Mobile Internet for tourists in Belarus: comparison of operators

Features of mobile networks in Belarus

The development of mobile communications in the country began in 1993, when 4 telephone exchanges were deployed in Minsk. This is how the NMT-450 network came into operation, covering all regional centers within a couple of years. GSM, or the now more familiar 2G standard, appeared in 1997. But the network became widespread only in 2002, when the Russian company MTS got down to business.

3G testing in Belarus was carried out by the operator Velcom. This happened in 2006, and the network became fully operational only 3 years later. Very soon the integration of 4G technology began, which began functioning in 2012. True, the Yota company, which provided its services throughout the country, had to leave the market. As a result, the network really started working only in 2015.

According to information current at the end of 2021, there are almost 12 million cellular subscribers in Belarus out of a population of 9.5 million. Thus, penetration is more than 120%.

Calls from home to abroad

Let’s find out how much a call to Belarus from Beeline costs, if you are not going to go to the republic, but don’t mind talking to your relatives or friends.

You can calculate prices for calls to Belarus Beeline - the cost for your current tariff in a special service on the operator’s official website. How the service works:

• Open the service page: https://moskva.beeline.ru/customers/products/mobile/roaming/zvonki-goroda-strany/;
• Select the city or country you want to call;
• Select your tariff from the drop-down list;
• Click the Calculate cost button and now you already know how much it costs to call Belarus from Beeline.

This way you can calculate the price for any tariff; here are the prices of current offers:

• Unlim - 24 rubles/min;
• Super Unlim - 24 rubles/min;
• EVERYTHING 3 - 24 rubles/min;
• EVERYTHING 4 - 24 rubles/min;
• Absolutely EVERYTHING - 24 rubles/min;
• Per second - the same 24 rubles. in a minute.

Features of rooms in Belarus

A person who has at least once encountered the numbers of Belarus and Russia will easily notice the huge difference. The digital codes of the two countries are very different. If in the Russian Federation a three-digit code is used, which is responsible for one or another operator, then the situation in Belarus is completely different.

Firstly, all mobile numbers in the country begin with the prefix +375. That is, there is no talk of any “seven” or “eight”. Of course, the number doesn’t end there. This is followed by the two-digit code of the mobile operator, and only then the numbers of the subscriber himself.

Unlike Russia, the digital coordinates of the subscriber consist not of 11 characters, but of 12.

When a person calls on the territory of Belarus, he may not dial the country code and the “+” sign. Thus, the number within the state consists of 9 characters.

As in most other countries, Belarusians can freely change their mobile operator while keeping their old number. In this case, not only the 7 digits of the subscriber remain, but also the company code.

Other operator codes

In addition to the companies mentioned, there are several more companies that provide their services to clients and officially sell SIM cards with a certain combination of numbers. They deal not only with mobile communications, but also with telephony (Beltelecom), so the code directly depends on the type of device for which its own line is connected or a SIM card is activated.

Other operators:

• Life — +375 25;
• Beltelecom - +375 24.

There used to be an operator called Diallog, but the company went out of business. The full code of the communication provider along with the international prefix was: “+375 29 4”. At the moment, such numbers are not serviced; you cannot call them from the network of any provider in the country.

Diallog was the third company to use the “29” combination, along with MTS and Welk.

Like all other operators in the world, companies providing communications in the Republic have different codes that allow you to understand which mobile network a certain phone belongs to. In addition to the international prefix designating the country, companies have their own combination that makes their SIM card numbers recognizable. Some companies have the same codes, so they add additional numbers to be able to provide communication services without problems.

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Author

Vyacheslav

For several years he worked in mobile phone stores of two large operators. I understand tariffs well and see all the pitfalls. I love gadgets, especially Android ones.

Cellular operators in Belarus

Another distinctive feature of mobile communications in a small Eastern European state is the fact that only 3 companies provide their services in the country:

• A1 (Velcom).
• MTS.
• Life.

They occupy 100% of the market. Moreover, the leader is the Russian operator MTS, which also ranks first in its home country. Next comes the A1 company, better known under the name “Velcom”, and closes the improvised Life table with a subscriber base of just over a million people.

At one time, corporations such as Yota and BelCel entered the market. But later they were unable to withstand the competition offered by the leaders of the mobile industry.

MTS

A well-known cellular operator from Russia, which began operations in 1993. The company appeared on the territory of Belarus only 9 years later. At this point, only A1 and BelCel were present on the market. But the Russian company was able to quickly acquire half of the market of a small state.

In just 2 years of existence in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, MTS became a leader and to this day is fighting for the title of the most massive operator with A1.

The work of the Russian mobile operator in Belarus is no different from the activities that the company provides in its homeland. MTS provides coverage of the country with high-speed 4G networks, and also sells smartphones and other mobile gadgets.

Among the company's services:

• Mobile connection.
• Mobile Internet.
• Roaming
• Home Internet.
• A television.

Of course, first of all, clients are interested in communication services and what tariffs the company offers in Belarus.

The prices indicated in the table are expressed in Belarusian rubles. 1BYN = 31 RUS as of the end of 2021.

In addition, each tariff has an important feature. Before connecting, the subscriber must make an advance payment, usually in the amount of 5 rubles.

