How to choose mobile Internet in Cyprus. Personal experience

Mobile communications in Cyprus are a nightmare for Russian OPSOS (Cellular Operators). The cost of mobile communications in Cyprus is so low that it can be compared with American tariffs. Russian opsos, I don’t even want to call them anything else - Beeline, Megafon MTS, Skylink with their insane domestic Russian tariffs, not to mention roaming, have no right to exist in Europe at all and should be anathema in the world of cellular operators. So, you can go to Cyprus with your mobile operator, with all kinds of tourist SIM cards, or save money and nerves. Roaming from Russian cellular operators and prices for communication in it are for those who have a good life and this article is not interesting to them. Do not buy all kinds of so-called “tourist” SIM cards - their prices for cellular communications in Cyprus and for calls to Russia also do not stand up to criticism. The best solution for the family budget and nerve cells would be to purchase a SIM card from one of the local cellular operators immediately after arriving in Cyprus. To purchase a card, you only need to go to the nearest periptero (kiosk) or store and 5-20 Euros, depending on how much you plan to negotiate. You don’t need any passports, filling out a bunch of papers, signing all kinds of contracts, agreements - all this savagery of Russian opsos. The salespeople in the store will help you immediately activate the card and receive some nice bonus from the Cypriot mobile operator for loyalty to the company (usually a bonus 2-5 Euros to your account, a T-shirt with the logo of the mobile operator or some nice little thing). Believe me, 20 Euros on your account will be enough for you to talk with Russia for more than one HOUR, or to be more precise, almost 3 hours. For those who are especially talkative, all stores sell recharge cards, activation of which will take you no more than 1 minute.

Tariffing of calls of Cypriot cellular operators is SECOND-by-SECOND and none of them, unlike the Russian opsos, shouts to the whole country that this is a huge investment in technology, hardware and software, and even more so does not raise such issues at the level of federal services and the government. Now about the mobile operators themselves in Cyprus. Mobile communications in Cyprus are represented by two cellular companies CYTA And MTN.

CYTA

Cyprus Telecommunications Auth (Cytamobile-Vodafone).

In everyday life, the most common names are: CYTA, CYTAmobile, Vodafone.

Internet representation: www.cytamobile-vodafone.com

Cellular standard: GSM 900/1800

CYTA is the largest cellular operator in Cyprus. The coverage area is almost the entire island, with the exception of the so-called TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). Coverage area The island of Cyprus looks like this:

The contract itself from CYTA, which you can purchase at kiosks or stores, looks like this:

Tariffs: I will give average prices for tariff plans, because... they have a difference of thousandths of euros per minute of conversation and these 0.001 euros are not of fundamental importance.

Local talk 0.07663 Euro/minute

Calls to Russia to mobile, landline numbers, to Moscow, St. Petersburg or Krzypol are: 0.1260 Euro/minute

Recharge cards: There are the following prices: € 5, € 10, € 20, € 35

Operator disadvantages: After 90 days of no signs of life on your SIM card (turned off and not in use), it is blocked, even if there is money left in the account. You can unblock it only by going to the office of the cellular operator CYTA. Therefore, try to pay off the entire amount on your account before the end of your vacation and throw away your SIM card.

MTN

International name of the mobile operator company: MTN Cyprus Limited

In everyday life, the most common names are: MTN.

Internet representation: www.mtn.com.cy

Cellular standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G WCDMA 2100

MTN is the second largest cellular operator in Cyprus by the number of subscribers and the only one operating in the 3G standard. The coverage area is almost the entire island, and partly the so-called TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). Coverage area The island looks like this:

The coverage area in the 3G standard is extremely small and works stably only in large cities:

The contract from the Cypriot cellular operator MTN is as follows:

Tariffs: Similar to the tariffs of the mobile operator in Cyprus, CYTA, I will give the average prices of tariff plans, because... they have a difference of thousandths of euros per minute of conversation and these 0.001 euros are not of fundamental importance.

