There are a lot of things to consider before travelling to Russia. One important piece of info for tourists intending to go to Russia is the available prepaid phone cards and service providers in the country. Currently, there are four GSM and 3G prepaid phone operators in Russia, namely: Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), MegaFon (Open Joint Stock Company), Vimpelcom (Bee Line GSM) and Tele2 Russia Telecom.
The mobile prefix for Russia is +7. Their currency is, MegaFon (Open Joint Stock Company). The electricity available in Russia is 220 Volts with an electrical frequency of 50 Hertz. Time zone in Russia is GMT +2 – GMT +10.
GSM and 3G Prepaid Phone Operators in Russia
The first prepaid phone operator in Russia is Mobile TeleSystems (MTS). This mobile telecommunications company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Moscow, Russia. There is no specific prepaid phone card name for Mobile TeleSystems Russia. The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is US$ 6.00 with 3.00 credits, US$ 5.30 with 3.00 credits and 7.00 with 5.00 free credits for other tariffs. Mobile TeleSystems Russia’s prepaid phone cards are only valid for 180 days after activation. The net frequency for Mobile Telesystems Russia are GSM 900/1800 and WCDMA 2100. The logo for this prepaid phone card is MTS-RUS with 250 01 as its net code.
Prepaid Offer for Moscow, Russia
There are three voice tariffs under Mobile TeleSystems Russia that is only available in Moscow, namely: Мы (We), Red_Text and Онлайнер (Onlajner). Мы (We) offers calls to other “We” numbers for RUB 1.35, calls to all MTS for RUB 3.55 and other local calls for RUB 5.45. Red_Text offers all local calls for RUB 4.75. While Онлайнер (Onlajner) offers all local calls for RUB 5.95.
**All rates include VAT.
Additional Costs and Services:
Messaging:
- National SMS, Red_Text – RUB 0.65
- National SMS, other tariffs – RUB 1.95
- International SMS – RUB 3.45
- MMS, Red_Text – RUB 3.95
- MMS, other tariffs – RUB 6.50
Voicemail: Same rate as local calls to MTS
Data Calls:
GPRS Web, Red_Text, We
- Monday to Sunday 8AM-12AM – RUB 8.45/MB
- Monday to Sunday 12AM-8AM – RUB 3.45/MB
GPRS Web, Mobil’nyj Modem
- Monday to Sunday – RUB 4.75/MB (including national roaming)
**1KB increments
Long Distance and International Calls:
- Russia - RUB 15.00
- CIS - RUB 25.00
- Europe - RUB 45.00
- Rest of the World - RUB 70.00
National Roaming:
- Calls to Moscow and any Russian MTS – home tariff + RUB 3.05/min
- Other calls – home tariff
- Incoming calls – local call price + RUB 3.05/min
- GPRS – RUB 8.47 (Monday to Sunday 8AM-12AM); RUB 3.39 (Monday to Sunday 8AM-12AM)
International Roaming: International roaming for Mobile TeleSystems available, see here
Debiting Method:
- National Calls – 60/1 (free limit to 3 seconds)
- International Calls and Roaming – 60/60
Top-Ups, Credit and Validity: Vouchers are available at RUB 150, RUB 300, RUB 500 and RUB 1000, user can refill at any amount. Validity is always 180 days from last refill.
