Testing connections and studying tariffs at Tinkoff Mobile

In 2021, the online bank Tinkoff announced the launch of its telecom operator - Tinkoff Mobile. The new operator offers mobile communications on favorable terms and without unnecessary additional services. I became interested in this proposal and decided to check how convenient it would be in reality. I left my review about it in this article.

Before that, I used mobile communication services from MTS for a long time. But his conditions became less and less convenient over time. I started looking for an alternative, but the offers from other major telecom operators did not suit me either. Later I paid attention to Tinkoff Mobile, since I have been using other bank products for a long time.

Brief overview of the offer

Convenience
You can order a SIM card delivered to your home and switch to an operator with your number

Conditions

You can choose a convenient tariff and not pay for unnecessary services

Reliability

Tinkoff Mobile operates on the basis of Tele2, a fairly reliable operator

Availability

Operator services are available in many major cities

Advantages: You can choose the conditions and options that you need. For example, completely disable the Internet or enable unlimited SMS.

Tinkoff charges only for connected service packages. It doesn't charge hidden fees or force paid subscriptions.

Roaming fees are charged only when the package is activated. Access to Tinkoff services always remains free.

Tinkoff Mobile offers unlimited Internet without any restrictions on traffic or connection time. It also offers unlimited calls and SMS.

The operator's client can order a virtual debit card linked to the phone number's account. It operates under the same conditions as Tinkoff Black.

Disadvantages: Operator services are currently only available in a few large cities. Tinkoff plans to expand its network of regions of presence.

Even with an unlimited package, there are some restrictions on mobile Internet. For example, access to file-sharing networks is blocked.

You can top up your account and manage tariffs only in the mobile application. For greater convenience, it is worth adding these functions to your main online bank.

Since the operator was launched recently, various failures are possible in its operation. Problems may also be related to the Tele2 network on which it operates.

Go

How to order a SIM card with a beautiful number

You can also order a Tinkoff Mobile SIM card with a beautiful number. To do this, when registering for a card, go to the “Beautiful Numbers” tab and select the appropriate number. There are free options, for 490 rubles, 990 and even 24,900. Well, they are absolutely beautiful. For example, 500 01 01 or 118 00 00.

Each region has its own beautiful numbers. Just start typing and the list will appear.

Important: this service is available only in several regions - capital cities and some cities with a population of over a million.

By the way, when a subscriber chooses a beautiful number, Tinkoff Mobile will double the amount deposited into the balance - but not more than 3,000 rubles. Also a plus.

And here’s another interesting article: Vyberu.ru is one of the best portals for comparing banking products

What does Tinkoff Mobile offer its clients?

Tinkoff Mobile is a virtual mobile operator launched by Tinkoff Bank in 2021. It does not have its own communications network - instead it operates on the infrastructure of other operators. At the same time, it provides all communication services necessary for the client, including mobile Internet.

Tinkoff Mobile does not have tariff plans - everyone can create a convenient tariff for themselves, enabling or disabling certain options. It offers, among other things, unlimited calls and internet, as well as various service packages. All interaction with the operator is carried out entirely online, and couriers deliver SIM cards.

Another interesting feature is a virtual card linked to the mobile phone balance. Its conditions are the same as those of the regular Tinkoff Black, but its service is included in the price of the tariff. You can pay with a virtual card, just like a regular card, in online stores; it can be linked to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay. Cashback and interest on the balance apply.

eSIM

Mobile operator Tinkoff Mobile is perhaps the most modern operator in Russia. You will definitely use all the new technologies here. If you choose this mobile operator for yourself, then all the new products from around the world will be available to you.

Tinkoff Mobile is one of the only ones who at one time introduced such a new product as eSIM.

eSIM is a virtual SIM card. And it is available only to existing Tinkoff Mobile clients.

It is not clear why this was done. In our opinion, this is not in favor of the client, but this is the company's policy. In the future, we are sure, everything can change. And not only that, everything is changing anyway :)

What is a virtual telecom operator?

A virtual telecom operator is inherently similar to an online bank (such as Tinkoff) or an over-the-bank project (such as Rocketbank or Tochka). Such an operator does not have its own infrastructure - it operates on the basis of an existing network, and for its part provides communication tariffs, a brand and technical support.

This operating scheme allows the operator to be more flexible and significantly save on network construction and maintenance. The commission that an operator pays for using the network is usually lower than the cost of maintaining the network - so it can reduce the prices of its services. In addition, virtual operators may specialize in specific services (for example, mobile Internet) or customer categories (for example, tourists or businesses), which real operators cannot always afford.

