Megafon or Tele2 - which is better? Choosing the best operator

In the Russian mobile communications market in the 2000s, a powerful three leaders were formed: MegaFon, MTS and Beeline. They were later joined by Tele2, a young operator that was different in style and marketing from everyone else. A bright image, attractive prices and a high level of quality led the company to compete with the Big Three.

In this article we compare MegaFon and Tele2 to find out which operator is better and in which areas. We will look at their overall role in the market, as well as directly compare current tariff plans with each other.

Prices and tariff conditions in the article are indicated for Moscow and the Moscow region. They may differ from the cost of services in other regions.

Comparison table between MegaFon and Tele2 tariffs

The tables show the most popular tariff plans, as well as the service packages that are included in it, and the monthly cost.

Tele 2

Tele2 tariffs	Description	Services	Cost (RUB per month)
Everywhere online	Unlimited use of social networks, instant messengers and free calls to Tele2 subscribers.	40 GB of traffic. Almost 9 hours of free calls.	500
Premium	The tariff includes international roaming, when using which you do not need to pay extra for the Internet.	Traffic 50 GB. 20 hours of calls per month. 500 free SMS. Read also:  How to connect and configure a Yota modem: expert help	1500
My online+	Unlimited calls on Tele2. You can call Russian numbers for free within 500-minute traffic. Further payment is 1.95 rubles. in 1 minute. The smart tariff is adjusted to the user based on an analysis of the services used.	30 GB of traffic + unlimited use of social networks and instant messengers. Almost 9 hours of unlimited calls.	700
My online	Calls to Tele2 operators are free. In the tariff settings you can activate services for unlimited use.	15 GB of Internet and unlimited use of social networks and instant messengers. 5 hours of calls per month.	400
My conversation	You can connect additional services for unlimited use.	2 GB Internet traffic. 2 hours of free calls.	200
My Tele2	Unlimited calls to Tele2 operators. It is possible to customize the tariff according to your requirements (number of minutes, gigabytes).	5 GB of Internet traffic.	7 rub. in a day
Unlimited	Free calls to Tele2 operator. Unlimited is valid only when traveling within Russia.	Unlimited traffic. 8 hours of talking. 50 SMS.	600
Classical	The tariff does not have a subscription fee, all services are paid upon use. Unlimited calls to Tele2 subscribers.	1 minute call – 2 rubles. 1 GB of traffic – 120 rubles. 3 GB of traffic 200 rubles.	No monthly fee
Internet for devices	Per-second billing allows you not to overpay for a subscription fee if the user rarely uses the Internet.	15 GB – 400 rubles. 25 GB – 600 rubles. 40 GB – 900 rubles.	No monthly fee
Internet of things	This tariff is intended for smart watches, alarms and other devices.	300 MB of traffic. 30 minutes of conversation. 100 free SMS.	100

Megaphone

MegaFon tariffs	Description	Services	Cost (RUB per month)
Get involved! Look	The tariff is intended for fans of TV series, movies and videos. Free subscription to MegaFon TV. Cashback.	Internet (unlimited). 20 hours of talking. 300 free SMS.	1000
Get involved! Communicate	The tariff is for those who spend a lot of time talking and texting. The subscriber remains in touch even after there is no money left in the account.	Internet (unlimited). Almost 9 hours on call.	500
Get involved! Have fun	A large amount of traffic is intended for those who like to spend their leisure time on the phone. Includes cashback and unlimited traffic when using popular services (for example, Youtube).	Internet 10 GB. Almost 2 hours of conversations.	450
Get involved! Speak	The tariff was created for those who prefer to resolve all issues through conversation rather than correspondence.	10 hours of talking. 5 GB internet. 30% cashback and unlimited use of instant messengers.	500
Get involved! Write	The tariff is designed for subscribers who find it most convenient to communicate via instant messengers. The service includes unlimited traffic when using instant messengers.	5 GB internet. Almost 7 hours on call. 300 free SMS.	400
Get involved! Choose	The new tariff allows you to assemble your unique offer like a construction set. Now you won’t have to overpay for the remaining traffic.	The user can choose 5, 15, 25, 40 GB of Internet traffic and 400, 600, 800, 1000 minutes of calls. Cashback up to 30% allows you to purchase additional options.	450-900
Get involved! Premium	The tariff is intended for those who perform the bulk of their work through their mobile device. The gift includes a subscription to Megafon TV, Antivirus, 1 book per month on liters.	Unlimited Internet traffic. 5000 minutes of calls. Unlimited SMS. Cashback and VIP client status	3000
Go to zero	A tariff without monthly payment for those who do not use additional services, but only occasionally send SMS or call loved ones.	100 MB of traffic for 25 rubles. Call to local number 1 rub. in a minute.	Per minute billing
Warm welcome	Calls are intended for CIS countries and Asia. The promotion is valid temporarily.	Internet (unlimited). Calls within the Tele2 network are also unlimited.	650
#Hello	The tariff is designed for foreign tourists	30 GB of Internet traffic and unlimited calls within the network.	750 for 2 weeks
Second-by-second	For those who do not want to overpay for the remaining traffic	For calls in the home region, the subscriber pays 3 rubles per minute. 1 MB of Internet costs 10.1 rubles. SMS to numbers in your home region costs 1.95 rubles.	No monthly fee
Smart things	The tariff is intended for smart devices.	Unlimited traffic. Calls and SMS within Russia. 10 minutes and 20 messages per week.	20 per week

