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

Personal Area

On June 4, 2021, Tinkoff Mobile subscribers were able to use their personal account on a PC. In it, customers of the mobile operator can manage the tariff and view the necessary information.

The user can log into his personal account without a password. To do this, you need to enter your phone number and wait for an SMS message with a one-time code. After entering the resulting set of characters, you enter the main page of your account.

Main functions of LC:

1. Possibility of replenishing your account. Bank cards MIR, Masstercard, VISA are accepted for payment. You can receive a payment receipt by email; to do this, you must indicate the address when replenishing your account.
2. View your account status. The balance is shown at the top of the page. There you can also find out about the number of points (1 point = 1 rub.).
3. Ability to view information about upcoming write-offs. The subscriber can familiarize himself in advance with the amount and the service for which it will be charged in the next 30 days.
4. Visibility of service balances. In your personal account you can see the number of unused gigabytes and minutes.

Another convenient feature of your personal account is the ability to configure; you can change the tariff by clicking on the corresponding button. All information is publicly available. Therefore, the subscriber sees what and how much he pays.

Application

In the same way, you can enter your personal account through a special mobile application, which you need to download to your smartphone and select the option “I am already a Tinkoff Mobile client.”

For Android.

For iPhone.

In the mobile application, the subscriber can set up a tariff, view the remaining packages, and see upcoming charges. It is also possible to order invoice details. To do this, you need to enter the support chat, specify the detail period and email address. The report will arrive in the next few minutes. The service is provided free of charge.

In the “Events” column, a mobile operator client can view mini-details - a log of SMS sending, expenses and account top-ups.

In the application, the subscriber has the opportunity to link a bank card, set up automatic payment so as not to miss the deadline for replenishment and renewal of services, and add another number.

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.

How to get free minutes

Tinkoff Bank cardholders can get 600 minutes for calls within Russia. To participate in the promotion, fulfill the following conditions:

1. In the “Settings” section of the Tinkoff Mobile application, find and activate the “Free Minutes” promotion.
2. Select the debit or credit card that will be used to calculate your expenses.
3. Set up auto payment.
4. Pay monthly with your linked card for purchases in stores worth more than 10,000 rubles.

If these conditions are met, you can call Russian numbers for free for the next month.

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.

How to activate a tinkoff mobile SIM card

You can activate the SIM card in the store where it will be purchased, either with a representative of the telecom operator Tinkof Mobile, or independently.

The easiest way is to submit an application on the operator’s official website or in a special application. The necessary software is available for Android holders on Google Play and in the AppStore for iOS holders. After the application, the SIM card will be delivered by a courier, who will help with activation.

To activate the SIM card yourself, you also need to download the application, remove the SIM card from the package, and prepare a bank card to top up your account. Then you need to:

1. Insert the SIM card into the smartphone. You need to choose the appropriate size for your slot (nano, micro, mini). If there are two slots, it is better to install the Tinkoff Mobile SIM card in the first slot. Typically, it supports LTE or 3G connectivity.
2. Download the Tinkoff Mobile application on Google Play or App Store. Suitable for operating systems Android 4.1 and higher, as well as at least iOS 10. An Internet connection will be available for downloading even if the tariff package is not connected. The operator gives 100 MB for free.
3. Run the program.
4. Enter your phone number in the required field (listed on the SIM card packaging).
5. Wait for the SMS message.
6. Enter the one-time activation code.

After this, the SIM card will be activated. The subscriber will only have to set up a tariff plan. This can also be done in the application.

Tinkoff Mobile is a growing operator that makes communication accessible. The mobile network has good coverage throughout Russia, and subscribers always see what they are paying for. The operator does not have hidden subscriptions or imposed services; the client himself chooses which options to connect to. And then you always have the opportunity to disable an unnecessary service or change the tariff to a more convenient one.

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.

Tariffs in Moscow and St. Petersburg

The company offers residents of Moscow and the Moscow region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region the following tariffs, the price varies depending on the choice of a package with minutes and Internet or separately.

