The Republic of Crimea is not recognized as Russian territory by most world powers. Organizations operating on its territory are subject to international sanctions. For this reason, you will not find any of the “Big Four” Russian cellular companies on the peninsula: MTS, Beeline, Megafon and Tele2.
On the peninsula, Russian cellular companies attract resources from local providers. Regional operators, in turn, have developed cellular communications offers in 2021 with the ability to call Russia and use social networks.
What cellular communications work in Crimea in 2021?
To this day, Crimea experiences certain difficulties with cellular communications . Crimeans mainly use the services of local operators : STS, Win Mobile, Krymtelecom and Volna.
Or MTS Kuban. Beeline, Megafon, MTS and Tele-2, well known on the Russian mainland, are not officially represented in Crimea due to sanctions imposed on the peninsula by the West.
For the same reason, there are difficulties with accessing Apple and Google services.
Internet in Crimea on MTS
In order to be able to use mobile Internet in Crimea, your phone must allow data transfer while roaming. You can check and allow Internet access in your phone settings.
Apple iOS : Settings -> Cellular -> Data Options -> Data Roaming (On)
Android : Settings -> Connections -> Mobile networks -> Data roaming (On)
When registering in the network of any mobile operator, you can connect to the Internet in Crimea without additional tariff plan settings. But if you want to use it on the most favorable terms, choose the most suitable tariff and options - their capabilities and characteristics are described earlier.
If you do not plan to use the Internet in Crimea, you can turn it off . In order to avoid unexpected expenses, you need to block data transfer while roaming in your phone settings and disable all Internet options so that you will not be charged a subscription fee for them.
Mobile Internet - tariffs and costs
Krymtelecom
The communications company offers a number of tariff plans that differ in the volume of traffic : Internet without restrictions - 400 ₽/month. , Internet packages – from 5 ₽/day. up to 500 ₽/month .
WinMobile
- Using the “Online” tariff plan, subscribers have access to packages starting from 3GB of traffic or unlimited use. The subscription fee ranges from 100 ₽ to 800 ₽.
- Unlimited traffic is also available on the ProSto tariff. The tariff fee ranges from 100 ₽ to 800 ₽/week.
Wave mobile
Some tariff plans provide for unlimited use of social networks and instant messengers and unlimited Internet traffic - from 150 ₽/month.
STS
STS offers tariffs with different traffic volumes - from 3GB/month. up to 30GB/month . “Radio Nanny” tariff plan provides unlimited Internet (speed – 64Kb). The cost of service is up to 400 ₽/month.
Krymtelecom
Krymtelecom subscribers can choose a convenient tariff plan with the required amount of traffic. The cost of service ranges from 1MB for 5 ₽ to 25GB/month.
How is SIPNET different from telephone communication?
The main difference between SIPNET and telephone communication is that here each call can be serviced by several VoIP operators. They all offer their own conditions - different call costs and connection quality. We guarantee you the best quality of communication at an affordable price, because for each call SIPNET automatically selects the operator offering the optimal conditions.
But this is just the beginning of the features of SIPNET - we offer our users many advantages over regular telephone communications and other types of Internet telephony.
Tariffs of leading operators
MTS Crimea
Connection to MTS in Crimea is carried out according to Russian tariff plans with the involvement of a roaming partner .
- We described in detail everything about the work of the MTS operator in Crimea here.
Super MTS
Under the terms of the TP, unlimited on-net calls and calls to phones in your home region are available (with the “Everything is super” or “Everything is super+” options) , traffic in the amount of 100MB/day. or 3GB/month.
On-net calls within the Russian Federation – 3.90 RUR/min. , to numbers of other telecom operators on the peninsula – 1.40 ₽. Without connecting options, the fee is 0 ₽/day, with connection – from 9.8 ₽/day .
Smart
Smart is a starting TP with a minimum package of services : 5GB, 250 minutes and 250 SMS. Calls to numbers of other mobile operators in the Russian Federation – 6.30 ₽. The fee is 470 ₽.
Tariff
TP includes 700 minutes and 700 SMS to all Russian networks , 50GB of traffic. The cost of service is 680 ₽/month.