Local talk to mobile, from mobile, to landline numbers, the price includes all taxes and fees (VAT): 0.0700 Euro/minute

Calls to Russia to landline numbers to Moscow, St. Petersburg or Krzypol are: 0.1185 Euro/minute, and even less for mobile phones: 0.0886 Euro/minute

Recharge cards: There are the following prices: € 5, € 10, € 20

Operator disadvantages: After 90 days of no signs of life on your SIM card (turned off and not in use), it is blocked, even if there is money left in the account. You can unblock it only by going to the office of the mobile operator MTN. Therefore, try to pay off the entire amount on your account before the end of your vacation and throw away your SIM card. If you are planning excursions to the mountains and mountainous areas, do not buy SIM cards from this operator - very poor communication quality and regular lack of coverage, use the services of CYTA.

Useful and necessary numbersCYTAAndMTN:

112 emergency services

1400 hospital information

1442 ambulance

1460 police

1407 forest fires

In conclusion, I would like to ask you to arm yourself with calculators and calculate how much Russian opsos charge you while roaming in Cyprus. On average, the prices for calls in roaming from MTS, Beeline, Megafon are approximately the same - 1 minute of conversation costs 100 rubles, which is approximately 2.35 Euro/minute with per-minute billing, i.e. if you talk for 1 minute and 2 seconds, you will be charged the cost of two minutes of communication. And it turns out that 1 minute of communication in roaming with Russia from your “favorite” Russian cellular operator costs 19 minutes!!! communication from any Cypriot cellular operator. And I will also cite a very interesting fact, which will require careful investigation in the future. I have 3 phones from Russian cellular operators, all different MTS, Beeline and Skylink. Skylink doesn’t work at all in Cyprus, we won’t touch it, it has a 100% alibi. But as for MTS and Beeline, there are questions. I fly quite often and ALWAYS after arriving in Cyprus, on the second and third day I receive empty calls to my phone numbers of these cellular operators with the sound of a working modem, or some next half-deaf grandmother “calls” into the receiver, which in a normal “non-roaming” "Life never happens. It has gotten so funny that my wife and I make bets on the number of such calls. At the same time, after 5 seconds of such a connection, the amount for 1 minute of conversation in roaming is debited from my account. I wonder how the Russian opsos will explain this fact? Be attentive to unfamiliar calls, do not answer them, or at the first described signs of a problem - immediately disconnect.

Analyzing all this, you can’t help but think - it’s probably not for nothing that in their tariff schedule Cypriot cellular operators put Russian opsos on a par with business colleagues from Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Tonga, Vanatu and Nepal.

Let's start with the main thing - for calls to Russia it is better to buy a local SIM card. SIM cards are sold in almost any store and you can also buy a card there to top up your account. You need to erase the protective layer on the card and send a secret number for activation. Some stores do not give you a card, but a receipt, which also has a secret number that you need to send by SMS.

When purchasing a SIM card for mobile communications in Cyprus, remember that it is not activated instantly. We bought it, inserted a SIM card into the phone, performed a couple of simple steps and try to call periodically to understand when the card is activated.

There are 3 main mobile operators in Cyprus:

• CYTA;
• PrimeTel.

CYTA Vodafone has the widest cellular networks - it is the main operator. When you travel with him, you will almost always be in touch. MTN can be placed in second place, and PrimeTel in third. We recommend choosing one of the two leaders, but we’ll start with PrimeTel.

PrimeTel offers calls to Russian landlines for 12 euro cents per minute and sending international SMS messages for 6 euro cents. If we talk about calls within Cyprus, then per minute of conversation you will need to pay 7.2 cents, and SMS will cost 1-2. More famous competitors have about the same prices, but more successful reception is a significant advantage.

You can top up your account by purchasing a PrimeTel payment card. They come in denominations of 10, 20, 35 and 50 euros. When purchasing a card for 10 euros, a bonus of 50 cents of free calls is given, 20 comes with calls worth 2 euros, 35 for 4, and 50 for 7.

MTN PayAsYouGo. The kit costs € 12.50, 5 euros in account + 20 free SMS.

Recharge cards are available for 5 euros (22 SMS bonus), 10 euros (44 SMS bonus), 20 euros (2.5 euros + 77 SMS bonus).

GPRS Internet - 0.005 cents per 2Kb of traffic. You can buy in "packages":

"data on day" - 2 euros, 20 megabytes for 1 day;

"data on week" - 5 euros, 80 megabytes for 1 week;

"data on month" - 10 euros, 200 megabytes for 1 month.

