When choosing a mobile Internet, the user invariably faces difficulties of choice. Today, there are 6 providers operating in Russia that offer subscribers access to Internet resources from mobile devices or desktop PCs. One of the last to start in this area was the operator Yota, which immediately made a name for itself in the service market by offering truly unlimited Internet and transparent conditions for room service.
Starting in January 2021, the situation has changed somewhat. In particular, the company's management decided to abandon unlimited access to the network, replacing this option with packetized traffic. How does Yota differ from its main competitors now? To answer this question, let's take a short overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each provider.
What to connect to Yota or MTS in 2021
YOTA has become an innovator in terms of tariff designers. The company allowed users to independently customize their tariff, setting the size of packages for calls and the Internet.
At the same time, the operator offers additional services, the cost of which can be calculated immediately on the official website at the time of selecting the parameters. For the current year 2021, this solution is considered ideal for users.
Also, the presented operator has a sufficient number of LTE points providing excellent 4G communications. Many reviews note the excellent work of technical support, for example, when MTS experiences errors in the form of long waits.
In turn, MTS is constantly trying to attract new customers by creating cheap tariff plans and options. To accurately answer which operator is better, it is necessary to compare the YOTA and MTS tariffs.
Tele2 or Yota
Both operators appeared on the service market relatively recently, so both companies are characterized by affordable pricing policies.
However, some differences are still present. Let's compare the main parameters:
- Price . The final prices are approximately the same, but Yota offers more options for customizing the basic tariff. Essentially, the operator invites subscribers to independently choose the optimal billing period; tariff plans for smartphones can be customized at their discretion. In addition, Yota does not have the concept of national roaming, which is an undeniable advantage compared to Tele2.
- Coverage area . Yota wins here again, using Megafon's core network, but the victory looks strained. The fact is that despite a fairly developed coverage area, Iota “suffers” from an uncertain and often disappearing signal. Tele2 does not have this problem, so the principle of less but better works here.
- Connection speed . Yota is in the lead by a small margin, offering residents of large cities a high-speed 4G connection. Tele2 initially focused on voice communications, so the provider’s 4th generation lines are poorly developed. However, in remote areas, both operators operate in 3G, which significantly equalizes the chances.
Another criterion is the quality of service, and Tele2 is the leader here, providing subscribers with comprehensive and round-the-clock support. Iota has only one line to communicate with specialists, so sometimes you have to wait quite a long time for an answer.
Yota and MTS tariffs - comparison table
The presented operators are quite different from each other. MTS offers fixed tariff conditions, with the exception of two offers that can be customized - “Tariffishche” and “My Smart”.
Yota offers to fully assemble its tariff, giving subscribers freedom to choose their actions. Thus, any user can create an ideal plan for themselves, while MTS demonstrates ready-made solutions.
First, let's look at what options YOTA offers. The site has a special designer - https://www.yota.ru/.
You can specify the number of minutes you need - from 100 to 2000. Next, indicate comfortable Internet traffic - from 2 to 50 GB.
Below you can select the applications you are interested in. For example, by choosing “Instagram” and “Whatsapp”, the subscription fee will increase by 40 rubles, but these services will not be charged. The operator offers a rich list of applications that can become unlimited for use.
The minimum price for the tariff is 300 rubles per month, and the maximum is 1235 rubles.
MTS offers already assembled options aimed at different categories of clients. You can find a great solution for frequent calls or spending time online. All conditions presented in the table are relevant for Moscow and the Moscow region. To clarify this issue, you need to go to the official website, indicating your region of residence, or go to the operator’s office.
Calls | Internet | Subscription fee | |
Tariff | You can select from 500 to 3000 minutes | Free | The minimum tariff cost is 585 rubles, and the highest is 1395 rubles |
My Smart | 200 to 600 minutes | 10-20GB | The minimum is 500 rubles, and the maximum is 700 |
All MTS Super TV | 500 | Free | 950 rubles per month + home Internet (300Mbit/s) and TV 141 channels |
Our Smart | 1500 | 25 | 1000 |
X | 100 | 7GB + free use of popular entertainment resources and social networks | 500 |
Smart | 200 | 4GB | 400 |
Smart Top | 3000 | 20 | 1950 |
ULTRA | 5000 | 20 | 2900 |
So which is better: Yota or MTS? If we consider in terms of convenience of choice, then preference should be given to the first operator. You will create your own tariff. If in doubt, choose a ready-made option from MTS that is ideal for your preferences.
