Vin mobile balance. Mobile communications in Crimea
Recently I received a letter in the mail from one of the subscribers of the Crimean operator Win Mobile. The question was:
Hello! Please tell me how I can check my expenses by phone number?
At first I didn’t know that the question came from a Win Mobile user, and the answer seemed as simple as shelling pears: go to your Personal Account on the operator’s website and order call details. But with Vin Mobile this turned out to be impossible. I was surprised to find out that they have There is simply no personal account.
The Win Mobile website does not represent any engineering miracles. Yes, it is beautifully made, pictures, graphics - everything is on the level, but technically it is a hastily made resource in the style of a landing page. All links in it are made in the form of “anchors” - they are transferred to the desired abbreviation of the same page. All. There is no functionality. For such a site, an average webmaster from the outback of Russia with good knowledge of Photoshop will make you a maximum of thousands for 20 rubles. Although MTS probably spent (wasted) 10-20 times more on this masterpiece.
I didn’t find any information about checking expenses on a room or ordering details on mobile-win.ru. I only found a list of their salons in the form of an awkward pdf attachment.
From this I came to the conclusion that to this day get details of your expenses fromWinMobile is only available as a printout by visiting their offices directly.
Very convenient, isn't it? Especially if they are far from your place of residence.
Hello.
Please tell me how I can receive accrual reports, details and invoices electronically without visiting your offices?
I can’t find my personal account on the website. Is it possible to use the personal account on the MTS website for a Vin Mobile number? Does Vin Mobile have a command to check the “last 5 paid actions” like MTS: *152#?
My opinion: not responding to clients’ letters is a direct disrespect for them on the part of the company. The attitude is not caring. Is it worth using such an operator? The conclusion is obvious. In addition, the “regular” MTS with Krasnodar numbers in the same code works great in Crimea and provides subscribers with all the usual amenities.
K-Telecom LLC was registered to someone unknown in Krasnodar (there is also K-Telecom CJSC in Armenia - a subsidiary of MTS since 2007). For what? So that MTS can use the resources of the MTS Ukraine network on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula and officially deny it. What are you talking about, Win Mobile is “not MTS” and has nothing to do with it! Thus, in light of recent political disagreements, they decided to avoid the threat of a fall in MTS share prices on the New York Stock Exchange and various Western sanctions.
At the same time, any user of a modern smartphone, for example, on Android, can install the Netmonitor application on it and, by changing MTS - Win Mobile SIM cards, understand that the phone will work from the same base stations of the same MTS network.
Win Mobile subscribers from Crimea, no offense, but the operator doesn’t care about you. It's not made to please you at all. They are just making money off of you. This conclusion is evidenced by the non-response of Vin’s technical support. No normal website, no choice of tariffs and services, no level of decent service. And how many months has nothing changed?
But recently, the head of the Russian Ministry of Communications, Nikiforov, announced that 2 more new mobile operators will soon start working in Crimea - in order to take care of the needs of the residents of our country! Of course, it is logical to assume that since the base stations and frequencies of other cellular operators (Kyivstar, Life) remain on the territory of Crimea, as the former Ukraine, then we should now wait for such k-telecoms No. 2 and No. 3.
Wait and see!
This material is based solely on the personal opinion and experience of the author.
Although Crimea is now part of Russia, mobile communications there do not work the same as in other parts of our country. In Crimea there are no Beeline, Megafon, MTS, Tele2, Yota networks, but there are Win Mobile, Krymtelecom, Volna Mobile networks, so all SIM cards of Russian operators operate in roaming mode in Crimea.
For all Russian operators, except MTS, roaming in Crimea is quite expensive - calls, SMS and megabytes of traffic cost 5-10 rubles. MTS package tariffs, operating throughout Russia, also work in Crimea through Win mobile roaming. There is no additional charge, but there is one unpleasant feature - MTS free roaming only works in 2G mode. Internet speed is on average 0.1 Mbit/sec.
Win Mobile has 3G and 4G networks, but for some reason MTS is only allowed on 2G. Apparently, that's what they agreed on.
I asked several residents of Crimea and even SIM card sellers about mobile networks in Crimea, but to my surprise they knew nothing, talking only about MTS. I had to figure it out myself.
In Yalta, the networks of three operators are caught.