To activate mobile Internet in Cyprus, you only need to send an SMS to number 6040 with the text of the required “package” (indicated above in quotes).

The cost of sending SMS is 2 euro cents per message.

Local calls are 10.6 euro cents per minute.

International calls 4.8 euro cents per 30 seconds.

CYTAVodafone. The main and largest mobile operator in Cyprus. It offers a Soeasy Classic tariff plan for tourists. The kit costs 15 euros and includes 5 euros in your account and 100 SMS messages.

Top-up cards come in €5, 10, 20 (2 euro bonus) and 35 (6 euro bonus).

The cost of sending an SMS is slightly less than 2 euro cents.

Local calls within Cyprus 7.8 euro cents.

Calls to landline and mobile phones in Russia will cost 12.6 euro cents.

CYTA's Soeasy Classic tariff plan can be switched to Soeasy TXTers, which allows you to exchange SMS for 1 cent.

To activate an MTN or CYTA Soeasy SIM card, you will need to insert the SIM into your phone and turn it on. Enter the PIN code that is indicated on the scratch card (usually 1234), press OK and wait for the phone to load completely. Then you need to activate the SIM card by calling the number specified in the instructions (for example, for Cyta it is usually 1882). After a while you will be able to communicate.

To call Russia you need to dial the country code 007 + city code + subscriber number.

If you just need to make a couple of calls home, then there is no point in buying a separate SIM card. A call from a hotel will cost 30-50 cents per minute, but if you don't talk much, this will be a good saving.

How much will it cost to call Cyprus?

The cost of a minute of an international call from Moscow to Cyprus using Rostelecom will cost approximately 13 rubles per minute.

We strongly do not recommend calling from MTS, Megafon and Beeline mobile phones to Cyprus, however, it is better not to use these operators in Cyprus either. Why? Very expensive.

Skype and other VoIP telephony services can be recommended as an accessible method of communication. Calls to landlines in Cyprus via Skype will cost 5.8 cents per minute, and to mobile phones for 7.1 euro cents.

Cyprus dialing code is +357. The country code is followed by the city or mobile operator code.

357 23 Famagusta (Ayia Napa, Protaros, Paralimni)
+357 24 Larnaca
+357 25 Limassol
+357 22 Nicosia
+357 26 Paphos

To call Cyprus you need to dial 8 beeps - 10 (this is the international access code) 357 - city code or mobile operator - subscriber number.

Cyprus has a well-developed cellular communication system, and to save on roaming costs, it is more profitable to call using universal international tourist SIM cards or cards from local cellular operators.

If you don’t want to waste time looking for a SIM card from a local telecom operator during a short vacation, it will be easier to order and buy an International card at home that costs 10 euros.

The card is not tied to one operator; when moving to a new country, you can use it without restrictions or problems, only the tariffs will change.

In Cyprus, with a DrimSim card, 1 MB of Internet will cost 2 euro cents, for 1 GB you will have to pay 20.48 euros. A 1 minute call to Russia will cost 25 euro cents for a mobile phone and 0.10 euros for landlines. The operator will charge 4 cents for one SMS message.

In 2019, the most profitable option for Internet communications and voice communication during a week-long vacation is the Super Bundle bonus tariff with a validity period of 10 days. For 8 euros, the Cypriot operator provides 1.5 GB of traffic, 1000 minutes of voice communication and 1000 SMS messages within the network to all PrimeTel numbers. To activate the PrimeTel Super Bundle tariff, after activating the SIM card, you need to send an SMS “ON8” to 8133.

For those who are going to use only the Internet, a convenient option would be to purchase a standard Mobile Internet Pay As You Go package (4G network) worth 15 euros with a validity of 30 days. The tariff includes 2.0 GB of traffic (summer 2018), voice communication is not provided. To activate the tariff, you need to top up your balance (*133*code#) and send SMS MB30 2500 to 8133.

The cost of PrimeTel mobile communication services is average in the market. A minute of conversation when calling a landline telephone in Russia will cost the caller 12 eurocents, to a mobile phone 28 cents, and one international SMS message will cost 6 eurocents. Calls within the island are cheaper: 7.2 eurocents per minute of conversation, sending an SMS message will cost 1-2 eurocents.

