January 26, 2021 Ivan Omelnichenko
31 308
It's difficult to choose the best cellular operator, especially when you consider all the great offers and special promotions. Mobile network coverage is a problem for many Russian residents, especially those living in rural areas. It is worth choosing an inexpensive tariff with unlimited Internet that provides a good signal in your area.
Beeline is in the list in second place among the best cellular communication companies, thanks to its excellent coverage, reliability and speed. Tele2 is the best cheap mobile Internet provider with low prices and discounts. Yota also showed good results, as did its competitor Megafon.
We've analyzed coverage, internet speed, reliability, customer service, user reviews and package prices to help you make the right choice. The rating includes the best cellular providers that are distinguished by high quality of services among competitors in 2021.
What did you expect: voting results
In the announcement of the test, we asked readers which operator, in their opinion, will become the leader in mobile Internet speed.
We place bets: who will win?
- MTS
- Megaphone
- Beeline
- Tele 2
- Yota
27%
MTS
41%
Megaphone
7%
Beeline
14%
Tele 2
11%
Yota
2487 voted
More than half of the participants predicted MegaFon's victory (54%). Next came MTS (22%), then Yota (12%), and then Beeline and Tele2 (6% each) divided the votes approximately equally.
MegaFon's active campaign to promote its LTE Internet clearly worked, since every second person expected it to win from the very beginning. The second place for MTS, even though it has the largest subscriber base in the Russian Federation, is surprising: expectations from the operator did not crush the “mega” even with a numerical advantage.
Yota's reputation and its purely nominal relationship with MegaFon helped the Blues take third place according to expectations. And people have not expected miracles from Beeline and Tele2 for a long time, as demonstrated by the rating of expectations.
The editors' assumptions generally coincided with the reader's. The reality turned out to be predictable.
Which connection is better than Beeline or MTS - conclusion
Beeline and MTS offer good conditions for customer service. Operators stand out with their advantageous options for mobile communications and the Internet, which allows you to use the company’s services on a daily basis. Beeline is most profitable when activating the “All in One” package.
MTS is distinguished by the ability to independently configure the required number of minutes and traffic, as well as a number of additional functions for the Internet. More detailed information can be found on the corresponding pages of the companies’ official websites, or by contacting qualified technical support specialists.
Let's move on to the test. How did you measure it, what results did you get?
We used the publicly available OOKLA Speedtest Custom service. For those who don’t know, OOKLA is the most popular Internet speed test site in the world, visited by more than 140 million people every month.
Through Speedtest Custom, we posted a public testing code on iPhones.ru, from which we received data once every 24 hours.
This data is partially anonymized - from it we cannot understand who exactly carried out the measurement. IP addresses are masked exactly half, and geolocation is recorded only for the nearest town or region.
Which operator in Russia has the fastest mobile Internet?
1) MegaFon .
Download speed: 54 Megabits/s Upload speed: 18.1 Megabits/s Average lag: 38.7 milliseconds
2) Second place goes to Yota .
Download speed: 40.3 Megabits/s Upload speed: 15.3 Megabits/s Average lag: 42.1 milliseconds
3) Third line for MTS .
Download speed: 28.4 Megabits/s Upload speed: 14.5 Megabits/s Average lag: 40.2 milliseconds
4) The fourth was Beeline .
Download speed: 24.9 Megabits/s Upload speed: 15.5 Megabits/s Average lag: 34 milliseconds
5) Last place – TELE2 .
Download speed: 16.1 Megabits/s Upload speed: 7.8 Megabits/s Average lag: 45.7 milliseconds
Comment: MegaFon has confirmed its claim about the fastest mobile Internet in Russia by a landslide. Nothing to add.
Next comes Yota, which is not surprising - a relatively young operator, new equipment, emphasis on LTE almost from the very beginning. Here the predictions of iPhones.ru readers missed miserably.
MTS is located strictly in the middle of all results. You can’t praise or scold, except perhaps for not living up to your reputation in the preliminary vote. Beeline stood a little behind them, which will surprise few people.
