MegaFon (mostly owned by Russian USM Holding and Gazprombank) is one of three biggest Russian mobile operators. Many users consider MegaFon the best network in Russia for its nationwide coverage and high internet speed. However, the actual speed can vary due to overcrowding.
MegaFon was the first that started a 3G (on 2100 and 900 MHz) and 4G/LTE network in Russia. It's the only network that is available in every region of the country except Crimea and Sevastopol (see the coverage map). Their 4G/LTE is mostly on 2600 MHz (B7) and has reached all 83 regions where they operate. 800 MHz (B20) and 1800 MHz (B3) exist too, but have more limited coverage and are unlikely to be seen.
It sees itself as market leader, but its rates can be higher than other operators. The following prices are given for Moscow region and are generally lower in other regions.
To avoid unnecessary charges, please ensure that all foisted paid options turned off. Those options are sometimes enabled by default (depends on region and plan). The best way to disable them is uncheck them all through online account management website (available only in Russian). First of all, you should obtain a password for website login.
Also you can disable the foisted options by dialing a special command from your phone:
Their SIM cards is available at MegaFon branded offices ("салон") (location map). This way you need an official ID (a passport, sometimes with valid visa or migratory card). But you can also buy a pre-activated SIM card in a kiosk or at the subway entrance. This way you don't need an ID, it costs around 100 ₽ (same price as in the official shop), it's already activated and has some credit.
You can buy a SIM card online with a surcharge with worldwide delivery and English support (look at eBay). With new activations on monthly packages be aware of their strange billing system: You will only pay half of the price plus an transition fee of 100-150 ₽ if you have changed from a different plan. But you will get only half of the allowance for 15 days and pay on the 16th day the other half and get the rest of the allowances.
This standard plan is good for calling to other MegaFon users mainly within the same region. You can set this plans by dialing *105*0048#. It's the only plan without a standing fee. A change to this plan is 150 ₽.
Data is very expensive on this plan. You get a maximum of 10 packs of 100 MB per month for 25 ₽ each. The packs are connected automatically and after 1 GB data will be blocked. For more data choose a different plan instead.
This is a good solution for international calls from Moscow area. It contains 30 GB data, unlimited on-net calls and 480 minutes to other networks and zero-rated messenger use of WhatsApp, Viber, eMotion, imo, Chi Gap, MegaFon Life for 600 ₽ per month. You can switch to this plan from any other by dialing *105*1486#. A tariff change is 100 ₽. When all data are used, internet is blocked, but you can buy an extra package from below. When you connect to this tariff, only half of the monthly price is debited. The other half is charged of the 16th day of your month.
The #Hello tariff was introduced for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and is valid for 14 days. It costs 700 ₽ and includes 30 GB of data, unlimited on-net calls and 30 minutes of calls to national and to some international destinations, 30 SMS and unlimited access to WhatsApp, Viber, eMotion, Facebook Messenger, Facebook and Instagram. Note that you can't activate this plan by switching from other plans, but you need to go to a Megafon store instead.
If you want to keep using the account after 14 days, make sure you put 700 ₽ in your MegaFon account. Then a new period of 14 days starts and all allowances are renewed. You can't switch to other plans. If you need more data, you can buy the extended packages below.
All packages have full 4G/LTE speed, where available. To the plans above, you can add these extra data packs:
Dial *558# to check remaining data volume. Extra data is only valid for the remaining time of the base package.
MegaFon has changed its portfolio and discontinued the All (Всё) combo plans. Their new monthly combos are shown here:
All packages include unlimited calls within MegaFon network. All data allowances are valid all over Russia except on the Crimean peninsula and Sevastopol.
Check remaining allowances by *558#, check your current plan by dialing *105*3#. When data is used up, you can activate an extension pack mentioned above at Data feature packages.
Megafon has issued three new plans for data devices. They are called Закачайся! or Download it! They come in three varieties:
All these plans can only by activated and managed on your personal account or by app.
Note that Megafon charges extra in the Crimea 2.2 ₽ per MB data. This can be discounted with the Holidays without worry option (Отпуск без забот) for 99 ₽ per day for max. 100 MB.
For so-called popular countries Abkhazia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vatican, Hungary, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Egypt, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia and South Ossetia they give out:
MTS (or МТС in Russian, stands for Mobile TeleSystems, "Мобильные ТелеСистемы" owned by russian Systema group) is the biggest mobile provider in Russia by the number of subscribers. It's available in most regions of the country and gives good speeds at somewhat lower prices than MegaFon (coverage map).
There are some plans and bundles that work even on the Crimean Peninsula on Win Mobile (check special article). The prices below are given for the Moscow region. In other regions they are somewhat lower. MTS is associated with Vodafone, which is also their favourite roaming partner. Nevertheless, MTS roaming prices in foreign countries remain high.
