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[[File:Kg.png|thumb|220x220px]]
  +
[[File:Kyrgyzstan_National_Anthem.ogg.mp3|thumb|National Anthem]]
 
== '''Basics''' ==
 
== '''Basics''' ==
 
There are three GSM-based operators in Kyrgyzstan:
 
There are three GSM-based operators in Kyrgyzstan:
* '''MegaCom '''(by JSC Alpha Telecom)
 
 
* '''Beeline ('''by Sky Mobile)
 
* '''Beeline ('''by Sky Mobile)
  +
* '''MegaCom '''(by JSC Alpha Telecom)
 
* '''O! '''(by Nur Telecom)
 
* '''O! '''(by Nur Telecom)
3 other smaller operators called '''Katel, Nexi '''and '''Sapat Mobile '''use GSM-incompatible CDMA for 2G and are not on the list. 2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz in up to DC-HSPA speed on the three major operators. 4G/LTE started on O! only on 2600 MHz in Bishkek in 2014.
+
2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz (and 900 MHz on MegaCom) in up to DC-HSPA speed on the three major operators. 4G/LTE started on O! in 2014 and on MegaCom and Beeline in 2016 on 800, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz (Bands 1, 3, 7 and 20). Their 4G/LTE networks now cover a significant proportion of the country as the 3 major mobile operators gain momentum in their rollout of these faster networks.
   
Coverage and speed are good in the major cities, but can be very slow to non-existent in the countryside.
+
Coverage and speeds are generally good in the major cities, but can be very slow to non-existent in the countryside.
   
 
==== '''Buying a SIM card''' ====
 
==== '''Buying a SIM card''' ====
When purchasing a SIM card, you officially have to show a photo ID. Since March 2014 SIM registration in Kyrgyzstan is compulsory. Existing SIM card holders must register personal ID details by February 2016 or face disconnection. Start-up price for prepaid SIM cards is around 125-200 som.
+
When purchasing a SIM card, you officially have to show a photo ID (such as passport). Since 2014 SIM registration in Kyrgyzstan is compulsory. Existing SIM card holders must register personal ID details. All unregisted SIM cards have been disconnected in 2016. Start-up price for prepaid SIM cards is around 80-200 som.
   
 
There are many mobile provider shops in town and even more outlets to top up. Almost every 5th house in the country has a small store called "magazin" and does top-ups. On central squares, you can find small booths with ladies doing the recharge and self service terminals with touch screens. There you have to enter your mobile number and feed it with coins and notes. Language is Russian only, but quite easy to figure out because of lot of graphical elements on the screen.
 
There are many mobile provider shops in town and even more outlets to top up. Almost every 5th house in the country has a small store called "magazin" and does top-ups. On central squares, you can find small booths with ladies doing the recharge and self service terminals with touch screens. There you have to enter your mobile number and feed it with coins and notes. Language is Russian only, but quite easy to figure out because of lot of graphical elements on the screen.
Line 15: Line 17:
 
The manned top-up outlets sell scratch cards. But mostly you just tell (or show) the lady your mobile number to top up. They will add a 5 som fee for the service and type in some special codes to add balance.
 
The manned top-up outlets sell scratch cards. But mostly you just tell (or show) the lady your mobile number to top up. They will add a 5 som fee for the service and type in some special codes to add balance.
   
== '''MegaCom''' ==
+
== '''Beeline''' ==
  +
Beeline operated by Sky Mobile is the biggest competitor of MegaCom in the country and has a 36% market share. It has a limited 3G coverage shown in Russian or Kyrgyz only on these [https://beeline.kg/ru/map coverage maps]. In 2016 it added 4G/LTE on the 800 MHz (B20) frequency.
[[File:Megacom.gif|thumb|204x204px]]
 
MegaCom, owned by JSC Alpha Telecom, is the market leader in this country with 37% customer share. It has the best coverage: 98% of the population are covered by 2G and about 2/3 of the populated areas by 3G in 2015. This means that you have good coverage in the cities, but it can become patchy elsewhere: [http://megacom.kg/eng/connection_payment/coverage/ coverage map].
 
   
 
==== '''Availability''' ====
 
==== '''Availability''' ====
  +
[[File:Beeline.svg.png|thumb|220x220px|Beeline logo in English]]
In their stores and service points. For map and locator go to the coverage map linked above. Their default prepaid tariff is called Basic (Базалык). You don't need to switch plans because they all have the same data packages to add.
 
