Movistar - Argentina
Movistar (Argentina) uses 2 GSM bands, 2 UMTS bands, 6 LTE bands, and 3 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with Movistar (Argentina). See the tables below for details.
Check device compatibilityCarrier website: http://www.movistar.com.ar/
Last updated: 2024/08/05 - See latest updates
Movistar Argentina is a major telecommunications provider in Argentina, owned by Telefónica. Here are some key details about its mobile network:
Frequency Bands
Movistar Argentina uses the following frequency bands:
- GSM: 850 MHz and 1900 MHz (PCS)
- UMTS: 1900 MHz (B2) and 850 MHz (B5)
- LTE: 1700/2100 MHz (AWS 1, B4)
Supported Protocols
- GSM: GPRS (2.5G) and EDGE (2.5G)
- UMTS: UMTS (3G), HSDPA (3.5G), and HSPA+ (3.5G, 4G speed)
- LTE: LTE (4G)
Coverage
Movistar has a significant presence in Argentina, with detailed coverage maps available through Opensignal and nPerf. The network provides 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage, with some areas also offering 5G services.
Performance
In terms of performance, Movistar's network is generally good in urban areas like Buenos Aires, with speeds averaging around 17 Mbps. However, in rural areas such as Patagonia, Claro is often considered the best option due to its better coverage and speeds.
Comparison with Other Carriers
Movistar is one of the three major mobile network carriers in Argentina, along with Personal and Claro. Personal is generally considered the best and fastest network in the country, followed by Claro, while Movistar's performance varies depending on the region.
Accessibility
Movistar offers various options for users, including eSIM cards, which can be easily installed and provide a convenient way to stay connected. However, getting a traditional SIM card from Movistar can be more challenging, especially in rural areas.
Conclusion
Movistar Argentina provides a comprehensive mobile network with a wide range of frequency bands and supported protocols. While its performance is good in urban areas, it may not match the coverage and speeds offered by Personal and Claro in rural regions. Users can choose between traditional SIM cards and eSIMs, depending on their needs and location.
Frequency Bands
GSM
| Name | Interface | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 850 MHz | GSM | Movistar Argentina uses the GSM 850 MHz frequency band. This band is utilized for both uplink and downlink communications. The deployment details of this specific band are not provided. |
| 1900 MHz (PCS) | GSM | Movistar Argentina uses the GSM 1900 MHz (PCS) frequency band. This band is utilized for both uplink and downlink operations, supporting dynamic channel numbers. The deployment of this band is part of the broader GSM-1900 frequency range, which is primarily used in North, South, and Central America for GSM services. |
Supported GSM Protocols
| Name | Generation |
|---|---|
| GPRS | 2.5G |
| EDGE | 2.5G |
UMTS
| Name | Interface | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B2 (1900 MHz PCS) | UMTS | Movistar Argentina uses the UMTS B2 (1900 MHz PCS) frequency band. This band is commonly known as the PCS (Personal Communications Service) band. It is used for UMTS services and provides coverage in various regions, including North America, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. |
| B5 (850 MHz) | UMTS | Movistar Argentina uses the UMTS B5 (850 MHz) frequency band. |
Supported UMTS Protocols
| Name | Generation |
|---|---|
| UMTS | 3G |
| HSDPA | 3.5G |
| HSPA+ | 3.5G (4G speed) |
LTE
| Name | Interface | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B4 (1700/2100 MHz AWS 1) | LTE | Movistar Argentina uses LTE Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz AWS 1) for its mobile network. This band is commonly used in the United States and is supported by several major carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. It is known for providing a good balance between capacity, density, and penetration/range, making it a popular choice for LTE deployments. The band can be used as a single band or as part of a multi-band network, and it supports carrier aggregation with other bands to enhance network performance. |
| B1 (2100 MHz) | LTE | Movistar Argentina uses LTE frequency band B1 (2100 MHz). The deployment date for this band is unknown. |
| B2 (1900 MHz PCS) | LTE | Movistar Argentina uses the LTE frequency band B2 (1900 MHz PCS). This frequency band was deployed in December 2014. |
| B7 (2600 MHz) | LTE | Movistar Argentina uses LTE Band 7 (2600 MHz) for its 4G network. The deployment of this band began in October 2017. |
| B26 (850 MHz +) | LTE | Movistar Argentina uses LTE band B26 (850 MHz +). The deployment date for this band is not specified. |
| B28 (700 MHz APT) | LTE | Movistar Argentina uses LTE B28 (700 MHz APT) for its 4G LTE network deployments. This frequency band operates between 703 MHz and 803 MHz, with a duplex mode of Full-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (FDD). The uplink range is 703–748 MHz, and the downlink range is 758–803 MHz. The band supports channel bandwidths of 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz. It is known for its excellent propagation characteristics, allowing signals to penetrate buildings and cover larger geographic areas with less infrastructure. |
Supported LTE Protocols
| Name | Generation |
|---|---|
| LTE | 4G |
5G NR
| Name | Interface | Description |
|---|---|---|
| N7 (2600 MHz) | 5G NR | Movistar Argentina has secured a block of 50 MHz in the 3.55-3.6 GHz band for its 5G deployment. |
| N40 (2300 MHz) | 5G NR | Movistar Argentina uses the 5G NR frequency band n40, which covers the 2300 to 2400 MHz range. |
| N77 (3700 MHz) | 5G NR | Movistar Argentina has secured a block of 50 megahertz in the 3.55-3.6 GHz band for $175 million for the deployment of 5G NR N77 (3700 MHz) services. |
Latest updates
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency LTE B1 (2100 MHz) added to Movistar Argentina.
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency LTE B2 (1900 MHz PCS) added to Movistar Argentina.
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency LTE B7 (2600 MHz) added to Movistar Argentina.
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency LTE B26 (850 MHz +) added to Movistar Argentina.
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency LTE B28 (700 MHz APT) added to Movistar Argentina.
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency 5G NR N7 (2600 MHz) added to Movistar Argentina.
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency 5G NR N40 (2300 MHz) added to Movistar Argentina.
- 2024/08/05 - Frequency 5G NR N77 (3700 MHz) added to Movistar Argentina.