In the Internet S Tariff Plan, 100 MB of traffic costs 5 rubles. The “Youth” tariff plan has a subscription fee of 100 rubles per month, which includes 3 GB of traffic and unlimited calls to Krymtelecom numbers. Calls to Russian phones - 5 rubles per minute, SMS - 2 rubles.
The third network 25060 2G/3G belongs to the operator Volna Mobile (KTK-Telecom), which has not yet launched.
The cheapest option from MTS is a tariff with the strange name MTS Smart Unlimited, a SIM card with which you can buy in Moscow for 200 rubles. Every day in the first month, 12.9 rubles will be debited, for which you will get unlimited Internet, 200 minutes and 200 SMS per month. Upon return, the tariff can be changed to any tariff without a subscription fee, for example Super MTS. Let me remind you once again that the Internet in Crimea with this SIM card will be very slow - only 2G.
P.s. Important advice. If your mobile Internet does not work while roaming, even though everything is configured correctly, just turn off the phone (do not put it in airplane mode, do not overload it), wait a minute and turn it on again.
2016, Alexey Nadezhin
The Internet project “Be Mobile” has prepared an overview of current tariffs for mobile communications in Crimea and Sevastopol as of 2017. Our selection includes tariffs without a monthly fee - for the most economical, as well as offers with packages of minutes, SMS, Internet - for owners of smart devices. Separately, we looked at tariffs for mobile Internet.
Despite the fact that the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol became part of the Russian Federation in 2014, the usual Russian mobile operators still do not work here. This is largely due to the fear of sanctions from bankers who lend to Russian companies, as well as equipment suppliers who may simply not fulfill contacts.
However, mobile communications on the peninsula are provided by local operators. What is most interesting is that in recent years the coverage and quality of communication services have improved significantly and continue to improve. If until 2014 only 2G and fragmentary 3G communications worked in Crimea, now 85% of the inhabitants of the peninsula can use 3G networks, and in such large cities as Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, Alushta and Foros, high-speed Internet based on 4G is available.
Currently, there are four GSM telecom operators operating in Crimea and Sevastopol (Win mobile, Volna Mobile, Krymtelecom, Sevmobile) and one CDMA operator (Intertelecom). Let's consider the proposals of these operators in detail.
Win mobile operator tariffs
id="sub0">The largest operator in terms of developing its own networks in Crimea and Sevastopol is Win mobile (legal entity K-Telecom). Currently, the company covers the peninsula with 2G, 3G and 4G networks (Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, Alushta, Foros). The Win mobile line includes three tariffs: “Freedom of Communication”, “Fast and Furious”, “At Sea”.
The “Freedom of Communication” tariff, in its structure, is very much reminiscent of the Russian “Super MTS” from the operator of the same name. For the most part, it is tailored to the needs of people who live in Crimea and Sevastopol. There is no subscription fee. The client is provided with 60 free minutes per day to Win mobile operator numbers. Starting from 61 minutes until the end of the current day, the cost of on-net calls will be 50 kopecks per minute. Other outgoing calls to any operators of the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol and Krasnodar Territory - 1 ruble for every minute. Subscribers of the “Freedom of Communication” tariff can activate the “Free Calls” service, which allows you to receive 60 free minutes per day to numbers of operators in the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol and Krasnodar Territory. The cost of connecting to the service is 30 rubles, the subscription fee is 2 rubles per day.
Calls to numbers in other regions of Russia are charged at 9.5 rubles per minute. To reduce the price of a minute to 2 rubles for long-distance calls in Russia, you can connect to the “My Russia” service: connection is paid - 15 rubles, subscription fee - 3 rubles per day.
SMS messages to numbers of Win mobile and other mobile operators of the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol and Krasnodar Territory - 1.50 rubles per piece. SMS message to the numbers of other mobile operators in Russia - 1.95 rubles. Mobile Internet is charged per megabyte: 10 rubles per MB. Traffic packages for a day or a month are also available. The maximum packages are 2.5 GB for 150 rubles per month and 4 GB for 200 rubles per month.
For people who actively use mobile Internet on tablets, as well as using USB modems and WiFi routers, it is worth taking a closer look at the “Forsazh” tariff. The subscription fee of 400 rubles per month includes a package of 15 GB of traffic without speed limits. If this block is exceeded, the speed is limited to 32 Kbps. Voice calls and SMS are expensive here.
