Armenia – known for its cuisine, landscapes, and history.
There are plenty of things you can do in Armenia. From enjoying the beaches to exploring soviet-style monuments.
Lake Sevan is probably the most known place for beaches.
Republic Square in Yerevan has the very cool and impressive Republic Square and Matenadaran Library – two soviet-style monuments.
Jermuk has cool waterfalls and hotsprings.
As you can see, there is no reason to be bored in Armenia – and I just scratched the surface earlier.
One thing you should know is that international roaming is expensive.
If you use your current SIM card in Armenia, you would be charged excessive roaming rates.
That would be a shame because SIM cards are cheap in Armenia, and so are the mobile data rates.
So, how cheap are SIM cards in Armenia?
You can get an Armenian SIM card for free or 100 AMD (0.25 USD) from Viva-MTS, Beeline, or Ucom. However, you always need to buy a plan or recharge at least 1000 AMD (2.60 USD) on the spot to get your SIM card. A data plan with 1 GB valid for 30 days is available for as low as 700 AMD (1.85 USD).
Those prices are extremely low!
If you have been to neighboring countries, you are probably not surprised by these low prices.
If you are coming from Canada or the United States, this may sound unbelievable because of the high SIM card and mobile data rates in those countries.
But it is true! And I want to tell you more about Armenian SIM cards.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Armenia. Let's go.
Original publication: 6th of January 2020. Last updated: 25th of September 2023.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Armenia?
Anyone living in or visiting Armenia can buy an Armenian SIM card from Viva-MTS, Beeline & Ucom in their stores without any restrictions.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Moreover, you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in Armenia).
Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Armenia?
You can get an Armenian SIM card in the official stores of Viva-MTS, Beeline, or Ucom. Some supermarkets and kiosks sell them too, but the official stores are better as a tourist because of the SIM card registration requirement. You can also get them at Yerevan-Zwartnots International Airport (Զվարթնոց Միջազգային Oդանավակայան).
You can expect to pay the following for Armenian SIM cards:
- Viva-MTS Armenia: 100 AMD, but 1000 AMD (900 AMD credit) top-up required or free when purchased with a plan
- Beeline Armenia: 100 AMD, but 1000 AMD (900 AMD credit) top-up required or free when purchased with a plan
- Ucom: 100 AMD, but 1000 AMD (1000 AMD credit) top-up required or free when purchased with a plan
Can You Use Your Phone in Armenia?
Armenia uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Armenia. If your phone has a SIM card slot, then it supports GSMA (99% of the phones do support GSM nowadays).
Traditional European frequencies are used in Armenia, which are mostly used in ITU Regions 1 & 3 (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania).
The Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2) use American Frequencies, which differ from the European ones.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Armenia.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Armenia or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Armenia (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Armenia
Armenia has three mobile network operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Viva-MTS Armenia (Վիվա-ՄՏՍ)
- Beeline Armenia (Telecom Armenia (ՎԵՈՆ Արմենիա) – formerly Armentel)
- Ucom (Յուքոմ)
The following frequencies are used in Armenia:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 450 MHz (Band 31), 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Armenia, check out this page by Kimovil or this one by Will My Phone Work (outdated, unfortunately, but extremely user-friendly – useful for phones launched in or before 2019. It does not check for 5G NR compatibility).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
5G NR in Armenia
5G NR is not available in Armenia of 2021, and the Armenian government has not made any indications of when it will auction 5G licenses.
Best SIM Card in Armenia
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Armenia, I recommend going with Viva-MTS or Ucom. Viva-MTS is, overall, the best mobile operator in the country with the fastest speeds and best coverage. Ucom is the cheapest option with extensive 4G/LTE coverage.
Best eSIM in Armenia
Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM to prepaid customers in Armenia yet.
Note that the Armenian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards (will be discussed later).
However, you can also get a travel eSIM from various eSIM providers.
The list below is not exhaustive – many more providers have eSIMs for Armenia.
But these are the ones I have tried and had pleasant experiences with.
Moreover, they are reasonably priced, which I find very important (you will not see me recommending an eSIM I would not buy myself).