Smart Unlimited
Every month, users are provided with unlimited intranet, 300 minutes to peninsula operator numbers, 300 SMS and 10GB of traffic. The cost of service is 500 ₽/month.
ULTRA
The tariff for those who really communicate a lot includes large communication packages : 5000 minutes and 5000 messages to all Russian numbers, unlimited traffic with the “Lots of Internet” option. Fee – 2900 ₽/month.
WinMobile
Win Mobile has been operating in the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol since 2014.
Online
The tariff is suitable for active Internet users , who can independently choose the amount of traffic they need: 3GB, 10GB, 25GB, 50GB or unlimited. Depending on this, the fee ranges from 100 ₽ to 800 ₽/month.
The cost of on-net calls and SMS and calls to numbers of local operators is 3 ₽/min , to numbers of other Russian operators – 5 ₽/min, SMS within the Russian Federation – 3 ₽.
Just
The weekly service package includes unlimited on-net calls and SMS, calls within the Russian Federation (your choice of 100, 150 or 200 minutes), an SMS package (100, 150 or 200 pcs.), unlimited traffic. The cost of service is from 100 ₽ to 180 ₽/week .
Freedom of communication NEW
The package includes unlimited intranet calls , 100 minutes for calls to numbers of Crimean operators and 200 MB of traffic daily. The cost of service is 4 ₽/day.
MegaHit
The service package includes 15 GB of traffic, calls and SMS within the network, calls to local operator numbers without restrictions, 100 minutes for calls within the Russian Federation and unlimited traffic in instant messengers and social networks. The cost of service is 300 ₽/month .
Premium
The monthly package of communication services includes calls and SMS within the network without restrictions , calls to Russian numbers and calls while roaming within the Russian Federation in the amount of 1000 minutes, unlimited traffic. The cost of service is 1000 ₽/month .
Wave mobile
The operator began operating in Crimea in June 2016. Communication standard: 2G, 3G, 4G. The coverage area is almost the same as that of Win mobile.
Sea of communication
TP “Sea of Communication” includes calls and short messages, use of instant messengers, social networks, the Yandex.Maps service without restrictions , 600 min./month. or 24 min./day. calls to local numbers, 25 GB of traffic per month or 1 GB/day. The monthly fee is 300 ₽ , the daily fee is 12 ₽ .
Space
The tariff provides unlimited on-net calls and SMS within Russia, unlimited traffic. The fee is from 450 ₽ / month. or from 18 ₽ / day.
Resort
Subscribers are offered calls to Russian numbers, calls and SMS within the network, traffic without restrictions . The fee for the first 2 weeks is 420 ₽ .
Sun
A profitable option for those who rarely use communication services . Calls within the network and calls to numbers of local operators with the “Heat” option activated - 0 ₽, without it - from 0.50 ₽ to 2 ₽.
Subscribers are also offered 200MB of Internet traffic with the “Heat” option , without the option - 1 ₽ per 1MB. The cost of SMS is from 1 ₽.
There is no subscription fee for the tariff. The fee for using the “Heat” option is 4 ₽/day.
Wind
The tariff is suitable for active users of the World Wide Web . The service package includes from 20GB of traffic per month or from 800 MB per day. The subscription fee varies from 300 ₽ or 12 ₽ respectively.
STS (ex-SevMobile)
STS is the first urban mobile operator in Sevastopol . Coverage area - Sevastopol and the nearest settlements.
Easy
The tariff provides unlimited calls and SMS within the network , 300 minutes for calls from all operators in the country, 240.3 GB of traffic. The monthly fee is 150 ₽ .
Comfortable
Subscribers have access to unlimited calls and SMS within the network , 500 minutes and 250 SMS to all mobile numbers throughout the country and 5 GB of traffic. Subscription fee – 220 ₽ / month.
Bright
Users have access to unlimited calls and SMS within the network , 750 minutes and 250 SMS to all mobile numbers throughout the country and 15 GB of traffic. The cost of service is 400 ₽ / month.
Youth
According to the terms of the tariff, internal calls are provided without restrictions , 200 minutes for calls to numbers of any Russian operators, 30GB of traffic. The cost of maintenance is 300/month.