But Tele2 amazed us; we did not expect such sad average speeds. These numbers are sad to look at. I don't envy subscribers.
Which is better MTS or Beeline in 2021 - comparison of tariffs
To finally decide who is better, MTS or Beeline, it is necessary to make a detailed comparison of tariff plans for calls. Mobile TeleSystems stand out by providing the ability to independently configure your TPs in detail, where you can independently specify the required amount of Internet, minutes and messages. These indicators affect the final price.
Here we can highlight:
| Name | Description | Price |
| Tariff | A modern offer that relatively recently appeared in the list of services offered and is not available for connection in all regions. A distinctive feature is the provision of unlimited access to the World Wide Web, subject to the terms of the contract. The client can also choose from 500 to 3000 prepaid minutes and messages | The cost of servicing depends on the selected configuration and ranges from 650 to 1550 rubles |
| My unlimited | You can specify yourself: · Internet volume. Minimum package – 5 GB, maximum – 30 GB; · number of minutes and messages, which can vary in volume from 300 to 900 units. Also in this option there is a varied number of bonuses and discounts that will have a positive impact on the final cost of service | The minimum package will cost the client 480 rubles, the maximum package – 1110 rubles. A possible discount for the first month of service is not indicated here. |
Beeline also distinguishes 2 main directions:
| Name | Description | Price |
| All in one | A balanced package, the monthly fee of which includes: · mobile connection; · home Internet; · TV. | Depends on the option chosen. Varies from 600 to 2500 rubles per month |
| All is mine | Although Beeline does not offer to set up a TP yourself, you can always use the function of exchanging minutes and SMS for traffic and vice versa. Prepaid packages include from 3 to 30 GB of internet, 300-5000 minutes and 300 SMS | The subscription fee is charged daily. The most budget option will cost 13.33 rubles, the premium one – 83.33 rubles. |
The cost of MTS services aimed at mobile communications is lower than that of its competitor. However, reviews on authoritative resources indicate a larger Beeline coverage area, which may be a key factor in some cases for the subscriber.
Comparison of MTS and Megafon tariffs
What are the average results in Russia?
If we take all measurements , including home Internet:
Download speed: 53.1 Megabit/s Upload speed: 41.5 Megabit/s Average lag: 26 milliseconds
Results exclusively for the TOP-5 mobile operators in Russia:
Download speed: 32.7 Megabits/s Upload speed: 14.2 Megabits/s Average lag: 40.1 milliseconds
Comment: upload speed remains the weak point of mobile Internet in Russia. But it's not that scary. Another thing is surprising: the download speed over cellular networks is only 40% lower than the overall speed in general.
So, slowly but surely, our LTE is catching up, and in some places even surpassing the home Internet in the average Russian home and office.
"Megaphone"
Next, you should pay attention to such a large one. Perhaps few people can say that this company has the best connection. Rather, she's not bad. In any case, some subscribers speak negatively about the corporation.
This opinion was formed for several reasons. Firstly, prices for the Internet and network access services. Initially they are small, but soon begin to grow. With all this, while talking or surfing the Internet, you may notice connection interruptions. This, of course, will suit few people.
Secondly, if we talk about the World Wide Web, the connection speed in most cases leaves much to be desired.
Consumers also claim that even with the slightest weather anomalies, you can be left without communication, especially in remote regions. Within developed cities, you will simply see constant network failures. Many subscribers say that MegaFon is clearly not the best connection in Russia.
What does the TOP 5 mobile operators look like in terms of Internet speed?
Once again, now without numbers and more clearly.
1. MegaFon 2. Yota 3. MTS 4. Beeline 5. TELE2
Comment: Focus on this rating when choosing an operator for mobile Internet. Especially if you live in large cities.
It is worth understanding that the numbers may differ specifically in your home or office. Therefore, before deciding to change the operator, you should run a couple of speed tests at home and at work, borrowing a SIM card from someone for the evening.