Rostelecom or Yota
It is not entirely correct to compare these operators, because they provide Internet connections according to different principles. In particular, Rostelecom sells wired Internet and digital television on the market, offering high-quality wired connections. Iota provides access to the network through modems and routers, which implies unstable operation and fluctuating speeds.
However, Yota has one undeniable advantage: it does not restrict access if there are debts, and Rostelecom immediately disconnects the subscriber from the network in cases of late payment.
Which Internet is better MTS or Yota
The next criterion for comparison is the Internet. Currently YOTA offers three categories of services:
- For phones. You can take from 1 to 50GB with a subscription fee from 180 to 360 rubles per month. The price includes only traffic; calls and SMS are paid separately. Additionally, you are allowed to add any services or social networks for unlimited use.
- For tablets. It is configured in the same way as the mobile Internet tariff. Subscribers have access to monthly traffic ranging from 1 to 50 gigabytes. Monthly fee – from 155 to 405 rubles.
- For computer. Users have access to speeds from 320 Kbps to 15 Mbps at a cost of 250-850 rubles per month.
All new customers can take a test drive from the operator company and try the Internet. If you are satisfied, then select and connect the tariff.
Many subscribers do not know who to give preference to - MTS or Iota? Let's study online solutions for the following operator.
- Tariff. Unlimited Internet for only 585 rubles per month.
- My Smart. MTS, like its competitor, has provided a tariff constructor in several offers. You can take from 10 to 25GB for 625 rubles.
- X. Free access to social networks. Additional 7 gigabytes for other resources. + 44 television channels. Cost – 500 rubles.
As you can see, the most profitable and optimal option is offered by MTS in the Tariffishche offer. But, if you do not need complete unlimited, then use the Iota constructor, indicating the required amount of traffic.
For a tablet, MTS offers the following option:
- Unlimited traffic to selected resources.
- 10 GB for the rest.
- 550 rubles per month.
The following tariffs have been developed for home Internet:
- 200 Mbit/s for 499 rubles.
- 350 Mbit – 699 rub.
- 500 Mbit – 999 rub.
- 1Gbit/s – 1499.
MTS also wins in home Internet. The operator offers the cheapest and most profitable solutions.
Megafon or Yota
If we start with the basics, Yota is a subsidiary of Megafon, and therefore actively uses the coverage area of its “big brother”. This is precisely what explains the provider’s strong start in the cellular communications market, when the “newbie” immediately received a developed network.
Despite this, Yota can well be considered an independent company, which, in addition to the lines provided, is actively developing its own service towers.
If we talk about the quality of the Internet, there are significant differences between these competitors. In particular, Yota removed unlimited for smartphones, leaving it on tablets and modems. In addition, users are offered a uniform tariff for services throughout the country. The disadvantages of the provider include the following features:
- SIM cards only work on specific devices, so you won’t be able to transfer a SIM card from a smartphone to a tablet and use the connection to its full potential.
- Modems only work with 4G, so residents of regions where this network is not available can forget about wireless home Internet.
- Yota SIM cards cannot be used to distribute traffic to other subscribers or download torrents.
Megafon is free of these shortcomings, but cannot yet offer unlimited Internet for tablets and modems. In addition, when leaving their home region, subscribers have to incur additional costs or connect additional options, which significantly increases the final cost. Therefore, if subscribers need the Internet specifically for travel, it is better to give preference to Utah, but here you need to take into account the fact that there may not be a 4th generation network in the region, so the device will be useless.
Review of modems from Yota and MTS
Both operators in question offer customers not only cellular, television and Internet services, but also special equipment. For example, when applying for Internet access for your home, you will be offered to purchase a router. For laptop owners, a convenient option is a wireless modem.
To view Yota’s assortment, go to the store – https://www.yota.ru/store.
If you pay attention to the products from MTS - https://moskva.mts.ru/personal/mobilnaya-svyaz/mobilniy-internet/modemy-i-routery/, it will become clear that in essence the prices are almost the same as those of the competitor.
Beeline or Yota
Despite the fact that the yellow-striped operator is one of the oldest in the cellular communications market, Yota is quite confident in competing with this elder. If we compare only the Internet, then Yota initially relied on 4th generation communications, so Beeline found itself lagging behind. Therefore, both companies are characterized by uneven coverage areas in these networks.
