There are a lot of things to consider before travelling to Ukraine. One important piece of info for tourists intending to go to Ukraine is the available prepaid phone cards and service providers in the country. Currently, there are five GSM prepaid phone operators in Ukraine, namely: Ukrainian Mobile Communications (MTS UKR), Kyivstar GSM JSC, Ukrainian Radio Systems (Beeline UA), Astelit LLC (life:)) and OJSC UKRTELECOM (Utel). Plus two virtual prepaid phone operators and other prepaid phone brands, Kyivstar (djuice) and Ekotel.
The mobile prefix for Ukraine is +380. Their currency is, 1 Ukrainian Hryvnia = 0,0915816102 Euro. The electricity available in Ukraine is 220 Volts with an electrical frequency of 50 Hertz. Time zone in Ukraine is GMT +2.
GSM Prepaid Phone Operators in Ukraine
The first GSM prepaid phone operator in Ukraine is Ukrainian Mobile Communications or also known as MTS Ukraine. This mobile telecommunications company was established in 1993. By that time they are the first telecommunications company to introduce mobile (in both post paid and prepaid phone plans) services in the country in the analog NMT standard then in GSM 900 and 1800. They offer a wide range of products and services to both private and corporate group, that include: mobile phone services, SMS, MMS, SMS-bases services, entertainment, international calls, roaming services, broadband and Internet services. As of 2009, MTS Ukraine landed as the second largest mobile operator in the country with 17.75 million GSM subscribers.
The prepaid phone card name for MTS Ukraine is called “MTS Prepaid.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is UAH 25 with 10 free credits. MTS Prepaid phone cards are valid for 365 days after their activation. The net frequency for MTS Prepaid is GSM 900/1800. The logos for this prepaid phone card are MTS UA and UMC UA with 255 01 as its net code.
There are two voice tariffs under MTS Prepaid, namely: MTS First and MTS Free. MTS First offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.33, calls to MTS (1st minute) for UAH 0.10, calls to MTS (>1st minute) for UAH 0.03, other calls (1st minute) for UAH 0.95 and other calls (>1st minute) for UAH 0.50. MTS Free offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.33, all calls (1st minute) for UAH 0.70 and all calls (>1st minute) for UAH 0.35.
**For other prepaid phone offers for MTS Prepaid, click here.
My Family Option – Users can choose up to 2 MTS numbers to call at UAH 0.05/min at any time, every day.
Additional Costs and Services:
Messaging:
- National SMS – UAH 0.39
- International SMS to other MTS operators – UAH 0.39
- International SMS – UAH 1.00
- MMS – UAH 0.75
Voicemail: Same rate as on-net calls
Data Calls:
- Wap GPRS – UAH 1.20/100KB (25KB increments)
- Internet GPRS Monday to Sunday 8AM-12AM – UAH 5.00/MB (25KB increments)
- Internet GPRS Monday to Sunday 12AM-8AM – UAH 1.08/MB (25KB increments)
International Calls:
- CIS countries, East and North Europe – UAH 7.14
- West Europe – UAH 10.75
- USA – UAH 13.15
- Rest of the World – UAH 17.97
**Users have to dial +810 and the international number.
International Roaming:
- Same country/Ukraine – UAH 10.18
- Other countries – UAH 17.99
- Incoming calls – UAH 10.18
- SMS sending – UAH 3.00
**For more information about MTS Ukraine’s roaming service, see here
Debiting Method:
- National and International calls – 1/1
- International roaming – 60/60
Recharge, Credit and Validity:
- UAH 25/25
- UAH 50/50
- UAH 100/100
- UAH 200/200
**Period of validity after the first call and after every recharge is 365 days. If incoming/outgoing calls, SMS are absent the period of validity is 270 days.
MTS Ukraine Prefixes: 050, 095
The second GSM prepaid phone operator in Ukraine is Kyivstar GSM JSC. This mobile telecommunications company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. They are wholly subsidiary of VimpelCom Ltd. In 2004 Kyivstar GSM became the official prepaid phone operator of the Ukrainian Olympic team. They also offer products and service to both private and corporate clients. Their services include: mobile (in both post paid and prepaid phone plants) telephony, SMS, MMS, voice, data services, broadband, international calls, roaming services and home Internet in GSM, EDGE and GPRS technologies. Kvistar GSM Ukraine is considered the largest mobile telecommunications in the country with 24,944,592 active subscribers as of October 2010 and cover 99% of Ukraine’s territory.
The prepaid phone card name for Kyivstar GSM Ukraine is called “Ace&Base.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is UAH 50 with 15 credits. Ace&Base prepaid phone cards are valid for 1 year from the last call. The net frequency for Kyivstar GSM Ukraine is GSM 900/1800. The logos for this prepaid phone card are Kyivstar and UA KS with 255 03 as its net code.