Which company is better

Let's create a summary table to find out which Internet is better than Beeline, Megafon, Tele2 or MTS.

Operator	Availability of 4G	Full country coverage	Mobile control application	Personal Area	Maximum Internet package size, GB	Maximum additional set, GB	Partnership programs
MTS	+	+	+	+	15	30	+
Megaphone	+	+	+	+	20	36	+
Yota	+	—	+	+	30	No	+
Beeline	+	+	+	+	15	30	+
Tele 2	+	—	+	+	30	50	+

If we compare the given prices, the conclusion arises that Tele2’s conditions are most suitable for mobile Internet.

Attention! The cost indicated in the article corresponds to the Moscow region and Moscow.

Today we looked at what popular Russian providers offer their consumers. As a result, Tele2 takes a leading position. But the final decision is yours.

Compare operator services

Operators offer similar service packages. Most of them have the Internet, SMS, and unlimited calls to your operator.

However, MegaFon communications are more expensive. The operator offers a wider selection and range of tariff plans. But for a user who does not use additional features, such a large selection is a repulsive factor.

Tele2 will cost less, but is more suitable for basic services, calls, SMS and communication in instant messengers. This operator is perfect for people who rarely use the Internet and all communication occurs through calls, SMS or instant messengers.

We must not forget to constantly check for updates in the tariff plans of each operator. New services are always more profitable than old ones and have additional bonuses in the form of a free subscription to music or films.

Beeline

The rating of the quality of communication of mobile operators in St. Petersburg, Moscow and other regions of our huge country is continued by Beeline, an international company serving 206 million subscribers living in 13 countries. In Russia, 57.5 million people use VimpelCom services. The brand offers low prices and a large selection of attractive tariff plans.

Pros:

• A large selection of tariffs, among which everyone can choose the best option for themselves at a reasonable price;
• Constant promotions and bonuses. Beeline regularly holds promotions that allow you to buy a smartphone on the most favorable terms, receive additional traffic for replenishment, and this is not all of the company’s auction offers;
• Good customer support. It is not always possible to reach the call center, but nevertheless, subscribers can count on a prompt and professional solution to their problems. In addition, your personal account and self-service mobile application are always available.

Minuses:

• Technical failures sometimes occur on the provider’s side, as evidenced by reviews on the Internet. It happens that it is even impossible to check your balance on your balance sheet. Problems are resolved quickly, but this is still an unpleasant moment;
• Expensive roaming. Outside your home region, communication costs will increase significantly;
• Poor connection quality far from major cities. The number of Beeline base stations is very limited and does not affect hard-to-reach areas, which is why the signal will weaken as you move away from the city.

Comparing the Internet

MegaFon's Internet is considered one of the fastest; it already uses 4G+. They are the first to introduce new technologies and expand network coverage.

A wide selection of additional services from MegaFon allows you to individually adjust the tariff plan for each individual subscriber. Which will reduce costs for high-speed traffic transmission.

Tele2 develops 3G and 4G, the Internet is of average speed, but quite stable and inexpensive. There are tariff plans for unlimited use of social networks and instant messengers. Suitable for sociable subscribers who rarely watch videos or movies via a mobile device.

