Tinkoff Mobile: Is it worth connecting? We research rates, reviews and promotions


The virtual mobile operator is holding a promotion in which you can receive 1,000 rubles from Tinkoff Mobile into your mobile account if you order a SIM card with a new number, as well as when you switch with your phone number. Bonuses are credited to an additional account and used first. The current number is transferred to the operator within 8 working days.

Tinkoff Mobile: Tariffs

Tinkov does not have tariffs in the usual sense.

The cost of your tariff will depend on the set of services that you connect. The price also depends on your region of residence. Since the cost of services may change over time, I recommend that you find out the cost of the tariff for you personally on the Tinkoff Mobile website.

In my case, the tariff selection window looks like this:

    However, despite the formal absence of tariffs, I decided to highlight 3 tariff groups for clarity:
  • Tariffs for Moscow and St. Petersburg
  • Tariffs for regions
  • Basic tariff (without service package)
  • Update 07/19/2019

    I found a document on the Tinkov website with a detailed description of the cost of different service packages in different regions: Detailed tariffs in PDF

    Tariffs for Moscow and St. Petersburg

    Tariff table of the Tinkoff Mobile operator for Moscow and St. Petersburg

    Without Internet2 GB.5 GB.10 GB.20 GB.Unlimited
    No callsWithout package199 rub.269 ​​rub.389 rub.449 rub.999 rub.
    200 minutes99 rub.298 rub.368 rub.488 rub.548 rub.RUB 1,098
    400 minutes139 rub.338 rub.408 rub.528 rub.588 rub.RUB 1,138
    600 minutes199 rub.398 rub.468 rub.588 rub.648 rub.RUB 1,198
    1,200 minutes359 rub.558 rub.628 rub.748 rub.808 rub.RUB 1,358
    Unlimited calls999 rub.RUB 1,1981268 rub.RUB 1,388RUB 1,448RUB 1,998

    A modest package of 200 minutes and 2GB of Internet will cost 298 rubles. A package of the same 200 minutes and 5 GB costs 368 rubles.

    A standard package of 5GB of Internet traffic and 400 minutes will cost 408 rubles. 10 GB of traffic with the same 400 minute package will cost 528 rubles. Competitors have comparable rates.

    Individual packages of minutes look profitable. For example, 600 minutes for 200 rubles per month

    . I haven't seen anything like this from competitors. There is also an interesting offer - full unlimited communication for 999 rubles.

    Tinkoff speaks of its Internet as “truly unlimited.” The absence of restrictions and quotation marks in the word “unlimited” could really make users more loyal to the product.

    Tariffs for Russian regions

    Tariffs for call packages in the regions

    Tariffs for Internet package in the regions

    The cost of tariffs can be changed at the request of Tinkov at any time.

    The price also depends on the region and the selected additional options.

    In the regions, prices for services look lower. A separate communication package of 200 minutes will cost only 79 rubles. An ideal solution for those who do not use the Internet from a phone or smartphones with 2 SIMs, where the Internet is from another operator.

    Package 400 minutes + 4 GB of traffic = 258 rubles. As the packages increase, the price becomes higher: for example, 600 minutes + 8 GB = 358 rubles

    , which is still an extremely interesting proposition on the market.

    I recommend checking the current tariff prices on the official website. Tinkoff itself states that 1100 combinations are possible in their tariff designer!

    What happens if the package of minutes in the tariff runs out? — For every 100 minutes above the package, 99 rubles will be deducted.

      The following tariff options are offered:
    • Unlimited SMS messages - 49 rubles
    • Unlimited for instant messengers: WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Tam Tam, imo.im - 59 rubles
    • Unlimited use of social networks: VKontakte, Facebook, Odnoklassniki, Instagram, IGTV, Snapchat, Twitter, Tinder - 59 rubles
    • Unlimited listening to music (Subscription to services is not included in the price): Apple Music, Yandex.Music, Yandex.Radio, Google Play Music, Soundcloud, Boom, Zvooq, Deezer Music, Shazam, Spotify - 59 rubles
    • Unlimited video viewing: Youtube, Twitch, iTunes Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube for Children, Rutube, Vimeo - 159 rubles

    Basic tariff - tariff without connecting to a package

    It is possible to get a Tinkoff Mobile SIM card with a basic tariff without a subscription fee. This tariff will be convenient if you do not need a communication and Internet package and you use the services only occasionally. Or, as an option, you use only social networks and pay only for one service, instead of the whole set.

