Personal is one of the leading mobile operators in Argentina. As a tourist visiting Argentina, getting a Personal SIM card or eSIM will enable you to stay connected with voice calls, SMS and mobile data. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about using Personal Argentina while traveling in the country.
Table of Contents
I. Quick Facts about Personal Argentina
- Founded: 1989
- Full Name: Telecom Personal S.A.
- Services: Mobile & Fixed Telephony, Mobile Internet, Digital Television
- Subscribers: 20+ million (as of 2021)
- Coverage: 99% population coverage on 2G, 97% on 3G and 88% on 4G/LTE
- Network Stores & Agents: 971 Personal stores, 8500+ agents (2020)
Telecom Personal, commonly known as Personal, is the mobile arm of Telecom Argentina. It is the largest mobile network operator in Argentina with over 20 million mobile subscribers. Personal provides 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G mobile network services. The company has near nationwide coverage reaching 99% of the population on 2G, 97% on 3G and 88% on 4G/LTE.
II. Personal Argentina Coverage and Speed
1. Personal Coverage in Argentina
With close to 100% population coverage, Personal has an extensive mobile network reaching all corners of Argentina. Its 2G network covers 99% of the population. The 3G network covers 97% while its 4G reaches about 88% of the populace.
Personal has rolled out 4G services to all provinces of Argentina. With continuous expansion and modernization, the Personal 4G network is available in cities like Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Tucuman, Salta etc.
5G coverage is limited at the moment but is growing. As of 2022, Personal 5G is live in parts of Buenos Aires, Rosario, Mar del Plata and Cordoba. More locations will be covered in future.
2. Personal Argentina speed
Overall, Personal demonstrated the fastest mobile network experiences in Argentina according to the metrics analyzed in the June 2023 Opensignal report. In particular, Personal was found to offer the best speeds, video experience, and consistency for applications like web browsing, emails, social media, and HD video streaming on its 4G network.
Personal users observed average 4G download speeds of 25.8 Mbps across Argentina. The average 4G upload speed for Personal was measured to be 6.9 Mbps.
In terms of 5G speeds, the report did not provide specific speed data. However, it noted that while Personal had launched 5G services using dynamic spectrum sharing, the operator’s 5G network was still in the development stage with 180 cell sites currently.
III. Personal connectivity options for travelers to Argentina
Personal offers several connectivity options for visitors to Argentina:
- Personal Argentina SIM card – Physical SIM you can insert into your unlocked phone to access Personal’s network. Available as prepaid or postpaid.
- Personal Argentina eSIM – Digital eSIM profile that can be activated on your phone to use Personal service if your device supports eSIM. Prepaid only.
- Personal Pocket WiFi – Portable WiFi hotspot device with a Personal SIM to provide data connectivity to your phones, laptops etc.
- Personal Internet Prepago – Prepaid Internet SIM card for use in tablets, cellular modems and other cellular devices. Provides data only.
Getting a local Personal SIM or eSIM is the most convenient and cost-effective option to stay connected through your trip to Argentina. The prepaid SIM cards and data packages are very affordable.
IV. Best Personal Argentina SIM cards for Tourists & Cost
Personal offers a variety of prepaid plans to choose from. The default “Prepago” plan provides daily data access with a 50MB block for $27 that expires at midnight. Customers can purchase additional 50MB blocks as needed throughout the day.
| Plan Name | Data | Validity Period | Price (USD) | Activation Code |
| Prepago | 50MB per day | Expires at midnight daily | $0.30 per 50MB block | N/A |
| Data Packages | 1 GB | 1 day | $6.50 | 1GX1D |
| 2 GB | 3 days | $11 | 2GX3D | |
| 2 GB | 7 days | $19 | 2GX7D |
All prepaid recharges, including data package purchases, have a validity period of 180 days from the recharge date.
V. Does Personal Argentina Support eSIM?
Yes, Personal Argentina offers eSIM support for compatible devices. The Personal eSIM comes as a prepaid-only plan, similar to their physical SIM.
With Personal eSIM, you can use mobile data, make calls, and send SMS just like the regular SIM card. The same prepaid packages apply for eSIM including tourist plans, standard prepaid, and data packs. You also consider Claro to use and check our website.
To use Personal Argentina eSIM, you need an unlocked phone with eSIM functionality like newer iPhones, Google Pixel, and Samsung phones. Make sure your device supports the specific frequency bands used by Personal’s network in Argentina.
VI. Where can you buy a Personal Argentina SIM card?
As a tourist, you can easily find and purchase a Personal Argentina SIM at the following locations across Argentina:
- Personal stores – Available at 971 Official Personal stores across Argentina
- Retail Stores – Sold at phone shops and retail outlets like Musimundo, Fr.gat, Garbarino, etc.
- Supermarkets – Available at chains like Coto, Carrefour, Walmart, DIA, Libertad.
- Kiosks – Local corner shops and newsstands may also stock Personal SIM cards
- Airports – SIM cards from Personal & other providers available at Ezeiza (EZE) and Aeroparque (AEP) airports in Buenos Aires
When you buy the SIM, provide a copy of your passport and payment by cash or credit card. No registration is needed for prepaid SIMs.
VII. How to activate Personal Argentina SIM Card/eSIM
1. How to use a Personal Argentina SIM card
Activating a new Personal Prepago SIM card is easy:
- Insert the Personal SIM into your unlocked phone. Restart if prompted.
