Communication in Bolivia

Bolivia has no single authority responsible for all communication matters. Depending on the issue, responsibility may lie with the telecommunications regulator (Autoridad de Regulación y Fiscalización de Telecomunicaciones y Transportes (ATT)), the e-government agency (Agencia de Gobierno Electrónico y Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (AGETIC)), telephone and internet providers, public bodies, the Bolivian Post Office (Agencia Boliviana de Correos), the Office of the Ombudsman (Defensoría del Pueblo), or the Bolivian Police (Policía Boliviana). In-person conversations, mobile telephony, SMS, voice messages, WhatsApp, email and electronic government contacts complement one another. Access depends on network coverage, devices, data allowances and language skills. Costs arise mainly from tariffs, SIM cards, devices and mobile data. Private providers and public authorities do not always offer the same channel, so in-person, telephone or electronic contact may be required. Spanish and the languages of Indigenous, originally peasant nations and peoples are constitutionally recognized official languages. Central and departmental governments use at least two official languages, including Spanish, under Article 5 of the Constitution. Other autonomous levels use the relevant territorial languages together with Spanish. Public bodies should explain rights and obligations in the mother tongue (idioma materno), meaning the relevant first language. A procedure may not be rejected or declared invalid solely because an official Indigenous language was used. However, the specific language used and the provision of an interpreter depend on the responsible institution and the area. The language inventory itself and language learning belong to other subject areas; this topic concerns practical communication. Telephony is particularly widespread for private and institutional contacts. Bolivia has mobile and fixed-line telephony, prepaid and postpaid contracts, and mobile internet. According to figures for 2024, there were 108 mobile lines per 100 inhabitants. At that time, around ten percent of mobile lines had no internet access. In June 2025, 67,585 GSM lines and 11.13 million 3G or 4G lines were recorded. These figures show the widespread use of mobile communications, but they do not mean that every region and household budget has the same network quality or data access. Users can generally choose providers and tariffs freely. Providers must provide clear and complete information, itemized bills, and protect confidentiality and privacy. Emergency communication must be available free of charge. Correct contractual information and payment under the contract are among the customer's duties. The ATT provides comparison and measurement services that help users assess tariffs and measured quality. For emergencies, 911 is the Ciudadana emergency number, while the Bolivian Police can be reached through BOL110, 110 and 120. Mobile number portability is available only for mobile services. The subscriber applies in person to the new, receiving provider. They need a valid Bolivian identity card and the prescribed form. Up to two porting requests can generally be made without a portability fee; a new SIM card may still cost extra. The terms donating operator (operador donante) and receiving operator (operador receptor) refer to the former and the new provider. Prepaid offers are generally used for shorter periods, while postpaid contracts may involve additional checks or different contractual conditions. Postal services include the basic postal service and other non-basic services. The Bolivian Post Office carries out the relevant duties as the designated public operator; licensed private providers and courier services also operate. The choice depends on weight, destination, service type and provider. Delivery times depend on the transport route, customs and the selected provider. The Track Your Shipment service (Ubica tu Envío) can be used for tracking if the relevant service is connected. Postal shipments are subject to secrecy, inviolability, privacy, data confidentiality, equal treatment and understandable information about services and prices. The sender retains ownership of the item and must provide the correct address and recipient details. Prohibited or dangerous goods may not be sent. If a problem arises, the procedure begins with a direct complaint to the provider. If the response is inadequate, the user can contact the ATT. During the first half of 2026, 512 direct postal-service complaints and 42 administrative complaints were recorded. Digital government contacts include online procedures, electronic notices, digital documents, personal email addresses and digital signatures. Digital Citizenship (Ciudadanía Digital) is the government access system for online interaction with public authorities. Bolivian nationals and lawfully resident persons aged 18 or over need a valid Bolivian ID card (Cédula de Identidad), a personal email address and a mobile number registered in their own name. Registration is free and takes approximately 15 minutes. Minors may obtain access only in cases provided for by law. After authentication, users can access digital services and a digital mailbox (buzón digital). An electronic notice in this mailbox may have legal effect. A digital signature demonstrates the authenticity and integrity of a document. A personal email address has the same legal standing as postal correspondence. Law 164 protects the confidentiality and privacy of electronic communications. Access credentials must be managed personally and used securely. The gradual implementation of Law 1080 means that not every authority and not every service is already fully available online. Depending on the institution, in-person, telephone or alternative channels may remain necessary. Accessible communication includes Bolivian Sign Language (Lengua de Señas Boliviana, LSB), sign-language interpreters, and text and visual formats. Since October 31, 2025, LSB has been an official language and establishes language rights for deaf people. At a public authority, a person may request communication in LSB or another suitable form of communication. Depending on the case, responsibility lies with the institution itself, the relevant autonomous level, the Office of the Ombudsman, or certified LSB interpreters. In 2026, the Office of the Ombudsman provides virtual LSB support through 21 ombudsman offices. No general additional user fee has been documented for this service; appointment scheduling and interpreter availability depend on the institution. For problems with telephony, internet or other regulated communication services, the complaint process begins with the provider. The complaint must be submitted within 20 working days of becoming aware of the problem. In the event of an interruption, the provider must decide within no more than three working days; in other cases, within no more than 15 working days. Provider channels, the ATT's complaint service (ATTención 360°) and the ConciliaNet conciliation platform (ConciliaNet) are available for status inquiries and further steps. The ATT can be contacted if the direct complaint process does not produce an adequate response. For fraudulent calls or messages, the Block the Scam channel (BLOQUEA LA ESTAFA) is available. Private misunderstandings between conversation partners, companies or institutions are not governed by a uniform national procedure. Direct clarification, written evidence or voluntary mediation may help, but does not automatically have the same legal effect as a regulated complaint procedure. In cases involving human rights, access or discrimination, the Office of the Ombudsman may also be responsible. The figures, services and procedures stated here reflect the research status as of September 6, 2026; tariffs, technical services and institutional procedures may change afterward.