So here are the six best eSIMs for Armenia:
- Airalo Arpi eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (best value for money)
- Holafly Armenia eSIM with one 8 GB option (generous data eSIM – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
- Nomad Armenia eSIM with 13 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (best value for money… too – use code ADU123 for 3 USD off)
- Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) with 12 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (extensive global coverage (130+ countries) at attractive prices) + ability to make and receive calls & send and receive SMS (new) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover(+) (Global) eSIM review too!
- AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
- Nomad Global eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (extensive global coverage (109 or 139 countries) at high(er) prices – use code ADU123 for 3 USD off)
Because this is the SIM card buying guide for Armenia, I will not spend too much time about travel eSIMs here and throughout this guide (but I will still do here and there).
If you want to learn more about the best eSIMs for Armenia, you better check out my Armenia eSIM buying guide.
It is as helpful and comprehensive as this guide but about eSIMs instead 😜.
SIM Card Registration in Armenia
SIM card registration with your passport information is mandatory in Armenia. It will be done at the point of sale.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
EU Roaming in Armenia
Note that Armenia is not part of the European Union (EU) nor European Economic Area (EEA), meaning that EU roaming regulations do not apply in Armenia. As a result, you should not expect to roam for free if you have an EU/EEA SIM card while traveling in Armenia.
It is unlikely that your mobile operator offers free roaming for Armenia. Still, you can always explore your roaming options before you roam.
Armenia Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
The Caucasus is known for being a budget-friendly travel region. The cost of living, for most travelers, is low compared to other places in that region.
Luckily, the same can be said for mobile data rates in this region. And also for Armenia.
The average price for 1 GB of data in Armenia is 0.78 USD, around the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) average of 0.98 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
In fact, Armenia is one of the 53 countries where the average cost of 1 GB of data is less than 1 USD, together with 7 others from this region.
If you just looked at the image above (and below) and calculated the average quickly, you will notice that the average I mentioned is way off.
That is because I excluded Turkmenistan from the average. It is such an outlier that it pulls the average by a lot (8x more than Tajikistan, the CIS's second-most expensive country for mobile data).
Alright, that is enough about prices – it is cheap here. But what about speeds?
Armenia's average mobile download speed is around 33 Mbps.
That is not too bad! Sure, it is below the global average, but Armenia is doing well.
And you can reach download speeds of up to 170 Mbps in Yerevan – but only if you are lucky.
However, one thing to note is that although the three mobile operators have been investing a lot in LTE-A, an improved version of regular 4G/LTE, speeds have stayed roughly the same over a year (it even dipped for a while).
But browsing the web and streaming videos should not be an issue in Armenia.
With cheap SIM cards, low mobile data rates, decent mobile internet speeds, and extensive nationwide coverage, you should have a smooth network experience in Armenia.
Currency in Armenia
Armenia uses the Armenian Dram with the symbol AMD (which will be used throughout this guide). However, prices are often listed in ֏ or դր. For example, 25 AMD = 25 ֏/դր.
For reference, below are some exchange rates between AMD and USD (US Dollars):
- 10 AMD = 0.25 USD
- 100 AMD = 0.25 USD
- 1000 AMD = 2.60 USD
- 10 000 AMD = 26.10 USD
- 100 000 AMD = 261.10 USD
For up-to-date AMD:USD exchange rates, search AMD to USD on Google, or replace USD with the currency you use.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Australian Dollars and Euros, my main currencies, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards.
Armenian Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Viva-MTS Armenia, Beeline Armenia & Ucom, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Armenia has to offer to us.
Viva-MTS Armenia
Viva-MTS Armenia, officially Վիվա-ՄՏՍ but just Viva-MTS, is the largest mobile operator in Armenia. It is also, however, the most expensive. Luckily, the difference is minimal. MTS (MTC), as a company, is active in Belarus and Russia.
This is what you will learn about Viva-MTS:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Viva-MTS SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Viva-MTS Armenia
Viva-MTS has the best coverage in Armenia.
Below is Viva MTS's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
However, click here to see Viva MTS's official coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Viva-MTS Armenia
You can get a Viva-MTS SIM card for free if purchased with a plan or for 100 AMD with a minimum top-up of 1000 AMD (900 AMD in credit) in MTS-Viva stores. It is also possible to get SIM cards at Yerevan-Zvartnots International Airport.
Dial *130# to access the Viva-MTS menu.