For example, the large mobile operator Yota works on this principle. It uses the networks of Scartel and MegaFon operators. Tinkoff Mobile, in turn, operates on the basis of Tele2. Sbermobile, the mobile operator of Sberbank, which was also launched in 2021 and was originally called “Let's Talk,” is structured in a similar way.

Conclusion

How advisable it is to switch to Tinkoff Mobile today is up to each user to decide for himself. It may be more profitable to use the TELE 2 connection than to participate in the promotion of a new project. There are other cellular operators that offer more profitable service packages.

Nevertheless, Tinkoff Mobile has good development prospects and is convenient for frequent calls abroad. You can use it as a second connection by creating a suitable service package for yourself.

Tinkoff Mobile tariffs

The approximate cost of operator services is presented in the table:

When connecting to a 16 GB Internet package, unlimited social networks, instant messengers, music and video services will cost 1 ruble per month each.

Recruitment Affiliate Program

Tinkoff offers an affiliate program for employees and webmasters. For each applicant who registers on the site using an affiliate link, you will receive a reward from the bank:

• 1,000 rubles - for the number of applications from 1 to 300
• 1,100 rubles - for the number of applications from 301 to 600
• 1,300 rubles - for the number of applications from 601 to 1,200
• 1,500 rubles - for applications of 1,201 or more

To receive an affiliate link, contact a bank representative. You can add it to the site or send it as a personal message. Payments are made consistently; special conditions are available for the most active partners.

How to connect to the Tinkoff operator?

I submitted an application to connect to an operator on the Tinkoff website. Here I immediately selected a tariff with suitable conditions for myself. Provided your full name, contact details, convenient time and address for delivery of the SIM card. A few minutes later I received a message that the card had been issued and would be delivered soon.

The SIM card was delivered the very next day - even faster than a bank card. Despite the fact that the courier was a little delayed on the way, he received the card without any problems. He presented his passport, took a photo with it to confirm his identity, and signed the contract. Already at home I inserted the card into the phone, installed the mobile application and set up the connection - I received all the necessary settings via SMS.

In addition, Tinkoff is actively developing SIM card sales points in shopping centers. They already exist in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Volgograd, Krasnodar, Omsk and some other cities. If delivery by courier is not suitable for you for some reason, then you can connect to an operator at one of these points

Tinkoff also allows you to save your number when switching to an operator. To do this, just check the appropriate box in the application. After receiving the card, an operator specialist will additionally contact you to clarify the data. The transition process will take 7-8 days. During this period you will receive a temporary mobile number.

Recommended for you

Tinkoff Black card - personal experience of use

Review of the AlfaStrakhovanie mobile application

The best virtual bank cards

Comments: 4

Your comment (question) If you have questions about this article, you can tell us. Our team consists of only experienced experts and specialists with specialized education. We will try to help you in this topic:

Author of the article: Klavdiya Treskova

Consultant, author Popovich Anna

Financial author Olga Pikhotskaya

1. Olga
   10/12/2021 at 01:27 How the SIM card is protected from cloning by scammers
   Reply ↓ Olga Pikhotskaya
   10/12/2021 at 03:32

   Olga, hello. The support service clarified that in Tinkoff Mobile one number can only be on one SIM card. It is not possible to use one number from different devices.

   Reply ↓

Impressions from using Tinkoff Mobile

I used the operator's services for a month. I didn’t experience any significant problems with it - the connection and Internet work quite stably. The number transfer also went smoothly - you just had to call the operator additionally and clarify your passport details. I chose a tariff similar to what was connected to MTS - the price was comparable.

I rarely used a virtual card with a phone number balance, since I already have a regular Tinkoff Black one. As an experiment, I linked it to Google Pay and tried to pay with it in a supermarket near my house. The purchase went without any problems - the store calmly accepted the card. But, most likely, I will only use it to more conveniently top up my phone balance.

Later, while working, there was an internet outage. The only way out was to enable traffic distribution on the phone and connect a work computer to its network. To do this, it was enough to just pay - without it, you can only distribute 500 megabytes of traffic. The situation was resolved successfully - the existing package was enough to wait for the problem to be resolved by the provider.

Mobile application Tinkoff Mobile

The mobile application is used to more conveniently manage tariff settings. It is available for iOS and Android devices.

On the main page there is detailed information about the current conditions and phone balance.

In the application you can top up your balance from any bank card. To do this, just enter the replenishment amount, indicate the card details and confirm the operation with an SMS code.

You can change the settings of a particular option at any time. For example, this is what the Internet settings look like:

Call and SMS settings look similar:

When you activate roaming, the application will immediately display the tariffs for the country where you are going to travel.

