Way to Russia Talk Lounge

ivanaskwith · Just Starting Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 1

Does anyone know anything about getting cellular phone service in Russia? If I have a GSM phone, is there a standard provider or providers that offer SIM cards and prepaid phone time?

I intend to be in Moscow and St Petersburg during June and July, and will have a GSM phone, so if there's a way to get cell phone service there, it would be a nice security comfort for me (since I'm travelling alone).

Is this an option, or does everyone just opt for long-distance phone cards?

WayToRussia · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2003 1:14 pm Post subject: Mobile Phones

Hi,

There are three major nationwide providers: MTS, Megafon, and BeeLine.
The first two operate networks both in Moscow and St. Petersburg, so I recommend you to subscribe to them. There are special packages (with a SIM card) sold for about $10-$15 US from both operators, that already put this amount on your SIM card. So, it's very easy: find any telecom shop in Moscow or St. Pete (they're everywhere), get one of the two packages (I think one is called MTS "Jeans" and the other one: Megafon "Lite"), put in the SIM card in your phone and start talking. If they money on your account are finished, you can by a "top up" card in any shop (usually can be for $5, $10, $20).
A phonecall inside the city is usually about $0.25, outside: about $0.5. You should also pay for all the incoming calls.

Cheers