Megafon and Yota: which is better to choose as an operator

Comparison of 4G Internet of two operators

The Iota provider confidently entered the market of Internet services and mobile communications, and in a short time it managed to take fourth place among federal operators. Users especially appreciated Yota’s internet offer. This success was partly possible due to the fact that the Megafon company became the owner of Iota and transferred its facilities for use.

As of 2021, Iota and Megafon operate on the same towers, with the exception of a few in the regions. Theoretically, the quality and speed of the Internet should be identical, but according to user observations, there are still differences.

The main differences in the work of operators:

There may be problems with the Iota Internet when traveling outside the area of reliable 4G coverage;
In the regions Megafon works better, in a large city there is not much difference noticed (a comparison of 4G performance in different regions of Moscow is given in the table);
A speed test when operating a 4G and 3G modem showed a reduction in upload speed with an unlimited Yota connection, which slows down the downloading of files. Internet Yota quickly starts downloading the document at high speed, which gradually decreases, and as a result Megafon completes the download faster, despite the fact that it started later.
The Yota operator has speed limits: up to 64 kBit/s when the phone is operating as a modem, up to 32 kBit/s when downloading torrents.

According to the results of research conducted in 2021, the Megafon operator is the leader with the widest coverage area and fourth-generation Internet speed; the unique offer from the provider is 4G+ (up to 300 Mb/s).

The main advantages of Yota:

Internet without roaming throughout Russia;
Possibility to independently select the connection speed, depending on your needs;
Unlimited free traffic with a zero balance at a speed of 64 Kbps.

Mobile connection quality

Yota mobile communications works in the same places as Megafon. They differ in the level of service, cost and range of services provided.

Since the Yota operator is mainly focused on Internet services, and Megafon is, first of all, a mobile operator, users of the latter can take advantage of the following advantages:

It is possible to connect many additional services: Anti-AON, Blacklist, video conference, MegaFon Mail, voice communication using VoLTE technology, connecting an additional city number, personal dial tone, application for learning English, help desk, cloud storage, parental control, children's Internet, Smart control home, antivirus, ticket booking, consultations with a doctor and much more;
Multifunctional mobile application and USSD service;
Advantageous offers for calls abroad;
It is possible to pay for goods and services from a mobile operator account;
Many bonus systems;
A wide network of branded salons and a high level of service;
It is relatively easy to reach an operator, and Iota technical support is carried out mainly through correspondence in chat or in the application.

Yota has its own advantage - the ability to order delivery of an individually designed SIM card over the Internet.

It is also worth noting that some Megafon tariff plans include free communication only within the home region; the rest of Russia is roaming.

Transition online

You can connect to Iota and save your number without leaving your home. To do this you will need to take the necessary steps:

Install the Yota application on your smartphone.
Select a tariff plan in the designer.
Click on the “Order SIM card” button.
Fill out the new subscriber form.
Indicate the need to port the number.
Pay for connection services.

After sending the new subscriber’s questionnaire, Yota’s manager calls back to clarify the data. At a convenient date and time for the client, a courier with documents and a new SIM card is sent to his address. You need to sign the connection documents, keep one copy for yourself, and give the second copy to the courier.

Rates

Many people choose Yota for cheap Internet, lack of domestic roaming and unnecessary package services. Also for the opportunity to independently select a tariff, which allows you to choose the number of minutes and gigabytes for a month, and connect only the necessary services.

Megafon has a very wide range of package offers for every taste: for those who like to talk and write a lot, watch videos, listen to music, active users of the Internet and social networks, who communicate a lot with relatives abroad, for foreign tourists.

For a visual comparison, let’s look at package offers from operators in several price categories:

Cheapest tariff plan:
Iota 320 RUR/30 days – #first: 6 GB, 0 minutes, 0 SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram;
Iota 410 RUR/30 days – individual: 6 GB, 200 minutes, 0 SMS, WhatsApp, Viber.
Tariff for 1000 rub./month:
Iota 980 RUR/30 days – individual: 30 GB, 1000 minutes.

TP “Turn on! Write"

Tariff “Turn on! Write" was created specifically for those who prefer to communicate in text mode, but do not want to spend extra money. For 350 rub./month. subscribers receive 350 local minutes, 200 local SMS, as well as traffic for instant messengers. There is also a small package of regular traffic (only 2 GB) and traffic for mobile TV. A striking drawback is that the tariff does not retain home tariffs when roaming in the Russian Federation.