For vacationers and business travelers to Crimea and Sevastopol, the Win mobile operator has a special resort tariff “At Sea”. There is no subscription fee for the first 90 days from the moment of activation of the connection kit. Starting from day 91 - 1 ruble per day.
As for communication services, any outgoing calls within Russia will cost 3 rubles per minute. Outgoing SMS - 1.95 rubles. Mobile Internet is charged in blocks of 10 rubles per 100 MB. You can purchase Win mobile connection kits at operator service centers in Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as at local railway stations and Simferopol airport.
Tariffs of the operator "Volna Mobile"
id="sub1">The operator "Volna Mobile" (KTK-Telecom) provides voice communication and mobile data services in 2G, 3G, 4G standards in Simferopol, Yalta and Sevastopol. In other cities it works according to the virtual operator model on Win mobile networks.
Volna Mobile subscribers can choose one of three tariffs open for connection. The “Sun” tariff is best suited for communication within the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol and the Krasnodar Territory. Tariff without monthly fee. Outgoing calls to operator numbers within the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol and Krasnodar Territory cost 60 kopecks per minute. At the same time, clients can activate the “Zero within the network” option and communicate with subscribers of the Volna Mobile operator for free. The subscription fee for the option is 30 rubles per month.
Calls to numbers in other regions of Russia are charged at 5 rubles per minute. If you activate the “Calls within Russia” option, the price is reduced to 2 rubles per minute. True, in this case you will have to pay a subscription fee of 60 rubles per month.
Sending an SMS costs 1 ruble to numbers of any operators in Russia. Mobile Internet costs 5 rubles per MB. You can activate the “Internet on your phone” option, which provides a 2 GB package for 90 rubles per month, which is valid in the Crimea and Sevastopol.
For active users of the mobile Internet in smartphones, as well as in modems and routers, the Volna Mobile operator presents the “Wind” tariff. For a subscription fee of 300 rubles per month you get a 10 GB traffic package. After this block is exhausted, the speed is limited to 32 Kbps until the end of the billing period. The “Extend speed” option is available to customers - for 50 rubles you will be provided with an additional 1 GB package.
Among the offers of the Volna Mobile operator there is a package tariff “Sea”. The subscription fee of 150 rubles per month includes a package of 300 minutes of calls to operator numbers in Crimea, Sevastopol and Krasnodar Territory. Above this package - 1 ruble per minute. At the same time, on-net calls are not charged at all. They are free. The situation is similar with SMS. Within the Volna Mobile network, messages are free, and to other numbers of operators in Crimea, Sevastopol and the Krasnodar Territory - a package of 300 SMS. After the block is exhausted until the end of the billing period - 1 ruble per message.
The subscription fee also includes a 3 GB mobile Internet package for a month. Further, the speed is limited to 32 Kbps. You can remove the restriction using the “Extend speed” option for 50 rubles. When connected, a block of 1 GB of traffic is provided.
The “Sea” tariff may also be of interest to tourists vacationing in Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as people who frequently travel around the peninsula. The fact is that with this tariff, outgoing calls within Russia cost 3 rubles per minute.
Tariffs of the operator "Krymtelecom"
id="sub2">The service area of the largest fixed-line operator "Crymtelecom" includes the Republic of Crimea. To ensure high-quality coverage, Win mobile operator networks are used. In the city of Sevastopol, Krymtelecom subscribers use roaming from the Sevmobile operator. Among the operator’s current offers are the “My Crimea”, “Contact” and “Super Contact” tariffs - for owners of telephones and smartphones, as well as a series of Internet tariffs for users of modems, routers and tablets.
The “My Crimea” tariff is best suited both for residents of the Republic of Crimea and for use as a tourist SIM card. There is no subscription fee. 30 free minutes are provided per day to Krymtelecom mobile and landline phones. In addition to this volume, until the end of the current day, a preferential tariff is in effect - 20 kopecks per minute. Outgoing calls to mobile and fixed-line telephone numbers in the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol and MTS of the Krasnodar Territory - 1.5 rubles per minute. Outgoing calls to all numbers in other regions of Russia (except for MTS in the Krasnodar Territory) - 5 rubles per minute.
If desired, subscribers of the “My Crimea” tariff can activate additional options. “Zero on the Network” provides a package of 100 minutes per day within the network for a subscription fee of 2 rubles per day. Connection - 30 rubles.