For example, 200 minutes separately will cost 249 rubles. , and in a package with 4 GB of Internet the price per package is 348 rubles.

The price will vary depending on the packages selected. Step 200 minutes – 50 rubles. Unlimited minutes 1099 rub. Internet traffic 4 GB – 99 rub. , 8 GB. – 179 rub. , 15 GB – 249 rub. , 25 GB -329 rub. , unlimited - 899 RUR.

• SMS – 2.9 rub. or a package of unlimited messages for 49 rubles. per month;
• video services – 159 rubles;
• music, social networks, instant messengers – 59 rubles. for each service.

Completely unlimited communication and mobile Internet will cost 1998 rubles. if you connect unlimited Internet distribution, modem mode is another + 499 RUR.

When you connect to unlimited Internet, social networks, video services, instant messengers and music are not paid separately.

The calculator displays the price based on the use of mobile services during the month.

The low cost of services is due to the fact that the provider does not have its own towers. The operator does not pay the costs of necessary communications. Tinkoff Mobile is based on partner towers that already have the technical capabilities and capacity.

Tinkoff Mobile is one of the largest virtual operators in the country. It is located at the communication stations of the Tele2 operator, so stable network coverage is present in most of Russia.

Tinkoff does not plan to install its own towers. There are several reasons for this:

1. Increase in the cost of services due to expenses for equipment and maintenance.
2. Sufficient quality of coverage using rented towers.
3. The ability to quickly expand the coverage area following the Tele2 operator, which over 10 years has built up a large network of towers operating according to the 4G standard.

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

Top up your balance

Ways to top up your personal account for free:

1. Personal account on the website and mobile application, indicating bank card details or using the Google Pay service.
2. Automatic payment in your online bank.
3. Tinkoff Internet Bank or its mobile version.
4. Tinkoff ATMs.
5. Sberbank Online.
6. Yandex money.

When choosing one of these methods, there is a limit on the payment amount: the minimum you can deposit is 10 rubles, the maximum is 15,000.

Commissions

When replenishing the balance through communication shops, self-service terminals, Internet banking of credit institutions, WebMoney and QIWI payment systems, a commission is charged. The cost of the transfer will be from 0.8 to 10% depending on the chosen method. Before replenishing your personal account, it is recommended to clarify the minimum and maximum amount limits. For example, in Svyaznoy you can put at least 300 rubles on your phone.

Subscribers who received a SIM card before June 2021 could take part in the promotion and receive a bonus in the amount of 100% of the first top-up amount.

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.

Hotline

The Tinkoff Mobile hotline helps resolve issues related to customer service.

Official support number:

8

.

You can contact the operator free of charge for all mobile operators and for landline phones, but making a call is possible only in the Russian Federation.

To call an operator from a Tinkoff Mobile SIM card, you need to enter a short number - 995 - and click “call”.

When dialing a hotline number, the subscriber will not hear a voice menu. The customer who calls is greeted by an automatic message warning that a technical support representative will contact him shortly. This is followed by the call being put on hold until the first available operator gets in touch.

• For subscribers who are not in Russia, the operator has created a direct telephone number that allows them to contact the call center: +7.
• – E-mail;
• On social networks it is possible to obtain information of interest through the technical support community on VKontakte https://vk.com/tinkoffbank
• You can also ask a question in the chat of the mobile application.

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

Cellular coverage area

As a virtual operator, Tinkoff Mobile uses Tele2 equipment and frequencies, providing Internet access and telephony services under its brand. In regions where other operators operate, but Tele2 does not, subscribers connect to the towers of other mobile phones, Megafon, etc.

At the beginning of 2021, residents of 53 Russian regions could connect to the operator. When traveling around the world, subscribers can use communications in any country. You can check the availability of a connection in a certain subject using the link tinkoff.ru/mobile-operator/coverage.

Tinkoff Mobile coverage map.

To view the supported standards and signal quality for a specific locality, enter its name in the search bar.

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)