3G is on 2100 MHz and 900 MHz. LTE is on 2600 MHz in the form of both FDD-LTE and TDD-LTE (on bands 7 and 38) and on 800 and 1800 MHz. 4G/LTE coverage has reached all 83 regions where MTS operates in 2016. 55% is on 1800 MHz, the others on 800 and 2600 MHz.
Unlike other operators, MTS blocks incoming calls from many VoIP networks (example in Russian), as they are considered illegal.
SIM cards are available in mini-, micro- and nano-size at their branded stores (shop locations). You can also find them at cellphone shops, dealers, or in other electronics shops. All new SIM cards come in 3-in-1 (triple cut) size now - no need to cut.
MTS SIM card expires after 6 months of inactivity. To extend this term, make a call or send a text message. There is no way to see how many days are remaining. However, it's possible to put your account on hold for 1.10 ₽ per day to suspend all tariff plan charges and keep the SIM active longer. Dial *111*157# and then reply with "1" to activate Voluntary Blocking ("добровольная блокировка"). Unblocking must be done online or at an MTS location, if the SIM is registered in your name.
MTS's website allows online top-up, but it refuses foreign cards from many countries. You can confirm if this is the reason for your rejection if you click "Payment Details" (Детали платежа) and the "Rejection Code" (Код отказа) is 70108. If you don't know anyone in Russia to add money for you, your remaining option is to use a third-party agency such as swiftrecharge.com, recharge.com or mobilerecharge.com to top-up online with a commission.
To check your account balance, dial *100# (in Russian) or #100# (in English) for free. To check last 5 charges in 3 days dial *152*1#.
To avoid unnecessary charges, please ensure that all foisted paid options turned off. MTS often activates them without your permit - as a promotion, to let you try, or something else. Dial the deactivation sequence and press the "call" button. You should receive an SMS for confirmation that service is disabled:
Prepaid plans have no monthly fee. You will pay only for used services (per each minute of call, per each SMS):
Both of these plans are free as long as you don't place any call or send any SMS. Data is very limited on these options: You can add the Base Tariff (Базовая тарификация интернета) of 20 MB for 20 ₽ by *111*1430# or a BIT option:
The Super MTS Plan is the best plan for data available based on a daily charge. Main advantage of this plan are unlimited outgoing calls to other MTS numbers of same region per day and most of Moscow landline numbers. National calls are for a surcharge. This plan is free and any change to this plan by *111*8888# for 150 ₽.
Another advantage of this plan is that you can add a All Super+ option (Все Cупер+) for data. This option is automatically activated and gives you up to 3 GB per month on a daily fee of 9.40 ₽. If it's not activated, type *111*259#. Note, that the daily charge is only debited on the days you are actually using data.
When this package is exhausted, you can further add so-called Turbo Buttons (Турбо-кнопка) for more data:
| Data | Time | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB | 24 hours | 31.50 ₽ | *111*01*1# |
| 500 MB | 30 days | 99 ₽ | *167# |
| 1 GB | 30 days | 185 ₽ | *467# |
| 2 GB | 30 days | 315 ₽ | *168# |
| 5 GB | 30 days | 470 ₽ | *169# |
| 20 GB | 30 days | 935 ₽ | *469# |
Note that these Turbo Buttons are more expensive than to buy a larger Smartphone plan from the start.
Activation is by code, app or online. Remaining data volume can be checked by dialing *217#. All packages auto-renew after 30 days. To deactivate type activation code and replace # by *2#.
The MTS Smart series for smartphones offers combo plans with a monthly fee with included calls, SMS and data. Often it's a better choice than adding a data pack to regular voice plan. Big advantage of these plans is their nationwide availability (with roaming in Crimea too).
Monthly fee is deducted from your account balance at the moment of plan activation. The next debit will be exactly 30 days after the date of activation. If your account balance is not sufficient for next monthly fee, all services (voice and data) will be temporarily suspended. To unblock, recharge your account.
These plans are only for smartphones and tablets usage. Using them in modems or mobile routers is prohibited with a warning message displayed. MTS detects most used modems and routers by their IMEI number and blocks the mobile data usage in such devices. However, tethering is not blocked and confirmed as usable on these plans:
| Plan | Price | Data | Calls (national) | SMS | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart | 420 ₽ | 5 GB | 200 mins | 550 | *111*1024# |
| Our Smart | 1000 ₽ | unlimited | 1500 mins | 1500 | *111*1025# |
| Smart Top | 2025 ₽ | unlimited | 3000 mins | 3000 | *111*1026# |
| Ultra | 2900 ₽ | unlimited | 5000 mins | 5000 | *111*777# |
| X | 500 ₽ | 7 GB + |
200 mins, 200 SMS: included
400 mins, 400 SMS: + 25 ₽
600 mins, 600 SMS: + 75 ₽
All Smart plans include unlimited calls to other MTS Russia numbers.