However, Beeline wins on the following points:
- Attractive prices.
- Possibility of connecting wired home Internet and digital television.
- Operation of modems in 3G networks.
Iota responds to this with a higher quality connection, no roaming, and excellent speed performance. If we compare the Internet within large cities, Yota certainly wins, offering flexible conditions and consistently high speed. When it comes to the periphery, Beeline takes the lead, having a more extensive network and providing connections to 2nd and 3rd generation networks.
The cheapest tariff plans with favorable Internet access
The existence of unlimited mobile Internet made expensive tariff plans with large Internet traffic packages unprofitable, regardless of how good the price-to-volume ratio was (MTS “My Unlimited” and “My Online +” from Tele2 previously stood out especially in this regard). However, the tariff plans described above with free traffic when using certain applications or the Internet in general do not meet the needs of people who need access to the Internet only occasionally and who are interested in paying a minimum subscription fee.
Below you can find the cheapest tariff plans that offer Internet access on favorable terms.
"My Tele2"
The subscription fee for “My Tele2” is only 7 rubles. per day, which is equal to 210 rubles. per month. For this money you will receive as much as 5 GB of Internet traffic, as well as the opportunity to use social networks and instant messengers for free and communicate freely within the Tele2 network.
Unfortunately, this tariff plan does not include packages of minutes and SMS for communication with numbers of other mobile operators. You will have to pay for communication outside Tele2 at a price of 1.95 rubles. per minute or message.
“Everything” from Beeline
At first glance, the “Vseshechka” tariff from Beeline seems less profitable than “My Tele2”: the Internet traffic package is the same, 5 GB, and the price is 9 rubles. per day (that is, 60 rubles per month higher). There is no free access to applications either. However, the tariff plan from Beeline also has its advantages. Firstly, the client receives a package of 200 free minutes. Secondly, the number of gigabytes provided per month can be increased for free up to +3 GB per month using the “Gigi for Steps” promotion.
The promotion in question requires the installation of a special application on your smartphone. It will record the number of steps you take per day, and if their number exceeds 10 thousand, an additional 100 MB of traffic will be credited to your account. Thus, “Vseshechka” will be an ideal choice for people who lead an active lifestyle or use the mobile Internet to catch Pokémon in the popular game Pokémon GO, which recently became officially available in Russia.
Problem solving
Another point that Beeline can be proud of is the quality of its technical support service. When you call the hotline, after a rather long wait, you will still be connected with an operator and he will competently solve your problem. The disadvantage of this option is the waiting time for the operator to respond, since at first you will be asked to resolve the issue using an answering machine. Technical support of the fourth federal is developing in accordance with modern requirements - to contact technical support, along with the standard method of contacting the hotline, you can write a message in the chat describing the problem - there is no need to wait a long time for a response to a phone call - you will also receive advice on solving the issue directly in chat.
Summary: if you value transparency of tariffs and ease of interaction with an operator, and don’t like wasting time, you should choose Iota, but if you are willing to pay more for high quality, choose Beeline.
If, after reading the article, you have a question about how to switch from Beeline to Yota with your number, you can read about it here:.
Rates
The “bee” operator, unlike Yota, offers a large selection of tariffs and services to suit every taste. If you spend a little time, understand the entire network of services provided and select only the necessary ones, then you can really “put together” the most profitable option. The new mobile operator is aimed at those users who love simple and convenient solutions. Clear tariff conditions, a minimum of additional options, understanding the connection conditions will not be difficult!
Additional services
The new mobile operator loudly declares - simplicity and ease of use, nothing superfluous! And indeed, there are no imposed ones. However, for those who use not only mobile communications and the Internet, but need a wide package of services, additional offers from Beeline will be of interest. Digital TV, a favorable package for communication services for the whole family, even your own smartphones with the most favorable tariffs - the operator is ready to offer all this.
Connection quality
Beeline is undoubtedly the leader in the mobile services market in terms of communication quality. Wide coverage area and stable call quality - you will be able to call from the metro on New Year's Day, even if that day also happens to be March 8th. Yota is a relatively new operator and is currently slightly inferior to its competitor in terms of communication quality. It still has problems with the Internet outside the city, but taking into account the rapid development of Iota, we can say with confidence that it will soon be able to catch up with Beeline or even get ahead of them.
Summing up
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.
More about Yota: Bypassing Yota restrictions on Internet distribution and speed
Megaphone
- 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.