Mobile operator Yota
The main advantage of Yota is unlimited Internet for tablets and modems. This operator was the first to introduce unlimited social networks and instant messengers. True, removing unlimited Internet for phones is a big disadvantage that subscribers have not been able to forgive for more than two years. The most striking drawback is the strange attitude towards expanding the coverage area. Iota is a subsidiary of MegaFon and uses its towers (virtual cellular operator - MNVO). But the coverage is not the same - in some cities it is not, despite the presence of MegaFon. There is complete confusion on this issue.
How many results were included in the test?
We had 22.7 thousand participants, of which we eliminated 50%. These are results from other countries and from the home Internet. All tests whose geolocation and/or operator could not be determined were also separated.
As a result, the plate with five TOP operators in Russia totaled 11,203 unique entries .
Of these by operator:
▪ MTS: 3285 measurements
▪ MegaFon: 2983 measurements
▪ Beeline: 2162 measurements
▪ YOTA: 1479 measurements
▪ TELE2: 1294 measurements
Comment: the number of measurements by operator indirectly hints at the size of the user base. Those who have fewer measurements have fewer clients.
The largest telecom operators in Russia. Rating
Telecom
Mobile communications Wired communications Wireless communications Market
12 September 2011 15:09 |12 Sep 2011 15:09 |
| Share CNews Analytics has prepared an overview of the telecom market in Russia and a rating of telecom operators.
The analytical agency CNews Analytics has published a rating of the largest and fastest growing telecom companies in Russia. For the third time in a row since 2008, the list was topped by the MTS operator with year-end revenue of 370 billion rubles. The fastest growing telecom, whose revenue grew by 247.2% in 2010, reaching RUB 3.75 billion.
The revenue of the 30 largest companies in the rating for the year grew by a total of 15.2% and reached 1328.4 billion. The pace of industry recovery, despite the positive dynamics, was still lower than expected. And revenue growth higher than the growth of inflation in the country and exchange rate differences was recorded in less than half of the list of Top 30 companies.
According to analysts, in 2011 the balance of power among the leaders may change: MTS and VimpelCom, which occupies the second place in the rating, may supplant Megafon in terms of revenue.
The sphere of interests of MTS and Beeline is not limited only to the Russian market, and investments were directed to the CIS to the detriment of the companies' business in Russia, analysts note. Megafon, unlike these market colleagues, did not invest in the CIS and concentrated on business within the country.
It is noteworthy that in 2010 the threshold for entering the third ten of the CNews rating dropped to 628 million. In previous years, including crisis years, the lower figure was about 1 billion rubles.
CNews Telecom 2011: The largest telecommunications companies in Russia
| № | Company | Advantageous business model | Revenue 2010, thousand rubles (1) | Revenue 2009, thousand rubles (2) | Growth 2010/2009, % |
| 1 | MTS | cellular | 370 505 249 | 311 467 803 | 19 |
| 2 | VimpelCom | cellular | 344 488 189 | 275 270 000 | 25,1 |
| 3 | Svyazinvest | Wired communication | 271 600 000 | 271 867 500 | -0,1 |
| 4 | Megafon (1) | cellular | 215 515 000 | 181 883 000 | 18,5 |
| 5 | TransTeleCom * | Wired communication | 26 165 000 | 22 404 555 | 16,8 |
| 6 | Interregional Transittelecom (2) | Wired communication | 11 874 776 | 13 555 087 | -12,4 |
| 7 | National Telecommunications** | Internet provider, cable TV | 10 790 000 | 8 300 000 | 30 |
| 8 | Akado (2) | Internet provider, cable TV | 10 561 466 | 8 860 320 | 19,2 |
| 9 | Sky Link * | cellular | 7 700 000 | 8 300 000 | -7,2 |
| 10-11 | ER-Telecom | Internet provider, cable TV | 6 800 000 | 4 672 000 | 45,5 |
| 10-11 | Space communications | Satellite connection | 6 800 000 | 5 972 305 | 13,9 |
Notes: * — CNews Analytics assessment ** — forecast (1) — revenue of Metrocom and Synterra Group is consolidated (2) — excluding VAT
Source: CNews Analytics, 2011
Go to the full version of the ranking of the top 30 telecom companies
CIO and CTO: how is the influence of IT managers in companies changing?
