Basics
There are 3 mobile networks in Latvia:
- LMT
- Tele2
- Bite
2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz. Bite uses EGSM 900 (operating only on the edges of the 900 MHz band, so some old phones might not be able to cover it). 3G is on 900 and 2100 MHz with all operators. 4G/LTE is on 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz (LMT-only).
The networks offer prepaid voice and data plans under different brand names like BiFri, LMT Karte, and Zelta Zivtiņa. Network coverage and 3G availability is best with LMT and Tele2. LMT started 4G/LTE in 2011 on 1800 and 2600 MHz and covers already half of the population, Tele2 started in 2014 with LTE on 1800 MHz and covers less. For rural areas all providers use 800 MHz now too. Amigo is the biggest MVNO in the country using the LMT network.
Starter packs and recharges are available at their shops, newsstands, kiosks, petrol stations, supermarkets and other places. You don't need to show an ID or do any registration. Sometimes prepaid nano SIMs are not availaible, so bring along a cutting device if you need one.
LMT (LMT Karte)
LMT (stands for Latvijas Mobilais Telefons) is owned by Telia Company and the state of Latvia. Its network has the best 3G and 4G coverage while its 4G/LTE reaches 90% of population in 2016, open for prepaid. 2-4G coverage map
LMT Karte
Their LMT Karte prepaid SIM is available from LMT service centers (locator), service stations, newspaper kiosks, post offices and some supermarkets. Starter kit costs 1 or 3 €. Refill vouchers available for 1.42, 2, 5, 10 and 20 €.
To activate the SIM call 29202010 and follow the instructions. You will be given an option to change language into Latvian, Russian or English.
LMT sells only weekly data packages (valid for 7 days):
Volume(s) | EU cap | Price | Activation | Deactivation |
---|---|---|---|---|
unltd. calls and SMS, 100 MB | no cap | 2.00 € | NSA | NSA- |
10 mins, unltd. SMS, 1 GB | 322 MB | 1.50 € | NIA | NIA- |
10 mins, unltd. SMS and data | 537 MB | 2.50 € | NIPA | NIPA- |
For activation text SMS with corresponding code to 1626. After using the included data volume, speed is throttled to 64 Kbit/s for the rest of the month. You can buy another weekly pack anytime. All packages auto-renew after one week if not cancelled. To check data balance, text the letter 'i' to 1626.
Note that all texts for activation and checks are charged at 0.0213 € and EU roaming is capped. Overuse will be charged on the standard rate of 0.0605 € per MB.
Mobile Broadband SIM
Their data-only SIM is called "Priekšapmaksas mobilā interneta SIM karte" = prepaid mobile internet card. It's sold at their agencies or at Statoil or Narvesen outlets:
- SIM-only valid for 120 days, preloaded with a weekly package (max. 10 GB / EU:1.18 GB): 5.65 €
- 4G USB dongle and SIM card, preloaded like above: 14.99 €
You can activate these packages on this SIM:
- daily = 24 hours: 1 GB domestic data (EU roaming max. 290 MB): 1.40 €
- weekly = 168 hours: 10 GB domestic data (EU roaming max. 1.18 GB): 5.65 €
To activate, text DI for daily or NED for weekly to 29202010. SIM is for data only and not for calls. After having used up volume, speed will be reduced to 64/16 kbps. New packages can be booked ahead of time up to 1 GB per day or 10 GB per week.
Recharging
You can recharge online using international credit card (Visa or MasterCard) online through this page. Most EU credit cards are accepted.
Account validity time varies. It depends on last recharge amount. When your credits lifetime expired, you can only receive calls and SMS messages. After some more time (number lifetime grace period) if not recharged, your number will be blocked without any way to restore it.
Recharge
amount |
Credit
validity |
Number lifetime
(grace period) |
---|---|---|
1 € | 10 days | 70 days |
2-4 € | 30 days | 90 days |
5-9 € | 60 days | 120 days |
10-19 € | 120 days | 180 days |
>20 € | 240 days | 300 days |
You can check your account balance and expiry date by dialing *120# (for free).