  +
Prepaid SIM cards available with top-ups of 150-200 som. Check balance by typing *102#. To top-up by scratch card type *104#<PIN code>#. Starting up, you will be in default tariff called "Start" (Старт). There is no need to change tariffs as all have the same data options to add.
   
  +
For a start you are on the tariff plan called Start (Старт).To activate data, type *181#3#, to deactivate *182#3#. Unlike MegaCom you can stay on this plan as all package options can be added.
To top up by scratch card type *555*<PIN code>#. To check balance *500#.
 
   
By typing *181*1#<call> you activate data, by *181# you check data balance, by *181*0# you deactivate data.
 
 
==== '''Data feature packages''' ====
 
==== '''Data feature packages''' ====
Default data on the Basic plan is 17.7 som per MB from midnight to 6am and 35.3 som/MB from 6am until midnight.
+
Default rate is 1.1 som per MB. These weekly internet packages are available:
  +
{| class="article-table"
 
  +
!Data
MegaCom has so-called "unlimited" internet options on a daily basis and classical monthly data packages. The "unlimited" options come in three sizes:
 
  +
!Price
* Unlim24: no daily fee, one time subscription fee of 25 som, activation by *194*1#. Up to 60 MB per day high speed, beyond throttled to 64 kbps.Deactivation by *194*0#
 
  +
!Activation
* Unlim 100: 30 som daily fee, 15 som subscription fee, activation by *191*2#. The first 100 MB per day high speed, next 100 MB at 192 kbps, from 201 MB throttled to 64 kbps. Deactivation by *191*0#
 
* Unlim internet: 19.50 som daily fee, 15 som subscription fee, activation by *191*1#. First 60 MB per day high speed traffic, next 60 MB at 192 kbps, from 121 MB throttled to 64 kbps. Deactivation by *191*0
 
The classical data packs distinguish day and night traffic. They come in these monthly packs.
 
{| style="width: 600px; " class="article-table" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
 
|-
 
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Daytime Data
 
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Nighttime Data
 
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Price
 
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Activation
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: center;" |35 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |35 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |50 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*192*35#
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|1 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |60 MB
 
  +
|30 som
| style="text-align: center;" |60 MB
 
  +
|*777*1#
| style="text-align: center;" |80 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*192*60#
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|2 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |125 MB
 
  +
|40 som
| style="text-align: center;" |125 MB
 
  +
|*777*2#
| style="text-align: center;" |150 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*192*125#
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|5 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |300 MB
 
  +
|80 som
| style="text-align: center;" |300 MB
 
  +
|*777*5#
| style="text-align: center;" |320 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*192*300#
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|7 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |500 MB
 
  +
|95 som
| style="text-align: center;" |500 MB
 
  +
|*777*7#
| style="text-align: center;" |430 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*192*500#
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: center;" |1024 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |1024 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |675 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*192*1024#
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: center;" |2048 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |2048 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |950 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*192*2048#
 
 
|}
 
|}
  +
All packages auto-renew.
Daytime is 8am to midnight, nighttime midnight to 8am.
 
  +
  +
==== '''Data-only SIM''' ====
  +
They additionally sell a data-only plan for tablets in tariff Твоё время. It has a monthly data allowance of 15 GB for all networks and 20 GB for 4G/LTE. Night traffic (midnight-6am) is free. The monthly fee is 600 som. Activation code: *5554*11#.
  +
 
==== '''More info''' ====
 
==== '''More info''' ====
* APN: internet
+
* APN: internet.beeline.kg
* Website in English not updated: http://megacom.kg/eng/
+
* Website in Kyrgyz and Russian only: http://beeline.kg
   
== '''Beeline''' ==
+
== '''MegaCom''' ==
[[File:Beeline.jpg|thumb|185x185px]]
+
[[File:Megacom.gif|thumb|204x204px]]
  +
MegaCom, owned by JSC Alpha Telecom, is the market leader in this country with 37% customer share. It has the best coverage: 98% of the population are covered by 2G and about 2/3 of the populated areas by 3G in 2015. This means that you have good coverage in the cities, but it can become patchy elsewhere: [https://www.megacom.kg/pages/map_kg?locale=ru coverage map].
Beeline by Sky Mobile is the biggest competitor of MegaCom and has a 36 % market share. It has a limited 3G coverage shown in Russian only on these [http://3g.beeline.kg/cities/coverage.wbp coverage maps].
 