SMS to numbers of operators in Crimea, Sevastopol and MTS of the Krasnodar Territory - 1 ruble per message. For other operators in Russia - 2 rubles. Mobile Internet is charged by default at 5 rubles per MB. Mobile Internet packages are also available to subscribers: a one-time package of 5 GB per day for 30 rubles per day, as well as monthly packages - 1 GB for 50 rubles per month, 5 GB for 100 rubles per month and 10 GB for 200 rubles per month.
For more demanding users, Krymtelecom has two package tariffs, which include free calls within the network, a set of free SMS and Internet traffic.
The “Contact” tariff for 150 rubles per month allows you to communicate with Krymtelecom subscribers for free. In addition, the package includes 300 SMS to numbers in Crimea, Sevastopol and MTS of the Krasnodar Territory, as well as 5 GB of mobile Internet. Outgoing calls to numbers of Crimean and Sevastopol operators, as well as MTS of the Krasnodar Territory - 1.5 rubles per minute. Any outgoing calls to Russian regions - 5 rubles per minute.
On the “Super Contact” tariff, the package includes 100 minutes outgoing to the numbers of operators in Crimea, Sevastopol and MTS of the Krasnodar Territory. Above this package, calls are charged at 1.5 rubles per minute. On-net calls are free. It is also worth noting the larger mobile Internet package - here it is 12 GB for a month. There is a package of 300 SMS. The subscription fee for the Super Contact tariff is 300 rubles. You can see the remaining parameters in the table below.
For users of tablets, USB modems and routers, Krymtelecom has developed a special line of package tariffs for mobile Internet. It includes 5 tariffs: “Internet S” - 150 MB of traffic for 5 rubles per day, “Internet M” - 15 GB for 300 rubles per month, “Internet L” - 25 GB for 500 rubles per month, “Internet XL” - 50 GB for 650 rubles per month and “Internet Unlimited” - unlimited traffic for 650 rubles (the tariff is open for subscription until August 31, 2017). If the package quota is exceeded, the operator limits the mobile Internet speed to 64 Kbps. To remove restrictions, you can use one-time options from 1 to 10 GB of traffic.
Tariffs of the operator "Sevmobile"
id="sub3">In the city of Sevastopol, there is its own mobile operator “Sevmobile” (legal entity “SevTelecomSvyaz”). It is worth noting that the company’s services are available only within Sevastopol, a city of federal significance. Outside of it, roaming is enabled. For this reason, it only makes sense to use Sevmobile if you do not leave the city. This is worth remembering.
Three basic tariffs are available for connection and three for mobile Internet.
The “Radio Nanny” tariff provides for a subscription fee of 30 rubles per month. For this money, the subscriber receives a package of 300 minutes for three favorite Sevmobile numbers, 100 minutes for one Sevtelecom city number, 100 SMS to Sevmobile numbers and free mobile Internet at a speed of 64 Kbps. Calls to landline numbers in Sevastopol and the Republic of Crimea cost 1 ruble per minute, to mobile numbers - 1.5 rubles per minute. Calls to Russia cost 6 rubles per minute, SMS - 3 rubles per message.
The “My Choice” tariff (subscription fee 100 rubles per month) provides 300 minutes to Sevmobile and 300 minutes to Sevtelecom. In addition to this package, calls to the indicated directions will cost 50 kopecks per minute. Calls to mobile phones of other Crimean operators - 1.5 rubles per minute, to home phones - 1 ruble per minute. Calls to Russian regions - 6 rubles per minute. Sending SMS - 1.5 rubles per piece. When sending messages within the Sevmobile network, the first 100 SMS per month are free. The subscription fee includes a package of 50 MB per day of mobile Internet without a speed limit, then it is blocked to 64 Kbps.
The “My City” tariff has a monthly fee of 180 rubles and allows you to communicate for free with mobile and fixed-line subscribers of the operator “Sevmobile” (“Sevtelecom”). In addition, 90 free minutes are provided to mobile operators in Crimea. Calls to landlines - 1 ruble per minute. Calls to Russian regions - 3 rubles per minute, SMS - 1.5 rubles (free within the network). The Internet is provided free of charge, however, it is simply not possible to use the Internet at a speed of 64 Kbps.
At the “Radio Nanny”, “My Choice” and “My City” tariffs, mobile Internet packages are available for connection: 2 GB for 100 rubles, 4 GB for 150 rubles, 10 GB for 300 rubles, unlimited - for 850 rubles per month.