An ideal tariff plan for people who prefer communication in written (or printed) form. It includes 350 minutes of voice traffic, 200 text messages locally, and basic Internet traffic of 2 GB. There is a full unlimited limit on correspondence in instant messengers and watching television from MegaFon. The sad thing is that the tariff is subject to domestic Russian roaming.

Megafon Yota, tariffs, internet

Mobile operator Yota is a subsidiary of Megafon, and this is one of its main advantages. Megafon-Yota bundle provides users with favorable Internet and communication rates and excellent coverage quality - in fact, LTE traffic goes through Yota base stations, and voice traffic through Megafon. You can choose a suitable tariff for a tablet or smartphone, which will determine the amount of traffic on the fourth generation network. This way you will have the opportunity to use almost unlimited Internet and communicate within the Iota network without restrictions in any region of the Russian Federation.

Yota tariffs for smartphones

Packages for mobile devices are suitable for people who travel to different regions of the Russian Federation and communicate with MTS and Beeline users. It is best to choose one of the tariffs with a constant subscription fee. The offers differ from each other in the volume of voice traffic to the numbers of other mobile operators, which will determine the amount of the monthly fee.

For additional money, you can order a set of SMS messages for a month at a favorable price. At the same time, on all Yota tariffs, incoming calls are completely free even outside the borders of your home region, and the quality of communication is excellent in all corners of Russia.

TP “Turn on! Speak"

Tariff plan “Turn on! Speak” provides a subscription fee of 500 rubles/month. The range of services here is quite limited - 600 minutes of communication within Russia, 3 GB of Internet and unlimited traffic for instant messengers. There is also free unlimited traffic for mobile TV, but without a channel package - you will have to pay for it separately. The tariff works throughout Russia and is aimed at those who rarely use Internet services.

The most limited offer from this series. A subscription fee is charged in the amount of 500 rubles every month. For this you get 600 minutes of voice traffic, 3 GB of Internet for web surfing, downloading files, etc., as well as the ability to communicate unlimitedly in instant messengers. The operator also provides free and unlimited viewing of MegaFon TV, but without a package of channels - you need to buy them separately. Like other variations, TP “Turn on! Speak” operates throughout the Russian Federation and is designed for those who rarely access the Internet.

Internet for tablet

Internet tariffs for tablets from Yota include connection to 3G and 4G networks. The Yota-Tablet tariff is ideal for those who want to get the maximum amount of traffic when using the mobile Internet. Subscribers choose this package for consistently high speed, favorable prices and an unlimited amount of information for downloading in any region of Russia. With it you can download and listen to music and movies online, view pictures in excellent resolution and not worry about limited traffic.

Specific prices for Yota services

Since the beginning of 2021, the cheapest package of mobile operator services costs 400 rubles in the capital region, in others – from 250 rubles. This includes 300 minutes of calls with subscribers of other operators (from 150 minutes in the regions) and from 5 GB of Internet per month. The most expensive package in the capital will cost 2,500 rubles, in the regions – from 2,021 rubles. It includes 5 thousand minutes of voice traffic and immediately 30 GB of traffic in LTE networks. Such tariffs are relevant for new subscribers of a mobile operator, since current users can work on old packages.

The company decided to abandon unlimited Internet for the reason that many users do not use more than 5 GB of traffic per month. At the same time, there are no restrictions on popular instant messengers and social networks - they remain unlimited.

TP “Turn on! Communicate"

Tariff “Turn on! Communicate” is a balanced offer for medium-active subscribers. For only 600 rubles/month. we receive 500 minutes of calls to any phone in the country, both mobile and landline (including local ones), 12 GB of Internet traffic (for any needs), free traffic to mobile TV with the MegaFon package channel , as well as two films from the video archive.

The best option for those subscribers who lead a moderate “mobile” life. The monthly subscription fee is 600 rubles. For this amount we receive 500 minutes of voice traffic in any direction: mobile and landline phones. 12 GB of Internet traffic without restrictions are available, unlimited viewing of mobile television of MegaFon channels, a couple of films from the archive as a bonus.

A pleasant and significant feature is complete unlimited communication on social networks and instant messengers. You can correspond as much as you like on domestic Odnoklassniki and VKontakte, and “not our” Facebook; endlessly send stickers to your friends on Viber, WhatsApp and eMotion. The tariff area is the entire territory of the Russian Federation.

Megafon and Iota - what connects them?

If you were tormented by the question “Is Iota a Megafon or not?” or “Iota from which operator?”, then after reading this article you will know the truth.

