Mobile communications in Armenia: how to choose a profitable tariff plan

When going to Armenia, almost every tourist, while still in Russia, thinks about constantly staying in touch in another part of the world, and so as not to go broke on the services of his provider. Mobile communications in Armenia are represented by optimal conditions for tourists and an inexpensive exchange rate of the national currency. There are three popular mobile companies operating here, offering good conditions, plus you can use roaming services from Russian operators.

Call mobile phones of any operators

With SIPNET you can call numbers served by any telephone operator. We offer favorable rates for calls to subscribers of ArmenTel, Orange, VivaCell, etc. - you can find out the cost of a call on this page. Prices are indicated for one minute of connection, calls are charged per second.

Do you need to call a mobile phone from another operator? SIPNET offers the most favorable rates for calls to subscribers:

• MTS;
• Megaphone;
• Beeline;
• Kyivstar;
• Life;
• Tele 2.

Mobile Internet and Wi-Fi in Armenia

If the Internet is more important to you when visiting Armenia than calls and SMS, then you should select an operator and its services based on the quality of the connection and the volume of traffic provided.

The mobile operator VivaCell MTS provides three tariffs, within which they provide from 1 to 10 GB at a cost of 1.5 to 5 thousand drams. The Beeline provider provides 4 tariffs with Internet in volumes from 1.5 to 3 GB at a cost of 99 to 3500 drams. And finally, Orange is ready to provide subscribers with Internet in volumes from 100 MB to 3 GB at a price from 1000 to 3000 drams.

Now you need to decide for what purposes you use the Internet. If you use messengers, it means that little traffic is spent, and you can choose the Orange or MTS operator, which just has complete unlimited use of messengers. If you are on social media. networks or viewing mail and just surfing websites, choose the provider Beeline or Orange. If you need to listen to audio or watch videos and films, you will need more Internet, which means you should give preference to the MTS operator, which is ready to give its subscribers up to 10 GB.

If you spend most of your time abroad in various establishments, and you do not need the Internet while traveling, then you should not bother choosing an operator based on the “Internet” criterion. Take advantage of wi-fi services, which are available in every city in the country, and are absolutely free for visitors to some establishments.

Wi-fi is available in almost every hotel or inn, as well as in some restaurants, cafes and other places that are popular among tourists. The speed here is very good, although it is a little slower than in Russia, but you can watch video and listen to audio without any problems.

How to call Armenia?

SIPNET opens up wide opportunities for every client. With us you can make cheap calls to Armenia in any way convenient for you:

• Calls from the browser. There is no need to download or install anything - all registered users can make calls directly from the browser. Just dial the number of the person you are calling;
• Calls from a smartphone. Install the NetCall application and make calls even if there is no Internet on your phone! The application works on all common mobile operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows Phone, etc.), and making calls using it is as easy as using the standard interface of your phone;
• Calls via computer application. Sippoint offers the widest functionality for SIPNET users. Using it, you can not only make cheap calls, but also record telephone conversations, send text messages and manage contacts, as well as conduct conversations using Secure Transfer Protocol (SRTP);
• SMS call. Are you roaming and need to call another country or city? Use a SIM card from any operator and send an SMS with the number of the subscriber you need to call - we will connect you in a couple of seconds.

Cellular operators in Armenia

Cellular operators in Armenia operate on a prepaid system. VivaCell MTS, Beeline, and Orange are leading mobile companies for tourists, each of which has its own tariff plans and options. The Internet speed on gadgets and signal quality are similar to Russian ones, but in mountainous areas there may be minor problems with communication. Let's look at each representative in more detail.

VivaCell MTS

Since 2021, the provider has been renamed MTS Armenia. You can buy a SIM card in the chain's branded stores or at the airport building, where they will understand you without any problems, even if you don't know the language. The starter package will cost the subscriber 100 drams or 0.2 dollars. This operator occupies a leading position due to favorable conditions.

The provider offers subscribers three tariffs:

1. Plan Y will cost a guest of the country 2800 drams. For this money, he will receive 100 minutes of calls and 5 GB of traffic, plus unlimited calls on the network and instant messengers. The package is provided for 30 days.
2. Tariff X – for 5 thousand drams, the subscriber is given unlimited access to popular instant messengers plus 10 GB. Free calls within the network and 300 minutes for calls abroad will allow you to stay in touch for a month.
3. Viva tariff plan - when calling to Russia, the subscriber pays only for the first three minutes of the conversation, and for calls within the network he is given 1500 minutes. Only 1 GB is given for traffic. Connection cost per month is 1500 AMD.

The plans are developed by the operator so that the user can easily choose the type of communication that he prefers and not overpay for services that are useless to him.

The latest Viva tariff offers 150 outgoing SMS and free incoming messages.

Beeline

This is the second largest provider in the country. For guests of the country, the Beeline operator in Armenia offers several tariffs. You will have to purchase a SIM card for 500 drams, 400 of which will be on your balance.

To activate the Welcome tariff, the subscriber’s balance must be at least 700 drams. For this money, the subscriber will receive 500 MB per month. You can choose a Smart tariff, which will include calls, traffic and SMS at the same time.

Orange

Since 2007, the provider has been renamed Ucom. Tariff plans are activated for a month and in accordance with them, the subscriber is provided with packages of services, SMS and Internet. The operator allows its subscribers to connect to one of the four tariffs presented.

Start using SIPNET now

To start using SIPNET, you just need to register on the website. Moreover, you can make your first calls at our expense - to do this, after registering, add your mobile or landline phone number in your personal account.

Now you can make calls to any country in the world at an affordable price. To call Agentina, Armenia or another country, use the method of making calls that is convenient for you: through a browser, smartphone or computer application.

