The cheapest mobile communications - Review of all tariffs

Main line of tariffs

When choosing a tariff plan, it is important to consider which city the calls will be made from most often. For example, if a person buys a prepaid SIM card in St. Petersburg, but plans to use the phone in Moscow, the tariffs in the capital will be higher.

The cost of telephone calls depends on what region a person is in and where he is calling. The tariff for local calls, for example, in Moscow, is standard, but if you need to call from the capital to another city, the cost will increase by the minute. In general, cellular operators have standard tariffs.

To better understand the pricing packages of leading mobile phone companies, below is a comparison table with current packages.

These plans are for smartphones and tablets only. Their use in modems or mobile routers is prohibited. For example, MTS identifies the most commonly used modems and routers by their IMEI number and blocks mobile data usage on such devices.

All ways to switch to Megafon tariffs

The main method of connecting to the selected tariff is to enter the USSD combination on your mobile phone. We have compiled a table with all USSD commands for each company tariff where this transfer method is available. In addition to switching using a command, you can connect the TP by sending an SMS message. To do this, you need to write the appropriate command and send it to a special number.

The table below shows two methods for connecting to a tariff (via USSD code and via SMS):

Attention! All tariff offers not presented in the table do not have the ability to switch independently (only at the Megafon office).

In addition to the listed methods of switching to the selected option, you can also make a connection through your Personal Account or the Megafon Personal Account smartphone application in the “Tariffs” section. In the list you need to select the appropriate option and click on the word “Switch to tariff”.

MTS operator

MTS is the largest operator, serving about 78 million subscribers, which has licenses in 83 regions of the country. This operator-provider can also use roaming in Crimea.

4G/LTE coverage has reached all 83 regions of MTS presence. 55% is at 1800 MHz, the rest at 800 and 2600 MHz.

Unlike other operators, MTS blocks incoming calls from many VoIP networks, as they are considered illegal.

The “Red Energy” tariff from MTS does not have a subscription fee, it has simple and understandable conditions. “SMART” is one of the most favorable tariffs for those who make a lot of calls and often send SMS. “Super-MTS” is a popular tariff among those who communicate a lot within the network. This is also a tariff without a monthly fee.

Tariff prices are relevant for Moscow and Moscow Region.

Super MTS tariff is the best tariff plan subject to daily payment. This plan has very cheap mobile communications and internet. The main advantage of the tariff is unlimited outgoing calls to other MTS numbers in the same region per day and to most city numbers in Moscow. Calls within the country are made at an additional cost.

Another benefit of this plan is that you are allowed to add the All Super+ option. It is activated automatically and gives up to 3 GB per month with a daily fee of RUB 9.40. If it is not activated, you need to dial *111*259#.

The MTS Smart smartphone series offers monthly combo plans including calls, SMS and data. For many users, this is the cheapest mobile connection in Moscow.

The big advantage of these plans is their availability (including with roaming in Crimea). All Smart tariff plans include unlimited calls to other MTS Russia numbers.

Unlimited number of social networks in tariff plans X and Tariff includes the use of:

And also Snapchat, YouTube, MTS Music, Apple Music, Google Music, App Store, Google Play, MTS Connect and some games.

The monthly fee is deducted from your account balance at the time the plan is activated. The next debit will occur exactly 30 days after the activation date. If the account is insufficient for the next monthly fee, all services (voice and data) will be temporarily suspended. To unlock, you will need to top up your account.

Beeline tariffs

Beeline offers its subscribers package tariffs within the “Everything” line. These tariffs include several areas of services provided. And the final price of the offer will depend on the fullness of the tariff with communication services.

Table 1 – Beeline package tariffs for mobile communications

MegaFon tariffs

MegaFon, in turn, offers its subscribers cellular tariffs as part of the “Turn on!” line. Depending on the chosen tariff plan, the monthly fee can vary from 350 rubles. up to 3,000 rub.

Table 2 – Package tariffs of the MegaFon operator

MTS tariffs

Similar conditions are provided for MTS mobile tariffs. The operator's main focus is on unlimited calls within the network. In addition, some offer terms and conditions may allow unused service packages to roll over to the next month.

Table 3 – MTS package tariff plans

Tele2 tariffs

Tele2 provides its customers with unlimited communication within the network. Packs of minutes can be easily exchanged for gigabytes of Internet. And unused minutes, Internet traffic and SMS at tariffs are transferred to the next billing period.

Table 4 – Package tariffs of the operator “Tele2”

Operator Beeline

Beeline is a national operator operating in 78 regions and serving about 58 million subscribers. It is popular for calls to CIS countries and offers tariffs at lower prices.

Beeline is present in almost all regions of the country, its 4G coverage is concentrated in populated areas, but is still limited in rural areas. 4G/LTE coverage is available in almost all cities.

Beeline has high-speed 3G internet almost everywhere in the country, including the countryside between Moscow and St. Petersburg and Lake Baikal + Olkhon Island, which is ideal for traveling to remote areas and traveling by train. However, currently the Beeline 2G network has noticeably lost quality. There are some issues with voice call clarity and data speeds. The problems are related to signal strength and coverage. However, this operator has good tariffs for international calls, especially to the CIS countries, where Beeline has its own and partner networks.

Like other operators, Beeline has monthly combined plans with included rates for voice calls, SMS and Internet, valid throughout Russia.

Messengers are unlimited, these include WhatsApp, Viber, ICQ, Skype, Google, Snapchat (including voice and video calls). Movies, Music and Cloud are the operator's special offers for streaming video and audio and 10 GB of cloud space.

