Data Plans in Russia
Dec 18, 2011 | 11:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New York City
Programs: AA Plat. HH Diamond.
Posts: 317
Data Plans in Russia
I haven’t been to Russia in a long time… I know that there are many companies that sell sim cars for unlocked phones. But what about data plans? If I buy (here in the US) an unlocked, quad-band, Android-based Motorola, will I be able to get a sim card with a reasonably-priced DATA plan? If it makes a difference: I'll be in St. Pete and Moscow mostly.
Dec 19, 2011 | 10:14 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New York City
Programs: AA Plat. HH Diamond.
Posts: 317
Will it work in Russia?
Last edited by a7m; Dec 19, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Dec 19, 2011 | 2:51 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: OZ Diamond, BA slvr, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 4,487
No, you don't have to be a regular subscriber. Most cell phone users in Russia don't have contract plans. All throughout the city there are machines where you add money to your phone. You can also do this in any one of the carrier's stores or electronics stores (like Syaznoi or Ion). So, you're told the tarif you'll be paying and you pay those rates. When you run out of money, you go to the machine, type in your number, stick in 100, 500, 1000 rubles, and you're good to go again.
To get a SIM you just need to bring in your passport and have the address of where you're staying.
To get a SIM you just need to bring in your passport and have the address of where you're staying.
Dec 20, 2011 | 5:55 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LHR/SEA/YVR
Programs: BAEC G/*O E, MC PlatE, Total Wine Grand Reserve
Posts: 930
Do a bit of investigation before you sign up for any data plkan in Russia. MTS is known to be local AT&T (good coverage but expensive), Megafon is quite inexpensive but could have issues with 3G coverage outside of Moscow. Beeline is more of a balanced offering.
Do your bit of research
MTS: http://www.vis.mtsgsm.com/tariffs/
Megafon: http://english.moscow.megafon.ru/tariffs/
Beeline: http://english.moscow.megafon.ru/tariffs/ (Russian only)
Dec 20, 2011 | 9:16 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
Megafon has the best deals for foreigners. The sim cards dont expire so quickly after a period of inactivity, so its handy if you (like me) go to russia 4 + times a year and stay a few days here and there.
Otherwise you would be stuck having to get a new card every once in a while.
I never quite figured out the terminal to reload, I would just do it at the store, or have them do it for me. And yes, most Russians are on a prepay plan...
Otherwise you would be stuck having to get a new card every once in a while.
I never quite figured out the terminal to reload, I would just do it at the store, or have them do it for me. And yes, most Russians are on a prepay plan...
Mar 6, 2012 | 1:31 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SXB
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum for Life, Amex Centurion, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, Avis PC
Posts: 1,081
Are there any specific APN settings for data usage on an iPhone with any of the 3 carriers or will the settings be updated automatically?
Mar 6, 2012 | 8:13 am
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: OZ Diamond, BA slvr, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 4,487
It should update automatically. Svyaznoi has a set up for a fee - 148 rubles (it was some weird number like that, less than $5) that they'll make sure everything is working for you when you get a sim card there.