If the Internet is connected to another device, for example, a laptop or tablet, it is better to give preference to MegaFon, because Watching videos and surfing the Internet requires fast transfer of information.

Tele2 can also be configured for other devices, but good speed is only available in some places.

Internet for other devices

With modern requirements, sometimes the Internet is needed in larger devices such as a tablet or laptop.

MegaFon and Tele2 offer a package of services for other devices for the same monthly fee - 600 rubles.

However, the tariff plan includes different services.

Megaphone:

• 20 GB of traffic;
• unlimited use of social networks;
• music;
• a place to store files in the cloud.

Tele 2:

• 40 GB of Internet traffic;
• unlimited Internet use at night;
• the remaining gigabytes are transferred to the next month.

If you connect the smallest package and then buy additional gigabytes, it will cost a pretty penny. It is much more profitable to immediately purchase an unlimited tariff or purchase a large amount of gigabytes.

Speed ​​extension

MegaFon charges a hefty fee for internet renewal for any tariff plan:

• For 1 GB of additional traffic you will have to pay 240 rubles.
• Additional 5 GB of traffic will cost 500 rubles.

However, when connecting additional services, Tele2 is not left behind from its competitors:

• In total, for 500 MB of traffic you will have to pay 50 rubles.
• 1 GB costs 100 rubles, 3 GB – 200 rubles, 15 GB – 400 rubles.
• 50 rubles for activating the automatic renewal service.

After analyzing, it becomes clear that extending the speed and taking additional packages from operators is on approximately the same terms and prices.

home network

MegaFon offers unlimited traffic not only for devices, but also for home use.

The most expensive Wifire 100 tariff plan will cost 500 rubles monthly. Internet speed reaches up to 100 Mbit/sec.

The cheapest Wifire 50 provides traffic at a speed of 50 Mbit/sec. The service costs 400 rubles per month.

Experience

Megafon is a telecommunications company providing communication services, cable TV, Internet and others. The company operates in 83 regions of the Russian Federation, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Tajikistan. Megafon has been operating under its current name since 2002, and the number of its subscribers has long exceeded 100 million people. Today, the company's management sets ambitious plans for further development, new companies are purchased, and new shares are introduced. In particular, in the spring of 2021, cashback in the amount of 20% on payment for communication services appeared. During the same period, a cooperation agreement was signed with the RFU.

Tele2 is another telecommunications company operating in the Russian Federation since 2003. Today it provides services in 67 regions of the country, and the number of subscribers is about 45 million people. In 2013, half of the company's shares were sold to a consortium of private investors. A year later, Tele2 and Rostelecom signed an agreement on the integration of mobile assets. Since 2015, the company has been operating under its own brand, providing Internet services in 3G and 4G formats.

If we compare which is better - Megafon or Tele2 from the point of view of development, Megafon wins in this regard. The provider operates in more regions of the country, has many users and focuses not only on retention, but also on improving positions.

Modem or router

A modem is a convenient device that allows you to use the Internet even while traveling or while working in a cafe. Let's look at what tariff plans operators offer.

Tele 2

Tele2 offers several favorable tariff plans for the modem:

• Tele 2 offers minimal packages for budget-conscious users. 3 gigabytes for 300 rubles and 1 gigabyte for 120 rubles per month.
• 15 gigabytes for 300 rubles per month are suitable for a tablet or work laptop. At night, unlimited traffic is connected, you can download any files.
• 25 gigabytes for 400 rubles is suitable for a user who is not keen on watching movies on the Internet or downloading heavy programs. However, at night traffic is unlimited.
• The most expensive is 40 gigabytes for 600 rubles. There is an additional bonus when purchasing. At night, traffic becomes unlimited.

Tele2 now has a function to transfer extra gigabytes to another user, this can help save purchased traffic. Also, all unused gigabytes are transferred to the new month, and are not written off, like with all other operators. Cheap price and economical use are the main advantage of Tele2.

Megaphone

Megafon offers the following tariff plans for modem and router:

• “Your unlimited” for 6 months. Payment is 5000 rubles. Unlimited Internet operates throughout Russia. Switching to a new tariff costs 100 rubles.
• “Your unlimited” for 12 months. Costs 9000 rubles. Works throughout Russia.
• MegaFon - Online
• Also, the “Your Internet” option provides different amounts of traffic per month: 15, 30, 50 GB. They cost 550, 900, 1300 rubles respectively. “Your Internet” 50 GB provides unlimited traffic at night. Each tariff gives unlimited traffic to all cloud storages.

