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Movistar

Movistar is a telecommunications brand owned by Telefónica and used across Spain and parts of Latin America.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Movistar is a telecommunications brand owned by Telefónica and used across Spain and parts of Latin America. It offers mobile, fixed-line, broadband, and pay television services, with Spain as its main market and a broad presence in Hispanic America. The brand was launched in Spain in 1995 and has since become Telefónica's primary commercial brand for consumer services in Spanish-speaking markets.

Overview

Movistar is Telefónica’s consumer telecommunications brand for Spain and much of Hispanic America. It is associated with mobile, broadband, fixed-line, and television services.

History

The Movistar brand was introduced in Spain in 1995 and later expanded as Telefónica consolidated its regional telecommunications brands. In 2010, Telefónica unified its Spanish consumer services under the Movistar name.

Services and operations

Movistar offers mobile telephony, fixed-line telephony, internet access, and pay television. In Spain, it is Telefónica’s principal retail brand, while in Latin America it appears across several national markets.

Movistar Plus+ is the subscription television platform associated with the brand in Spain. Telefónica uses other major consumer brands in different regions, including O2 in Europe and Vivo in Brazil.

Key facts

  • Movistar is a brand owned by Telefónica and used for telecommunications services.
  • The brand was launched in Spain in 1995.
  • In Spain, Movistar provides mobile, fixed-line, internet, and pay television services.
  • Movistar is used in multiple Latin American countries as Telefónica’s commercial brand.
  • Movistar is the largest telecommunications provider in Spain by major service scope.
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Canadian context

Movistar is relevant to Canadian readers mainly as an international telecommunications brand and as a major operator in Spain and Latin America, but it does not have a major consumer telecom presence in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Movistar?
Movistar is a telecommunications brand owned by Telefónica and used for services such as mobile, broadband, fixed-line telephony, and television.
Who owns Movistar?
Movistar is owned by Telefónica, the Spanish multinational telecommunications company.
When was the Movistar brand launched?
The Movistar brand was launched in Spain in 1995.
Where is Movistar used?
Movistar is used in Spain and in several Latin American countries as Telefónica’s commercial brand.
What services does Movistar provide?
Its services include mobile and fixed-line telephony, internet access, and pay television.

References

  1. Telefónica — https://www.telefonica.com/en/about-us/brands/
    Supports: Identifies Movistar as Telefónica’s commercial brand for Spain and Hispanic America.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movistar
    Supports: Provides overview of Movistar’s ownership, markets, and services.
  3. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movistar_(Espa%C3%B1a)
    Supports: States the 1995 brand launch and 2010 unification of Telefónica’s Spanish services under Movistar.
  4. Movistar Chile — https://www.movistar.cl/empresas/quienes-somos/
    Supports: Describes Movistar’s services and presence in Chile.