The following USSD/shortcodes can be used to change the system language:
- English: *129*1#
- Russian: *129*2#
- Armenian: *129*3#
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Viva-MTS has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Note that the Armenian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Armenia (without personal detail capturing), you can get eSIMs from Holafly (one option):
The best part is that you can get 5% off using code PHONETRAVELWIZ on each Holafly eSIM purchase!
No idea what or who Holafly is? Check out my Holafly review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than ten countries over two years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Nomad Global eSIM to be used in 109/139 countries worldwide with six variants:
- 1 GB/7 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 3 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 13th of September (2023 data only).
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Nomad review!
Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Armenia.
You can read about them in my Best Armenia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Viva-MTS Armenia
Viva-MTS top-up vouchers are sold in Viva-MTS stores and many other establishments, such as kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores.
The following top-up options are available:
| Top-Up | Validity |
|---|---|
| 500 AMD | 12 days |
| 1000 AMD | 20 days |
| 2000 AMD | 45 days |
To top up your Viva-MTS SIM card, dial *123*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *123*123456#.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards. The following validities apply to online recharges:
| Top-Up | Validity |
|---|---|
| <= 999 AMD | 7 days – 12 days |
| 1000 AMD – 9999 AMD | 20 days – 255 days |
| 10 000 AMD – 90 000 AMD | 269 days – 1024 days |
There is a list with more than 70 rows listing the validity of each top-up. You can check it here.
Dial *122# or call 122 to check your Viva-MTS balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the My Viva-MTS app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Viva-MTS Armenia
Viva-MTS has six data-featured prepaid plans:
- Super Couple (combo)
- Viva Plans (combo)
- X and Y Tariff Plans (combo)
- Bit (data)
- Super Bit (data)
- +Internet Add-Ons (data/social media add-ons)
I will list all the prices in AMD (Armenian Dram).
To convert AMD to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Super Couple – Viva-MTS Armenia
The Super Couple plan is a combo bundle with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes. For 200 AMD, you get 500 MB and unlimited on-net minutes for 1 day by dialing *077#.
| Price | Data | On-Net Minutes | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 AMD | 500 MB | Unlimited | 1 day | *077# |
Viva Plans – Viva-MTS Armenia
The Viva Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
You can activate one of the following Viva Plans:
| Price | Plan | Data | On-Net Minutes 1 | Local/International Minutes 2 | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2500 AMD | Viva 2500 | 4000 MB | 2500 minutes | 50 minutes | 250 SMS | 30 days | *161*2500# |
| 3500 AMD | Viva 3500 | 6000 MB | 3500 minutes | 100 minutes | 250 SMS | 30 days | *161*3500# |
| 5500 AMD | Viva 5500 | 10 000 MB | 5500 minutes | 200 minutes | 250 SMS | 30 days | *161*5500# |
| 7500 AMD | Viva 7500 | 20 000 MB | 7500 minutes | 350 minutes | 350 SMS | 30 days | *161*7500# |
| 9500 AMD | Viva 9500 | 38 000 MB | 9500 minutes | 450 minutes | 450 SMS | 30 days | *161*9500# |
1 + MTS Russia
2 + to Artsakh, Canada, MTS Russia, United States & Vodafone Ukraine
X and Y Tariff Plans – Viva-MTS Armenia
The X and Y Tariff Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
You can activate one of the following X, Y Tariff Plans:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media Data 1 | On-Net Minutes 2 | Local/International Minutes 3 | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2800 AMD | Y Tariff Plan | 10 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 000 minutes | 800 minutes | 300 SMS | 30 days | *280*2800# |
| 5000 AMD | X Tariff Plan | 20 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 000 minutes | 3000 minutes | 500 SMS | 30 days | *280*5000# |
1 Clubhouse, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, iMusic, Instagram, Skype, Snapchat, Spotify, Telegram, TikTok, Twitter, Viber, WhatsApp, Zangi & Zoom
2 only after consuming Local/Off-Net Minutes allowance
3 + to Artsakh Networks, Canada, MTS Russia, RA Networks & United States
Bit – Viva-MTS Armenia
The Bit plan is a data bundle (without 5G NR access) with auto-renews. For 100 AMD, you get 200 MB for 1 day by dialing *777*1#.