Класичний (Classic) is the voice tariff under Ace&Base that offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.35, calls to Kyivstar Ukraine for UAH 0.10 and other calls for UAH 0.85.
Circle of Friends - It is an option valid for all Kyivstar subscriber (prepaid or post paid) to form a group of up to 7 numbers with a special tariff of UAH 0.47/min all day long.
The activation fee is UAH 10.00.
Favorite Number – Users can choose 1 Kyivstar or land line number with a special tariff: UAH 0.47/min if it’s a Kyivstar number, UAH 0.77/min on the landline number.
Activation fee is UAH 10.00.
Additional Costs and Services:
Messaging:
- National SMS – UAH 0.35
- International SMS – UAH 0.65
- MMS sending – UAH 0.75
Voicemail: UAH 0.05/min; Activation fee for UAH 5.00
Data Calls:
- Wap and Internet CSD – UAH 0.30/min
- GPRS/EDGE Wap – UAH 10.00/MB
GPRS/EDGE Internet
- Monday to Sunday 8AM-12AM – UAH 5.00/MB
- Monday to Sunday 12AM-8AM – UAH 1.00/MB
International Calls:
- CIS Countries – UAH 7.00
- Central and Western Europe – UAH 12.00
- Rest of the World – UAH 17.00
International Roaming: International roaming service for Kyivstar GSM Ukraine available, see here
Debiting Method: 1/1
Recharge and Credit:
- UAH 25/UAH 25
- UAH 50/UAH 50
- UAH 100/UAH 103
- UAH 300/UAH 310
Validity Period: The validity term of Kyivstar prepaid service is 365 days starting from the moment when last outgoing call was made.
Kyivstar GSM Ukraine Prefix: 067x
The third GSM prepaid phone operator in Ukraine is Ukrainian Radio Systems or also known as Beeline Ukraine. This telecommunications company was founded in 1995. Motorolla acquired 49% of the company in 1996 but backed off the venture the same year because of an alleged government favoritism to another mobile operator. Beeline Ukraine offers a wide range of products and services such as: mobile (in both post paid and prepaid phone plans) telephony, data, SMS, MMS, international long distance services, roaming services and Internet through GSM 900/1800 and UMTS technologies. Currently, Beeline Ukraine has 2.2 million active subscribers and covers 60% of the Ukrainian population.
The prepaid phone card name for Beeline Ukraine is called “Simple Things.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is UAH 35 with 25 credits. The net frequency for Beeline Ukraine is GSM 900/1800. The logos for this prepaid phone card are Beeline UA and WellCOM with a net code of 255 02.
There are four voice tariffs under Simple Things, namely: Есть тема!, 29, Будь ближе and Монстр общения. Есть тема! offers: calls to Beeline Ukraine for free and other calls for UAH 0.85. 29 offers: calls to Beeline Ukraine for UAH 0.29, calls to 9 Beeline nr (> 1 minute) for free, other calls (< 1 minute) for UAH 0.59, other calls for (>1 minute) for UAH 0.29. Будь ближе offers: calls to “Льготного направления” number for UAH 0.09 and other calls (< 1 minute) for UAH 0.39. Монстр общения offers: calls to Beeline Ukraine for UAH 0.15, calls to Монстр общения (< 1 minute) for UAH 0.15, calls to Монстр общения (> 1 minute) for UAH 0.01 and other calls for UAH 0.69.
Additional Costs and Services:
Messaging:
- SMS – UAH 0.25
- International SMS – UAH 0.33
- MMS – UAH 0.75
Voicemail: UAH 0.25/min; Activation fee for UAH 5.00
Data Calls:
Wap GPRS
- peak (8AM-12AM) – UAH 7.99/MB
- off peak (12AM-8AM) – UAH 3.99/MB
Internet GPRS
- peak (8AM-12AM) – UAH 3.99/MB
- off peak (12AM-8AM) UAH 0.50/MB
International Calls:
- Eastern Europe, Russia – UAH 4.67
- Central and Northern Europe – UAH 5.73
- Rest of Europe – UAH 8.38
- North America, Near East, Central Asia – UAH 10.51
- Rest of the World – UAH 15.81
International Roaming:
- Same country/Ukraine – UAH 10.35
- Other countries – UAH 19.00
- Incoming calls – UAH 10.35
- SMS to Mobi, WellCom, Privat, Beeline – UAH 3.01
- Other SMS – UAH 3.30
**For more information about Beeline Ukraine’s roaming service, see here
Debiting Method: National and International calls – 1/1
Recharge and Credit:
- UAH 15/15
- UAH 30/30
- UAH 60/63
- UAH 90/95
Beeline Ukraine Prefixes: 068
The fourth GSM prepaid phone operator in Ukraine is Astelit LLC or also called as life:) Ukraine. This mobile telecommunications company was established in 2005 and is headquartered in Kiev, Ukraine. Life:) Ukraine is a subsidiary of Turkcell with 55% of shares and Astelit Mobile Communications with 45% of share (subsidiary of SCM Holdings). They offer products and services in both individual and business groups. It include: mobile (in both post paid and prepaid phone plans) telephony, SMS, MMS, voice, data, international calling, roaming services, entertainment and Internet services in GSM-1800 and EDGE technologies. They are the first telecommunications company in Ukraine to offer EDGE technology through their services. As of 2011, Life:) Ukraine has 9.3 million active customers and covers 97.2% of Ukrainian population.