    The cost of calls on the basic tariff (without a package) for calls within the network to Tinkoff is 0 rubles. The cost of other calls (except roaming) is 2.9 rubles/min. The cost of one SMS is 2.9 rubles

    Incoming calls within the country are free on all tariffs.

    Roaming tariffs

    International calls within Europe are charged at a rate of 11.9 rubles per minute. Internet in Europe will cost 100 MB per day for 149 ₽.

    International calls to other countries are charged at a rate of 19.9 rubles per minute. Internet package - 100 MB for 299 ₽

    But the coolest thing in my opinion about Tinkov’s international tariffs is Unlimited messengers

    with a cost of 49 rubles per day. So, you can communicate all day long even while roaming in WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, TamTam and IMO.IM.

    Tinkov's own applications will work for free, even if you do not have an Internet package. This can be really convenient when you need to make a payment or check your account balance, but internet roaming is quite expensive.

    Separately, I note that Tinkoff automatically disables background application updates while roaming. This was done to save traffic - applications will not be updated

    (while roaming). Also, by default, synchronization of cloud services (iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox) is disabled.

Bonus validity period

Received bonus points can be spent within 3 months. If a subscriber chooses small Internet and traffic packages, he can call and use the Internet for free for about 90 days.

For example, a set of services of 2 GB of Internet traffic and 200 minutes of calls to all numbers in Russia, as well as free use of social networks and instant messengers, will cost 316 rubles per month. If a subscriber chooses a more capacious package of services, then the bonuses are spent much faster.

It is worth remembering that unused balances are not carried over to another period, they are simply cancelled.

Tinkoff Mobile coverage area

Tinkoff Mobile coverage area on the map (click to see full size):

Which operator does Tinkoff Mobile operate on?

Tinkoff Mobile operates on Tele2 radio frequencies. However, there are regions where Tele2 is not represented, where Tinkoff operates on the basis of Megafon. In Crimea and Sevastopol, the operator operates on the Volna Mobile base.

Tinkoff has its own number range for the network. In fact, Tinkoff Mobile is “virtual”

mobile operator, it does not yet have its own towers. But it has deep integration with the products of Tinkov Bank itself.

Tinkoff Mobile frequencies

In Moscow and the Moscow region, work is possible only in 3G and 4G (LTE) networks. By the way, 4G works even in the metro. Unfortunately, the 2G network in Moscow and the region is not supported.

4G LTE frequencies: 800, 1800 and 2600 MHz.

In which cities does Tinkoff Mobile operate?

Today, the Tinkoff Mobile brand is represented in 53 regions of Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Pskov, Samara, Saratov, Sakhalin, Smolensk, Tambov, Tver, Tula, Tomsk, Tyumen regions, the republics of Adygea, Karelia, Komi, Mari El, Mordovia , Tatarstan, Tyva and Khakassia, the Udmurt Republic, Altai, Kamchatka, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk and Perm territories, Khanty-Mansiysk and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

In my case, the city was not on the list of supported ones (Cheboksary), however, I found out from the support service that connection is possible

. As I understand it, 2 factors play a role here:

  1. Does the terrain correspond to the Tinkoff Mobile coverage area?
  2. Are there Tinkoff couriers in this area?

If your city is not on the list, but you want to connect, you can try to check the possibility of connecting with support. In addition, the coverage is constantly increasing.

Pros of the transition

The new mobile operator has many advantages over its competitors:

  • the ability to customize the tariff plan to suit your needs;
  • those who use the phone only for calls can turn off mobile Internet completely;
  • When activating the card, you should not be afraid of the presence of paid subscriptions;
  • free SIM card delivery;
  • a free virtual bank card is given as a gift, allowing you to pay for purchases in online stores or regular retail chains using ApplePay, Google Pay.

Since the operator finds its customers among users of other mobile networks, it uses technologies and the MNP standard that allow the subscriber number to be transferred to another operator.

The transition to Tinkoff Mobile is carried out in a short time, free of charge and at any time. If the subscriber is not satisfied with the quality of services of the previous operator, then you can take advantage of this advantageous offer.

Promotions in Tinkoff Mobile

Promotion 1000 Rubles for transfer from another operator

Promotion only until July 31, 2021.

The terms of the promotion are simple: switch to Tinkoff Mobile while saving your number and 1000 rubles will be credited to your phone account. The bonus will be credited on the same day the SIM card is activated.

Important: bonus 1000 rubles are awarded for a period of 90 days. If your own funds were credited to the account, then bonus funds will be spent first.

This promotion does not exclude the “First month free” promotion.

Promotion First month free

Tinkoff Mobile gives you 600 minutes, 20-30 gigabytes of traffic, unlimited SMS

+ unlimited access to some services and applications.