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 AMD | 200 MB | 1 day | *777*1# |
Bit plans auto-renew.
Super Bit – Viva-MTS Armenia
The Super Bit plan is a data bundle that auto-renews. For 100 AMD, you get 200 MB for 1 day by dialing *778*1#.
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 AMD | 500 MB | 1 day | *778*1# |
Super Bit plans auto-renew.
+Internet Add-Ons – Viva-MTS Armenia
You can activate one of the following X and Y Tariff Plans:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 AMD | +Chat | Unlimited 1 | 30 days | *404*1# |
| 500 AMD | +3 GB | 3 GB | 30 days | *888*1# |
| 1000 AMD | +10 GB | 10 GB | 30 days | *888*2# |
| 1500 AMD | +Video | Unlimited 2 | 30 days | *405*1# |
1 Facebook Messenger, Skype, Snapchat, Telegram, Twitter, Viber, WhatsApp, Zangi & Zoom
2 ИВИ, Netflix, Rutube, TikTok, Vimeo & YouTube
APN/Internet Settings – Viva-MTS Armenia
- Name: VivaCell-MTS Inet
- APN: inet.vivacell.am
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Beeline Armenia
Beeline Armenia, officially Telecom Armenia (ՎԵՈՆ Արմենիա) but just Beeline, is the second-largest mobile operator in Armenia. Beeline, as a company, is active in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan & Russia.
Beeline uses the following frequencies:
This is what you will learn about Beeline
* Coverage
* How to Get a Beeline SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Beeline Armenia
Beeline has extensive coverahe throughout Armenia.
However, its 4G/LTE availability is limited to basically Yeravan.
The operator is actively expanding its 4G/LTE coverage. But its competitors are far-ahead for some reason.
Below is Beeline's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
However, click here to see Beeline's official coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Beeline Armenia
You can get a Beeline SIM card for free if purchased with a plan or for 100 AMD with a minimum top-up of 1000 AMD (900 AMD in credit) in Beeline stores. It is also possible to get SIM cards at Yerevan-Zvartnots International Airport.
You can also order a SIM online and pick it up at the nearest store.
Dial *444# to enable 4G/LTE.
Dial *525# to see your Beeline phone number.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Beeline has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Note that the Armenian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Nomad without personal detail capturing, you can get eSIMs from Nomad (13 options):
- 1 GB/7 days (powered by three different providers with different prices) (price dropped) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 3 GB/30 days (powered by three different providers with different prices) (price dropped)
- 5 GB/30 days (powered by three different providers with different prices) (price dropped) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 10 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) (price dropped)
- 15 GB/30 days (price dropped)
- 20 GB/30 days (price dropped) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 7th of September (2023 data only).
No idea what or who Nomad is? Check out my Nomad review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over two years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Nomad Global eSIM to be used in 109/139 countries worldwide with six variants:
- 1 GB/7 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 3 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 13th of September (2023 data only).
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Nomad review!
Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Armenia.
You can read about them in my Best Armenia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Beeline Armenia
Beeline top-up vouchers are sold in Beeline stores and many other establishments, such as kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores.
The following top-up options are available:
- 1000 AMD
- 2500 AMD
- 5000 AMD
- 10 000 AMD
- 20 000 AMD
Beeline recharges have unlimited validity, as long as you perform an action (use data, make a call, or send a text) once every 90 days.
To top up your Beeline SIM card, dial *101*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *101*123456#.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *102# to check your Beeline balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the My Beeline Armenia app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Beeline Armenia
Beeline has five data-featured prepaid plans:
- Smart (combo)
- BeeFree (combo)
- Mega (data)
- Giga (data)
- 3 GB Add On
I will list all the prices in AMD (Armenian Dram).