Prepaid Offer for St. Petersburg, Russia
There are five voice tariffs under Mobile TeleSystems Russia that is only available in St. Petersburg, namely: Мы (We), Red New, Супер Первый (Super First), Гостевой (Visitor’s) and Мобильный модем (Mobile Modem). Мы (We) offers: local calls to MTS for RUB 1.00, national calls to MTS for RUB 3.00 and other local calls for RUB 2.60. Red New offers: local calls to MTS for RUB 2.20, national calls to MTS for RUB 3.00 and other local calls for RUB 2.20. Супер Первый (Super First) offers: local calls to MTS (1-2 minutes) for RUB 1.75, local calls to MTS (> 3 minutes) for RUB 0.15, national calls to MTS for RUB 3.00, other local calls (1-2 minutes) for RUB 1.75, other local calls (3-9 minutes) for RUB 0.15 and other local calls (> 9 minutes) for RUB 1.00. Гостевой (Visitor’s) offers: local calls to MTS for RUB 1.95, national calls to MTS for RUB 3.00 and other local calls for RUB 1.95. While Мобильный модем (Mobile Modem) offers: local calls to MTS for RUB 3.73, national calls to MTS for RUB 3.00 and other local calls for RUB 3.73.
**All rates include VAT.
Additional Costs and Services:
Messaging:
- National SMS, Red New – RUB 1.00
- National SMS, other tariffs – RUB 1.95
- International SMS, Visitor’s – RUB 3.45
- International SMS, other tariffs – RUB 5.75
- MMS – RUB 6.50
Voicemail: Same rate as local voice calls
Data Calls:
GPRS
- Monday to Sunday 8AM-12AM – RUB 8.45/MB
- Monday to Sunda 12AM-8AM – RUB 3.45/MB
GPRS Web, Mobil’nyj Modem
- Monday to Sunday 8AM-12AM – RUB 3.95/MB
- Monday to Sunday 12AM-8AM – RUB 1.20/MB
**100KB increments
Long Distance and International Calls:
- Rest of Russia - RUB 7.00 (for Visitor’s users); RUB 10.00 (other tariffs)
- CIS Countries - RUB 7.00 (for Visitor’s users); RUB 29.00 (other tariffs)
- Europe - RUB 49.00 (for Visitor’s users); RUB 49.00 (other tariffs)
- Rest of the World - RUB 70.00 (for Visitor’s users); RUB 70.00 (other tariffs)
National Roaming:
- Calls to St. Petersburg and any Russian MTS – RUB 8.90/min
- Other calls – home tariff
- Incoming calls – RUB 8.90/min
- SMS – RUB 3.95
- GPRS – RUB 15.00/MB
International Roaming: International roaming for Mobile TeleSystems Russia available, see here
Debiting Method: 60/60
Top-Ups, Credit and Validity: Vouchers are available at RUB 150, RUB 300, RUB 500 and RUB 1000, but users can refill at any amount. Validity is always 180 days from last refill.
MTS Russia Prefixes: 911
The second prepaid phone operator in Russia is MegaFon (Open Joint Stock Company). This mobile telecommunications company was established in May 2002 and is headquartered in Moscow, Russia. There is no specific prepaid phone card name for MegaFon Russia. The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is RUB 99 with 99 credits. There is no expiration for MegaFon Russia’s prepaid phone card as long as users make one chargeable usage every 90 days in order to avoid a RUB 1 per day charge. The net frequency for MegaFone Russia are GSM 900/1800 and WCDMA 2100. The logo for this prepaid phone card is Megafon with a net code of 250 02.
Prepaid Offer for Moscow, Russia
There are five voice tariffs under MegaFon Russia that is only available in Moscow, namely: Тёплый приём (Warm reception), Мобильный (Mobile) – 60/1 billing, Рублёвый (Rouble) – 1/1 billing, Рублёвый (Rouble) – 60/1 billing and Твоё время (Your time). Тёплый приём (Warm reception) offers: calls to other Тёплый приём for RUR 3.50/0.50, other local calls for RUR 3.50, calls to MegaFon for RUR 5.50 and other national calls for RUR 8.50. Мобильный (Mobile) – 60/1 billing offers: calls to local mobiles for RUR 1.90 and calls to local land line and Megafon (out of Region) for RUR 3.90. Рублёвый (Rouble) – 1/1 billing offers: calls to Megafon Moscow for RUB 1.50 and all other national calls for RUB 5.50. Рублёвый (Rouble) – 60/1 billing offers: calls to Megafon Moscow for RUB 1.00 and all other national calls for RUB 5.00. Твоё время (Your time) offers: calls to all Moscow numbers (first 5 mins/day) for RUR 3.50, calls to all Moscow numbers (> 5 mins/day) for RUR 0.35, calls to MegaFon numbers outside Moscow for RUR 4.50 and other Russian numbers for RUR 5.50.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS Single – RUR 1.50
- SMS Mobile, Rouble – RUB 1.90
- MMS – RUR 6.00
Voicemail: Same rate as local voice calls
Data Calls:
- Internet GPRS – RUR 7.00/MB
- Wap GPRS – RUR 2.50/10KB
Long Distance Calls:
- United – RUR 3.50/min
- Mobile, Rouble – RUR 5.50/min
**Long distance calls with 60/1 billing rates are RUR 0.50/min cheaper than above.
International Calls:
- CIS Countries - local tariff plus RUR 7.50 (Mobile, Rouble); local tariff plus RUR 7.00 (7.50 first min) (Single)
- Zone 1 (Austria, Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia, and, Herzegovina, Canada, Great, Britain, Hungary, Germany, is, Gibraltar, Greece, Denmark, Israel, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, San-, sea-scape, Serbia, and, Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Croatia, Czechia, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, USA) - local tariff plus RUR 7.50 (Mobile, Rouble); local tariff (Single)
- Zone 2 (Australia, Algeria, Anguilla, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bahrain, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bruney, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Buthan, Venezuela, Brit. Virgin is., US Virgin is., Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guadalupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Hong, Kong, Grenada, Guam, Dominican Rep., Egypt, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Iran, Yemen, Cayman, Cambodia, China, Columbia, Congo, South Korea, Costa Rica, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Laos, Lesoto, Liberia, Lebanon, Libya, Maverick, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marianas is., Martinique, Mexico, Mozambique, Mongolia, Montserrat, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Netherland Antilles, Nicaragua, UAE, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto, Rico, Christmas Is., Rwanda, El Salvador, Sant, Pierre, Swaziland, Seychelles, Senegal, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Singapore, Sudan, Thailand, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turks and, Kaikos, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Faroe Is., Philippines, French Guyana, Central, African Republic, Chile, Sri-Lanka, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa Jamaica, Japan) - local tariff plus RUR 28.50 (Mobile, Rouble); local tariff plus RUR 10.00 (10.50 first min) (Single)
- Zone 3 (Antarctic, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Haiti, is, Guiana, honduras, the, Democratic, Republic, of, the, Congo, (Zair), Cameroon, Qatar, Kenya, Mauritania, Mali, Maldives, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New, Zealand, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Reunion, Saudi Arabia, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sierra Leone, Tokelau, Tunisia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Eritrea, Ethiopia) - local tariff plus RUR 39.50 (Mobile, Rouble); local tariff plus RUR 19.00 (19.50 first min) (Single)
- Rest of the World - local tariff plus RUR 57.50 (Mobile, Rouble); local tariff plus RUR 19.00 (19.50 first min) (Single)
National Roaming: All incoming/outgoing calls – RUR 9.00/min
International Roaming: International roaming service for MegaFone Russia available, see here
Debiting Method:
- National Calls – 1/1 or 60/1; Local calls up to 5 seconds are not charged
Prepaid Offer for St. Petersburg, Russia
НОН-СТОП (Non-Stop) is the voice tariff under MegaFon Russia that is only available in St. Petersburg that offers calls to Megafon NW (< 2minute) for RUB 2.40, calls to Megafon NW (> 2minutes) for RUB 0.95, calls to national Megafon for RUB 2.40 and other local calls for RUB 3.50.