Velcom (A1)

A1 company is one of the founders of mobile communications in Belarus. As of 2002, when the local branch of MTS began to emerge in the country, the operator owned 87% of the market. Soon the situation changed significantly. But still, A1 continued to hold its own, sometimes overtaking, sometimes slightly behind its competitor from Russia.

Despite MTS's leadership in the country, A1, under its current name "Velcom", continues to win new audiences. The operator has many tariffs that are worth paying attention to.

*On tariff plans of the Lemon line there is a special offer for subscribers under 26 years of age.

On the website a1.by you can find out what other tariffs are offered by the Velcom operator. After all, their activities are not limited to communication services for smartphone owners. The company provides home Internet and TV, and also sells gadgets in its company store.

Life

Although the company under this name was founded back in 2004, today the operator seriously lags behind competitors such as MTS and A1. It covers less than 10% of the cellular market.

Even if you go to the Life website, it immediately becomes clear who is the statistician on the communication services market in Belarus. The resource is inconvenient to use, so obtaining information regarding tariffs is not very easy.

The operator regularly holds promotions, reducing prices for communication services. For example, before the new year 2021 there is a special offer under which you can connect to the “One Hundred” tariff for 5 r/month, as well as other interesting promotions.

Life:)

The Turkish operator life:) is the smallest operator in Belarus. Since its network is still limited, you need to do a network scan before purchasing a SIM card: its 3G is still much more limited to populated areas, since the 900 MHz frequency is not yet in use. Where available, they provide internet at higher rates but with lower coverage:

2G/3G/4G coverage map.

.beCloud launched 4G/LTE resale for life:) in 2021, but 4G is only available in Minsk and can be used in special tariff packages shown below. You may need to replace your SIM card if it does not support LTE.

Tourist tariff plans

There are two tariffs aimed at tourists who need to register with the Belarusian authorities. A stamp at the hotel on the back of the immigration card in your passport is enough; this is usually done at the hotel upon check-in. Both starter packs are sold in their stores called salons (location) at a price of 2.50 Belarusian rubles with a balance of 1.50 Belarusian rubles:

• Start
• World in your hand

The "World in your hand" SIM card provides discounts on international calls and is intended for tourists, while at "start", their regular domestic SIM card, calls and text messages within the network are cheaper. However, you can order the same data plans on both plans. To change the tariff you need to dial *110#.

Characteristics of data packets

For both tariff plans, the default Internet cost is 0.70 Belarusian rubles per MB outside the package.

Daily tariff packages, valid for 24 hours:

• 250 MB for 1.50 Belarusian rubles - activation: *8121#
• 2 GB for 2.90 Belarusian rubles - activation: *8151#
• 3 GB for 3.60 Belarusian rubles - activation: *8301#

Weekly tariff packages, valid for 7 days:

• 250 MB for 1.90 Belarusian rubles - activation: *8257#
• 2 GB for 3.50 Belarusian rubles - activation: *8157#
• 3 GB for 4.40 Belarusian rubles - activation: *8307#

Packages are automatically renewed. To disconnect, you need to dial *110# and select daily Internet (Internet for a day).

For all tariff plans, you can order the following monthly packages, which have the same price as local tariffs:

To check your balance you need to dial *100# and *105#. Packages that are marked with the (x3) icon in this table have a tripled data transfer volume during the first month after ordering. In the unlimited package, after using 100 GB, the data transfer speed drops to 512 Kbps. To cancel you need to dial *110#

Disabling unnecessary services

These services are enabled by default and are paid:

• The subscriber is unavailable: to disconnect you need to dial *120*5*3#
• Voice mail: to disconnect, dial *120#.
• Who called?: to disconnect dial *120#
• Automatic information about costs after using each of the services (0.60 Belarusian rubles per month): disable dial *101#

For the Internet

“Unlim” line for tablets and routers

A great option if you only need the Internet and are not at all interested in conversations.

Pros:

• you can choose a tariff with optimal traffic for yourself and have access to the Internet at maximum speed;
• Each tariff plan includes a VOKA subscription for 70 channels;
• You can connect a separate package to YouTube and watch videos without restrictions for 3.10 BYN per month.

Minuses:

• after the traffic is exhausted, the Internet channel is limited but still unlimited;
• Expensive calls, but that's how it's meant to be.

Recommended: tablet owners; in situations where you need inexpensive Internet.

Give away WI-FI

A new product that allows you to generously distribute the Internet and enjoy all the benefits of a smartphone.

Pros:

• there is a promotional price for new subscribers;
• there really is a lot of internet.

Minuses:

• there is a limit of 75 GB, after which the distribution drops to 1 Mbit/s.

Recommended: for those who want to provide themselves with high-speed Internet in conditions under which regular by-fly, for example, is impossible.

Share Wi-Fi Pro

Improved “Give” with truly honest unlimited Internet access. Moreover, this is real unlim at the highest possible speed - the one allowed by the equipment you are using.

Pros:

• there is a promotional price for new subscribers;
• no restrictions.

Minuses:

• high price, even taking into account the promotion.

Recommended: in cases where the Internet problem cannot be solved otherwise.