  +
  +
In 2017 3G frequencies on 900 MHz were added for more coverage. They started 4G/LTE in the cities of Bishkek, Osh and Jalal-Abad in 2016 and started in regional cities in 2017, partly open for prepaid. The LTE network of Megacom reached 90% of the country's area in 2020, growing from just over 50% in 2018.
   
 
==== '''Availability''' ====
 
==== '''Availability''' ====
Prepaid sim cards available with top ups of 150-200 som. Check balance by typing *102#. to top up by scratch card type * 104#<PIN code>#. Starting up, you will be in default tariff called Start (Старт). There is no need to change tariffs as all have the same data options to add.
+
SIM cards are available in their stores and service points for around 10 som. If you want to get one as you arrive at Manas International Airport, you will find a MegaCom booth immediately to the right as you exit customs. For a map of other locations, go to the coverage map linked above.
   
  +
There are numerous places to top-up your prepaid balance as well. Most small stores will do this for you for a small surcharge (of 5-15 som). To top-up by scratch card type *555*<PIN code>#.
To activate data, type *181#3#, to deactivate *182#3#
 
   
  +
They have a big selection of different plans to choose from:
==== '''Data feature packages''' ====
 
  +
These daily packages are available. A day is 24 hours from activation:
 
  +
==== '''Standard (Стандарт)''' '''Plan''' ====
* 5 MB: 6 som, activation: *505*05#, deactivation: *505*05*0#
 
  +
Their standard plan is the most universal. A change costs 40 som by *303*44*1#. Data is 2.5 som per MB by default in up to 4G/LTE. These data options can be added:
* 10 MB 10 som, activation: *505*10# deactivation: *505*10*0#
 
  +
* for a lower default rate: Affordable Internet option - connection fee for an option change is 10 som:
* 25 MB: 20 som, activation: *505*25#, deactivation: *505*25*0#
 
* 50 MB: 30 som, activation: *505*50#, deactivation: *505*50*0#
+
** 0.4 som per MB: 1 som per day, activation: *135*1#
* 100 MB: 50 som, activation: *505*100#, deactivation: *505*100*0#
+
** 0.4 som per MB + 10 MB: 2 som per day, activation: *135*2#
  +
** 0.25 som per MB + 25 MB: 3 som per day, activation: *135*3#
These monthly packages are available:
 
  +
{| style="width: 400px; " class="article-table" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
 
  +
* as daily packages - connection fee is 10 som:
  +
** Unlim 1GB: 55 som per day. Up to 1 GB per day high speed, beyond throttled to 1 Mbps, beyond 5 GB throttled to 256 kbit/s. Activation by *194*1#., deactivation by *195*0#
  +
** Unlimited Night: unlimitied traffic, valid midnight to 8am, 2.5 som per night, activation: *091*1#, deactivation: *091*0#
  +
** to regain full speed for the daily packages, these add-ons called Nitro can be added:
  +
*** 500 MB: 15 som, activation: *190*1*1#
  +
*** 1 GB: 30 som, activation: *190*1*2#
  +
*** 5 GB: 90 som, activation: *190*1*3#
  +
  +
* monthly packages called "day and night":
  +
{| class="article-table"
  +
!Daytime Data
  +
!4G Bonus
  +
!Price
  +
!Activation
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|200 MB
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Data Volume
 
  +
|200 MB
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Price
 
  +
|25 som
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Activation
 
  +
|*191*1#
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|500 MB
| style="text-align: center;" |50 MB
 
  +
|500 MB
| style="text-align: center;" |50 som
 
  +
|45 som
| style="text-align: center;" |*3133*50#
 
  +
|*191*2#
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|3 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |250 MB
 
  +
|3 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |150 som
 
  +
|180 som
| style="text-align: center;" |*3133*250#
 
  +
|*191*3#
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|8 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |500 MB
 
