5G Is Live in Cuenca — Here's Where You Can Get It

What Happened

Ecuador's state telecom company CNT has officially launched 5G service in Cuenca. Six radio base stations are now operational, covering specific high-traffic areas of the city.

If you've been working off a hotspot or struggling with upload speeds on video calls — this is relevant news.

Where 5G Is Available

The initial rollout covers six strategic locations across Cuenca:

• Clínica La Paz area (El Centro/northern sector)
• San Blas (near the San Blas market and plaza)
• Miraflores (residential neighborhood, north of the river)
• Terminal Terrestre (the main bus terminal)
• Two additional base stations in high-density commercial areas

The coverage is limited to areas near these base stations. If you're in El Centro near San Blas or Clínica La Paz, you might already have access. If you're in El Vergel, Misicata, or the outskirts — not yet.

The Technical Details

• Network: 3.5 GHz band
• Theoretical speeds: Up to 1.5 Gbps download
• Real-world speeds: Will vary depending on congestion, device, and distance from the tower — expect significantly faster than 4G but probably not the full 1.5 Gbps
• Compatibility: You'll need a 5G-capable phone and a CNT SIM card or plan. iPhones 12 and newer, most Samsung Galaxy S21+ models, and recent Xiaomi/Huawei devices support 5G

What This Means for Expats and Digital Nomads

Cuenca has been building its reputation as a digital nomad destination, and 5G — even in its early stages — helps that case. Practical implications:

• Remote workers: Faster mobile data for backup connectivity when your home internet goes down
• Video calls: Better quality and reliability in covered areas
• Hotspot usage: 5G hotspots from your phone will outperform many home internet connections
• Cafés and coworking: If you work from cafés in El Centro or near San Blas, you may notice significantly better mobile speeds

The Rollout Plan

CNT's national plan calls for 422 5G base stations across Ecuador by mid-2026, backed by a $30 million investment. Cuenca is one of the first cities in the rollout.

More coverage within Cuenca is expected in the coming months, but CNT hasn't published a specific neighborhood-by-neighborhood timeline.

What About Claro and Movistar?

CNT is first to market with 5G in Cuenca. Claro and Movistar — the two private carriers — have 5G plans but haven't announced launch dates for Cuenca specifically. If you're on Claro or Movistar, you'll have to wait.

Practical Tip

If you're a CNT customer, check your plan details. You may need to upgrade to access 5G speeds — not all CNT plans include 5G access. Visit any CNT office (the main one is on Gran Colombia near Parque Calderón) or call 100 to check.

Source: CNT