Additional Costs and Services:
Messaging:
- National and International SMS – RUB 1.70
- MMS – RUB 6.00
Video Calls: To Megafon only – RUB 5.00/min
Voicemail: Same rate as local voice calls
Data Calls:
- Wap – GPRS/3G – 2.50/10KB
- Web – GPRS/3G – 0.68/100KB
Long Distance and International Calls:
- North West Russia - RUB 12.50
- Moscow (499,495,496 codes) - RUB 12.50
- Rest of Russia - RUB 24.50
- CIS & Baltic Europe - RUB 32.50
- Rest of Europe - RUB 63.00
- Rest of the World - RUB 97.00
National Roaming: All national calls (incoming and ougtgoing) – RUB 9.00/min
International Roaming: International roaming service for MegaFon Russia available, see here
Debiting Method: 60/60
Recharges, Credit and Validity: Vouchers are available at RUB 150, RUB 300, RUB 500 and RUB 1000, but users can refill at any amount; MegaFon Russia prepaid phone cards never expire.
Megafon Russia Prexifes: 921, 931
The third prepaid phone operator in Russia is Vimpelcom or also called as Bee Line GSM Russia. This mobile telecommunications company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Moscow, Russia. There is no specific brand name for Bee Line GSM Russia. The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is RUB 150 with 150 credits. There is no expiration for Bee Line GSM Russia’s prepaid phone card as long as users make one chargeable usage every 90 days in order to avoid a RUB 1 per day charge. The net frequency for Bee Line GSM Russia are GSM 900/1800 and WCDMA 2100. The logo for this prepaid phone card is BEE LINE with 250 99 as its net code.
Prepaid Offer for Moscow, Russia
Добро пожаловать 2010 (Dobro Pozhalovat’) is the voice tariff under Bee Line GSM Russia that is only available in Moscow that offers: all calls (1st min) for RUR 3.95 and all calls (> 1 min) for RUR 2.00.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- SMS to Russia and CIS countries – RUR 0.02
- Other International SMS – RUR 5.45
- MMS – RUR 6.60
Voicemail: Same rate as local voice calls
Data Calls (GPRS):
- Internet – RUR 6.95/MB
- Wap – RUR 2.95/10KB
Long Distance Calls: Same rate as local calls within Moscow
International Calls:
- CIS Countries (< 5 mins) - RUR 5.00
- CIS countries (> 5 mins) - RUR 2.00
- Europe, USA, Canada - RUR 35.00
National Roaming: National roaming service for Bee Line GSM Russia available, see here
International Roaming: International roaming service for Bee Line GSM Russia available, see here
Debiting Method: All calls – 60/60; Calls up to 3 seconds are not charged.
Refills and Credit: Any amount
Prepaid Offer for St. Petersburg, Russia
There are two voice tariffs under Bee Line GSM Russia that is only available in St. Petersburg, namely: 2010 and Международный (Mezhdunarodnyj). 2010 offers all local calls for RUR 1.00. Международный (Mezhdunarodnyj) offers all local calls for RUR 1.95.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging, 2010:
- SMS to St.Petersburg region – RUR 1.00
- Other National SMS – RUR 2.95
- International SMS to Beeline in CIS countries – RUR 3.50
- Other International SMS – RUR 7.00
- MMS – RUR 6.45
Messaging, Mezhdunarodnyj:
- SMS to St.Petersburg region – RUR 2.50
- Other National SMS – RUR 2.95
- International SMS to Beeline in CIS countries – RUR 3.45
- Other International SMS – RUR 3.45
- MMS – RUR 6.45
Voicemail: Same rate as local voice calls
Data Calls (GPRS):
- Internet – RUR 7.45/MB
- Wap – RUR 2.95/10KB
Long Distance Calls:
- Long distance calls to Beeline – RUR 4.45/min
- Other long distance calls – RUR 11.95/min
International Calls:
- CIS Countries - RUR 35.00
- Europe, USA, Canada - RUR 70.00
- Rest of the World - RUR 100.00
National Roaming: National roaming service for Bee Line GSM Russia available, see here
International Roaming: International roaming service for Bee Line GSM Russia available, see here
Debiting Method: All calls – 60/60; Calls up to 3 seconds are not charged.