  +
|8 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |220 som
 
  +
|350 som
| style="text-align: center;" |*3133*500#
 
  +
|*191*4#
  +
|}
  +
The daytime allowance is valid 8am-0.30am and doubled for 4G data. Data allowance in the nighttime hours (0.30am-8am) is unlimited. Check package balance by *505#
  +
  +
==== '''Popular (Элдик) Plan and Popular Internet (Элдик Интернет) Plan''' ====
  +
There are the weekly combo Popular (Элдик) plans that include calls, SMS and data including 4G/LTE. It comes in the following package sizes valid for 7 days:
  +
{| class="article-table"
  +
!Plan
  +
!Data
  +
!Voice
  +
!SMS
  +
!Price
  +
!Activation
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! colspan="6" |'''Popular (Элдик) plans:'''
| style="text-align: center;" |1 GB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |350 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*3133*1024#
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|Popular 50
| style="text-align: center;" |2 GB
 
  +
|1 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |520 som
 
  +
|300 mins
| style="text-align: center;" |*3133*2#
 
  +
|500
  +
|50 som
  +
|*303*50*1#
 
|-
 
|-
  +
|Popular 80
| style="text-align: center;" |5 GB
 
  +
|2.1 GB
| style="text-align: center;" |1200 som
 
  +
|500 mins
| style="text-align: center;" |*3133*5#
 
  +
|1000
  +
|80 som
  +
|*303*80*1#
  +
|-
  +
|Popular 120
  +
|3.5 GB
  +
|950 mins
  +
|1500
  +
|120 som
  +
|*303*120*1#
  +
|-
  +
|Popular 160
  +
|5.25 GB
  +
|1300 mins
  +
|2000
  +
|160 som
  +
|*303*160*1#
  +
|-
  +
|Popular 210
  +
|7.35 GB
  +
|1500 mins
  +
|2500
  +
|210 som
  +
|*303*210*1#
  +
|-
  +
! colspan="6" |'''Popular Internet (Элдик Интернет) plans:'''
  +
|-
  +
|Popular Internet 90
  +
|6 GB
  +
|100 mins
  +
|100
  +
|90 som
  +
|*303*90*1#
  +
|-
  +
|Popular Internet 130
  +
|8 GB
  +
|200 mins
  +
|200
  +
|130 som
  +
|*303*130*1#
  +
|-
  +
|Popular Internet 170
  +
|12 GB
  +
|300 mins
  +
|300
  +
|270 som
  +
|*303*170*1#
 
|}
 
|}
  +
All included voice calls and SMS are on-net only. An activation charge of 60 som applies if you are switching from a different plan by the given activation code. Outside of packages, data is at 0.95 som per MB. You can add for more data:
  +
* Turboknopka 2 GB: 50 som - *290*2*1#
  +
* Turboknopka 5 GB: 100 som - *290*5*1#
  +
* Turboknopka 10 GB: 150 som - *290*10*1#
  +
To check credit balance use *500#, to check data and minutes balance use *678*2#.
   
  +
Packages auto renew if sufficient balance, if insufficient balance, extra data use will be charged at base tariff, be careful!
All packages auto-renew. To stop, text *3133*0#. To check balance, type *505#
 
   
==== '''Data-only SIM''' ====
+
==== '''Unlimited Plan''' ====
  +
Recently they have started an unlimited 4G plan (Чектөөсүз 4G) with unlimited data on 4G networks, but only throttled data on 2G and 3G networks (at 512 kbit/s). It costs 1290 som per month and includes voice and texts for extra fees. Activation: *303*40#.
They additionall sell data-only SIMs for tablets in tariff Internet (Планшет). They are on prepaid and have a monthly data allowance of 3 GB. The monthly fee is 600 som. For the first month they give 3 GB night traffic (1am-6am) for free.
 
   
 
==== '''More info''' ====
 
==== '''More info''' ====
* APN: internet.beeline.kg
+
* APN: internet
* Website in Russian only: http://beeline.kg
+
* Website in Kyrgyz and Russian: [http://www.megacom.kg/ http://megacom.kg/]
   
 
== '''O! ''' ==
 
== '''O! ''' ==
 
[[File:O!.png|thumb|110x110px]]
 
[[File:O!.png|thumb|110x110px]]
O! by Nur Telecom is the smallest of the 3 operators. It has a very limited coverage in the countryside. But in Bishkek, it's the only provider to offer LTE on 2600 MHz, but not for prepaid yet. Before buying a SIM card, make a network scan and check their [http://www.o.kg/ru/zona_pokrytija coverage maps] in 2G, 3G and 4G.
+
O! by Nur Telecom used to be the smallest of the three operators. Starting in Bishkek, Osh and Jalal-Abad, it offers 4G/LTE on 800 and 2600 MHz (B7 and 20). This has now spread to the country side and 97% of the population are covered in 2020 by LTE: [http://www.o.kg/ru/zona_pokrytija coverage maps] in 2G, 3G and 4G.
   