Users of tablets, USB modems and WiFi routers can subscribe to special tariffs for 3G mobile Internet. The “My Internet 5” package provides 5 GB of Internet for 200 rubles per month, “My Internet 15” - 15 GB for 400 rubles, “My Internet Unlimited” - unlimited Internet for 900 rubles per month.
If you are going to use mobile communication services in the Republic of Crimea and in Sevastopol with your home operator (Beeline, MegaFon, MOTIV, MTS, Tele2), we recommend that you study. You can also save a lot of money with them.
The mysterious cellular operator WIN mobile (“K-Telecom”) successfully launched in Crimea and already serves more than a million subscribers. Almost 1,500 base stations have been announced on the territory of the peninsula, and the new operator even has its own website, contact center telephone numbers and the first public tariff.
Simultaneously with the start of work of WIN mobile in Crimea, MTS-Ukraine stopped working. More precisely, a little earlier: first, on August 5, communications were cut off at MTS Ukraine in Simferopol, and a day later (August 7), MTS-Ukraine officially announced the cessation of work in Crimea “due to technical problems impeding the provision of mobile communication services.” In fact, there was an unexpected (or rather, previously announced) shutdown of MTS Ukraine and an almost simultaneous switching on of the WIN mobile network.
Passion-face
On August 5, a wonderful report appeared on the RBC website about the events in the Kiev office of MTS-Ukraine, I simply have to quote it:
“Today, Ukrainian security forces with machine guns came to the Kiev office of MTS-Ukraine and accused the operator of separatism and supporting the enemy, a source close to MTS-Ukraine told RBC. According to him, the security forces wanted to disconnect the entire Crimea, but at first only Simferopol was disconnected. The source claims that Ukrainian security forces reacted nervously to the crossing of a group of 400 Ukrainian military personnel into Russia at the Gukovo border checkpoint in the Rostov region.”
I can well imagine the central office of the operator, and inside there is a large “Shutdown” stand with red buttons and the names of settlements. The security forces scratched their heads with the barrels of their machine guns and decided to first press the “Simferopol” button, then left with a promise to return and continue pressing the other red buttons.
The next day, news about the boarding of the red button was posted on the MTS-Ukraine website, quote:
“Dear subscribers!
What happened yesterday and continues to happen in Crimea with communications was a complete surprise for both the MTS Ukraine company and its Crimean subscribers. The company actually lost the opportunity to manage an important hub facility, which is responsible for providing communication services in Simferopol. It was disconnected from our network from the outside. The shutdown of equipment and the lack of communication among residents of a city of many thousands led to massive discontent and indignation of people, which, obviously, explains the unconvincing attempts to blame the Ukrainian operator for what is happening.”
But there was no need to place red buttons in the central Kiev office that any nervous security officer with a machine gun could press. Then there will be no “complete surprises” with “disconnection from the outside.” Make something similar to a “nuclear suitcase” or something. There is little funny in all this, but there are even fewer surprises.
It turns out that Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea Dmitry Polonsky spoke about the upcoming shutdown of cellular communications in Crimea on August 5 on Saturday, August 2; this message was quoted by several news agencies. For example, the Ukrainian “Delo”, quote:
“The Crimean authorities expect a shutdown of Ukrainian mobile operators in the region on Tuesday, August 5, and recommend that the population buy and activate cards from Russian mobile operators.
“I have information from representatives of Ukrainian mobile networks that next week, approximately on Tuesday, service to subscribers in Crimea will be stopped. I can’t say yet whether these will be disconnections for subscribers of all mobile networks or individual operators, but we have such information,” Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea Dmitry Polonsky, who combines his post with the post of Minister of Information and Communications, told Interfax.
According to him, residents of the Republic of Crimea have purchased about 700 thousand SIM cards from Russian mobile operators to date. “We recommend activating Russian SIM cards before Tuesday so as not to be left without mobile communications,” Polonsky said.”
I am far from suggesting that Deputy Prime Minister of Crimea Dmitry Polonsky commands the Ukrainian security forces in Kyiv, and “was there a boy” with a machine gun? In any case, there was definitely no “complete surprise”.