The Yota company was founded more than 10 years ago - in 2021, but despite this, the first test launches of this operator’s network were made only a year later - in 2021. At first, subscribers were offered to use WiMax technology, and only then the operator had access to the now so popular LTE technology, also known as 4G.

Today, Yota and Megafon work in collaboration, since the latter is the parent company according to official data. It is also worth noting the fact that Megafon bought Yota in order to take possession not of unique developments, but exclusively of the operator’s frequencies, which by 2021 supported LTE, while most competitors did not have any trace of it. That is, the Iota operator can be classified as virtual rather than real. This is an extremely popular practice in America and large European countries, but it is still new here and it is not known how successfully it will take root, since prices for tariffs are on average 15-20% higher, which is definitely not a reasonable tactic for competing.

As for dividing clients into “yours” and “ours,” this aspect is not practiced by operators. In fact, all services to clients are provided by Megafon, which is why Iota simply cannot compete with the latter, at least for ethical reasons. We also note that Yota subscribers are not allowed to connect to all Megafon base stations, so the quality of communication and Internet connection sometimes leaves much to be desired.

VIP subscribers

Among ordinary subscribers , those who have VIP status stand out . Typically, these are the operator’s clients with particularly large expenses for calls, SMS and the Internet, but who are not an organization. You can find out if you are not part of this circle only by dialing the *700# combination on your MegaFon cellular phone.

What advantages does this position provide?

On call

Since 24-hour help on the short number 0077 is available only from MegaFon , we recommend calling from a different SIM card either to the general toll-free line 8 (800) 5500555, or to a dedicated, but already paid for clients of other communication providers, +7 (926) 1110077. Accelerated contact with VIP group employees will please the owner of the “star” room.

What tower (network) does Iota operate from?

This question is no less popular than the two to which we have already answered above.

So, when it comes to operator coverage, it's pretty simple. Since the LTE coverage area is still very modest, Yota made sure to install as many 2G and 3G cell towers as possible, so that subscribers had the opportunity to simply change the connection mode based on the signal level and its type, but there was no need tie oneself to one place or area.

In addition to Megafon, base stations were provided to the operator by MTS and Rostelecom, but the latter, like Megafon, however, only allowed them to be rented and not purchased, therefore the Yota company had to build its own communications, in addition to using others to provide a better signal level to its customers.

You can view a detailed coverage map to see exactly where LTE, 3G and 2G networks are located on the official Yota website.

Alas, even the operator himself cannot provide clear statistics on the quality of signal and network reception in a particular city. Thus, all potential clients have to rely solely on people’s reviews of the services and try them out personally. In St. Petersburg, for example, subscribers note much higher data transfer speeds than in Moscow.

Megafon and Iota - which is better to choose | Personal experience

For Megafon, Yota is a subsidiary company, but which is better to choose, whose Internet is faster, and whose tariffs are more profitable, let’s figure out which is better: Megafon or Eta!

When conducting a test comparison of operators, we took our personal observations and use experience as a basis. This information is subjective and we do not claim to be the ultimate truth. So below you will find our review of the real comparative use of Yota or Megafon, which is better for you to decide. After all, many still think that Iota is Megafon or not? Go!

How to go to Yota leaving a number through the official website

Using official representation when registering or concluding contracts with providers is a very correct decision. It is there that you can find the latest information and take the right steps that will help you quickly start using services with an old but favorite phone number. The amount for the service is usually 300 rubles, but they do not disappear forever and remain on the balance of your number.

embed]https://www.youtube.com/embed/-3c1mA5MZno[/embed]

Sources:

https://yotazone.ru/kak-perejti-s-megafona/
https://operator-y.ru/perehod-na-yotu-s-sohraneniem-nomera.html
https://yota-faq.ru/bystro-perejti-na-yota-so-svoim-nomerom-cherez-internet/
https://yota-faq.ru/perejti-v-yota-i-sohranit-nomer-mts-megafon-tele2-beeline/

Tariffs: basis of choice

Getting to know the operators began as usual with choosing a suitable tariff. In both cases, tariffs are presented in the form of package offers that provide a certain set of minutes, gigabytes and additional features.

To begin with, we decided to consider the most budget options, setting all the settings to the minimum, we got the following values:

Iota - 250 minutes and 1 gigabyte of Internet for 250 rubles. Messages are charged separately, and you don’t have to think about unlimited applications.
Megafon - 400 minutes, 6 gigabytes, 100 SMS, unlimited Viber, WhatsApp and eMotion for 300 rubles.