My internet 8
The tariff provides unlimited calls and SMS within the network , 8GB of Internet traffic at speeds of up to 64 Kbps. It is possible to increase traffic up to 2GB. Outgoing calls to numbers of other operators – from 1.50 ₽/min., SMS – from 2 ₽. Fee – 200 ₽/month.
My Internet 20
The tariff includes 20GB of mobile Internet . The cost of outgoing calls and SMS to STS mobile numbers is 0 ₽, calls to numbers of other operators are from 1.50 ₽. The tariff fee is 400 ₽/month.
My internet is unlimited
The tariff provides unlimited calls and SMS within the network, unlimited Internet traffic. The fee is 900 ₽/month.
Krymtelecom
The operator provides communication services on favorable terms. Communication standard – 2G, 3G. The coverage is quite weak , 3G is present only in large populated areas.
Super HIT
Within the tariff, 60 minutes of on-net calls are available daily . Calls to numbers of other operators - from 1.30 ₽, SMS - from 0.70 ₽. There is no subscription fee.
Universal
The tariff provides unlimited calls within the network , an unlimited number of SMS and 150 minutes to numbers of other operators and 25GB of traffic. The cost of service is 200 ₽/month.
My Crimea
The tariff includes 30 minutes for daily on-net calls . Calls to numbers of other operators are charged at RUB 1.50. There is no subscription fee.
Contact
The tariff provides unlimited calls within the network , 100 SMS, 5GB of traffic. The fee is 150 ₽/month.
Super Contact
Subscribers are provided with unlimited calls within the network , 300 SMS, 12GB of traffic.
The cost of service is 300 ₽/month.
Why do you have to pay several times more for cellular services in Crimea than in the rest of Russia?
MTS subscribers in Crimea and Sevastopol will soon pay many times more for communication services. Crimeans themselves cannot change the operator - due to sanctions, operators do not enter Crimea. So the last, or rather the first and only operator of the “Big Three” (Megafon, Beeline, MTS), providing mobile communications in Crimea - MTS - has pricked up its skis from there. What should MTS subscribers do now, and why should Russians suffer at all?
Left side
When Crimea returned to Russia, providing the population with mobile communications became one of the priority issues of the Crimean government. Until August 2014, Ukrainian operators UMC and Kyivstar were still operating on the peninsula, and residents of Crimea were offered to switch to Russian MTS. But already on August 7, 2014, Crimean mobile phones with Ukrainian numbers went completely silent. The queues for MTS SIM cards were huge. Those who did not manage to buy such a SIM card in time were left without communication. Many who did not bother to change their number to Russian MTS in time lost the necessary contacts. “ If we managed to call relatives and friends and exchange new numbers, then the phone numbers of plumbers, electricians and other craftsmen disappeared, and then we had to look for many again
“recalls Crimean Lilia Grigorieva. Then everything somehow settled down. And although the quality of mobile communications was much inferior to what Crimeans had under Ukraine, there was still no choice. Due to sanctions, none of the Russian operators, except MTS, entered Crimea. Yes, and MTS somehow went on the left side - they were also, apparently, afraid of sanctions. Therefore, Crimeans (read: Russians) have already become accustomed to the lack of mobile phone shops and to the responses of the MTS operator when they tried to complain about poor-quality communication through the support phone. Approximately in the vein that they are not in business, mobile communications in Crimea are supposedly provided by local operators, and MTS, not having its own infrastructure, acts on the basis of agreements with Crimean operators for the right to connect subscribers to local networks.
Let's take them by storm
In the summer of 2021, MTS announced an increase in tariffs for Crimean subscribers. Users received an SMS with information that the “Super MTS” tariff, in force on the peninsula since 2014 (subscribers were initially provided with 20 free minutes a day, and later 15), was being abolished, and they would need to switch to another, much more unfavorable tariff . The Crimeans were alarmed - with such low quality of communication, should they still pay? The connection is interrupted, subscribers have difficulty hearing each other, in some places, in order to make a call, you have to go out onto the balcony or lean out of the window, and you also have to pay more! Citizens began to be loudly indignant, some verbally, some on social networks.
Sergei Aksenov responded to the complaints
, promising to complain to the president himself and storm the MTS office:
“If they did this only for Crimea, we will defeat them.
