SIM cards / phone operators for Russia & Central Asia?
 

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a RTW trip starting with UK > Vladivostok, going through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. As usual I will try and pick up local Sim card once I'm outside the EU.

Can anyone recommend a Russian network that has coverage / will work in any of the 'stans also? I'm hoping not to have to buy / be juggling 5 SIMs :)

Also: Any idea if it be better to get a monthly contract (I imagine cancelling it after 3 months without speaking Russian might be a pain in the ass) - or is prepaid the way to go?

Thanks very much for any help!
Mark

Hi,
Very interesting question.
RR.

There are three main mobile operators in Russia. Megafon is best for travelers because of good coverage all other the country.

If you dont use your sim card for 4-6 months it will be automaticaly terminated, so dont worry about it.

Here is a picture of the main shopping mall in Russia.
I believe there are common throughout Russia.

Inside are many network companies who sell Sim card packages.

Talk to the person and ask them for advice about what is best for your need.

Most can speak some English so finding out the best deal should not be too hard.


https://s19.postimg.cc/58g9zk5sj/shop_mail.jpg

NO is the short answer
 

Hi Mark

The short answer is NO, there is no provider who does offer service in all of Russia and the Stans.
But getting a SIM card without any abonement is easy. There are also cheap options with datas available. For instance I am using MegaCom in Kyrgyzstan and the abo is arround 200Som including 3.5GB a month.

May I ask are you on the way by Motorbike? If you do the Pamir Highway and crossing Osh I will invite you for a cup of coffee. And who knows, you need tires as well.

Chears, Dave

I just looked at the location, is this the old "Muztoo" shop?

Hi Dave,
important question for me concerning our ride in 2019 : is your workshop able to balance the new wheels for our bikes?

You really want to balance wheels on this trip?

This is a serious question?
I would say that your rims dont stay perfect round on this trip anyway

is not MuzToo
 

MuzToo is close around but not the same place.

Hi Ralf

Our workshop is not able to provide balancing wheels. I asked around for any option in Osh. I have to tell you that there is no option in Osh for balancing motorbike wheels. You may have to look in Bishkek.

Dave

I agree with Klaus. Why bother? I certainly never do when I'm on the road. But if you'd really want to do some tyre balancing, you could do it on the bike. Put the wheel on the bike, don't install the brake calipers (or chain in case of the rear). Put the bike on a stand so the wheel is off the ground and start balancing. It might be a little less accurate, but it would be close enough. Again, I wouldn't really bother.

For the SIM card question, we used a Yota data only SIM. Has good coverage west of the Urals, can't comment on further east. The nice thing about it was that it offered unlimited data in the first month.

Hi Dave

Nice to see guys like you setting up workshops in remote places like OSH.


I wish you well.





Now with the Balancing of Tyres.

Here are a few pictures of what you need to balanced Motorbike Tyres.

Easy to make and easy to balance the tyres.

Be the first to offer that service in OSH?

Best wishes

Steve.


https://s19.postimg.cc/q44g3ys9v/balancer001.jpg



https://s19.postimg.cc/8qu5p8ufn/balancer002.jpg



https://s19.postimg.cc/l5gxpjysj/balance01.jpg

Another shop
 

Hi Klaus
Zorro Moto is a new set up and is not MuzToo. MuzToo is stil here but the focus is on tours, mine on sales. But the location is close. I am placed at the main road.

If you are in Osh at one of your tours, come over and say hello. As you already noticed, Koffee will be ready.

Dave

Without n address, job and credit check in Russia its unlikely any operator will give you an "account". But thats no problem because over there almost no one has an account. The overwhelming majority are pay as you go.

By far the most economical option is to get a sim card in each country. Generally on entering a country, you need to find a cash machine and a phone shop.

Most Russian operators will allow you to enable roaming within the CIS, but it cost a lot more.

For example ... a package like this in Russia: https://moskva.beeline.ru/customers/...ils/kit-vse-2/
costs you 20 rubles (about USD 35cents) per day that you use it. It includes 12 GB of data per month.

Once you add international roaming, (https://moskva.beeline.ru/customers/...ces/cellphone/) you are adding 350 rubles per day (about USD $6).

Bottom line is domestic data connectivity in that part of the world is dirt cheap. International roaming multiplies the cost by 20.

How necessary is this, really? I can understand the convenience of it but how hard is it to avoid making calls, using data etc except where you can get free wifi? Communicate by email/messenger unless it's an emergency, in which case the cost of calls is the least of your worries.

Thanks for all the responses everyone, I will do as you say Dave and go and speak to people in shops in a mall or something.

P.s. I am on a motorcycle yes and am thinking of doing Pamir, if I do I’ll swing by :)

Cheers!