Internet in Colombia 2026 — Fiber Providers, Speeds, and Remote Work

Internet in Colombian cities is better than most expats expect. Fiber-optic connections are widely available in Medellin, Bogota, Cali, and other major cities with speeds of 100-300 Mbps for $19-$42 USD per month. Remote work is entirely viable.

Internet Quality in Colombia

Claro Fiber

Claro (owned by America Movil / Carlos Slim) is the largest ISP in Colombia with the widest fiber coverage.

Plans: 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 300 Mbps, and higher
Cost: 70,000-130,000 COP/month ($19-$36 USD) depending on speed
Availability: Most urban neighborhoods in all major cities
Bundles: TV and phone bundles available (usually not worth it for expats)
Contract: 12 months typical. Early cancellation incurs a penalty.

ETB (Bogota)

ETB (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Bogota) is a government-owned telecom with excellent fiber coverage in Bogota specifically.

Strengths: Very reliable in Bogota. Symmetric upload/download speeds.
Plans: 100-600 Mbps fiber. Competitive pricing.
Limitation: Bogota-focused. Not available in other cities.
Best for: Bogota residents who need high upload speeds for video production or streaming

Tigo

Tigo offers fiber and cable internet at competitive prices. Good alternative when Claro is not available in your building.

Plans: 100-300 Mbps
Cost: Often 10-15% cheaper than Claro for equivalent speeds
Reliability: Generally good in urban areas, less consistent than Claro in some neighborhoods

Typical Speeds by City

Medellin: 100-300 Mbps fiber widely available. Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado have excellent coverage.
Bogota: 100-600 Mbps through ETB and Claro. Chapinero, Usaquen, and Zona T have strong fiber infrastructure.
Cali: 100-200 Mbps through Claro and Tigo. Good in central and southern neighborhoods.
Cartagena: 50-200 Mbps. Slightly less reliable than interior cities. Walled City area has older infrastructure.
Smaller cities: 20-100 Mbps available. Fiber may not reach all neighborhoods.

Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces are an excellent backup for reliable internet and a good way to meet other remote workers.

Medellin: Selina, WeWork, Tinkko, and dozens of independent spaces in Poblado and Laureles. Day passes from 30,000-60,000 COP ($8-$17). Monthly from 400,000-800,000 COP ($111-$222).
Bogota: WeWork (multiple locations), Tinkko, Workshop Coworking. Slightly more expensive than Medellin.
Most cities: At least 2-3 coworking options. Search Google Maps for "coworking" in your area.

Most coworking spaces offer 100+ Mbps dedicated internet, backup generators for power outages, air conditioning, and coffee. They are particularly useful while you wait for home internet installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the internet good enough for remote work?

Yes, in major cities. Medellin, Bogota, Cali, and Bucaramanga have reliable fiber internet with speeds of 100-300 Mbps. Video calls, file transfers, and VPN connections work fine. Smaller cities and rural areas may have slower, less reliable connections.

How much does internet cost?

Fiber internet plans range from 70,000-150,000 COP/month ($19-$42 USD) for 100-300 Mbps. This is significantly cheaper than comparable US plans. Installation is usually free with a 12-month contract.

Can I get internet without a cedula?

Difficult. Most ISPs require a cedula de extranjeria for postpaid contracts. Some landlords include internet in the rent. Alternatively, use mobile hotspot data (prepaid SIM) until you have your cedula. Coworking spaces are also a reliable option.

Which provider should I choose?

Claro fiber is the most widely available and generally reliable. ETB is best in Bogota. Tigo offers competitive pricing. Ask your building neighbors which provider works best in your specific building — coverage and reliability can vary block by block.