Mobile operators in Northern Cyprus

Kuzey Kibris Turkcell (KKTCELL)

The leading cellular operator in Northern Cyprus, Kuzey Kibris Turkcell, is a subsidiary of the Turkish operator Turkcell. A prepaid starter package can be purchased at one of the many mobile operator offices or in regular supermarkets, for example, Lemar. In the northern part of the island, KKTCELL has more than 1000 points of sale. The balance and crediting of funds is made in conventional units. 1 conventional unit corresponds to approximately 0.06 Turkish lira. Prepaid tariffs and Pay As You Go internet packages can be found on the official website of Turkcell Kuzey Kibris.

For tourists, the Tourist Surfer Pack may be the most profitable and cheapest option. 2 GB of Internet, 50 minutes of calls and 500 SMS will cost 39 Turkish lira/week. To activate the package after installing the SIM card, you need to send the text message SURFER to number 2966. The package is valid for 7 days.

A prepaid tourist SIM card does not require registration. Simply insert the card into your phone, top up your balance according to the included instructions, and your phone is ready to use. You can top up your account at the checkout in any supermarket, grocery store or kiosk.

For tourists who come to Northern Cyprus for a month, a cheap mobile communication package Welcome Package (Faturasız Hoş Geldin Paketi) is suitable. For 29 Turkish lira, the mobile operator Tutkcell offers 30 minutes of voice communication to Kuzey Kibris Turkcell numbers and 500 MB of Internet. The card is valid for 1 month. The package is activated automatically during the first action with the card. The remaining traffic and the validity period of the package can be checked using the USSD command *123*136#YES.

Telsim Vodafone (KKTC Telsim)

The second largest mobile operator in Northern Cyprus is Telsim Vodafone (KKTC Telsim). Starter packages can be purchased at operator offices and stores. There you should also ask to activate and configure the card.

The starter package for tourists of the Telsim operator is called Tourist Package, costs from 18 liras and includes 500 SMS and 50 minutes of calls to local numbers. The SIM card is valid for 7 days. The envelope along with the operator's SIM card will contain instructions on how to activate the card and top up the balance. To activate and connect mobile communications, you need to dial the USSD command *123# and press the call button. To connect a traffic package, enter the command *2121# and press the call key.

Short codes, USSD commands and Internet settings of the main mobile operators in Cyprus: Cytamobile (Vodafone), MTN, PrimeTel, Turkcell and Telsim (Vodafone)

If you do not intend to regularly call from Cyprus to Russia, you should not purchase a SIM card. A couple of calls can be made from the hotel, they will cost 30-50 cents per minute.

If you call Cyprus from Russia, then Rostelecom will charge for this service from 13 rubles per minute of conversation. It is better not to call from mobile phones, it is very expensive. The cheapest option would be to use the services of VoiP operators.

To call from Russia to Cyprus from a landline (landline) phone, dial 8-10357 (area code) landline phone number. When calling from a mobile phone from Russia to Cyprus, dial +357 (area code) Cypriot subscriber number.

Cyprus city codes

357 26 Paphos
+357 24 Larnaca
+357 25 Limassol
+357 23 Famagusta (Ayia Napa, Protaros, Paralimni)
+357 22 Nicosia

Tariffs of MTS, Megafon, Tele2 and Beeline in roaming in Cyprus

It is best to find accurate information about special tariffs and offers from Megafon, MTS, Beeline and Tele2 in Cyprus on the official websites of these companies.

Approximate tariffs of Russian mobile operators in 2018/2019 for roaming in Cyprus (without additional options, discounts and special tariffs):

• Megafon: incoming and outgoing calls (Russia, Cyprus) cost from 49 rubles/minute, in Northern Cyprus from 79 rubles/minute, outgoing SMS 25 rubles on the entire island
• Beeline: package of 20 minutes per day 200 rubles (after the limit is exhausted until the end of the day 10 rubles / minute), outgoing sms 20 rubles. Beeline operates both in Northern Cyprus and in the south of the island.
• MTS in Cyprus: incoming and outgoing (Russia, Cyprus) from 50 rubles/minute, the cost of SMS from Cyprus is 19 rubles. To check the roaming connection, send 0 to the number: 8111. If roaming is not connected automatically, you need to contact MTS support service or dial from your mobile: *111*2192#. Roaming can also be activated in your personal account.
• Tele2 in Cyprus: incoming and outgoing calls cost from 15 rubles/minute (Russia and Cyprus), SMS to Russia 6 rubles. In Cyprus, services are provided by operators Cyta (Vodafone) and MTN Cyprus. Network designation on the phone display: CY-GSM; CY CYTAGSM; CYTAGSM; CytaVoda (Cyta (Vodafone), 280 10, CY 10, Areeba, MTN

