Movistar Argentina

Movistar Argentina is the Argentine telecommunications operation associated with the Movistar brand and the Telefónica Group. Its business developed through several earlier identities and corporate arrangements. From 1993 to 1999, mobile services in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area were offered under the Miniphone name in cooperation with Telecom Argentina. Following regulatory changes, the business was divided between its shareholders, after which Telefónica and Telecom Argentina operated independently under separate mobile brands. Telefónica's service became Telefónica Unifón, while Telecom Argentina's mobile operation used the Personal brand. The present Movistar identity emerged in 2005. Telefónica acquired BellSouth's Latin American cellular networks, creating the conditions for the integration of Unifón with Movicom, BellSouth's Argentine mobile operation. The combined business adopted the Movistar name, aligning Argentina with Telefónica's broader Spanish-speaking Latin American branding system. The change was more than a logo replacement: it consolidated previously separate mobile operations and supported a common commercial identity across the region. During 2005, the company reported a workforce of more than 3,100 employees and investments exceeding 450 million Argentine pesos, with much of the spending directed toward GSM network deployment, equipment installation and the expansion of service platforms. Movistar Argentina's core activity has been mobile telecommunications, including cellular voice, messaging and data services. It has also expanded into fixed connectivity and converged communications. In 2018, following regulatory reforms introduced during Mauricio Macri's administration, telephone companies and pay-television operators were permitted to offer services that had previously been subject to restrictions. Movistar subsequently introduced fiber-optic television and broadened its integrated communications proposition. The combination of Telefónica, Movistar and Speedy operations positioned Movistar as the principal customer-facing brand for multiple services, including mobile communications, fixed broadband and television. The fixed-line portfolio developed around fiber-to-the-home plans, including 100 Mbps and 300 Mbps offerings, with a symmetrical 300 Mbps option also introduced. These plans replaced or superseded earlier 20 Mbps and 50 Mbps packages that had been sold while the broadband service operated under the Speedy name. This evolution illustrates Movistar Argentina's shift from a primarily mobile brand toward a converged operator offering mobile, broadband and entertainment services. The company has also experienced service disruptions. In April 2012, a large-scale interruption affected millions of users for much of the day. Movistar attributed the problem to software used to control network antennas, which impeded proper handset identification on the cellular network. Argentina's National Communications Commission ordered Telefónica de Argentina to restore service and warned of substantial penalties under applicable rules. In July 2017, voice and text services were interrupted in Neuquén, Mendoza and Río Negro; the company described the event as a widespread regional problem and said it was working on restoration. At the beginning of 2012, Movistar was reported to have 16.7 million Argentine customers and to rank third among the country's mobile operators, behind Claro Argentina and Telecom Personal. In February 2025, Telefónica Hispanoamérica agreed to sell all of its shares in Telefónica Argentina to Telecom Argentina for a reported US$1.245 billion. The transaction remained subject to regulatory and governmental controversy in the reference material. Later reporting cited negotiations concerning continued use of Telefónica's brands in Argentina, particularly Movistar. Consequently, the brand's long-term ownership and operating structure require monitoring even though Movistar remains…

Movistar Argentina's roots lie in the restructuring of Argentina's early mobile-telephone market. Between 1993 and 1999, mobile services in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area were provided under the Miniphone trade name through an arrangement involving Telefónica and Telecom Argentina. Regulatory provisions subsequently required the business to be divided among its shareholders. Telefónica and Telecom Argentina then operated their mobile businesses separately, using Telefónica Unifón and Telecom Personal respectively. The next major transformation came in 2005, when Telefónica acquired BellSouth's Latin American cellular networks. In Argentina, this led to the integration of Unifón and Movicom, the BellSouth-associated mobile operation. The combined service adopted the Movistar name, replacing the earlier Unifón identity and bringing Argentina into Telefónica's common regional branding system. The transition unified the commercial presentation of the mobile business while preserving its position as a Telefónica operation. During that year, the company had more than 3,100 employees and invested more than 450 million Argentine pesos, principally in GSM network deployment, new equipment and service-platform expansion. Movistar's development subsequently moved beyond mobile telephony. At the beginning of 2012, the business was reported to serve 16.7 million customers and to rank third in Argentina's mobile market, behind Claro Argentina and Telecom Personal. The company nevertheless faced operational challenges. On April 2, 2012, a nationwide-scale service interruption left millions of customers without mobile signal. Movistar indicated that software controlling network antennas may have caused phones to fail to authenticate correctly. The National Communications Commission ordered Telefónica de Argentina to restore service and threatened severe sanctions if the issue was not resolved. A further interruption occurred on July 14, 2017, affecting calls and text messages in Neuquén, Mendoza and Río Negro. The regulatory environment changed during Mauricio Macri's presidency, enabling telephone companies and pay-television operators to offer combinations of services that had previously been restricted. In October 2018, Movistar entered fiber-optic television and strengthened its converged-service proposition. The integration of Telefónica, Movistar and Speedy activities made Movistar the principal consumer brand across mobile, fixed broadband and television services. Its broadband development included fiber-to-the-home packages at 100 Mbps and 300 Mbps, including a symmetrical 300 Mbps plan. These offers replaced the earlier 20 Mbps and 50 Mbps packages associated with Speedy. A potentially decisive ownership change was reported in 2025. Telefónica Hispanoamérica agreed to sell all shares in Telefónica Argentina to Telecom Argentina for US$1.245 billion. The transaction was described as subject to approval and governmental dispute. Subsequent reference material indicated that Telecom Argentina and Telefónica were discussing whether Movistar and other Telefónica brands could continue to be used in Argentina. The ownership, licensing and future brand architecture therefore remained unsettled in the available material.