To use a modem on a laptop, it is better to choose the largest tariff plan, because... there is the possibility of unlimited use. This is very convenient for downloading programs or movies.

Any tariff plan can be set up in your Tele2 or MegaFon personal account without the help of employees.

Connection quality

The next question that interests people is which connection is better - Megafon or Tele2. When considering this issue, it is necessary to look at the region of use and the quality of coverage.

Thus, in the summer of 2021, Megafon clients complained about communication and Network failures. Problems appeared in Moscow, Samara, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and other large cities. The company stated that the cause was technical work, after which the problem was resolved. As for people's reviews, there are both satisfied and dissatisfied users. The latter often appear in areas of the country where there is poor coverage.

As for Tele2, the situation is almost the same. In large cities, where there are a sufficient number of towers and a strong signal, interruptions in signal and dialing are rare. But when leaving the regions, difficulties with call quality may occur. A couple of years ago there were many complaints on the Internet about the quality of communication from the Tele2 operator, but today the situation is better. Many technical issues have been resolved - additional equipment has been installed, and a number of base stations are located at a higher altitude.

If we sum up which is better - Tele2 or Megafon in Moscow in terms of communication quality, we can highlight a recent study conducted in relation to the mentioned and other operators. Based on the results of the work, the following conclusions were drawn (sequence - Megafon, Tele2)

• share of unsuccessful calls - 2.5% and 0.5%;
• the percentage of undelivered SMS is 1.1 and 1.9%, respectively;
• average SMS delivery time - 4.5 and 8.9;
• the share of voice connection interruptions is 0.4 and 0.4%.

Thus, the quality of Tele2 communications in the capital is even slightly better than that of Megafon.

Network coverage

MegaFon's cell tower coverage area is larger than Tele 2's.

MegaFon remains the leader among all operators in terms of network coverage and number of subscribers. The operator installs towers even where it is unprofitable for him and the costs may not be covered by the use of communications among subscribers.

MegaFon is the first to introduce new features and constantly improve the speed of information transfer. For example, they were the first to launch mobile video communications.

Tele2 is trying to attract new users through its cheap pricing policy. However, not everyone likes interruptions or noise in the handset due to the lack of towers placed.

General information

To understand at what frequency Tele2 operates, you should study the coverage map, the capabilities of the cellular device, and compare these indicators with the user’s location and the distance of the nearest tower. Each frequency is assigned a specific indicator, which is calculated using the unit MHz.

The 2nd generation of cellular communications allows for encrypted conversations and data transfer, but the signal is quite weak and unstable. Communication works in remote regions of the Russian Federation and in small villages located at a considerable distance from administrative centers. It is designated in Tele2 Band3 with a frequency of 1800 MHz. In Moscow and the region, this technology has not been used for a long time and is considered obsolete.

Communication standard for the vast majority of regional centers in Russia. This wireless technology combines high-speed network access and radio communications. High speed and large territorial coverage have become possible thanks to modern developments and global roaming. The frequency indicator varies from 144 to 2048 kBit/s. The operating frequency of Tele2 for the third generation depends on the speed of the person. In Russia, this figure is 2100 MHz and is referred to in the system as Band1.

The 4G frequency in Tele2 depends on the regions. The difference is due to the active spread of technology. This connection provides an Internet connection at high speed due to the fact that the system uses batch data processing. The provider practices digital signal and modulation services. Parameters: from 100 to 1000 Mbit/s. Indicators for individual regions: Moscow - 800 MHz (Band 20), 1.8 GHz (Band 3) and 2.6 GHz (Band 7); St. Petersburg - 1800 MHz (Band 3); Moscow region - 800 MHz.

This technology was developed only in 2021. Tele2 LTE frequencies are 450 Hz. Additional equipment is required for correct operation. In the future, this technology will allow you to enjoy high-quality and fast connections even in the most remote parts of the country. The radius depends on the radiation power, its limit is 19.7 km. That is, the user should be no further from the nearest operator tower than this indicator. LTE Tele2 frequencies will vary from 2600 to 4500 MHz.