- The SIM will automatically configure initial settings and acquire a local phone number.
- You can make calls, and send texts to local numbers using the default credit on your SIM.
- To add mobile data, go to a Personal store or shop that sells Personal top-ups and purchase a data recharge. Provide your phone number and pay.
- Enter the code received via SMS to activate your data pack. The 4G/LTE data will automatically start working.
- You can recharge more credit or data easily using vouchers, the Personal app, USSD codes and other methods.
2. How to activate Personal Argentina eSIM
Follow these steps to use Personal Argentina eSIM on your phone:
- Make sure your phone supports eSIM and has the eSIM profile downloaded.
- Go to eSIM settings on your phone and choose the Personal Argentina eSIM to activate it.
- Follow on-screen prompts and enter any details like plan name or activation code if required.
- Personal Argentina eSIM should activate within a few minutes.
- You can now use mobile data, make calls, and send SMS as per your plan allowance.
- Recharge data packs or top-up credit when required by purchasing add-ons through the app/website you used to buy the eSIM.
VIII. Personal Call & SMS rates in Argentina
Personal Prepago SIM cards come with an initial balance for domestic calls and texts:
- Calls – ARS 1.8 per minute for calls within Argentina
- Texts – ARS 0.70 per SMS nationally
You can top-up the SIM at any time using multiple recharge methods. Top-up vouchers start from ARS 100.
Some useful top-ups and their call minutes/text message allotments:
- ARS 100 top-up – 55 call minutes or 140 SMS
- ARS 200 top-up – 110 call minutes or 280 SMS
- ARS 300 top-up – 170 call minutes or 420 SMS
Special rate plans like Supersocial offer discounted calling and SMS rates on Personal networks. Calls cost ARS 0.50 per minute and SMS is ARS 0.05 on-net.
International calls start from ARS 2.8 per minute. Discounted international bundles are available. SMS to international numbers cost ARS 5 per message.
IX. Useful USSD codes for Personal Argentina SIM Card/eSIM
Useful USSD codes for Personal Argentina prepaid customers include:
| USSD | Code Description |
| *150# | Check balance |
| *111 | Contact customer service |
| *152 | Activate data packages |
X. How to Top-up Personal Argentina SIM Card
You can easily recharge your Personal Prepago SIM through various channels:
- Vouchers – Prepaid top-up cards available from Personal stores, kiosks, and supermarkets. Enter the code under battery to activate.
- Personal App – Add credit, activate packs, and manage accounts via the Personal Mi Cuenta app.
- Online – Recharge SIM cards using international payment cards on your Personal website.
- ATMs – Select ATMs allow Personal recharges with cash payments.
- Payment Agents – Make cash/card payments at authorized top-up agents like Rapipago, Pago F??cil, Cobro Express, etc.
- USSD Codes – Dial *134# then follow the prompts to recharge with a registered payment card.
Monitor your usage in the Personal app or via USSD codes. Replenish credit when required to avoid service interruptions.
XI. Alternatives to Personal Argentina SIM Cards
1. Other Local Main Mobile Operators
Some alternative mobile networks you can use in Argentina include:
- Movistar – Second biggest operator after Personal with good 4G coverage. Prepaid SIM and tourist SIM options.
- Claro – One of the largest mobile network operators in Argentina. Users can purchase a prepaid SIM card from Claro that comes with data packages. The SIM card uses the physical SIM card format.
2. Buy an eSIM from argentinaesim.com
An increasingly popular choice is getting an eSIM from online services like argentinaesim.com which offers eSIM profiles that work on the Claro network all across Argentina and beyond, providing flexibility to install the profile on a compatible smartphone before travel without needing to find SIM cards locally. Various data bundle sizes and validity periods allow travelers to choose the right option for their trip.
Plan that may interest you
With instant activation on arrival, eSIM removes roaming charges and hassles while ensuring connectivity throughout Argentina.
XII. FAQs about Personal Argentina SIM Cards
Here are some common questions about using Personal Argentina:
Does Personal have stores at Buenos Aires airport?
Yes, Personal has stores at both Ezeiza International Airport and Aeroparque Domestic Airport in Buenos Aires. You can easily buy a prepaid SIM on arrival.
Can I use Personal Argentina SIM Cards in other South American countries?
Personal SIM works only in Argentina. But you can enable international roaming to use it outside on partner networks. Additional charges apply.
Does Personal block VOIP and messaging apps?
Personal does not typically restrict apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime etc. Some peer-to-peer apps may be blocked on prepaid SIMs.
Where can I find APN settings for Personal?
APN for Personal Argentina is e-personal.com.ar. Username and Password are optional.
Can I use Personal Argentina SIM cards in unlocked foreign phones?
Yes, Personal SIMs work on unlocked phones from USA, Canada, Europe and most regions. Check compatibility.
XIII. Final words
Getting a Personal SIM card or eSIM is highly recommended when visiting Argentina for excellent value, wide 4G coverage and convenience. Their tourist focused products provide a seamless connectivity solution for short trips. For longer stays, the regular Personal Prepago SIM allows easy top-ups and custom data packages. With Personal’s extensive networks across Argentina, you can stay conveniently connected as you travel through the country.
