Phone, internet and utilities in Colombia: getting connected

Getting connected in Colombia is mostly straightforward, but there is one step many Americans miss: phones brought from abroad must be registered with a Colombian mobile operator, and an unregistered phone can end up blocked from local networks. This guide covers that registration, mobile plans, home internet and the utility bills that come with an apartment.

I lived and worked in Colombia, and the observations about daily life here are general ones. The rules on phone registration come from the Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones (CRC) and the National Police.

Step one: register your phone's IMEI

Every mobile phone has an IMEI, a 15-digit identity number unique to that device. Colombia requires phones used on its mobile networks to be registered, as part of a national effort against phone theft. The National Police explains that registering the IMEI ensures a phone can be blocked if it is lost or stolen, which makes it useless to thieves.

According to the CRC and the National Police:

• Who must register. Any user who acquires or uses a mobile phone on Colombian networks whose IMEI is not yet registered. If you bring a phone from the US, you must register it.
• Where. With the mobile operator whose network you use. You register only once, even if you later use the phone with other operators.
• Dual SIM phones. They have two IMEIs, and each must be registered with the operator of the corresponding SIM. The CRC notes that both can be registered using one SIM.
• What you need. The IMEI number (dial *#06# to see it), proof of ownership, and your personal details. Proof of ownership is the purchase invoice or payment receipt. If you lost the invoice or received the phone as a gift, you can sign a sworn declaration form, which the operator provides.
• Cost. The National Police states that registration is free.
• Plans. Moving from postpaid to prepaid does not require a new registration, because it is linked to the device and not to the plan.

### Check homologation first

The catch is "homologación." The CRC verifies that phone models meet technical conditions for use in Colombia, and operators will not register a phone whose model is not homologated. Homologation is done per brand and model, so if someone has already homologated your exact model, it covers everyone with the same phone. The CRC publishes the list of homologated devices and advises checking the specific model reference, which is different from the commercial name.

Most recent iPhone and major Android models sold in the US are widely used in Colombia, but check your model reference on the CRC list before you rely on it. Also ask your US carrier to remove any carrier lock before you leave.

Mobile plans: prepaid or postpaid

Colombia's main mobile operators sell both prepaid ("prepago") and postpaid ("pospago") plans. Prepaid SIMs are sold in operator stores, supermarkets and corner shops and need only identification. You recharge balance or buy data packages as you go. Postpaid plans usually need a Colombian identity document and sometimes a credit check, so many Americans start on prepaid and switch once they have a Cédula de Extranjería.

The CRC also runs a service called "¿Quién me escribe?" to help users recognise legitimate SMS senders, which is useful since text-message scams impersonating banks and operators are common.

WhatsApp is the default way people communicate. Landlords, doctors' offices, building administrators and even some government offices use it. Expect to give your number often.

Keeping a US number

Many Americans keep a US number for banking two-factor codes and family calls. Options include keeping a low-cost US plan, porting your number to a VoIP service, or keeping a US eSIM active alongside a Colombian SIM in a dual SIM phone. Before you leave, confirm which of your US banks accept app-based authentication instead of SMS codes, since SMS to a US number while roaming can be unreliable.

Home internet

Fibre internet is widely available in Bogota, Medellin, Cali and the Caribbean cities, offered by the major telecom companies and regional providers. Contracts are often bundled with TV and a landline. In my experience a few things are worth checking:

• Coverage at the exact address, since availability varies by building.
• Whether the contract has a minimum term ("cláusula de permanencia") and what it costs to leave early.
• Whether the installation needs the landlord's or building administrator's permission.
• Upload speed if you work remotely, not just download speed.

Signing usually requires an identity document. Some providers accept a passport, others ask for a Cédula de Extranjería. For remote workers, a backup mobile data plan is a sensible safeguard against outages.

Electricity, water and gas

Utility bills in Colombia are tied to the home's "estrato," the socioeconomic stratum from 1 to 6 assigned to each property. Homes in higher estratos pay more for the same consumption, which helps subsidise lower estratos. The estrato appears on the utility bill, and it is worth checking before you sign a lease.

Electricity, water and sewerage, and natural gas usually arrive as separate bills, or sometimes as one combined bill from the city utility. Medellin's EPM, for example, bills energy, water and gas together. Bills are paid at banks, supermarkets, utility offices, or online through the PSE bank transfer system.

When you rent, confirm in the lease who pays which utilities and that previous bills are paid up. Ask for the most recent bills when you move in, since debts can stay attached to the property.

Colombia uses the same plug shape and 110-120 volt current as the US, so most American electronics work without adapters. Short power cuts and voltage fluctuations happen in some areas during storms. Many residents protect computers and TVs with a surge-protected power strip, and remote workers often add a small battery backup for the router.

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Administration fees and building services

Apartment buildings charge an "administración" fee for security, cleaning, common areas and maintenance. It is separate from utilities. The lease should say whether the tenant or owner pays it. Building administrators also handle intercom access, package reception and sometimes gas inspections, so it pays to introduce yourself.

A short setup checklist

1. Check your phone model on the CRC homologation list and remove any US carrier lock.
2. Buy a prepaid SIM on arrival and register your IMEI with that operator, bringing the purchase invoice or using the sworn declaration form.
3. Decide how you will keep your US number for banking codes.
4. Confirm internet coverage at your address before signing a lease.
5. Check the estrato and recent utility bills for any home you rent.

Common questions

Do I need to register my US phone in Colombia? Yes. The CRC and National Police say any phone used on Colombian mobile networks with an unregistered IMEI must be registered once with the operator you use, with proof of ownership. Registration is free.

What if I don't have the receipt for my phone? You can fill in a sworn declaration form stating you are the owner and responsible user. The operator provides it, and the CRC links to it.

Why would an operator refuse to register my phone? Operators do not register phones whose model is not homologated for use in Colombia. Check your exact model reference on the CRC list of homologated devices.

Do US appliances work in Colombia? Generally yes. Colombia uses US-style plugs and 110-120 volt current, so most American electronics work without adapters.