The prepaid phone card name for Life:) Ukraine is called “Life.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is UAH 40 with 30 free credits. Life prepaid phone cards are valid for 12 months after their activation. The net frequency for Life:) Ukraine is GSM 1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is life 
with a net code of 255 06.
There are two voice taiffs under Life, namely: Простий life:) (Simple Life) and Вільний life:) (Free Life). Простий life:) (Simple Life) offers: all calls for UAH 0.35. While Вільний life:) (Free Life) offers: calls to Life Ukraine for free (max 30 minutes per call) and all other calls for UAH 1.00.
**Call set-up fee is cancelled for all calls in any case. Users are able to communicate for 0 kop./min in life:) Ukraine network within 1000 minutes during 25 calendar days after each refill with UAH 25.00 or during 30 calendar days after each refill with 35UAH or more with one payment. The unused minutes are no accumulated and are not transferred to next periods.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS – UAH 0.39
- International SMS – UAH 1.17
- National MMS – UAH 0.78
- International MMS – UAH 2.34
Voicemail: Free of charge
Data Calls:
- Wap GPRS/EDGE – UAH 0.012/KB
- Internet GPRS/EDGE – UAH 0.006/KB
Data Bundles:
- Internet-1000 – 1000 MB for UAH 90
- Internet-350 – 350 MB for UAH 60
- Internet-100 – 100 MB for UAH 30
International Calls:
- Zone 1 (CIS, Eastern Europe, Central and Northern Europe, Turkey) - UAH 6.70 (regular rate); UAH 3.35 (Life:) plan)
- Zone 2 (Western Europe, North America) - UAH 11.80 (regular rate); UAH 5.90 (Life:) plan)
- Zone 3 (West and Central Asia, South and Central America) - UAH 15.80 (regular rate); UAH 7.80 (Life:) plan)
- Rest of the World - UAH 19.80 (regular rate); UAH 9.90 (Life:) plan)
International Roaming: International roaming service for Life:) Ukraine available, see here
Debiting Method: All calls – 20/1
Refills and Credit:
- UAH 25/25
- UAH 50/55
- UAH 100/115
- UAH 250/300
- UAH 500/625
**The extra credit bonus can be used only for national voice and messaging.
Validity Period: 12 months, plus 30 days for refilling
The fifth GSM prepaid phone operator in Ukraine is OJSC UKRTELECOM or also called as Utel. This telecommunications company was established in 1993 and is headquartered in Kiev, Ukraine. Urktelecom was governed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of Ukraine with 92.9% shares belong to government. Later on, an Austrian investment firm “EPIC” bought 92.79% shares of the company from the Ukrainian government for $1.3 billion. Their products and services include: mobile (in both post paid and prepaid phone plans) telephony and Internet services.
The prepaid phone card name for Urktelecom Ukraine is called “Передплачені пакети.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is UAH 100 with 50 free credits. The net frequency for Urktelecom Ukraine is WCDMA 2100 (plus roaming on GSM, probably Kyivstar). The logo for this prepaid phone card is U’tel with a net code of 255 04.
There are three voice tariffs under Передплачені пакети, namely: U’нік, U’сіті and U’try. U’нік offers: all calls for UAH 0.70. U’сіті offers: calls to Utel Ukraine plus land line for UAH 0.30 and all other calls for UAH 1.20. U’try offers: calls to Utel Ukraine plus land line for UAH 0.30 and all other calls for UAH 0.85. With this plan users also get: 25 minutes of calls (voice or video) to U’tel or land line, 25 National SMS and 128 MB to access mobile Internet.