 
==== '''Availability''' ====
 
==== '''Availability''' ====
Prepaid sim cards available for 120-200 son in their offices ([http://www.o.kg/ru/obslujivanie/adresa_opio locator]). For data, you can change to tariff plan "Internet" (Интернет) by typing *155*7# <call>. This change will be charged with 30 som. On this tariff the default rate is 1.39 som per 100 KB. Default Away! (Оной!) plan charges 2.99 som per 100 KB.
+
Prepaid SIM cards are available for 120-200 son in their offices ([http://www.o.kg/ru/obslujivanie/adresa_opio locator]). Default standard tariff Away! (Оной!) plan charges 2.99 som per MB. Data stays in up to 3G only.
   
  +
By *155*9# you can migrate within 24 hours after activating your SIM card to plan Internet+ (Интернет+) without a base rate, but including 4G/LTE and a default rate of 1.39 som per MB.
==== '''Data feature packages''' ====
 
They sell these 2G/3G internet packages on all plans:
 
   
  +
==== '''Combo plans''' ====
{| style="width: 400px; " class="article-table" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
 
  +
These combo plans are offered
|-
 
  +
* O! 95: 10 GB data, 5 off-net mins, unlimited on-net mins for 7 days: 95 som, activation: *155*77#
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Data Volume
 
  +
* O! 135: 16 GB data, 15 off net-mins, unlimited on-net mins for 7 days: 135 som, activation: *155*8#
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Price
 
  +
* O! Premium: 20 GB data, 60 off net-mins, unlimited on-net mins for 7 days: 290 som, activation: *155*99#
! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Activation
 
  +
|-
 
  +
===='''Data-only SIM - unlimited internet'''====
| style="text-align: center;" |50 MB
 
  +
You can change a regular SIM to a data-only in tariff Unlim Internet+ by *726# with 8 GB per day and unlimited per night (1am-8am) for 390 som. For overuse data will be throttled to 256 kbit/s.
| style="text-align: center;" |89.50 som
 
  +
| style="text-align: center;" |*720*50#
 
  +
A similar tariff gives 20 GB during daytime and another 20 GB at night (1am-8am) for 30 days at 850 som.
|-
 
| style="text-align: center;" |250 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |347.50 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*720*250#
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: center;" |500 MB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |425 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*720*500#
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: center;" |1 GB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |499 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*720*1000#
 
|-
 
| style="text-align: center;" |2 GB
 
| style="text-align: center;" |899 som
 
| style="text-align: center;" |*720*2000#
 
|}
 
   
  +
===='''Tethering (mobile hotspot use)'''====
Check data balance: *720#.
 
  +
By default, even if you set up the APN, personal hotspot / tethering will not work on O!. To enable it, you must dial *711# . Enabling tethering costs an additional 40 som per week or 100 som per 30 days (depends on whether your current tarriff is billed by the week or month).
* unlimited night package (midnight-8am): 120 som, activation: *722#, deactivation:*722*0#
 
   
==== '''More info'''[[Category:Asia]][[Category:Country]][[Category:Beeline]] ====
+
==== '''More info'''====
 
* APN: internet
 
* APN: internet
* Website in Russian only: http://www.o.kg
+
* Website in Kyrgyz and Russian only: http://www.o.kg
  +
[[Category:Asia]]
  +
[[Category:Country]]
  +
[[Category:Beeline]]
  +
[[Category:9/18]]

Revision as of 11:11, 26 September 2020

Kg

National Anthem

Basics

There are three GSM-based operators in Kyrgyzstan:

  • Beeline (by Sky Mobile)
  • MegaCom (by JSC Alpha Telecom)
  • O! (by Nur Telecom)

2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz (and 900 MHz on MegaCom) in up to DC-HSPA speed on the three major operators. 4G/LTE started on O! in 2014 and on MegaCom and Beeline in 2016 on 800, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz (Bands 1, 3, 7 and 20). Their 4G/LTE networks now cover a significant proportion of the country as the 3 major mobile operators gain momentum in their rollout of these faster networks.