How much does a call to Armenia from MTS cost?

The cost of outgoing calls according to the terms of the latest offer from the operator has already been described above. Now MTS calls to Armenia for a ruble per minute will seem expensive, since they can be made cheaper (for free).

It is worth noting that money will not be debited from the SIM card until the user adds numbers to the service to which free calls will be made. To connect your interlocutor's phone, you need to:

• dial the command *111*56*1*XXX# (instead of XXX, enter the number of the interlocutor in international format, but without +);
• press the dial key;
• check the result using the combination *111*56#.

To delete an unnecessary phone number, use the combination *11156*2*XXX#. After which, conversations with this person will be charged according to standard network rates.

It is worth emphasizing that an alternative way to configure the option is to visit your personal account and enter the required contacts there.

Option “Profitable calls to other countries”

It is not designed for all MTS subscribers, but only for users of the “Smart” line of tariff plans. The service is designed for profitable connections with residents of Asia and the CIS. There are no mandatory regular fees for use. The option is incompatible with similar options that provide a discount on calls outside of Russia.

Cost of international destinations within the offer:

The service retains its terms and conditions and is valid only if you use it in the region of your connection. Connect through the official page or mobile application after logging into your account. Faster activation is carried out through the ussd service using the command *111*965#.

If you are calling from an office phone

• first, dial the code leading to landline communication – “9”; • then we switch to long-distance communication using code “8”; • then dial “10” - international code; • Armenian country code – “374”; • then enter the city code; • now dial the subscriber's phone number. 9 8 10 374 (city code) (subscriber's telephone number). City codes of the largest cities in Armenia for telephone calls: • Yerevan – (country code) 10; • Gyumri – (country code) 312; • Vanadzor – (country code) 322; • Vagharshapat – (country code) 231; • Abovyan – (country code) 22.

Which tariff or option to choose

You do not have to change the tariff, but you will need to activate one of the special options for profitable roaming and travel to other countries. Which one to choose depends on your current tariff.

Here are the options available for calls in the summer of 2021:

• Zabugorishche (for current package rates)
• Zero without borders (for any tariffs)

And for the Internet:

• BIT abroad
• Super BIT abroad
• Maxi BIT abroad

How much will calls without these options cost when located on the territory of Armenia?

60 rubles per minute of outgoing call to Russia, Armenia, per minute of incoming call.

Zabugorishche

Costs 350 rubles per day.

To connect, dial *111*771#call on your phone

Or through your personal account on the website, in the Service Management/Connect New Services section.

The option is valid on all current MTS tariffs - “Tariffische”, “Our Smart”, “Smart”, “Smart+”, “Smart Unlimited”, “Smart NonStop”, “My Unlimited”, “X”, “Smart Top”, “ ULTRA."

You can use your package of minutes, SMS and gigabytes for free as in your home region, paying an additional 350 rubles per day. Inboxes will be free for up to 100 minutes per day. Anything that exceeds the incoming limit or the outgoing package costs 39 rubles per minute for calls to or from Russia.

For example, you have a Smart tariff with 500 minutes included. With this option, all incoming calls in Armenia will be free (only 100 minutes per day!), and calls to all numbers in Russia will be free until 500 minutes have expired, and after that - 39 rubles per minute of outgoing call.

Internet is also consumed from the package, but after 500 MB per day the speed is limited to 128 kb/s.

If the Internet in the package runs out, it will be added at your home rate.

Note! Outgoing calls to Armenian numbers still cost 60 rubles per minute!

Zero without limits

Costs 145 rubles per day.

To connect, dial *111*4444#call on your phone

Or through your personal account on the website, in the Service Management/Connect New Services section.

Valid on all tariffs.

With this option you have 45 minutes of incoming and 45 minutes of outgoing calls from/to Russia for free.

As soon as the 45 outgoing minutes are over, each minute will cost 39 rubles, similarly for incoming ones.

Note!

• Outgoing calls to Armenian numbers still cost 60 rubles per minute!
• Internet is not included in this option; it will be VERY expensive - 5 rubles for 40 received/transmitted KB.

What options do you need to connect to get internet at a more reasonable price?

Internet: BIT abroad

Costs:

• BIT abroad – 450 rubles per day
• Maxi BIT abroad – 700 rubles per day
• Super BIT abroad – 1600 rubles per day

Connect through your personal account on the website, in the Service Management/Connect New Services section.

On all three options - BIT, Maxi BIT, Super BIT - the Internet is not limited. Only the speed limit is different.

• BIT – after 100 MB the speed drops to 128 kb/s
• Maxi BIT – after 200 MB the speed drops to 128 kb/s
• Super BIT – after 1 GB the speed drops to 128 kb/s

Calls to Armenian numbers

With any of the above options, a call to a local number still costs 60 rubles per minute.

Unfortunately, there are no options to reduce this price. Those options that offer cheap calls to other countries, for example “Profitable international calls”, are valid only in your home region - when you travel to another country, they cease to be valid.

Keep this in mind if you need to call a local number, such as a hotel or guide! If you have to do this often, it is better to buy a local SIM card.

Telephone codes of Armenian cities

This service is available to all subscribers who have a tariff plan from the Smart line.

Features of the service:

1. From the sixty-first minute of conversation (if you establish a connection with subscribers in Armenia or Ukraine), the cost increases - 5 rubles per minute.
2. When connecting, the subscription fee is not charged.
3. Valid only in your home region; you will not be able to activate the option while traveling.
4. Does not work together with other connected services for profitable calls, for example, “Favorite Country”, “MTS Countries”, “Profitable International Calls”.
5. Designed specifically for the “Smart”, “X” and “My Unlimited” tariff plans.
6. There is no subscription fee, which is charged once a month or daily.