When data is exhausted, a very high auto-renewal rate is charged. So we recommend choosing a volume sufficient for you initially.

The carrier offers an option that allows users to share the included data allowance in combo plans with other carrier users in the same region.

Current MTS tariffs in St. Petersburg in 2021 without subscription fee

If a client does not use the Internet very actively and rarely calls, then packaged programs will not be suitable for him. But the operator still has solutions of the classical type.

MTS tariffs in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region without a monthly fee in 2021 are represented by only two options - Super MTS and Per Second. The company is rapidly reducing the number of such programs. It is beneficial for the company to receive constant AP from clients and increase its income.

Conditions for Super MTS:

1. There is no subscription fee.
2. 100 minutes are provided within the home network.
3. After the end of the package, the cost of calls will be 1 ruble.
4. Calls to other subscribers in the region – 1.5 rubles.
5. Message – 2 r.

The plan is beneficial for people making on-net calls. I manage to get 100 minutes a month to communicate with friends and relatives. For some, the program will be beneficial.

The disadvantage is the inflated cost of calls to other operators. Therefore, many clients choose programs with packages of minutes.

Another valid option without AP is per second. Conditions:

• One second of calls to all directions in the region - 5 kopecks.
• Message – 2 rubles.
• You will have to pay 3 rubles per minute.

The program is suitable for people who make few short calls. The cost is high, but a number of customers can save money on communication services.

Operator MegaFon

MegaFon (mainly owned by the Russian USM Holding and Gazprombank) is one of the three largest Russian mobile operators. Many users consider MegaFon to be the best operator in the country due to its nationwide distribution and high Internet speed.

MegaFon was the first to launch 3G networks (at 2100 and 900 MHz) and 4G / LTE in the country. This is the only network that is available in all regions of the country. 4G/LTE primarily operates on the 2600 MHz frequency (B7) and covers all 83 regions.

Mobile Internet tariffs from MTS

MTS offers 5 main options within its Internet tariffs. At the same time, it is also possible to connect additional packages that can be connected automatically when the main traffic is exhausted.

Table 8 - Mobile Internet tariffs from MTS

Operator Tele2

Rostelecom's Tele2 is building its fourth national network, active in 60 regions, with approximately 44 million customers.

The cheapest mobile Internet is from Tele2 - 27 rubles/1GB.

Other operators

Certain mobile operators provide preferential packages at affordable prices, operating outside the main Russian mobile networks. Yota, for example, is considered a subsidiary of MegaFon and a major player in the MVNO market.

The operator's main idea is completely unlimited data traffic, but with some restrictions in other areas, for example, blocked P2P networks. Despite the fact that the network is the same as MegaFon, the user may not have access to LTE in some regions where Yota SIM cards are not sold, unlike MegaFon subscribers.

Yota became the first operator in the country to provide fixed prices for all regions. But still, the operator charges different prices depending on where the SIM card is purchased. The operator is targeting residents of large cities who use smartphones, tablets or modems.

The cheapest mobile connection in Russia without the Internet is from Yota.

Anyone can calculate their tariff plan independently on the website using the constructor.

Yota also provides a special plan for use with a modem or router. It has completely unlimited data. This solution is LTE (4G) only, no voice capabilities, internet only.

However, if the SIM card is not used in a smartphone (for example, in a router, modem or tablet), the speed will be reduced to 64 Kbps. If a smartphone is used as an access point for a modem, the speed is limited to 128 Kbps; this limitation can be removed for 2 hours for 90₽ or for 24 hours for 190₽. When using file-sharing networks, the speed is reduced to 32 Kbps. Often the operator does not warn its users about this.

Some regions also have local operators, such as Motiv in Yekaterinburg, Kurgan, Ugra and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Tattelecom in Tartastan or Vainakh Telecom in the Chechen Republic.

Tinkoff Mobile started as one of the first virtual operators in 2021 of Tinkoff Bank. The operator operates in the Tele2 network. SIM cards are sold throughout the country, as the company has opened stores in large shopping centers. From 2021 they also offer eSIM, but are currently only available to Tinkoff card holders.

The operator offers to try mobile services completely free for a week!

Tinkoff Mobile offers attractive offers for new subscribers. On the official website you can calculate an individual tariff plan.

Mobile Internet tariffs from MegaFon

Among MegaFon's tariff options you can find both those that are used only within the service region, and those that operate throughout Russia. If the main traffic is not enough, you can always connect additional packages.

Table 9 – Mobile Internet tariffs from MegaFon

Mobile Internet tariffs from Tele2

Tele2 options are valid both in the home region and outside it. At the same time, subscribers have access to unlimited night time.

Table 10 – Mobile Internet tariffs from Tele2

Mobile Internet tariffs from Beeline

Internet traffic is already included in Beeline tariffs current for 2018. The operator offers additional Internet options for unlimited access to popular Internet resources even after the end of the main package.

Table 11 – Mobile Internet tariffs from Beeline

Compare tariffs and choose the most profitable one

The most common and largest mobile operators in Russia are Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), MegaFon, Beeline and Tele2Russia (owned by the state provider Rostelecom). Services and prices are competitive in major cities but vary by region.

It's time to sum up the results and decide on the winner. The cheapest mobile communication tariff from MTS is “Tariffishche”. For the first 6 months, new subscribers will be able to pay 585 rubles for the entire package of services, and later - 600 rubles. Megafon offers this package of services the most expensive - 1000₽ for 30 days.