Pros and cons of Tele2

Tele2, despite its short time on the market and a small selection of tariff plans, has a number of unique advantages. There are also disadvantages.

Pros:

• the cheapest tariffs with functional options without unnecessary services;
• no roaming;
• there is the possibility of unlimited use of social networks;
• unused traffic, calls, SMS are saved by the subscriber and roll over to the next month.

Minuses:

• small communication coverage area;
• There is a signal interruption.

MTS against everyone: looking for the best operator in 2021

Despite the fact that the number of subscribers in MTS has fallen recently, the operator still remains the leader in Russia. The company currently serves 78.1 million subscribers, which is 30% of the entire Russian mobile communications market.

But “leading” does not always mean “best”. Is MTS really that good or are there better offers on the market?

Let's compare MTS with other popular Russian operators: Beeline, Megafon, Tele2 and Yota, and find out which is better according to various criteria.

To avoid confusion, we will focus on data for Moscow and the Moscow region.

Pros and cons of MegaFon

Over the years, MegaFon has acquired its regular customer base and provided them with high-quality communications and the Internet. But despite this, large companies also have their disadvantages, for example, poor quality service due to a large flow of clients.

Pros:

• the fastest internet;
• low tariffs for calls abroad;
• your own bank card, when using which users receive bonuses;
• they were the first to launch 3G and test 5G;
• extensive communication coverage area.

Minuses:

• a very large range of tariffs, within which there are a lot of additional services and options, it will be difficult for a beginner to understand;
• By mistake, you can easily connect to a paid service, for which funds will be debited daily;
• It’s hard to get through to the operator due to the network congestion, and it’s quite difficult to quickly resolve the issue over the phone.

MTS: compromise among leaders

This market leader began its activities in April 1993 and is still offering its services without losing ground. The operator has established itself as a reliable and affordable service provider. The company strives to keep up with developments and constantly introduces advanced technologies that help improve the quality of communications.

Today, over 100 million subscribers use MTS services - this is the best indicator on the market. A wide range of tariffs and a single Internet for all devices are the main features of MTS, which is the best operator, according to many. But is it? MTS or Tele2 – which is better for the average consumer?

Advantages

The company tries to provide the client with the most comfortable conditions:

1. High-quality communication. The company has extensive experience in servicing not only customers, but also telecommunications equipment. In addition, MTS is constantly updating its telecommunications network, which allows it to keep up with the times and provide high-quality communications even in densely populated cities. High-rise buildings and a lot of noise in big cities do not interfere.
2. Favorable tariffs for Internet users. MTS offers offers that differ in the amount of traffic, or even unlimited. The latter option is ideal for those who need to transfer a large amount of data.
3. Wide roaming network. MTS, unlike many operators, has agreements not only at the national level, but also at the international level. This allows MTS subscribers to receive communications for relatively low costs anywhere in the country and the world.

Attention! MTS offers a large number of tariffs, so it’s easy for older people to get confused.

Flaws

Despite caring about customers, MTS does not work as smoothly as we would like:

1. High cost of services. But the pricing is also complicated by the fact that a large number of promotions are carried out. There are loyalty programs and additional services to the tariff. Therefore, everything affects the cost and increases it. Tariffs of the same set will cost more compared to competitors in MTS.
2. Coverage area is MTS's weak point. According to this indicator, MTS loses to Beeline and Megafon, and only wins over Tele2. But the disadvantage is compensated by affordable roaming pricing.
3. Low quality technical support. In this regard, all major operators stand out - MTS, Beeline, Megafon, only Tele2 has better indicators. However, for MTS the problem is most acute. It can be almost impossible to get through to support. However, the company is actively promoting self-service services through users’ personal accounts or the “My MTS” application to solve the problem.

Results

As for the shortcomings of MTS, they are compensated by its advantages. High prices are nothing compared to excellent communications, especially for business people. The small coverage area is compensated by roaming agreements. However, within Russia this little thing still seems like a nuisance. Especially relevant for students.

Poor performance of call centers is a problem for all large operators. MTS has the largest customer base, so specialists do not have time to serve everyone. A solution to the problem was found by self-service services, but again, not everyone knows how to use them. For older people, this is a pressing issue, given the large number of operator promotions for communication services. Switching between tariffs can be difficult.

The video shows tips on choosing the optimal MTS tariff for a smartphone:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AfjfA4xC5lg