Refills and Credit: Any amount
The fourth prepaid phone operator in Russia is Tele2 Russia Telecom. This telecommunications company started in 2001 upon acquiring Millicom. There is no specific prepaid phone card name for Tele2 Russia Telecom. The activation fee and validity for this prepaid phone card is available upon request. The net frequency for Tele2 Russia Telecom is GSM 1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is Tele2 RU with a net code of 250 20.
Prepaid Offer for St. Petersburg, Russia
There are four voice tariffs under Tele2 Russia Telecom that is only available in St. Petersburg, namely: МЕЖДУ НАМИ (Mezhdu nami), МОЙ ГОРОД (Moy Gorod), СТРАЙК (Strike) and ПРИВЕТ НА РОДИНУ (Privet na rodinu). МЕЖДУ НАМИ (Mezhdu nami) offers: calls to SPB and Leningrad region Tele2 mobiles for RUR 0.40, other calls to SPB and Leningrad region for RUR 1.20, national calls to Tele2 for RUR 1.50 and other national calls for RUR 8.00. МОЙ ГОРОД (Moy Gorod) offers: al calls to SPB and Leningrad region for RUR 0.78, national calls to Tele2 for RUR 1.50 and other national calls for RUR 8.00. СТРАЙК (Strike) offers: calls to Tele2 SPB plus Region (first 2 mins) for 1st min – RUR 1.35 and 2nd min (> 11 min) – RUR 0.9, calls to Tele2 SPB plus Region ( 3-10 mins) for RUR 0.05, calls to Regional land line plus mobile for RUR 2.00 and calls to National land line plus mobiles for RUR 8.00. ПРИВЕТ НА РОДИНУ (Privet na rodinu) offers: calls to SPB plus Region Tele2 mobiles (1st min) for RUR 1.50, calls to SPB plus Region Tele2 mobiles (> 1 min) for RUR 0.05, other local calls for RUR 1.50 and other national calls for RUR 8.00.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
Mezhdu nami
- SMS to Tele2 – RUR 0.40
- Other national SMS – RUR 1.20
Moy Gorod
- National SMS – RUR 0.78
Strike
- National SMS – RUR 1.25
Privet na rodinu
- National SMS – RUR 1.50
- SMS to Tele2 (from the 2nd to the 200th of each day) – RUR 0.05
All plans
- International SMS – RUR 3.40
- MMS – RUR 6.00
Voicemail: Free of charge
Data Calls:
- Wap – RUR 1.50/10KB
- Internet – RUR 4.00/MB
- Odin na Odin option - RUR 1.00/MB (max 1GB/month) with a daily fee of RUR 1.00. To activate the option dial *116*6*1# (to deactivate: *116*6*0#)
**(Tariff billed at 1KB increments; APN – internet.tele2.ru
International Calls:
- CIS countries - RUR 15.00
- Europe - RUR 19.00
- USA, Canada - RUR 35.00
- Rest of the World - RUR 60.00
National Roaming:
Roaming on other Tele2 networks
- Calls to/from Tele2 – RUR 1.50/min
- Calls to/from other numbers – RUR 5.00/min
- Outgoing national SMS – RUR 0.95-
- Free incoming calls in – Novgorod, Murmansk, Komi, Arkangelsk, Vologda, Kaliningrad, Karelia, Pskov
Roaming on other Russian networks
- All calls (in/out) – RUR 12.50/min
- Outgoing SMS – RUR 6.00
International Roaming: International roaming service fro Tele2 Russia Telecom available, see here
Debiting Method:
- Local calls – 60/1
- Long distance and international calls – 60/60
- Local calls up to 3 seconds are not charged.
Refills and Credit: From RUR 50 up to any amount.