Today, traveling without the Internet is a bad idea. I will tell you everything you need to know about mobile communications and the Internet in Belarus for tourists. There will be information about operators and tariffs, and where to buy a SIM card, as well as about free Internet.

Table of contents:

  • Mobile operators in Belarus: general information
  • Tariff plans and which SIM to choose
  • Where to buy a SIM card
  • Virtual SIM card ESIM.
  • All about wi-fi and free internet in Minsk and Belarus
  • Tips and tricks

Mobile operators in Belarus: general information

Below is general information to understand the market, and just what to expect from communications in Minsk and Belarus.

  • There are three mobile operators in Belarus: A1, MTS, life:)
  • All three operators have 4g networks (LTE)
  • All three operators have issues with the quality of the Internet outside cities, especially on highways. But in cities the Internet, plus or minus, is the same for everyone.
  • About 10 million people live in Belarus, and there are about 12 million active SIM cards. Mobile network penetration is 120%, this is the highest figure among all countries of the post-Soviet space.
    • A1 – 5.5 million subscribers
    • MTS – 5 million
    • life:) – 1.5 million

Tariff plans and which SIM card to choose in Belarus

Everything is simple here. It is important to know a few points:

  • In Belarus, a SIM card can only be connected using a passport and nothing else.
  • For everyone who has a non-Belarusian passport, even for Russians, any operator has a “tourist” tariff.
  • This tariff plan only works with prepayment, you cannot go into the red. The vacation is over, we went home, you can simply throw away the SIM card.
  • All three operators provide a universal SIM for any slot. Micro, nano, regular.
  • Mobile communications in Belarus are cheap, so there is no point in choosing an operator based on the price. The prices are approximately the same, but life:) will be the cheapest – for $3 for 30 days they give 9GB of Internet.

Good to know:I recommend this to locals. If you choose by quality of communication, then take A1 or MTS, if by price and number of minutes with gigabytes, then take life:).

Virtual eSIM card in Belarus

A new and very convenient method of communication, which has already appeared in Belarus.

It is important to know:eSIM is a technology where you don’t need a physical SIM card, but just connect the SIM card via a QR code that will be sent by email. Everything is easy and intuitive, but not all phones support it. If your phone supports eSIM, then this is a great alternative.

There are many advantages:

  • Cheap, almost like buying a SIM card locally from local operators.
  • Cheap, almost like buying a SIM card on the spot

Internet in Belarus: where to buy a SIM card

Here, too, there are literally no problems at all. In fact, there are 3-4 ways, even delivery. But two of them are available to tourists:

  • In any city, in any large hypermarket in the country, you will find a communication store of one of the operators. Often all three operators will be there. The addresses of the salons can be found on the official websites:
  • Recently, SIM cards have appeared at the checkout counters of large stores; you can buy them right along with potatoes and beer.

It is important to know:SIM cards at the checkout are the same as in the communication store, but they won’t work just like that. You will need to download the application, take a photo of yourself, your passport, upload it there, and go through identification. There are instructions inside the package, but not many people go smoothly, especially with foreign passports. You have to go to a communication salon for help. Therefore, it doesn’t matter where you buy it, but it’s easier to do it in any communication store, where they will help you activate the SIM and set up the Internet if necessary.

Tips and recommendations about the Internet in Belarus for tourists

So let’s summarize.

  • Mobile communications and Internet in Belarus are cheap
  • You can buy a SIM card in every large hypermarket in a communication store.
  • If your trip takes place mainly in cities, then choose life:)
  • And if you plan to travel through the Belarusian wilderness, take part in a kayaking trip or organize an expedition on off-road vehicles , then it is better to choose A1 or MTS.
  • If necessary, you can top up your balance at any communication store of your operator either in cash or buy scratch cards of certain denominations.
Mobile communication and Internet in Belarus – operators and tariffs