Choosing the right mobile operator in Belarus can be tricky given the number of options available. This article provides a comprehensive overview of all Belarus mobile operators and helps you determine which one might be the best fit for your needs.
Table of Contents
I. List of Belarus Mobile Operators
There are several mobile operators offering service in Belarus:
1. Main Mobile Operators in Belarus
Belarus has a competitive mobile market with three major operators:
| Operator | Ownership | Year Established | Services |
| MTS Belarus | MTS (Russia) | 1993 | Mobile, digital, broadband |
| A1 Belarus | A1 Telekom Austria Group (Europe) | 1999 | Mobile, broadband, Internet |
| Life Belarus | Turkcell (Turkey) | 2004 | Mobile (GSM, UMTS) |
Each operator offers a variety of plans and services, so it’s important to compare them before choosing one.
II. How to Choose the Best Mobile Operator in Belarus
When choosing a mobile operator in Belarus, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Coverage: Make sure to check coverage maps to see which operators have the best signal in your area and where you travel frequently. MTS has the widest overall coverage, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option for you. For example, if you live in a rural area, you may want to consider life:) or A1, which offer better coverage in some less-populated regions.
- Data speeds: If you need fast 4G speeds, test operator networks with speed check apps. life) and A1 tend to offer the fastest average 4G speeds, but all operators have improved their networks significantly in recent years.
- Pricing: Compare plans across operators considering your calling, texting, and data needs. life:) and A1 have very competitively priced plans, but again, the best option for you will depend on your individual usage habits.
- Roaming: If you travel abroad frequently, compare roaming rates and locations covered by each operator. All operators offer roaming services, but prices and coverage can vary widely.
- Customer service: Ask friends and family members for their experiences dealing with each provider. MTS and life:) tend to have better customer service, but all operators have their own strengths and weaknesses in this area.
Tips: Don’t be afraid to switch operators if you’re not happy with your current service. All operators in Belarus offer painless switching processes, and you can usually keep your phone number.
III. Best Mobile Operators in Belarus – Detailed Comparison
Based on various criteria, here is a detailed overview of the best mobile operators in Belarus:
| Belarus Mobile Operators | Network Coverage | Visitor SIM Options | Local SIM Registration Requirement | Data Packages |
| life:) | Smaller network, limited 3G coverage to major cities. Better data rates but lower coverage. | Needs local SIM registration. No visitor SIM options. | Required to subscribe to tariffs. Stamp on passport by hotel sufficient. | Daily and monthly data packages available. Rates generally cheaper than competitors. |
| MTS | Largest network coverage at 98% 2G and 95% 3G. Launched 4G in 2015. | Offers Bezlimitishe+ visitor SIM for BYN 26.75/month with unlimited data and 400 mins. No international roaming. | Needed for other tariffs beyond visitor SIM. Stamp on passport by hotel sufficient. | Various daily data packages from 100MB to unlimited. Also monthly options up to 50GB. |
| A1 | Second largest network similar to MTS coverage. Launched 4G in 2019. Previously known as Velcom. | Offers No Limits 2.0 visitor SIM with unlimited data and 600 mins for BYN 29.99/month. | Needed for other tariffs beyond visitor SIM. Stamp on passport by hotel sufficient. | Daily plans up to 900MB and monthly plans up to 30GB. Also data-only plans for modems/tablets. |
IV. Where to Buy SIM Card from Belarus Mobile Operators?
Here are some tips on where to buy SIM cards from major providers in Belarus:
1. Upon Arrival
At Minsk National Airport, you’ll find SIM kiosks in the arrival halls before you exit customs. MTS, life:) and A1 are the major carriers represented. Prices typically range from 5-15EUR for a starter pack containing some data. The kiosk employees speak English and can guide you through activation right there. They may offer traveling deals like multi-day data passes.
