Quick Answer
Claro is Brazil’s second-largest operator with 85 million mobile subscribers, HFC cable plus FTTH fiber, and plans starting at R$100/month. Oi has 25 million subscribers and is recovering from bankruptcy, with strong rural presence but limited investment capacity. Claro is the safer choice. Oi may offer lower prices where available.
Side-by-Side Comparison
This table shows the scale difference between Claro and Oi in the Brazilian market.
| Feature | Claro | Oi |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Subs | 85 million | 25 million |
| Broadband Type | FTTH + HFC cable | FTTH, VDSL, GPON |
| Max Download | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps (fiber areas) |
| Price Range | R$100-150/month | R$70-120/month |
| 5G | Active in cities | Not available |
| Financial Status | Stable (America Movil) | Post-bankruptcy recovery |
| Strength | Scale, coverage, bundles | Rural presence, lower pricing |
Test Claro speed | Test Oi speed
Speed Comparison
Both operators offer FTTH fiber with up to 1 Gbps in covered areas. Where both have fiber at the same address, download speeds are comparable.
Claro’s additional HFC cable network means it can offer broadband in more locations, though cable upload speeds are limited. Oi relies on VDSL in areas without fiber, which caps speeds at 50-100 Mbps.
Claro has active 5G in major Brazilian cities. Oi sold its mobile operation to Claro, TIM, and Vivo in 2022. Oi no longer offers mobile service.
Run a speed test to measure your current connection.
Coverage
Claro has the fastest coverage expansion in Brazil. Its combined HFC cable and FTTH fiber network reaches millions of addresses across all states. Mobile coverage extends to urban and suburban areas through 4G and 5G.
Oi’s strength is rural Brazil. As the former state telecom, Oi built infrastructure in areas that private operators avoided. Many smaller towns in the Northeast and North regions have Oi as their only broadband provider.
Oi’s bankruptcy limited investment in network expansion from 2016 to 2023. Recovery is underway but the gap with Claro has grown. New fiber buildouts are slower at Oi.
Which Should You Choose?
Claro fits most Brazilian users. The wider coverage, active mobile network, 5G access, and bundled service options make Claro the practical choice. Financial stability means continued investment in network upgrades.
Oi fits users in rural or smaller cities where Oi is the only provider with broadband. Oi’s lower pricing (R$70-120/month vs R$100-150) helps budget-focused users. If Oi fiber is at your address, the service quality can match Claro.
For pure fiber alternatives, compare TIM and Vivo which both offer 100% FTTH.
Summary
Claro is the stronger operator with more subscribers, wider coverage, mobile service, and 5G. Oi is a smaller, recovering operator with lower prices and rural coverage strength. Most users should choose Claro. Oi is a viable option where it has fiber and other providers do not.
Test your connection at Kencang speed test and review the Brazil internet overview for all market options.
Last Updated: March 28, 2026 Data Sources: Anatel Brazil, Opensignal, operator investor reports