Not many operators allow you to test the quality of communication and service before paying. Most often, we pay for a new SIM card at the mobile phone store.

You can choose the tariff you will use either immediately upon connection or during the first free month. As planned, you can not only test the quality of the service, but also estimate how many minutes and gigabytes of traffic you need.

This promotion does not exclude the promotion of 1000 rubles on the account for number porting.” Rather, they complement each other. Thanks to this, you get a free month of service + 1000 rubles for porting your number to Tinkoff Mobile. The free service package for a trial month is activated automatically upon connection.

Promotion Calls are free if you are a bank client

Until September 3, 2021, Tinkoff Bank clients have the opportunity to take advantage of the “Free minutes for bank clients”

. According to the terms of the promotion, free minutes for communication services will be awarded every month.

  1. Step one: Apply for a Tinkoff Mobile SIM card
  2. Step two: Link your Tinkov bank card to the received SIM card in the application or in your Tinkoff Mobile personal account
  3. Step three: There we also set up auto payment for Tinkoff Mobile services for any amount (at least 10 rubles)

To receive bonus minutes, you need to spend RUB 10,000 per month on the card. Free minutes will be credited when the next package is activated. The number of minutes that you can get from the promotion is 600 (however, you can get 200-400 if you wish).

Thus, with monthly spending on a Tinkov card more than 10,000 rubles

Feel free to order an operator SIM card -
a package of 600 minutes will be absolutely free
for a year.
The promotion is valid in all regions of presence.
The “double your first payment” and “double your traffic” promotions are over

Description of the promotion

This promotional offer is designed to encourage new Tinkoff Mobile subscribers. The accrued bonus points can be used to pay for any communication services, including the purchase of additional traffic while roaming.

The terms of the promotion are absolutely transparent. The subscriber should fill out a standard application on the virtual operator’s website, then sign an agreement and wait for a SIM card. If you are porting your number, you will have to wait about 8 days. After this, 1000 rubles bonuses will be credited to your account.

Subscribers of all Russian operators can take part in the promotion.

Reviews about Tinkoff Mobile

In 2021, a critical mass of customer reviews about Tinkoff Mobile has already accumulated and certain conclusions can be drawn. Reviews about the service and quality of communication are divided into diametrically opposed ones. However, this applies to all Tinkov products. Let's find out what pros and cons customers see and what reviews they leave on sites.

“Yes, all of them, bloggers, will sell their mother for grandmothers” Oleg Tinkov. “Yes, I’m actually one of the very first bloggers in Russia!” Oleg Tinkov.

Many reviews do not relate specifically to the product, but to Tinkov’s personality. I would even say the majority. Although they are fun to look at, they have no practical meaning. Let's take a better look at the reviews directly about the Tinkoff Mobile SIM card.

Positive reviews about Tinkoff Mobile

At the end of 2021, Tinkoff Mobile was recognized as the winner of the “People's Rating of Telecom Operators” on the Banki.ru portal.

It looks like in 2021 Tinkoff will win the popular vote, unconditional leadership by a very large margin.

The most typical and indicative positive reviews from Tinkoff Mobile customers:


Customers are satisfied with delivery, bonuses and the ability to port their number. In general, Tinkov’s promotions work successfully and create a large layer of loyal users.

An illustrative review listing the advantages of Tinkov’s work


Customers are generally satisfied with the communication conditions in roaming


There are also suspiciously one-sided positive reviews about Tinkoff Mobile

    Summarizing what was found on the network, we can identify the following advantages of the mobile operator:
  • People like it when they bring a SIM card directly to their home.
  • There are many reviews that thanks to the tariff designer they saved money on communication services
  • The roaming conditions have attracted many customers and they are satisfied with them.
  • Paid subscriptions are not available
  • Catches in the subway!
  • Tinkov's promotions also attract many customers and add user loyalty

Negative customer reviews of Tinkoff Mobile

The most revealing negative reviews from Tinkoff Mobile customers:


Customer complaints about the difficulty of activating a SIM card


The support service is frozen and does not give direct answers


Complaints about the quality of communication services


Typical review of Internet speed

Summarizing all the negativity, we can highlight the main aspects of customer dissatisfaction:

  • Incompetent support staff. Each new support link has to explain everything all over again. In most cases, the answers are prepared and do not carry any special meaning.
  • Unlimited Internet is still not completely unlimited, despite marketing slogans. There are indicative reviews with measurements proving that the speed is still reduced. However, after what volume of traffic and why the speed decreases is not known for certain. There are also “restrictions” on file-sharing resources. Such restrictions are extremely annoying for users
  • Many people complain about the difficulty of activating a SIM card. In particular, some smartphone models do not see the SIM card and refuse to work without the Tinkoff Mobile application. If you have difficulties with activation, read the note on how to activate a SIM card.

