Cell Plan Switch Savings

Switching Mobile Phone Plans — Savings Calculator

Put your current mobile plan's monthly cost next to a plan you're considering and the tool estimates the yearly difference: savings = (current − new) × 12. In Brazil, number portability has been free since ANATEL Resolution 460/2007, so you can move carriers and keep your phone number in a matter of days, at no cost.

Prices run from around R$ 30 for prepaid, R$ 50–80 for controle (hybrid), up to R$ 100–150 for postpaid with unlimited data. Before you pick, pull your last 3 months of usage and look at the GB of data you actually burned, the voice minutes, the SMS. Paying for 50 GB when you only touch 8 GB is one of the most common ways people overspend.

Applications

Line up offers from the four main carriers (Vivo, Claro, Tim, Algar) alongside MVNOs like Surf Telecom, which resell coverage on those host networks for less. 5G has been live in Brazilian capitals since 2023, so make sure both the plan you're eyeing and your handset actually support it. Cross-check the fine print on Procon's comparator and the carrier's own site before you port.

FAQ

Is mobile number portability really free? It is. ANATEL Resolution 460/2007 bars carriers from charging for it, and the process wraps up within 3 business days.

Should I pick a prepaid, controle or postpaid plan? Light users (< 5 GB/month) do fine on prepaid. Controle caps your monthly spend but lets you top up when you run short. Postpaid is for heavy users who want unlimited data and roaming.

Are MVNOs reliable? Generally, yes. An MVNO like Surf Telecom runs on the Vivo/Claro/Tim networks, so coverage matches the host. What you give up is fewer customer-service channels, and some plans cap or skip 5G.