In the chat you can contact the operator’s support service if any problems arise.

You can also connect a virtual card through the application. It is managed in the main application of Tinkoff Bank.

User reviews

Reviews from users who have connected to the service are mixed. Among the negative aspects, subscribers highlight the lack of a separate website, network outages, and poor Internet. Not all subscribers will be able to use the connection due to their mobile devices. Lots of negative reviews about the support service.

Users include online service as a positive; any transaction can be completed without visiting a point of sale. It is convenient to use a virtual card. Separately, users speak positively about the Tinkoff Mobile application. Its functionality, simplicity and ease of use, and modern design are noted.

Pros and cons of communication from Tinkoff

The offer from the mobile operator Tinkoff looks quite attractive. It has the following advantages:

• You can customize the tariff to suit your needs and choose the packages and options that you really need. If you use your phone only for calls, you can disable SMS and Internet. If you only need the Internet, you can disable all other options. You can change tariffs at any time
• In addition to the main number, you can register a virtual one - it will operate on the same SIM card as the main one. A virtual number can be used in situations where you don’t want to show off your main number - for example, if you need to leave contacts with the sales department. There is no need to pay separate tariffs for this number
• Communication and Internet in roaming are conveniently organized. The fee is debited only during the call process or when the package is activated. There is unlimited messaging for 49 rubles per day. Background updates and file downloads are disabled, and access to Tinkoff applications is always free. There is no internal roaming in Russia - only more expensive tariffs apply in Crimea
• There are no traffic or time restrictions for unlimited Internet packages. Therefore, Tinkoff Mobile is suitable for those who often distribute mobile Internet to other devices or use a SIM card in a modem
• Tinkoff Mobile does not impose any additional services and does not connect paid subscriptions. You yourself will be able to control your tariff and monitor where the money is spent. To connect to the operator it is not necessary to be a client of Tinkoff Bank
• In addition to the SIM card, a free virtual card is provided. It can be used quite freely, just like a regular bank account. She shares a balance with her phone number

The telecom operator has few shortcomings so far, but some may seem quite serious:

• The operator's network of regions of presence is still small. For now, you can order a SIM card only in the Moscow, Leningrad, Volgograd, Samara, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions, Krasnodar Territory, and the republics of Adygea and Mari El. But Tinkoff is constantly expanding its presence network - by 2021 it promises to start working in more than 60 regions of the country
• Even with an unlimited Internet package, Tinkoff blocks access to file-sharing networks, including torrents. Therefore, such an offer may not be suitable for those who use mobile Internet instead of home Internet or together with it
• The Tele2 network has long been known for its instability and frequent failures. In addition, technical problems sometimes arise at Tinkoff Mobile itself. And if the bank quickly corrects the latter, the former may remain without a solution for a long time.
• For now, you can top up your number balance only in the app and only by transfer from a bank card. For greater convenience, it is worth adding alternative replenishment methods, as well as adding tools for managing the number to the general Internet bank

Current promotions when connecting to Tinkoff mobile

In order to attract subscribers and increase interest in the service, the company constantly conducts marketing campaigns. Today, subscribers receive the following additional features:

• 1000 rub. is transferred to the user’s personal account when switching to communication with saving the number, bonuses must be used 50 days in advance;
• When ordering a new number, after depositing funds into the account, the subscriber will be transferred a bonus in the amount of the top-up, up to a maximum of 3,000 rubles . It must be spent on ligature within 25 days;
• Additional bonuses are credited through the “Refer Friends” promotion. From 50 to 1000 bonus rubles can be awarded or free service is provided for a period of 1–6 months, depending on the number of attracted clients.
• When traveling to Europe, you can receive 1 GB of internet as a gift. To do this, after activating the SIM card, you must perform any operation worth at least 200 rubles.

Sources

• Official website of Tinkoff Mobile
• vc.ru: Tinkoff Bank launched a mobile operator with a tariff designer
• Reviews about Tinkoff Mobile

Have you already used the services of Tinkoff Mobile or are you planning to? You can share your opinion about the operator and leave feedback on its offer in the comments.

Recommended for you

• Tinkoff Black card - personal experience of use
• Testing contactless payment with a smartphone using Google Pay

Ellina Baitemirova Content Manager #VZO, is responsible for filling the site with content and updating the information provided. Graduated from KNRTU with a degree in

. Elina has been working in our project since 2021. She actively studies the financial products market and monitors all important changes.

[email protected]

(22 ratings, average: 4.9 out of 5)