“Megaphone is more profitable!” We thought so too, but everything turned out a little differently. The tariff setting itself on Eta is much more subtle. We don't need Viber and WhatsApp, we communicate on Telegram. Unlimited messages can be activated for only 50 rubles per month. And unlimited access to YouTube in Megafon is only on a tariff of 1000 (one thousand Karl!!!) rubles per month. On Yota, you can simply connect Youtube for 60 rubles per month.

By the way, we have prepared a special article about the history and prospects of the Yota company

Having configured the tariff according to our needs, we received the following:

Iota - 250 minutes, 5 gigabytes, unlimited VK, Instagram, Youtube, Telegram for 390 rubles.
Megafon - 600 minutes, 12 gigabytes, WhatsApp, Viber, music services for 500 rubles.

Telegram on Megafon is basically not on the list of unlimited applications, so we tried to get by with 12 gigabytes of traffic for a month.

Summing up

After several weeks of testing two operators, we came to the following conclusion:

Iota

Pros:

Fine-tuning the tariff;
Convenient connection;
Mobile application with built-in chat.

Minuses:

Interruptions in Internet connection (only on the periphery);
It's quite difficult to reach customer support.

Megaphone

pros

Stable Internet;
Excellent level of service in branded salons;
Multifunctional application;
Availability of bonus points;
Prompt technical support.

Minuses

Expensive tariffs;
Lack of ability to choose the apps you need for unlimited access.

Summarizing all of the above, we can say that we gave our preference to Yota. This is not surprising to read on a fan site about the operator, but judge for yourself. We were able to choose and pay for exactly the services we needed. Unlike Yota, Megafon offered us only 12 gigabytes of traffic, which can be uploaded to Youtube in a couple of weeks, and the absence of Telegram in the list of unlimited offers from Megafon is simply beyond good and evil =)

Internet

Everything here is quite trivial - Iota uses the power of Megafon. However, during use we encountered one peculiarity. When leaving the zone of reliable 4g coverage on Iota, the Internet periodically disappeared, although a second before that the signal was stable. This was not observed on Megafon. Speed tests are a rather pointless exercise; all this is quite arbitrary and depends on many factors. According to personal feelings, in a large city, in an area of reliable 4G coverage, operators performed equally well. But on the periphery Megafon proved to be more stable.

Mobile applications

Both operators provide convenient and functional solutions. We prepared a review of the proprietary application from Yota earlier. A special feature of Megafon’s service is the presence of a points system, which are awarded depending on communication costs. However, in order to fully appreciate the advantages of their use, they can only be assessed after several months of stable use.

Both applications allow you to:

Top up your balance;
Track your balance;
Change the tariff and find out your own number.

We found the application from Yota a little simpler and more concise, which in turn does not detract from the capabilities and convenience of the solution from Megafon.

Points of sale and technical support

The communication with operators began with the issuance of SIM cards. And the first feature was that on Yota you can order delivery of a SIM card to your home or office. Well, the attempt to justify the status of the first virtual operator is valid. To connect to Megafon, I had to go to a communication store, which, on the other hand, revealed another feature - a Megafon store is much easier to find than Iota.

For the sake of testing communication with technical support, we decided to call both operators on the hotline.

We managed to get to a live operator on Megafon in 4 minutes. A nice girl answered us, who clearly and promptly gave all the information we needed.

It turned out to be more difficult to reach Iota; we managed to contact a technical support specialist only after 12 minutes. The young man answered all our questions clearly and concisely.

However, Yota has another convenient option for communicating with an operator - a built-in chat in the mobile application. We asked a question there and received an answer within a couple of minutes. It's really convenient!

Transition conditions

To switch to Yota from Megafon, keeping your number, you must fulfill some connection conditions:

Pay off the debt to Megafon. If there is a negative balance on the number's account, the transfer will not take place.
Be the owner of the mobile number. If the contract with Megafon is concluded for another person, the application will be rejected. Only its owner can port a number.
Pay a commission. In 2021, the cost of the number preservation service is 300 rubles. The amount must be credited to the balance of the new Yota SIM card.
Transfer is allowed within the same region. For example, in Moscow you cannot port a number registered in Kazan.
Before the transition, the old SIM card should not leave the home region for 60 days. This limitation is due to the peculiarities of the operator's database.

Transferring information between databases of different operators takes up to 2 weeks. There are known cases when the number was transferred faster. Until the transfer is completed, the SIM card will be inactive. When the process is completed, the owner of the SIM card will receive a notification via SMS. After this, he will be able to use the capabilities of Yota, keeping the number that was issued by Megafon.