Coverage and speeds are generally good in the major cities, but can be very slow to non-existent in the countryside.

Buying a SIM card

When purchasing a SIM card, you officially have to show a photo ID (such as passport). Since 2014 SIM registration in Kyrgyzstan is compulsory. Existing SIM card holders must register personal ID details. All unregisted SIM cards have been disconnected in 2016. Start-up price for prepaid SIM cards is around 80-200 som.

There are many mobile provider shops in town and even more outlets to top up. Almost every 5th house in the country has a small store called "magazin" and does top-ups. On central squares, you can find small booths with ladies doing the recharge and self service terminals with touch screens. There you have to enter your mobile number and feed it with coins and notes. Language is Russian only, but quite easy to figure out because of lot of graphical elements on the screen.

The manned top-up outlets sell scratch cards. But mostly you just tell (or show) the lady your mobile number to top up. They will add a 5 som fee for the service and type in some special codes to add balance.

Beeline

Beeline operated by Sky Mobile is the biggest competitor of MegaCom in the country and has a 36% market share. It has a limited 3G coverage shown in Russian or Kyrgyz only on these coverage maps. In 2016 it added 4G/LTE on the 800 MHz (B20) frequency.

Availability

Beeline

Beeline logo in English

Prepaid SIM cards available with top-ups of 150-200 som. Check balance by typing *102#. To top-up by scratch card type *104#<PIN code>#. Starting up, you will be in default tariff called "Start" (Старт). There is no need to change tariffs as all have the same data options to add.

For a start you are on the tariff plan called Start (Старт).To activate data, type *181#3#, to deactivate *182#3#. Unlike MegaCom you can stay on this plan as all package options can be added.

Data feature packages

Default rate is 1.1 som per MB. These weekly internet packages are available:

Data Price Activation
1 GB 30 som *777*1#
2 GB 40 som *777*2#
5 GB 80 som *777*5#
7 GB 95 som *777*7#

All packages auto-renew.

Data-only SIM

They additionally sell a data-only plan for tablets in tariff Твоё время. It has a monthly data allowance of 15 GB for all networks and 20 GB for 4G/LTE. Night traffic (midnight-6am) is free. The monthly fee is 600 som. Activation code: *5554*11#.

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MegaCom

Megacom

MegaCom, owned by JSC Alpha Telecom, is the market leader in this country with 37% customer share. It has the best coverage: 98% of the population are covered by 2G and about 2/3 of the populated areas by 3G in 2015. This means that you have good coverage in the cities, but it can become patchy elsewhere: coverage map.

In 2017 3G frequencies on 900 MHz were added for more coverage. They started 4G/LTE in the cities of Bishkek, Osh and Jalal-Abad in 2016 and started in regional cities in 2017, partly open for prepaid. The LTE network of Megacom reached 90% of the country's area in 2020, growing from just over 50% in 2018.

Availability

SIM cards are available in their stores and service points for around 10 som. If you want to get one as you arrive at Manas International Airport, you will find a MegaCom booth immediately to the right as you exit customs. For a map of other locations, go to the coverage map linked above.

There are numerous places to top-up your prepaid balance as well. Most small stores will do this for you for a small surcharge (of 5-15 som). To top-up by scratch card type *555*<PIN code>#.

They have a big selection of different plans to choose from:

Standard (Стандарт) Plan

Their standard plan is the most universal. A change costs 40 som by *303*44*1#. Data is 2.5 som per MB by default in up to 4G/LTE. These data options can be added:

  • for a lower default rate: Affordable Internet option - connection fee for an option change is 10 som:
    • 0.4 som per MB: 1 som per day, activation: *135*1#
    • 0.4 som per MB + 10 MB: 2 som per day, activation: *135*2#
    • 0.25 som per MB + 25 MB: 3 som per day, activation: *135*3#
  • as daily packages - connection fee is 10 som:
    • Unlim 1GB: 55 som per day. Up to 1 GB per day high speed, beyond throttled to 1 Mbps, beyond 5 GB throttled to 256 kbit/s. Activation by *194*1#., deactivation by *195*0#
    • Unlimited Night: unlimitied traffic, valid midnight to 8am, 2.5 som per night, activation: *091*1#, deactivation: *091*0#
    • to regain full speed for the daily packages, these add-ons called Nitro can be added:
      • 500 MB: 15 som, activation: *190*1*1#
      • 1 GB: 30 som, activation: *190*1*2#
      • 5 GB: 90 som, activation: *190*1*3#
  • monthly packages called "day and night":
Daytime Data 4G Bonus Price Activation
200 MB 200 MB 25 som *191*1#
500 MB 500 MB 45 som *191*2#
3 GB 3 GB 180 som *191*3#
8 GB 8 GB 350 som *191*4#