To convert AMD to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Smart – Beeline Armenia
The Smart Plans are combo plans with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
Below are the Smart bundles:
| Price | Plan | Data 1 | On-Net Minutes | Local/International Minutes 2 | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 AMD | Smart 990 Regional | 2 GB | 10 000 minutes | N/A | 150 SMS | 30 days | *405# |
| 1500 AMD | Smart 1500 | 3 GB | 10 000 minutes | N/A | 150 SMS | 30 days | *505# |
| 1500 AMD | Smart 1500 Regional | 3 GB | 10 000 minutes | N/A | 150 SMS | 30 days | *305# |
| 2500 AMD | Smart 2500 | 5 GB | 10 000 minutes | 50 minutes | 150 SMS | 30 days | *605# |
| 3500 AMD | Smart 3500 | 7 GB | 10 000 minutes | 150 minutes | 250 SMS | 30 days | *705# |
| 5500 AMD | Smart 5500 | 12 GB | 10 000 minutes | 250 minutes | 500 SMS | 30 days | *805# |
| 7500 AMD | Smart 7500 | 22 GB | 10 000 minutes | 350 minutes | 1000 SMS | 30 days | *905# |
| 9500 AMD | Smart 9500 | Unlimited | 10 000 minutes | 500 minutes | 1000 SMS | 30 days | *406# |
| 12 000 AMD | Smart 12000 | Unlimited | 10 000 minutes | 600 minutes | 1000 SMS | 30 days | *506# |
| 15 000 AMD | Smart 15000 | Unlimited | 10 000 minutes | 700 minutes | 1000 SMS | 30 days | *606# |
1 Disk, Navigator, Music applications, TeamTV & Yandex Taxi
2 Artsakh, Beeline Russia, Canada, RA Network & United States
BeeFree – Beeline Armenia
The BeeFree plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
You also get unlimited data for up to 18 apps, depending on the plan you choose.
Below are the BeeFree plans:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local/International Minutes 1 | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 AMD | BeeFree 1900 | 7 GB 2 | 200 minutes | 200 SMS | 30 days | *701# |
| 1900 AMD | BeeFree Regional | 10 GB 3 | 450 minutes | 300 SMS | 30 days | *704# |
| 2900 AMD | BeeFree 2900 | 10 GB 3 | 450 minutes | 300 SMS | 30 days | *702# |
| 4900 AMD | BeeFree 4900 | Unlimited | 1500 minutes | 500 SMS | 30 days | *703# |
| 7900 AMD | BeeFree Premium | Unlimited | 3000 minutes | 1000 SMS | 30 days | *709# |
1 Artsakh, Beeline Russia, Canada, RA Network & United States
2 Facebook Messenger, TeamTV, Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, Zangi & Zoom
3 Deezer, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, iTunes, Ok.ru, Snapchat, Spotify, TeamTV, Telegram, TikTok, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, Yandex Musics, Zangi & Zoom
Mega – Beeline Armenia
The Mega plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
Below are the Mega bundles:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 AMD | Mega 300+ | 300 MB 1 | 1 day | *1150# | *1151# |
| 150 AMD | Mega 500+ | 500 MB 2 | 1 day | *1500# | *1501# |
1 600 MB when activated on the My Beeline Armenia app
2 1000 MB when activated on the My Beeline Armenia app
Giga – Beeline Armenia
The Giga Plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
Below are the Giga bundles:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity | Activation Code | Deactivation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700 AMD | Giga 1+1 GB | 1 GB 1 | 30 days | *1101# | *1001# |
| 1000 AMD | Giga 2+1 GB | 2 GB 1 | 30 days | *1102# | *1002# |
| 2000 AMD | Giga 5+1 GB | 5 GB 1 | 30 days | *1105# | *1005# |
| 3500 AMD | Giga 10 GB | 10 GB | 30 days | *1110# | *1010# |
| 5000 AMD | Giga 15 GB | 15 GB | 30 days | *1115# | *1015# |
1 +1 GB when activated on the My Beeline Armenia app
3 GB Add On – Beeline Armenia
The 3 GB Add On is, as the name implies, an add-on with 3 GB of data valid until your main plan expires. It cannot be purchased as a standalone plan.
Dial *4100# to activate the 3 GB Add on.
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 AMD | 3 GB | Until plan expires | *4100# |
APN/Internet Settings – Beeline Armenia
- Name: Beeline Internet
- APN: internet.beeline.am
- Username: internet
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Ucom
Ucom, officially Յուքոմ and formerly Orange Armenia, is the smallest and youngest mobile operator in Armenia. It is also the cheapest option in the country.