Background
The mysterious Russian company K-Telecom was registered in Krasnodar on May 23. According to the Vedomosti publication, www.vedomosti.ru
“... within a week after registration, K-Telecom received from the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (SCRF) GSM frequencies of MTS in Crimea - interlocutors close to SCRF told Vedomosti about this. The company was registered by private travel consultant Anna Berezkina, after which K-Telecom changed its owner twice - first it became Nikolai Balashov, and at the end of June - the Armenian CJSC Cell Group Worldwide Holding (according to the register of legal entities of Armenia, it belongs to the Cell Group company Worldwide ltd with unknown jurisdiction). The company K-Telecom CJSC also operates in Armenia - this is the local subsidiary of MTS. MTS also has a Russian “daughter” with the same name. MTS representatives say that the operator has nothing to do with K-Telecom operating in Crimea.
K-Telecom began operating in Crimea on MTS-Ukraine frequencies; its Russian switch was inaugurated during a meeting on the development of communications in Crimea led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The operator already has 1,500 base stations built and ready for operation in Crimea, which will provide coverage of the entire peninsula. The operator is called WIN mobile. You can find out more about it on the website.
I'm not trying to claim anything, but if a bird looks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck, and bakes well with apples, then it is most likely a duck, and not some pink flamingo from distant lands. In the current situation in Ukraine, the position of the “daughter” of the Russian operator is quite difficult: on the one hand, it is impossible to quarrel with the authorities, and it is difficult to predict their behavior. On the other hand, the corporation itself may run into sanctions from the United States and Europe. On the third hand, it is undesirable to switch all voice communications and data transmission through Ukrainian switches for security reasons; security forces with a 95% probability have full access to all information. One way or another, the job is done and MTS-Ukraine subscribers will most likely be served in full or technical roaming mode.
Rates
To date, WIN Mobile still offers its subscribers only one tariff, “Freedom of Communication”. In its ideology and structure it resembles the “Super MTS” tariff: for a subscription fee of 2 rubles. per day they give 30 daily free minutes within the network, calls to all other operators in the Krasnodar region and to MTS-Ukraine for 2.50 rubles per minute.
There are options “My Russia” and “My Ukraine” for a separate subscription fee; when connecting to “My Russia”, calls to the Russian MTS network are also 2.5 rubles/min. In general, those interested can download a pdf description of the tariff.
We do not yet know what the fate of the remaining operators will be. But everything should become clear soon enough. In any case, the peninsula will not be left without 3G, and everything will work out with voice communications. The transition period is always fraught with temporary inconveniences.
UPDATE
That's all, the puzzle has finally come together and today (August 7) in the evening MTS-Ukraine SIM cards started working in Crimea. An implementation option is technical roaming in the WIN Mobile network, who would doubt it.
Good people have already posted the prices at which MTS-Ukraine subscribers will be served in the Crimean WIN mobile network, see the screenshot above. By the way, in my opinion, the name VNC mobile would look more logical than WIN mobile. Guess why (smiley).
At the beginning of August, the first Russian mobile operator started operating in Crimea. As one would expect, none of the Big Three operators dared to launch their own network in Crimea - they are afraid of sanctions. The united Rostelecom-Tele2 did not come to the peninsula either.
And the previously unknown operator Win-Mobile, whose networks are designated on cell phones as WinMobile, Rus 32, 250-32, started working. This was stated by Minister of Communications Nikiforov on August 4, emphasizing that this is a Russian operator. In a striking way, this happened shortly after the MTS-Ukraine connection was cut off in Sevastopol. At the same time, according to Vedomosti, the new Vin-Mobile (aka K-Telecom) started working on the frequencies of MTS-Ukraine.
After this, the Kiev press service of MTS-Ukraine stated that their subscribers use the networks of “other” operators in Crimea on the basis of “technical roaming.” That is, there is roaming, but without overpayments. And the cheapest calls in the Win Mobile network from Crimea are to MTS-Ukraine numbers (2.50 rubles per minute versus 9 rubles per minute of conversation with Russian subscribers).
This is not the only fact connecting MTS and K-Telecom. According to RBC, the latter company is registered in Krasnodar, and its owner is the Armenian CJSC Sell Group Worldwide Holding, the director of which is the former director of MTS-Ukraine for Crimea. And this is not the last coincidence - according to the same Vedomosti, K-Telecom CJSC previously existed in Armenia. And this daughter was engaged in nothing more than servicing the networks of the subsidiary cellular company MTS in Armenia.
However, the official comment from MTS given to Vedomosti sounds like this:
MTS is not the owner or beneficiary of K-Telecom, and MTS-Russia does not conduct business in Crimea.