EU roaming
Finally LMT has chosen not to opt out from EU roaming rules, but to use a rigid FUP cap on all plans where only a small share is given out at domestic rates for roaming in the EU. This data volume is specified above for every package. All volumes outside these limits are charged by the standard roaming rate of 6.05c per MB. Two further monthly packages are offered for EU roaming data:
- 100 MB for 30 days: 0.93 € - activation: text 'ICE100' to 1688
- 500 MB for 30 days: 4.22 € - activation: text 'ICE500' to 1688
More infos
- APN for LMT Karte: okarte.lmt.lv
- APN for Mobile Broadband: internet.lmt.lv
- Website in Latvian and Russian: http://www.lmt.lv
Zelta Zivtiņa (ZZ by Tele2)
Tele2 is on par with LMT on 2G and 3G covering 95% with 3G and 90% on 4G/LTE open for prepaid. They don't sell prepaid SIM cards under their own name Tele2 but through the brand "Zelta Zivtiņa" better known as ZZ meaning goldfish. For a 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE coverage map click on: šeit
ZZ (Zelta Zivtiņa)
Availability
ZZ Sim Cards are available in their stores click: Kur iegādāties?, newsstands, kiosks, petrol stations and others for either 1.49 or 3.99 EUR. The SIM has a default rate of 0.36 EUR per day for 30 MB. Extra data is charged at 0.07 EUR per MB.
To check account balance and expiration date, dial *245# and press "call" button.
You can use online management website Mana ZZ (available only in Latvian and Russian), and official mobile application (in Google Play) to check your account and modify packages.
They sell three different tariff lines:
- ZZ TRIO: € 3.90 with 150 domestic minutes, 150 SMS domestic SMS and 150 domestic MB
- ZZ VISI: € 4.90 for 30 days with unlimited calls and SMS in Latvia
- ZZ EIROPA: € 6.99 for 7 days with 60 mins, 60 SMS and 200 MB that can be used in EU roaming too.
Data feature packages
You can add these monthly packages to the tariff lines for 30 days:
Package | dom. Volume | Price | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
XS | 50 MB | 0.49 EUR | XS |
S | 300 MB | 1.49 EUR | S |
M | 1 GB | 3.49 EUR | M |
L | 2 GB | 5.99 EUR | L |
XL | 10 GB | 11.99 EUR | XL |
For activation, text code to 1616. Speed is up to 100 Mbit/s on 4G/LTE. Note that all the package allowances can only be used in Latvia, not for roam like at home in the EU (see below).
ZZ Data SIM
Furthermore, they sell a data SIM starter pack for 4.99 EUR with 5 GB included valid for 10 days, which is on 4G/LTE too. The starter pack including an USB modem is for 11.99 EUR, which does not support Windows 10 (as of November 2016). Data volume can be checked by texting T to 1616 or in Mana ZZ selfcare or app. The following data packages can be added via refill bought in any kiosk, petrol station.
- 5 GB for 2 days: 1.50 EUR
- 5 GB for 7 days: 3 EUR
- 5 GB for 14 days: 5 EUR
- 5 GB for 20 days: 6 EUR
- 15 GB for 30 days: 10 EUR
- 25 GB for 60 days: 20 EUR
This data SIM only works in Latvia and doesn't offer international roaming.
EU Roaming
EU roaming is only included with 200 MB in their ZZ EIROPA plan and not in any other data packs. On all other plans 0.36 € per day (up to midnight) is charged in EU roaming for up to 30 MB. All additional data is then charged at 0.93c per MB.
More info
- APN for voice and data SIM: internet.tele2.lv
- APN for data-only SIM: data.tele2.lv
- Website in Latvian, Russian and English: http://www.zeltazivtina.lv
Bite (Bites karte)
Bite is the smallest network in Latvia, but has good coverage and speeds in 3G on 900 MHz which is not so common worldwide. It also has fast 4G speeds on 2600, 1800 and 800 MHz. 4G/LTE covers already 90% of population in 2016: coverage map. Bite is the local partner of Vodafone, but can only be used in Latvia.
Bites karte
Prepaid SIM cards called "Bites karte" are available in Bite stores (list), Rimi, Maxima, Narvesen and Statoil shops from 1-5 €, mostly with a balance of 2 €. Buy your refill vouchers for 1.42, 3, 5 or 8 EUR there.