1. 2025Agreement to sell Telefónica Argentina

   Telefónica Hispanoamérica agreed to sell all shares in Telefónica Argentina to Telecom Argentina for a reported US$1.245 billion, subject to approval and dispute described in the source material.

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2. 2018Movistar TV introduced over fiber

   Movistar began offering fiber-optic television after regulatory reforms enabled broader cross-selling of telecommunications and pay-television services.

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3. 2012Customer base reported at 16.7 million

   At the beginning of 2012, Movistar was reported to have 16.7 million customers and to rank third among Argentine mobile operators.

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4. 2005Unifón and Movicom adopt the Movistar identity

   Telefónica's acquisition of BellSouth's Latin American cellular networks led to the integration of Unifón and Movicom and the adoption of the Movistar trade name.

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5. 2005GSM network investment program

   The company reported more than 3,100 employees and investments exceeding 450 million Argentine pesos, largely directed toward GSM deployment, equipment and service platforms.

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6. 1999Mobile business divided after regulatory changes

   Following regulatory provisions, Telefónica and Telecom Argentina began operating their mobile services independently under separate brands.

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7. 1993Miniphone services begin in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area

   Mobile services associated with the future Movistar Argentina operation began under the Miniphone trade name through an arrangement involving Telefónica and Telecom Argentina.

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A nationwide telecommunications and connectivity brand combining mobile communications with fixed broadband, fiber-optic television and bundled digital services.

• Movistar mobile servicesMobile telecommunications2005

  The core Movistar Argentina offering consists of cellular communications, including voice, text messaging and mobile data. The operation evolved from the earlier Miniphone, Unifón and Movicom businesses and became part of Telefónica's unified Movistar identity in 2005. The service has historically included network expansion and GSM deployment, and it remains the central product around which the broader consumer portfolio is organized.

• Movistar FibraFixed broadband

  Movistar's fiber-to-the-home broadband service expanded the brand beyond mobile communications. The documented portfolio included 100 Mbps and 300 Mbps plans, including a symmetrical 300 Mbps option. These packages followed the consolidation of Telefónica, Movistar and Speedy activities and replaced earlier 20 Mbps and 50 Mbps plans sold under the Speedy identity.

• Movistar TVPay television2018

  Movistar TV is the brand's fiber-based television service. It was introduced in October 2018 after Argentine reforms allowed telecommunications companies to offer television services more broadly. The product formed part of Movistar's strategy to combine mobile, broadband and entertainment services under one consumer brand.

• Movistar converged packagesBundled communications2018

  The converged proposition combines mobile connectivity with fixed broadband and television. Its development reflects the integration of Telefónica, Movistar and Speedy operations and the move toward a single customer-facing brand for multiple communications services.

• 2025Agreement to sell Telefónica ArgentinaM&A

  Telefónica Hispanoamérica agreed to transfer all shares in Telefónica Argentina to Telecom Argentina.

  What changed. The parties announced a transaction valued at US$1.245 billion, while approval and governmental objections remained unresolved in the reference material.

  Aftermath. The future ownership and use of the Movistar brand in Argentina became uncertain, with later negotiations reportedly addressing continued brand use.

  Transaction value. US$1.245 billion (Announced February 24, 2025)

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• 2018Launch of fiber-optic televisionProduct launch

  Argentine regulatory reforms permitted telephone companies and pay-television operators to offer a broader combination of communications services.

  What changed. Movistar introduced fiber-optic television and expanded its converged mobile, broadband and entertainment portfolio.

  Aftermath. The move supported the consolidation of Movistar as the main brand for Telefónica's mobile, fixed broadband and television services in Argentina.

  Source
• 2005Adoption of the Movistar brand after the Unifón–Movicom integrationStrategy

  Telefónica's acquisition of BellSouth's Latin American cellular networks brought the Unifón and Movicom operations together in Argentina.

  What changed. The combined mobile operation changed its trade name to Movistar, aligning the Argentine business with Telefónica's regional branding.

  Aftermath. The Movistar identity became the principal consumer-facing mobile brand for Telefónica's Argentine operation.

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• 2025Telefónica Hispanoamérica agreed to sell Telefónica Argentina to Telecom Argentina

  Telefónica Hispanoamérica reached an agreement to sell all shares in Telefónica Argentina to Telecom Argentina for a reported US$1.245 billion. The transaction and its consequences for the Movistar brand remained subject to approval and regulatory dispute in the reference material.

  M&AOther
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• 2025Telecom Argentina reportedly discussed continued use of Movistar branding

  Reference material reported negotiations between Telecom Argentina and Telefónica concerning an extension of brand use in Argentina, particularly for Movistar, while the ownership transaction was being contested.

  M&AOther
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• 2018Movistar launched fiber-optic television services

  Following Argentine regulatory reforms, Movistar began offering television over fiber and expanded its converged communications portfolio.

  Product launchRegulation
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• 2017Regional mobile outage affected Neuquén, Mendoza and Río Negro

  Voice and text services were interrupted in three Argentine provinces. Movistar acknowledged a widespread regional problem and said it was working to resolve the disruption.

  Other
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• 2012Telefónica Argentina service interruption affected millions of Movistar users

  A major outage disrupted mobile service for millions of users. The company linked the problem to antenna-control software, while Argentina's National Communications Commission ordered restoration and warned of penalties.

  OtherRegulation
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1. Movistar Argentina