Internet and Mobile Phones in Argentina for UK Expats

Getting connected in Argentina is one of the easier parts of settling in, but there are practical differences from the UK that are worth knowing before you arrive.

Home Internet

Main providers in Buenos Aires:

• Fibertel (part of Cablevisión) — The largest provider. Reliable fibre in most central neighbourhoods. Plans from 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
• Telecentro — Strong in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas. Good value, reliable service.
• Flow (formerly Cablevisión) — Bundles internet with TV streaming. Popular with football fans.
• Iplan (Telecom) — Corporate-grade fibre, increasingly available residentially.

What to expect:

Central Buenos Aires neighbourhoods (Palermo, Belgrano, Recoleta, San Isidro) have widespread fibre coverage with speeds of 100–300 Mbps common. Outside the capital, fibre is less available and ADSL or wireless options are more common.

Costs: Home internet runs ARS 15,000–40,000/month (£6–18) depending on speed. Installation is usually free with a 12-month contract.

Getting connected: You typically need a CUIL number and proof of address. Some providers accept a passport for foreigners, but a CUIL makes it easier. Installation appointments are usually available within 3–7 days.

Mobile Phones

Major operators:

• Personal — Best 4G/5G coverage in Buenos Aires and major cities. Slightly more expensive.
• Claro — Good coverage, competitive pricing. Strong in urban areas.
• Movistar — Reliable, good rural coverage. Owned by Telefónica.

Will your UK phone work?

Maybe. Argentina uses the following bands:

• 4G LTE: Bands 2 (1900 MHz), 4 (1700/2100 MHz), 28 (700 MHz)
• 3G: Bands 1 (2100 MHz), 2 (1900 MHz), 4 (1700/2100 MHz), 5 (850 MHz)

Most modern UK phones (iPhone 8+, Samsung Galaxy S8+, Google Pixel 2+) support these bands, but budget or older phones may not. Check your phone's specifications before relying on it.

Your phone must be unlocked. UK phones locked to networks (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) will not work with Argentine SIMs. Unlock your phone before leaving the UK or buy an unlocked phone on arrival.

Getting a SIM Card

Prepaid SIMs (chip prepago) are easy to buy. Bring your passport to any operator's shop or authorised retailer. A SIM card costs ARS 500–2,000 (negligible at blue dollar rates).

Typical prepaid plans:

• 5 GB data + calls: ARS 8,000–12,000/month (£3.50–5)
• 15 GB data + calls: ARS 15,000–22,000/month (£6.50–10)
• 25 GB data + calls: ARS 25,000–35,000/month (£11–15)

Postpaid plans require a DNI (Argentine national ID), so most British expats stick with prepaid until they get permanent residency.

Using Your UK Number

You can keep your UK number active for WhatsApp, two-factor authentication, and incoming calls. Most British expats do this. Use a dual-SIM phone or keep your UK phone as a secondary device.

Roaming with a UK SIM in Argentina is expensive — avoid it for data. Incoming SMS for banking codes and 2FA usually work fine without roaming charges.

Streaming and Entertainment

Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube work normally in Argentina. Content libraries differ from the UK due to licensing. Argentine Netflix has excellent Spanish and Latin American content.

BBC iPlayer does not work in Argentina without a VPN. Many British expats use a VPN for iPlayer, ITV Hub, and UK sports streaming. See our guide on watching UK TV from Argentina.

Worth reading next

• BBC iPlayer and UK TV from Argentina: What Actually Works
• Remote Work Routine in Buenos Aires: A British Perspective
• Cost of Living in Argentina vs the UK