The daytime allowance is valid 8am-0.30am and doubled for 4G data. Data allowance in the nighttime hours (0.30am-8am) is unlimited. Check package balance by *505#

Popular (Элдик) Plan and Popular Internet (Элдик Интернет) Plan

There are the weekly combo Popular (Элдик) plans that include calls, SMS and data including 4G/LTE. It comes in the following package sizes valid for 7 days:

Plan Data Voice SMS Price Activation
Popular (Элдик) plans:
Popular 50 1 GB 300 mins 500 50 som *303*50*1#
Popular 80 2.1 GB 500 mins 1000 80 som *303*80*1#
Popular 120 3.5 GB 950 mins 1500 120 som *303*120*1#
Popular 160 5.25 GB 1300 mins 2000 160 som *303*160*1#
Popular 210 7.35 GB 1500 mins 2500 210 som *303*210*1#
Popular Internet (Элдик Интернет) plans:
Popular Internet 90 6 GB 100 mins 100 90 som *303*90*1#
Popular Internet 130 8 GB 200 mins 200 130 som *303*130*1#
Popular Internet 170 12 GB 300 mins 300 270 som *303*170*1#

All included voice calls and SMS are on-net only. An activation charge of 60 som applies if you are switching from a different plan by the given activation code. Outside of packages, data is at 0.95 som per MB. You can add for more data:

  • Turboknopka 2 GB: 50 som - *290*2*1#
  • Turboknopka 5 GB: 100 som - *290*5*1#
  • Turboknopka 10 GB: 150 som - *290*10*1#

To check credit balance use *500#, to check data and minutes balance use *678*2#.

Packages auto renew if sufficient balance, if insufficient balance, extra data use will be charged at base tariff, be careful!

Unlimited Plan

Recently they have started an unlimited 4G plan (Чектөөсүз 4G) with unlimited data on 4G networks, but only throttled data on 2G and 3G networks (at 512 kbit/s). It costs 1290 som per month and includes voice and texts for extra fees. Activation: *303*40#.

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O!

O!

O! by Nur Telecom used to be the smallest of the three operators. Starting in Bishkek, Osh and Jalal-Abad, it offers 4G/LTE on 800 and 2600 MHz (B7 and 20). This has now spread to the country side and 97% of the population are covered in 2020 by LTE: coverage maps in 2G, 3G and 4G.

Availability

Prepaid SIM cards are available for 120-200 son in their offices (locator). Default standard tariff Away! (Оной!) plan charges 2.99 som per MB. Data stays in up to 3G only.

By *155*9# you can migrate within 24 hours after activating your SIM card to plan Internet+ (Интернет+) without a base rate, but including 4G/LTE and a default rate of 1.39 som per MB.

Combo plans

These combo plans are offered

  • O! 95: 10 GB data, 5 off-net mins, unlimited on-net mins for 7 days: 95 som, activation: *155*77#
  • O! 135: 16 GB data, 15 off net-mins, unlimited on-net mins for 7 days: 135 som, activation: *155*8#
  • O! Premium: 20 GB data, 60 off net-mins, unlimited on-net mins for 7 days: 290 som, activation: *155*99#

Data-only SIM - unlimited internet

You can change a regular SIM to a data-only in tariff Unlim Internet+ by *726# with 8 GB per day and unlimited per night (1am-8am) for 390 som. For overuse data will be throttled to 256 kbit/s.

A similar tariff gives 20 GB during daytime and another 20 GB at night (1am-8am) for 30 days at 850 som.

Tethering (mobile hotspot use)

By default, even if you set up the APN, personal hotspot / tethering will not work on O!. To enable it, you must dial *711# . Enabling tethering costs an additional 40 som per week or 100 som per 30 days (depends on whether your current tarriff is billed by the week or month).

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