We will defeat both. I will go to the head of state, I am sure he will support us in this situation. Let's find out who these smart guys are who decided to punish Crimea and why. Believe me, I’ll show up at their central office and we’ll talk. Have you decided to force the Crimeans into strict demands? MTS? We’ll storm their office, don’t worry!” Later, some will call this entire failed campaign to increase MTS tariffs a PR campaign by Aksenov himself, they say he and his entourage planned this move in order to then come out all in white and save dear Crimeans from MTS.
On this topic
1754
The Moscow Housing Inspectorate obliged residents to return illegally charged fees for services
Excess charges in payment documents can be disputed by contacting the Moscow Housing Inspectorate. The owners of apartments in several buildings in the Andersen residential complex have achieved a recalculation of payments for additional services.
Have you sharpened your skis?
The residents did not rejoice at Aksenov’s intercession for long. Already last fall, rumors began to spread that MTS would leave Crimea altogether. In addition, Crimean subscribers began to cut the speed on their tariffs to 512 kbit/s. Minister of Information Policy, Information and Communications of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Zyryanov
At first he reassured the Crimeans, saying that these were just rumors. However, later, he announced the existence of a working group that, at the federal level, is considering the issue of changing the regulatory framework with the aim of introducing a cell number portability (MNP) mechanism on the peninsula. The minister admitted that he himself would like to use the services of local mobile operators, keeping his phone number, which he bought back in 2014.
Tourists don’t go to Crimea, go better to Antarctica
As soon as the New Year holidays died down, subscribers began to receive SMS from MTS with the following content: “Dear customer! From January 30, 2020, some parameters of your tariff and a number of options will be adjusted. Please note that the options in the “Russia Home Package” line will only work in the MTS network.”
.
That is, the options “Home package Russia” and “Home package Russia +” in the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, where MTS is not officially present (that is, there is no MTS network there), will cease to operate. And this actually means turning on roaming for visitors. How this is consistent with Federal Law No. 527-FZ of December 27, 2021 “On Amendments to Articles 46 and 54 of the Federal Law “On Communications,” according to which national roaming has been abolished in Russia, is not very clear. The then Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev
signed a decree abolishing roaming throughout the country. Now, starting from June 1, Russia has uniform tariffs for calls in all its constituent entities, including outside the home region. In addition, incoming calls for subscribers located in Crimea were to be completely free.
But, apparently, the laws of the country for cellular operators are not at all a decree. Profit is more important, so they came up with a cunning move. Instead of canceled packages, MTS offers tourists a service called “Easy Vacation.” It costs 50 rubles per day. This is in contrast to 100 rubles per month, which the subscriber paid under the “Russia Home Package” tariff. That is, if, say, a vacationer’s vacation lasts an average of 10 days, then using the services in the Crimea and Sevastopol will cost him 500 rubles. In contrast to 100 rubles at the previous rate. Profitable, isn't it?
What about the Crimeans?
There is MTS even in Antarctica, but now it will not be in Crimea.
One can only sympathize with the Crimeans; they already have a lot of problems because of the sanctions. Monopolists who dare to do business in Crimea are becoming bolder. After all, neither banks nor large firms come here. And then there’s mobile communications. From January 1, 2021, all SIM cards for Crimeans and Sevastopol residents began to be serviced by local operators. It was reported that this is being done supposedly for the benefit and to support regional operators, who will now not depend on MTS, earn money from their subscribers and independently modernize their stations. They promise that for the convenience of Crimeans they will be able to keep their numbers with code 978; although the “Super MTS” tariff will change its name, it will retain its current conditions. As we know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
What should I add to my tariff when coming to Crimea?
significantly reduce the cost of communication services while traveling using additional options offered by operators.
On MTS
Some MTS tariffs allow you to connect additional options. Thus, the “VNetwork” option implies unlimited use of social networks and instant messengers.
The cost of the service is 0 ₽ for the tariff plans “Tariffische”, “My Unlimited”, “My Smart” and “Smart Zabugorishche”), 4.2 ₽ for the rest.
For short trips within the Russian Federation, the “Home Package+” option , which expands the coverage area of the tariff and allows you to spend free minutes, SMS and traffic provided for it. With the option, communication services in roaming are available at home region prices. Fee – 104 ₽/day.