After inserting a SIM card in your phone, use a PIN code written on the card. You should make a first call (does not need to complete) to activate the SIM card.
The first 5 MB per month are free. You don't need to book a package, as default rate is cumulative according to consumption:
- up to 100 MB: 1.42 EUR
- up to 500 MB: 3.56 EUR
- up to 2 GB: 6.40 EUR
- up to 6 GB: 9.96 EUR
- up to 10 GB: 12.09 EUR
For social media you can add internet packages for 1 EUR per application for 30 days: Waze, Facebook, Viber and Draugiem. You need to text the name of the app to 1600.
Data-only SIM
Their data-only SIM card for modems and tablets is called Priekšapmaksas internets or prepaid internet. Starter pack is sold at 6.40 EUR for the SIM card with the same credit loaded or 29 EUR including a 3G dongle. Credit will be valid for 3 months and the SIM for 6 months after the last top-up. All operations can be managed online on: http://www.manabite.lv+
They offer three rate plans for their data SIM:
Plan | Volume | Rate | max. Speed |
---|---|---|---|
MONO | unlimited | 0.43 € per hour | 0.5 Mbps |
STEREO | unlimited | 1.00 € per hour | 21 Mbps |
TAXI | 0.04 € per MB | 21 Mbps |
Default rate from start is STEREO. You can change plans online or by calling 1601. 1st change is free, further changes are for 2.85 EUR. On Mono and Stereo plans always remember to disconnect from the internet when you stop using it.
EU roaming
Note that all prepaid plans of Bite only offer national options in Latvia, internatl. roaming is blocked and you can't use it ouside the country.
More information
- APN: internet
- Website in Latvian and Russian: http://www.bite.lv/
Amigo
Amigo by ZetCOM is the most popular MVNO in the country. It uses the network of LMT in 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE (see above) at lower rates.
Availability
Amigo SIM cards are sold at almost every supermarket, such as Elvi, Lats, Maxima, Rimi, as well as at Latvijas Pasts post offices, Statoil gas stations and Narvesen kiosks. These starters are available:
- 0.99 €: with 0.99 € credit valid for 30 days in basic tariff
- 3.50 €: with small combo package for 30 days
- 4.99 €: with large combo package for 30 days
All SIM cards are valid for 60 more days without being reloaded. To activate call 1633.
To change default language to English call 1633 press 3 and 3 again.
You can top-up online by credit card (select "bankas karte") or by recharge voucher ("atjaunošanas karte vai čeks") sold in Latvia from 0.99 € to 19.99 € in the same shops. To top-up call 1633 and press 2.
Packages with data
Amigo offers two combo packages with domestic calls and SMS and data for 30 days:
- small pack: 3.50 € including 100 mins, 100 SMS and 100 MB, activation: M
- large pack: 4.99 € including unlimited mins and SMS and 30 MB, activation: L
To activate type the letter to 1678. This is non-recurrent. For more data or better data rates use these packages:
Data | Validity | Price | EU cap | Subscribe | Unsubscribe |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
100 MB | 30 days | 0.98 € | 100 MB | 100MB | 100MBA- |
500 MB | 30 days | 3.00 € | 500 MB | 500MB | 500MBA- |
unlimited | 1 day | 0.50 € | 108 MB | ITD | ITN- |
unlimited | 30 days | 10.78 € | 2.51 GB | ICU | ITN- |
Activation and deactivation is by texting code to 1688. The unlimited packages are governed by a rather vague policy of not to use excessive downloads. All packages auto-renew, if not cancelled. To check your data, text 'ITP?' to 1688.
EU roaming
For EU roaming Amigo has adopted a similar policy like LMT mentioned above. A share of the package is given out at domestic rates for roaming in the EU. This data volume is specified above and all volumes outside these limits are charged by the standard roaming rate of 6.05c per MB. Two further monthly packages are offered for EU roaming data:
- 100 MB for 30 days: 0.93 € - activation: text 'ICE100' to 1688
- 500 MB for 30 days: 4.22 € - activation: text 'ICE500' to 1688
More information
- APN: internet.lmt.lv
- Website in Latvian and Russian: http://www.amigo.lv/