    Personal experience using Tinkoff Mobile

      Additionally, I will briefly outline my version of the advantages and disadvantages of Tinkoff Mobile.

      Advantages:

      Delivered directly to your home

  • No roaming in Russia (except for Crimea and Sevastopol)
  • Virtual number (having 2 numbers on one SIM card is really convenient)
  • If you already use a Tinkov card, then communication can be free
  • Interesting options in roaming and for those who only use social networks
  • The Internet has no artificial restrictions like “do not insert into the modem”
  • Flaws:

  • There must be a catch somewhere, this is Tinkoff?!
  • Some services may be "raw". For example, at the time of writing this article there is no redirection at all
  • I support complaints about speed reduction. Declare an honest unlimited limit “without stars” and still reduce the speed. This is not our way. To be fair, the restrictions are probably less than others. But they exist.
  • manix666

    I’ve already done this with a friend, I’m sharing: 1) You apply for a SIM card using a ref card, most often they deliver it on the same day 2) If you have a Tinka card, transfer 201 rubles to your Mobile card in the bank app, and you can immediately transfer them back without any commissions to your account map. That’s it, after this you instantly receive a bonus for inviting a friend in the amount of 500 rubles, and you get 500 rubles for communication.

    If someone wants to apply, you can do it using my link (poke), I will pay you a refback (250 rubles from my 500 rubles), and you will have a week of free communication from Tinka + 500 rubles for communication and just a SIM card (or you can order 3 pieces for a passport), which are never superfluous in a situation

    Smartphone applications from Tinkoff

    Tinkoff Mobile application (for mobile OPERATOR)

    Tinkoff Mobile for Android

    Download and install the Tinkoff Mobile operator application for free for smartphones running Android

    Tinkoff Mobile for iPhone

    Download and install the Tinkoff Mobile operator application for smartphones running iOS for free.

    Tinkoff Bank (for mobile BANK)

    Tinkoff Mobile Bank for Android

    Download and install the Tinkoff Bank application for free on your Android smartphone

    Tinkoff Mobile Bank for iPhone

    Download and install the Tinkoff mobile bank application for free on an iPhone running iOS

    How to use communications during the transfer period

    It is important that during the period of porting your number you do not incur a debt with your current operator. You can continue to use its services and test a new connection at the same time.

    On average, the entire operation takes 8 days. You will be notified via SMS of the expected date and completed transfer. You can also monitor status changes in the Tinkoff mobile application.

    Technically, the operation is performed at midnight from the 8th to the 9th day. On the first day after the transfer, communication interruptions are possible: they are caused by updating your data with both operators.

    How to order a SIM card

    The first thing you need to do is order a Tinkoff SIM card. This can be done on the official website of the bank. It is recommended to adhere to the following algorithm:

    1. Go to the provider’s main page using the following link: https://www.tinkoff.ru/mobile-operator/ .
    2. Scroll the page to the “Order a SIM card” block.
    3. Fill in all the fields. Here you need to indicate:
        The need to go with your number;
    4. Method of receiving the service: delivery or virtual SIM card. The second option is available only to Tinkoff clients or State Services users;
    5. City or region;
    6. FULL NAME;
    7. Spare phone number for contact;
    8. Required number of SIM cards.
    9. After filling out all the fields, click “Next”.

    10. Now you need to indicate the address where the courier will deliver the device. Namely:
        Region;
    11. District or city;
    12. Locality;
    13. Full address;
    14. Convenient delivery date and time;
    15. Comment for the courier.

    16. All that remains is to wait for a call from a company representative. He will clarify the details and give you a SIM card. To do this, you must have a passport with you, on which the contract will be drawn up.

    It is worth noting that delivery is free.

    What about abroad?

    If you find yourself abroad, then you don’t have to worry about your Tinkoff Mobile balance. In roaming we offer a single tariff:

    • in Europe – 200 MB Internet for 149 rubles and 1 minute of call for 11.9 rubles;
    • in the USA, China, Thailand - Internet for 100 MB costs 299 rubles and 1 minute to call will cost 19.9 rubles.

    You can also connect messengers to TM for 49 rubles per day. There is no limit on their use.

    You can control write-offs and charges through the application. By the way, it will be free, even if there is not a penny on your balance.

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