Thus, it turns out that among the Russian cellular operators, the cheapest mobile communication in roaming in Cyprus is provided by Tele2.

Developed cellular communications in Cyprus make it possible to make calls at a low price both to subscribers of local operators and abroad – to Russia. Excellent coverage guarantees the availability of communications in resorts and cities of the island. You can purchase a SIM card from any Cypriot operator and deposit money into your account at almost all retail outlets.

Mobile operators

The three largest Cypriot cellular companies are CYTA, MTN and PrimeTel.

The first is the most popular because it has a wide coverage area, including in mountainous areas. CYTA is owned by Vodafone, a large British company that has its representatives in the cellular markets of almost all European countries. Vodafone and its subsidiaries are known for their high level of service and the variety of tariffs offered.

MTN is the second largest mobile operator. Like CYTA, it partners with clients based on multiple pricing plans. However, compared to the market leader, the company has less coverage of the territory, and sometimes communication may be lost - for example, on hard-to-reach hills.

PrimeTel is a virtual operator, the first telecommunications company in Cyprus to enter the market without its own calling infrastructure. Since PrimeTel does not have communication towers, the company uses the network of a small operator, CytaVoda. International roaming is provided by Telefonica, professional customer service system is provided by Amdocs.

Where can I buy SIM cards and top up my account?

Roaming here is expensive, so you need to get a SIM card from a local provider. You can buy it at the airport immediately after arriving on the island. You can also purchase a card at retail outlets and top up your account there.

The SIM card must be activated by sending a secret code located under the protective layer on the card packaging. Sometimes the secret code is printed on a receipt, which is issued at points of sale along with the card upon purchase. After sending the code, you need to wait a few minutes - activation does not happen immediately. 5 minutes after sending the code, check the status of the card by making a test call to any number. If activation has not yet occurred, wait a little longer and call again.

An MTN SIM card at the airport costs 12.5 €, CYTA – 15 €. It is possible that these cards are offered at a lower price at other points of sale. After purchasing a SIM card from any of the two largest mobile companies, you will have 5 euros in your account. To top up your account, cards of different denominations sold in stores are used.

Tariff comparison

Calls and SMS

The cost of CYTA, MTN and PrimeTel tariffs is approximately the same, so you need to focus on the quality of services and coverage area. According to these parameters, the undisputed leadership belongs to CYTA from Vodafone. However, if you are not going far out of town, other operators will be suitable.

For tourists, CYTA has developed a special Soeasy Classic tariff plan. After connecting, the user receives 5 euros to his account, and the first 100 SMS messages sent by the subscriber are free. The next text messages will cost less than 2 euro cents. The cost of calls within Cyprus is 7.8 ct. per minute, abroad – 12.6 cents. If you wish, the cost of sending SMS can be reduced to 1 cent. To do this, you need to switch to the Soeasy TXTers tariff plan.

MTN offers subscribers to use the MTN PayAsYouGo tariff. As in the case of CYTA, after purchasing a SIM card, the client receives 5 euros in his account, but the number of free SMS is less - only 20. The cost of sending other messages reaches 2 cents, the price of calls to subscribers is 10.6 cents, outside the republic - 4.8 ct. in half a minute of conversation.

PrimeTel operator, despite the fact that it is virtual, offers the same prices as other companies. For example, the cost of calls within the island is 7.2 cents, sending SMS is from 1 to 2 cents. The price of a conversation with a subscriber from Russia is 12 cents, a text message for a foreign recipient will cost 6 cents.