2. Belarus Mobile Operator Retail Stores
In Minsk city center, all three operators have large retail stores where you can browse detailed plans and question sales associates. A1 store on Nezavisimosti Ave has the biggest selection of SIM cards, data packages catered to tourists.
Lifecell’s store on Pieramožcaŭ Ave allows you to test signal strength in various areas of the city. MTS’ store in the Galerija Centr shopping mall has SIMs optimized for tethering your tablet/laptop.
If you’re outside Minsk, larger supermarkets like the Tsentralny Universalny in Hrodna will have a back wall display of prepaid SIM options. Pickup a 2GB data SIM from MTS for under 10EUR. Customer service may be limited compared to operator stores.
Note: When buying in person, carry your passport and ensure the SIM card is activated before leaving the store.
V. Do Mobile Operators in Belarus Offer eSIM?
1. Belarus eSIM at a Glance
eSIM technology is slowly rolling out in Belarus. As of 2023, here is eSIM availability:
- MTS – Offers eSIM support primarily for business and corporate clients only. Regular consumers cannot activate MTS eSIM currently.
- life:) – Claims to offer eSIM services on its website but it is not fully implemented yet. May only be available for specific device plans.
- A1 – Do not provide eSIM option for general public so far. Focus is still on traditional physical SIM cards.
Overall, eSIM adoption is still in very early stages in Belarus. Unless you have a corporate account, getting regular SIM cards is still the better option when traveling to or within Belarus.
Another excellent option for travelers is purchasing an eSIM plan directly from a specialist provider like esimbelarus.com. We are currently offering a 7-day and 15-day eSIM data plan with flexible daily data allocation priced starting from $10.50 and $15 respectively for travelers to Belarus. The daily data and validity period can be customized as needed.
2. How to Get a Belarus eSIM
esimbelarus.com allows you to easily manage your eSIM directly from the website. After purchasing an eSIM plan, you will have access to a online portal where you can:
- Activate your eSIM by scanning the provided QR code from your email
- Change plans if your needs change during your trip
- Add or remove data packages to customize your plan
- Monitor your data usage and balance in real-time
- Update your payment or personal details if needed
To activate an eSIM from esimbelarus.com, simply follow these steps:
- Check that your device supports eSIM on our compatibility list
- Choose the plan that suits your needs for how long you’ll be in Belarus
- Complete the purchase and you’ll receive the activation QR code instantly
- Go to your cellular settings on your device and scan the QR code
- Accept the terms and conditions and your eSIM will be activated
Learn how to install your Belarus eSIM here.
You can now use data in Belarus just like a regular SIM card. For any issues, esimbelarus.com support is available via email or live chat 24/7 in English and other languages.
Having control of your eSIM plan directly through esimbelarus.com’s online portal makes management simple. You can customize your service easily from Belarus or even before your trip for hassle-free connectivity while traveling.
Plans that may interest you
VI. FAQs
Which Belarus mobile operator has the cheapest data plans?
life (BeST) and A1 tend to have very affordable data packs for prepaid users. For example, you can get 15GB over 30 days on life: for around $7.
Can I use my Belarus SIM card in other countries?
Roaming availability varies by operator. MTS likely has the widest roaming coverage globally. life: and Velcom also offer roaming in many regions. Check roaming zones before travelling.
Do I need to register my SIM card in Belarus?
Yes, you need to provide your passport when purchasing a new SIM in Belarus. Operators are required by law to register SIM card users.
Which Belarus mobile operator has the best coverage?
MTS has the most extensive 2G/3G/4G coverage across Belarus currently. life: and Velcom also have excellent coverage in urban areas and major transportation routes.
VII. Final Words
Choosing the right Belarus mobile operator involves comparing coverage, speeds, rates, roaming options and other factors. For most travellers, life:, MTS and A1 emerge as top choices thanks to affordable plans and good 4G networks. Be sure to buy your SIM from a reputable source like branded stores or airport outlets. With an optimal SIM card, you can easily stay connected during your time in Belarus.
