Cuenca Just Got 5G — Here’s Where It Works, What It Costs, and Whether Your Phone Can Use It

If you’ve been limping along on 4G — or worse, watching that spinning wheel while trying to video-call family back home — this one’s for you.

CNT, Ecuador’s state-run telecom, activated Cuenca’s first 5G network last week, making the city one of just three in the country (alongside Quito and Guayaquil) to have fifth-generation mobile coverage.

Where It Works

Right now, coverage comes from six radio base stations in strategic locations:

• Mariscal La Mar Airport
• Terminal Terrestre (the main bus station)
• Avenida Huayna Cápac
• The Historic Center (El Centro)

If you live, work, or hang out in any of these areas, you might already be able to connect — assuming your phone supports it.

How Fast Is It?

CNT’s regional manager Paúl Castillo said the big difference is raw speed. In Cuenca tests, the network hit 1.4 gigabits per second — roughly 30 times faster than the 60 megabits you typically get on 4G. Latency (the delay between tapping something and it responding) drops significantly too.

In practical terms: streaming in 4K, video calls without freezing, uploading large files, and working remotely all get dramatically better — if you’re in a covered area and have the right device.

What It Costs

Here’s the good news: 5G plans start at $10/month, with unlimited data options available. There’s no special configuration required — if your device is compatible and you’re on a CNT plan, the network should connect automatically.

Visit a CNT office in Cuenca to confirm your plan and SIM card are 5G-ready.

Will Your Phone Work?

This is the catch. You need a 5G-compatible device to connect. Here’s the breakdown:

• Android: Most mid-range and high-end phones from 2022 onward support 5G. Samsung Galaxy S21 and newer, Xiaomi Redmi 15C 5G, and similar models should work.
• iPhone: Models from iPhone 12 onward have 5G hardware, but Apple needs to release a software update specific to Ecuador’s network bands. Until that update drops, your iPhone may not recognize CNT’s 5G signal — even if the hardware supports it.
• Older phones: If your phone is more than 3–4 years old, it almost certainly doesn’t have a 5G modem. You’ll stay on 4G, which continues working as before.

What This Means for Expats

A lot of expats in Cuenca work remotely, run online businesses, or at minimum depend on reliable internet for staying connected. Cuenca’s home fiber options (from CNT and Netlife) are decent, but mobile data has been a weak spot — especially when you’re out and about.

5G won’t replace your home Wi-Fi, but it does mean:

• Better hotspot backup when your home internet goes down
• Usable speeds at the airport and bus terminal (both notorious dead zones)
• Faster mobile data downtown for everyday use

The coverage is still limited to those six base stations, so don’t expect 5G while hiking Cajas or shopping at Feria Libre. But CNT says they’re expanding progressively throughout the city.

The Bigger Picture

CNT invested over $30 million nationally to build out the 5G network, and they beat Ecuador’s private carriers (Claro, Movistar) to the punch. Competition should eventually push all carriers to offer 5G in Cuenca, which means better options and pricing for everyone.

For now, if you’re a CNT customer with a compatible phone, swing by a CNT office and see if you’re already connected. And if you’re in the market for a new phone, make sure it’s 5G-ready — you’ll want it.

Sources: La Voz del Tomebamba, CuencaHighLife, El Universo