(#) = Our Smart enables to share these data with up to 5 numbers.
Unlimited social media in the X and Tariff plans includes unlimited use of VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, Snapchat, YouTube, МТS Music, Apple Music, Google Music, Zvooq, App Store, Google Play, МТS Connect and some games.
To check the remaining data, SMS and minutes, dial *100*1#. To check balance, dial *100#.
For more data you can better add one of these add-on packages for 30 days:
If your balance is not enough for the monthly fee, the value is debited on a daily basis.
As MTS detects data devices by their IMEI number, these plans are recommended for tablets and modems:
Despite the cooperation with Vodafone worldwide, MTS' international roaming rates are not so competitive. They have special roaming packs called BIT Abroad:
For the country list, check the Cyrillic link of the list. Check roaming balances by *111*217#.
They also offer a roam like at home scheme which comes from your domestic allowance. For a surcharge, you can use your plan under the option Abroad (Забугорище). In the "popular countries" Abkhazia, Australia, Armenia, UK, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Egypt, Israel, India, Italy, Spain, Canada, Qatar, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, UAE, Portugal, Romania, USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia and South Korea for 390 ₽ per day based on Moscow time (UTC+3) on all Smartphone plans. Data in maximum speed is up to 1 GB before speed drops to 128 Kbps for the rest of the day. Roaming in Cuba is possible too, but limited to 500 MB per day. To activate, type *111*771#.
Beeline is the 3rd operator in the country at the moment owned by Veon (formerly Vimpelcom Group). Beeline works in almost all regions of Russia, their 4G coverage is concentrated in populated places, but still limited in rural areas. 4G/LTE coverage is available in all cities in 78 regions, but not in the regions on the Crimean peninsula and Chukotka State. Check the coverage map: there are still some black (or white) spots mainly in the far east (coverage map).
Nowadays, Beeline's 2G network is sensibly degraded. There are some voice calls clarity and data transfer speed issues, related to the signal strength and coverage. However, this operator provides good rates for international calling, especially to CIS countries where Beeline own and partner networks are available.
Prices below are given for Moscow region. For 4G/LTE access, make sure your device supports Beeline's LTE bands (on 2600, 1800 and 800 MHz or B7, B3, B20).
All SIM cards are valid for 3 months (89 days) since the date of the last chargeable usage. There is no way to see how many days are remaining. To prevent blocking and save your number, you should make any paid action at least once every 3 months by sending a text message or making an outgoing call.
You can recharge your number with your credit card or via PayPal using 3rd part top-up agencies like this service for a surcharge. Lots of EU, US, UK and CIS countries credit cards are accepted (Visa or MasterCard).
To check your balance, dial *102# for free. The balance is displayed on your phone screen. On some plans the more common combination *100# also works.
Just get any prepaid SIM card (you can buy it at Beeline offices, cellphone shops like "Euroset" ("Евросеть"), Sviaznoy ("Связной"), "Know-How" ("Ноу-Хау") and many others for a start up price of about 100-200 RUR without preloaded credits or with 50-150 ₽ preloaded. Some shops sell cards at higher price (charging you 10-20% more), but they will help you to register your SIM card. Also you can buy it on eBay or try to find in the kiosks or at the streets (dealer stands).
You can buy a new SIM card with one of their prepaid plans or change to this plan by dialling a code:
The only package for data on these two plans above is their expensive 1.5 GB pack for the month which will be auto-enabled as soon as you use more than 1 MB. It's for 240 ₽, but debited as 8 ₽ per day.
For tablets, routers and modems they offer a data-focused plan, that includes voice calls and SMS at a higher rate:
Like MTS, Beeline has monthly combo plans with included allowances of voice calls, SMS and data valid all over Russia. These plans used to be called Everything (Всё!):
The monthly fee is debited on a daily basis shown in the second column. All on-net calls are included unlimited. Internet is valid all over in Russia except Crimea and Chukotka. Plans renew every 30 days.
Messengers are zero-rated unlimited and include WhatsApp, Viber, ICQ, Skype, Google Hangouts, Snapchat, KaKaoTalk, WeChat (including voice and video calls). Films, Music and the Cloud are special Beeline offers of streaming video and audio and 10 GB space in their cloud. The Roaming plan can be used in Russia and in the "popular countries", see below.
When data volume is used up, the very high "auto-renewal rate" will be charged: 300 MB for 50 ₽. So better choose a package that's large enough.