Сім’я Option - Users can choose up to 4 numbers (Utel or Ukrtelecom land line) to call at the special rate of UAH 0.10/min. Each change of number costs UAH 4.50.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS U’нік – UAH 0.35
- National SMS U’сіті, U’try – UAH 0.30
- International SMS – UAH 0.65
- National MMS – UAH 0.50
- International MMS – UAH 4.95
Voicemail: Same rate as local voice calls
Data Calls:
- UMTS data U’нік – UAH 0.70/MB
- UMTS data U’сіті – UAH 0.30/MB
- UMTS data U’try – UAH 0.10/MB
International Calls:
- CIS Countries, North America - UAH 1.55
- Eastern Europe - UAH 2.75
- Rest of Europe - UAH 2.35
- Central Asia, Africa, South America - UAH 3.55
- Rest of Asia - UAH 4.75
- Rest of the World - UAH 12.35
International Roaming: International roaming service for Ukrtelecom Ukraine not available
Refills and Credit:
- UAH 20/20
- UAH 50/50
- UAH 100/100
Validity Period: 12 months, plus 30 days for refilling
Virtual Prepaid Phone Operators and other Prepaid Phone Brands in Ukraine
The first virtual prepaid phone operator in Ukraine is djuice (Kyivstar). The prepaid phone card name for Djuice Ukraine is called “djuice.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is UAH 25 with 10 free credits. The net frequency for Djuice Ukraine is GSM 900/1800. The logos for this prepaid phone card are Kyivstar and djuice with 255 03 as its net code. Djuice Ukraine is a network under Kyivstar GSM Ukraine.
There are four voice tariffs under djuice, namely: Fun, Talk, Fun non-stop and Talk non-stop. Fun offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.27, calls to Djuice for UAH 0.65, and other calls for UAH 0.65. Talk offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.27, calls to Djuice for UAH 0.20, and other calls for UAH 0.85. Fun non-stop offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.39, calls to Djuice for UAH 0.49, and other calls for UAH 0.49. Talk non-stop offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.39, calls to Djuice for UAH 0.05, and other calls for UAH 0.85.
**According to Ukrainian law all calls are rated with 6% tax to Pension Fund.
Additional Costs and Services:
Messaging:
- National SMS, Fun – UAH 0.10
- National SMS, Talk – UAH 0.25
- International SMS – UAH 0.65
- National MMS, Fun – UAH 0.35
- National MMS, Talk – UAH 0.75
- International MMS – UAH 5.00
Voicemail: UAH 0.05/min; Activation fee for UAH 5.00.
Data Calls:
- Wap and Internet CSD – UAH 0.30/min
- Wap GPRS – UAH 8.00/MB
- Internet GPRS – UAH 4.00/MB
International Calls:
- CIS Countries – UAH 7.00
- Central and Western Europe – UAH 12.00
- Rest of the World – UAH 17.00
International Roaming: International roaming service for Djuice Ukraine available, see Kyivstar page
Debiting Method: 1/1
Recharge and Credit:
- UAH 25/UAH 25
- UAH 50/UAH 50
- UAH 100/UAH 103
- UAH 300/UAH 310
Djuice Ukraine Prefixes: 097
The second virtual prepaid phone operator in Ukraine is Ekotel. The prepaid phone card name for Ekotel Ukraine is called “Ekotel.” The activation fee for this prepaid phone card is UAH 10 with 10 free credits. Ekotel prepaid phone cards are only valid for 60 days after activation. The net frequency for Ekotel Ukraine is GSM 900/1800. The logo for this prepaid phone card is Ekotel with a net code of 255 01.
There are two voice tariffs under Ekotel, namely: Екотел and Еко-нуль. Екотел offers: set up fee for all calls for free, calls to Ekotel Ukraine for UAH 0.29 and other calls for UAH 0.69. Еко-нуль offers: set up fee for all calls for UAH 0.29, calls to Ekotel Ukraine for UAH free and other calls for UAH 0.69.
“free” calls to Ekotel Ukraine - With the tariff Еко-нуль users can call other Ekotel Ukraine numbers paying only the set-up fee. But there is a limitation of 5 minutes per call to all 0991 and 0996 numbers.
Additional Services and Costs:
Messaging:
- National SMS (and to MTS Russia) – UAH 0.33
- International SMS – UAH 1.00
- National MMS – UAH 0.83
Voicemail: UAH 0.15/minute
Data Calls:
- GPRS Wap – UAH 11.36/MB (5KB increments)
- GPRS Web, 8AM-12AM – UAH 5.82/MB
- GPRS Web, 12AM-8AM – UAH 1.38/MB
International Calls:
- CIS Countries - UAH 8.40
- Europe - UAH 14.40
- Rest of the World - UAH 23.40
**For cheaper international prepaid phone calls, see here
International Roaming: International roaming service for Ekotel Ukraine available, see here
Debiting Method: 1/1
Refills and Credit:
- UAH 10/10
- UAH 25/25
Validity Period: 60 days after the first call, then 365 days for all recharges