New in storage
According to CNews analysts, this is a sign that a certain share of telecom assets is consolidating around several medium-sized players, which enter the rating through the acquisition of smaller providers and are subsequently put up for sale to the largest companies on the market.
In 2010, there was serious activity in the field of mergers and acquisitions in the telecom market, as a result of which several third-ten companies dropped out of the ranking. For example, acquired by Megafon, and Teleset Networks, acquired by Volgatelecom.
CNewsTelecom Fast: the fastest growing telecom companies in Russia 2011
| № | Company | Advantageous business model | Revenue 2010, thousand rubles (1) | Revenue 2009, thousand rubles (2) | Growth 2010/2009, % | Growth 2009/2008, % |
| 1 | Scartel | Wireless connection | 3 750 000 | 1 080 000 | 247,2 | 0 |
| 2 | PiN Telecom * | Internet provider | 800 000 | 400 000 | 100 | n/a |
| 3 | ER-Telecom | Internet provider, cable TV | 6 800 000 | 4 672 000 | 45,5 | 60,9 |
| 4 | NetByNet** | Internet provider | 1 524 000 | 1 077 120 | 41,5 | n/a |
| 5 | National Telecommunications** | Internet provider, cable TV | 10 790 000 | 8 300 000 | 30 | n/a |
| 6 | Obit | Internet provider | 628 000 | 487 000 | 29 | n/a |
| 7 | VimpelCom | cellular | 344 488 189 | 275 270 000 | 25,1 | 9,4 |
| 8 | Gars Telecom | Internet provider | 653 323 | 528 178 | 23,7 | n/a |
| 9 | West Call | Wired communication | 2 400 000 | 1 958 817 | 22,5 | 15,7 |
| 10 | Akado | Internet provider, cable TV | 10 561 466 | 8 860 320 | 19,2 | 14,1 |
* — CNews Analytics assessment ** — forecast
Source: CNews Analytics, 2011
In 2011, analysts predict the departure of even more companies from the list, the acquisition permission for which was received from the FAS by VimpelCom at the end of March 2011, or Ufanet.
- Russian High Technology Week 2021
Natalya Lavrentieva
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What is the average speed in the 5 largest cities of the Russian Federation
Moscow: 31.4 Megabit/s download, 16.6 Megabit/s upload
St. Petersburg: 25 Megabit/s download, 13.8 Megabit/s upload
Novosibirsk: 33.3 Megabit/s for download, 12 Megabit/s for upload
Yekaterinburg: 21.9 Megabit/s for download, 13.9 Megabit/s for upload
Nizhny Novgorod: 29.7 Megabit/s for download, 17.4 Megabit/s for upload
Comment: It is not surprising that regions can overtake Moscow in terms of mobile Internet speed. As a rule, the infrastructure of cellular networks outside Moscow has been updated in the last ten years.
In regional centers, it is easier and cheaper for operators to install new base stations and upgrade other equipment, ultimately achieving higher speeds than in the capital.
"Beeline"
The next quite worthy competitor of Rostelecom and MTS is Beeline. This is one of the few companies that tries to attract subscribers with its quality, but it is not ideal either. What do users think about Beeline?
Overall they are satisfied. Network outages are extremely rare. The Internet works well, the speed is high even in the worst weather conditions. The mobile network also practically does not disappear. If you don’t want to use, then we can say that Beeline is the best telecom operator, albeit with its own shortcomings.
For example, in terms of cost, it is recognized as the most unprofitable and expensive operator, but its communications are quite high quality. True, recently some subscribers began to complain about frequent interruptions in Beeline’s operation. Plus, this operator very often connects paid services and does not notify its customers about it.
