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SIM cards / phone operators for Russia & Central Asia? SIM cards / phone operators for Russia & Central Asia?
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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
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  #1  
Old 6 Apr 2018
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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
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  #2  
Old 7 Apr 2018
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Hi,
Very interesting question.
RR.
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  #3  
Old 16 Apr 2018
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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.
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Old 16 Apr 2018
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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.


Last edited by Nuff Said; 18 Apr 2018 at 12:42.
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  #5  
Old 17 Apr 2018
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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
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Old 17 Apr 2018
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I just looked at the location, is this the old "Muztoo" shop?
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Old 26 Apr 2018
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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.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark500x View Post
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
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  #8  
Old 26 Apr 2018
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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.
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  #9  
Old 26 Apr 2018
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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!
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