On Megafon
- Full information about the work of the MegaFon operator in Crimea is in this article.
With the “Worry-Free Vacation” , users have access to 60 minutes of domestic calls and 100MB of Internet every day. The cost of service is 99 ₽/day.
On Beeline
- All the important nuances of Beeline’s work on the peninsula are here.
Beeline subscribers can save money when traveling by connecting instead of unlimited traffic (249 ₽/day) to a 100MB package for 99 ₽/day.
On Tele2
- The terms and tariffs of Tele2 in Crimea were revealed by the editors of krym.in as much as possible here.
Users are recommended to connect, with which the cost of 1MB of traffic is 6 ₽/day.
On Yota
The Yota operator allows you to fully customize the tariff to the needs of the subscriber using the tariff designer , available in the official application or personal account on the website.
How can I clarify my tariff plan?
- You can clarify the terms of service by using the USSD command *110*05# . After typing the command, the subscriber will receive a message indicating the name of the current tariff.
- The combination *110*09 # allows you to find out what additional options are connected.
- check your tariff plan using the convenient “My Beeline” application in the corresponding “Current TP” section, or in your personal account.
To summarize - the best cellular communication in Crimea
- The largest operator is MTS , which offers subscribers communication services in national roaming on relatively favorable terms.
- The second most important is Win Mobile , the first operator to place its communicators on the peninsula.
- The top three is closed by Tele2 with low cost of calls within the Russian Federation. The company is followed by Beeline and Megafon.
I'm going to Crimea, which operator should I choose? Experienced tourists recommend purchasing a “local” SIM card in order to always stay in touch. According to reviews from travelers, MTS works well in Crimea.
What is roaming in Crimea? Mobile operators of the so-called “Big Four” (MTS, Beeline, Tele2 and Megafon) entered into agreements with local companies that connected subscribers from Crimea. All subscribers coming from the mainland are actually served by local operators using their equipment. The cost of services will not change in any way.
How to call Crimea from a city landline?
Related news
The State Council of Crimea nationalized the Ukrtelecom branch. Rostelecom has not yet transferred the Crimean peninsula to long-distance calls. Therefore, if this operator provides you with international communications, to call Crimea you will need to dial:
8 (beep) 10 380 652 and telephone number. The cost of the call, according to the international tariff plan, will be from 6.30 rubles per minute.
In September 2014, Sevastopol switched to the Russian telephone numbering plan. To reach the city, you need to dial (+7) 8692.
Operator Megafon
The “tariff-on-tariff” system in Crimea is also used by the second most popular operator, TC Megafon. Phones with Megafon cards are automatically connected to roaming from Crimea. In addition to the regular subscription fee, you will pay for the following services:
- 3 ₽ — per minute of outgoing call;
- 2 ₽ — per sent SMS message;
- 2.20 ₽ - per megabyte of Internet.
Somewhat more profitable is a special option for vacationers in Crimea, which the operator called “Vacation without worries.” It connects through your personal account and works only on the peninsula. The daily subscription fee (99 ₽) includes an hour of free outgoing calls and 100 megabytes of Internet traffic. If you exceed this limit, the normal roaming conditions that you saw above are triggered.
Megafon does not have its own radio relay stations in Crimea. The telecommunications company, fearing international sanctions, does not invest in equipment and conducts roaming through existing K-Telecom (Win Mobile) and Krymtelecom towers. The quality of voice communication and Internet speed depend on your location in Crimea. Therefore, Russians can only count on LTE coverage in a few cities:
- Simferopol;
- Sevastopol (not all areas);
- Kerch.
In most resort villages of Crimea (excluding mountains, sparsely populated areas of the east coast, the Kerch Peninsula) GSM coverage works stably. But Internet users can only hope for 3G speed in the cities of the South Coast.
How to activate roaming?
Communication services are available to all subscribers initially and there is no need to connect anything additional - upon entering the territory of the peninsula, the phone will automatically register in the K-Telecom network. Depending on the phone model, the network name on the screen will display “WIN” or “25032” instead of “Beeline”.
If registration does not take place automatically, you will need to turn off and turn on the phone or register in the operator’s network manually. To do this, select one of the above from the list of available networks.
