoid hotel calls as the costs are usually high or if you do have to make a call at least check beforehand before dialing up a hefty charge.

Making Calls to Ecuador

To call Ecuador from abroad, dial the international access code first (011 if in the United States) followed by Ecuador's country code (593), then the city code (e.g. 4 for Guayaquil or, 2 for Quito) and finally the number (7 digits). Since September 28th, 2003, Ecuador is a 7-digit country. When calling from abroad to Cuenca, it used to be 593 - 7 - 832840. Now, you must add the prefix "2" e.g. 593 - 7 - "2"832849. This new rule is applied to call everywhere in Ecuador. To dial locally, from one province to another e.g. from Guayaquil (Guayas "04") to Quito (Pichincha "02") you have to dial the province code first "02" followed by the telephone number (7 digits). See province codes below. To call a "cellular" from abroad dial the country code (593) followed by "9" and finally the cellular number (7 digits). Within Ecuador just dial 09 followed by the cellular number (7 digits).

Country-direct access numbers

To reach an operator from the countries listed below, dial the following numbers in Ecuador free of charge from any private or public phone. A collect call or credit card call can be made. But, ask rates beforehand.

Argentina: 999161, 999186.	Bolivia: 999169.
Canada: 999175.	Chile: 999183, 999188.
France: 999180.	Italy: 999164.
Mexico: 999184.	Peru: 999167.
Spain: 999176.	Sprint 999171.
UK: 999178, 999181.	USA: AT&T 999119.
WorldPhone: 99917072.

Faxes.- To send and retrieve faxes, check around for the best rates through local phone company offices, hotels and other private locations or Internet cafes.

Media

Foreign newspapers are available in fine hotels only and a few shops in Guayaquil or Quito.

In Quito the main newspapers are EI Comercio and Hoy, in Guayaquil El Universo and El Expreso. They are available throughout the whole country as well as on-line (See best links "Media" section). In Cuenca, the main newspaper is EI Mercurio.

World Band Radio

The BBC World service is one of the best ways to keep in touch with the outside world on current events, updates, etc. In English and the aforementioned link provides an excellent schedule through any Internet café facility while traveling.

Quito and Guayaquil also offer stations to keep the travelers up to speed and abreast of all current news and events also on HCJB (89.3 FM in Quito, 102,5 FM in Guayaquil) in both Spanish and English and are excellent.

To receive the previously mentioned programs and stations do take a small portable with digital tuning dials for long, medium and FM frequencies. Free wavelength guides can generally be found through www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice.

Select a link Telephone services Making calls to Ecuador Country-direct access numbers Media Internet services Postal service & Couriers

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