At the Beeline store be sure to get a prepaid ("предоплата"), not a postpaid ("постоплата") plan that sales agents may try to sell to you. Watch out, as both plan types bear the same name and like in English both words look similar.
Beeline offers an option which allows you to share the included data allowance in combo plans with other Beeline users of same region, not to be mixed up with tethering. So if you have 2 or more Beeline SIM cards from the same region you can share one combo package with other user without paying for 2nd bundle.
Certain limitations apply: You can share your internet allowance only on indicated packages. You can select 2, 3 or 5 additional numbers for sharing your package. Adding each shared user increases the monthly fee to 150 ₽ (5 ₽ daily). To add the user to your "group", it should be the Beeline customer of same region. The other number selected for sharing can only use your data pack, while calling and texting not. It's often better to buy a smaller separate package for other SIM card instead of using this feature.
Note that internet is not included in the regions of Crimea and Chukotka where high 10.95 ₽ per MB are charged instead.
In more than 100 countries Beeline is offering their "unlimited internet in roaming" service (Безлимитный интернет в роуминге). Connection fee is 350 ₽ and it's only charged on the days you are using it abroad. It includes only 100 MB, but you can add 1 GB for the day for only 99 ₽. This gives 1.1 GB for 449 ₽ within 24 hours. To connect *110*20171#, the extra GB will be connected as soon as the 100 MB are used up. Tethering is prohibited.
The countries included are: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Australia, Austria, Andorra, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, UK, Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Gibraltar, Greenland, Greece, Hong Kong, Georgia, Denmark, Dominican Rep., Egypt, Israel, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Cambodia, Canada, Qatar, Kenya, Cyprus, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Isle of Man, UAE, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, USA, Thailand, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Finland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Rep., Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, Ukraine, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa, South Korea, Japan.
In 2014 Swedish Tele2 group ceased all operations in Russia and sold their brand and network to state-owned Rostelecom, that used to be the 4th largest provider in the country. It operates in 67 of 85 regions of Russia (written in Latin letters here). So their coverage is still very patchy (coverage map) as they don't have licenses for some areas.
Tele2 Russia commercially launched LTE on 1800 MHz (B3) in 2014 and rollouts in most major cities began throughout 2015. Further LTE networks have been launched on B7 (2600 MHz) and B20 (800 MHz), with smaller LTE-TDD deployments over B40 (2300 MHz) primarily in Krasnodar and Sochi districts. The company commercially launched B31 (450 MHz) LTE under the SkyLink banner in May 2016, initially in regional areas and gradually expanding to cover St. Petersburg and Moscow within the same year.
There is a notable "black spot" for 2G in the European part of Russia in Moscow. Tele2 started to work in Moscow in October 2015. They decided to build only a 3G/4G network here and there is no roaming on other 2G networks and no future plans for 2G coverage (GSM 900/1800) within Moscow area. With a 90% coverage, there are still some coverage gaps in Moscow.
If you try to use a Tele2 SIM card from another region in Moscow now, it will go to roaming, registering in 3G/4G network of Tele2 or in 2G with other networks, but for Moscow regional users only native Tele2 3G/4G network is available.
Tele2's plans are considered the best option for international roaming now. Their country list is bigger than that of other providers with prices somewhat lower.
All SIM cards are valid for 4 months (120 days) since the date of last usage (making a paid call or sending a text message). There is no way to see how many days remaining. To prevent blocking and save your number, you should make any paid action at least once in 4 months - write a text message or make an outgoing call. Writing a text to yourself is the easiest way.
To check the account balance, dial *105# and press "call" button - you will see the actual balance on the screen. To recharge online, try this website. Not all credit cards accepted.
There are some small Tele2 branded retail shops. You can buy Tele2 SIM cards in their retail stores, at the distribution points in some malls and at the railway stations, or using their online store with free delivery to a local address. You can arrange a pick up point or use the free delivery service within the city (Moscow and St. Petersburg) in a max. of 2 days. Independent dealers resell their SIM cards in electronic or cell phone shops for a small surcharge. Start-up price is 100-500 ₽ depending on number and start-up plan.
In 2019 Tele2 started as first operator to sell eSIMs for their plans. Compatible phones can load one of their plans below on their profile. You should better go to a Tele2 store and speak good Russian language, if you are not familiar with the process.
Tele2 recently updated all their prepaid plans. The main advantage of the new plans is a roll-over of unused data and voice allowances to the next month. You can switch between plans any time. Switching is free when more than 30 days have passed since your last switch. Otherwise it's up to 150 ₽.
Given below are the 2020 prepaid combo plans for the Moscow region. All included allowances are valid all over Russia (or rather all regions where Tele2's own network is available):