Mobile Internet

Acceptable conditions for connecting to the global network on the island are offered by MTN - for 2 KB of traffic you need to pay 0.005 euro cents under general conditions. You can also buy traffic in packages. To activate the desired package, send its name in quotes via SMS to 6040. The following options are available:

• Data on day. The daily limit is 20 MB for 2€;
• Data on week. Weekly limit – 80 MB for 5 €;
• Data on month. Monthly limit – 200 MB for 1€.

Mobile Internet from CYTA is provided under the same conditions. There are three tariff plans - per day, per week and per month. Traffic limits are approximately the same: 20 MB per day for 1.51 €, 60 MB per week for 3.03 € and 200 MB per month for 10.0 €. To activate the desired tariff, send an SMS to number 7000 with the text MI day, MI Week or MI Month, respectively. The standard cost of 1 MB of traffic with the Soeasy tariff is a little more than 1 euro cent.

In the case of a PrimeTel Internet connection, the settings are entered into the phone manually. The value ip.primetel is entered into the APN line, and the “password” and “username” lines are left empty. There are four main packages - 2.5 € for 20 MB, 6 € for 100 MB, 12 € for 250 MB and 20 € for 500 MB.

Roaming

It is not recommended to use Russian mobile operators for calls from Cyprus to Russia or vice versa - the cost of the call is very high. Rostelecom offers much lower prices - 13 rubles per minute on a landline phone. As an alternative to mobile communications, if you have not purchased a card from a Cypriot operator, VoIP telephony services, for example, Skype, are used.

The island is well prepared for the visit of Russian tourists - there are three large cellular operators, each of which provides information in Russian. Understanding the conditions and tariffs is not difficult.

This is what the “Big Three” look like in Cypriot:

• PrimeTel;
• CYTA (aka local Vodafone);

According to established tradition, the leader in the coverage area is the subsidiary of Vodafone: even during trips to the mountains there will be no interruptions in communication. PrimeTel takes an honorable second place. MTN should be preferred only in case of emergency.

Where is the best place to buy a SIM card?

The kits are sold almost everywhere where there is tourist traffic, as well as on busy city streets. Look for branded points of sale or kiosks that say periptero. The cost of the kit itself is not that cheap - a SIM card from the MTN operator will cost 12.5 euros, CYTA - 15. Be prepared for the fact that when you apply for a SIM card, you will be asked to take a copy of your foreign passport.

Cellular tariffs for tourists

In terms of tariff availability, CYTA Vodafone holds the undisputed lead - the company has developed a special Soeasy Classic tariff, which is deservedly considered a leader in the segment for non-residents. When you purchase a package, you get 5 euros in your account and the opportunity to send 100 SMS messages absolutely free.

• Package cost: 15 euros
• Calls within the country: 0.12 euros per minute
• Calls to Russia: 0.8 euros per minute

With the MTN PayAsYouGo tariff, you will also receive 5 euros, but you will be able to send only 20 messages for free, plus the cost of a minute of conversation will be more expensive.

• Package cost: 7.5 euros
• Calls within the island: 0.9 euro/min
• Calls to Russia: 0.10 euro/min

CYTA also has an advantage with mobile Internet: 1 megabyte will cost almost 1 euro cent. MTN uses kilobyte pricing - for every 2 kB you need to pay 0.005 euro cents.

How to call Cyprus from Russia

The cheapest way to contact a subscriber in Cyprus is to call from a Russian landline to a hotel landline. Well, the most convenient way, of course, is to communicate by mobile phone, although it is more expensive.

To mobile phone

• We dial +7-10, then 357 (this is the international dialing code of the island), then the subscriber number.

To a landline phone

• 8 (beep) 10, then 357 (island code), then the city code and subscriber number.

Below are the codes of a number of Greek cities, which, according to Rostourism statistics, have the most Russian tourists:

• Ayia Napa - 23;
• Paphos - 26;
• Limassol - 25;
• Larnaca - 24;
• Nicosia - 22.

How to call Russia from Cyprus

There is nothing difficult in making such a call - just remember the international code of our country (7) and the Cypriot prefix for international communication - 00.

To mobile phone

To a landline phone

Here everything is similar to the previous mechanism of action, only the city code is added: 00-7-city code, followed by a landline phone number. Telephone codes of Russian cities can be easily checked on the Internet or a help desk. By the way, if you use communication from MTN, then this company even has support in Russian, where you can find out all the questions.