Ucom uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
This is what you will learn about Ucom
* Coverage
* How to Get a Ucom SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Ucom
Ucom has extensive coverage throughout Armenia.
Its 4G/LTE reception is also substantial.
Below is Ucom's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
However, click here to see Ucom's official coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Ucom
You can get a Ucom SIM card for free if purchased with a plan or for 100 AMD with a minimum top-up of 1000 AMD (1000 AMD in credit) in Ucom stores, post offices, Yerevan City supermarkets, and Carrefour. It is also possible to get SIM cards at Yerevan-Zvartnots International Airport.
You can also get a Ucom eSIM card for free.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Ucom has no eSIMs.
Note that the Armenian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Armenia (without personal detail capturing), you can get eSIMs from Holafly (one option):
The best part is that you can get 5% off using code PHONETRAVELWIZ on each Holafly eSIM purchase!
No idea what or who Holafly is? Check out my Holafly review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than ten countries over two years.
If you plan on visiting other countries in Europe and others in other regions or continents, consider the Nomad Global eSIM to be used in 109/139 countries worldwide with six variants:
- 1 GB/7 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 3 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 5 GB/30 days (powered by two different providers with different prices) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 13th of September (2023 data only).
Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Nomad review!
Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.70 EUR/2.40 GBP/4.05 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!
Many more travel eSIMs will perform well in Armenia.
You can read about them in my Best Armenia eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Ucom
Ucom top-up vouchers are sold in Ucom stores and many other establishments, such as kiosks, gas stations, and grocery stores.
The following top-up options are available:
| Top-Up | Validity |
|---|---|
| 100 AMD – 499 AMD | 5 days |
| 500 AMD – 1999 AMD | 1 month |
| 2000 AMD – 3999 AMD | 2 months |
| 4000 AMD – 4999 AMD | 3 months |
| 5000 AMD => | 6 months |
To top up your Ucom SIM card, dial *144*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *144*123456#.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *133# to check your Ucom balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Ucom app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Ucom
Ucom has four data-featured prepaid plans:
- Level Up (combo)
- Internet Bundles (data)
- uDaily (data)
- uDrift (data)
I will list all the prices in AMD (Armenian Dram).
To convert AMD to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Level Up – Ucom
The Level Up plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
The following Level Up plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local/International Minutes 3 | Local SMS | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 AMD | Level Up 1700 | 6 GB 1 | 200 minutes | 200 SMS | 30 days | *451# |
| 1800 AMD | Level Up Regional 1700 | 8 GB 2 | 300 minutes | 300 SMS | 30 days | Stores only |
| 2900 AMD | Level Up 2700 | 8 GB 2 | 450 minutes | 300 SMS | 30 days | *452# |
| 4900 AMD | Level Up 4700 | “Unlimited”, 200 GB | 1500 minutes | 500 SMS | 30 days | *453# |
| 8900 AMD | Level Up 8700 | “Unlimited”, 200 GB | 6000 minutes | 1000 SMS | 30 days | *454# |
1 for Coursera, Duolingo, Facebook Messenger, Facetime, GG Taxi, Google Classroom, Google Maps, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Signal, Skype, Telegram, uMediaroom, Viber, WhatsApp, Yandex Maps, Yandex Taxi, Zangi & Zoom
2 for Apple Music, Coursera, Duolingo, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Facetime, GG Taxi, Google Classroom, Google Maps, Google Meet, Instagram, Microsoft Teams, Signal, Skype, Snapchat, Spotify, SoundCloud, Telegram, TikTok, uMediaroom, Viber, Vk, WhatsApp, Yandex Maps, Yandex Music, Yandex Taxi, Zangi & Zoom
3 Artsakh, Canada & United States
Internet Bundles – Ucom
The Internet Bundles are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
You can activate one of these Internet Bundles:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 AMD | 300 MB | 1 day | *205*1# |
| 500 AMD | 500 MB | 30 days | *205*2# |
| 700 AMD | 1 GB | 30 days | *205*3# |
| 1200 AMD | 3 GB | 30 days | *205*4# |
| 3500 AMD | 10 GB | 30 days | *205*5# |
| 6500 AMD | 20 GB | 30 days | *205*6# |
uDaily – Ucom
The uDaily plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access).
The following plans are available:
| Price | Data 1 | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 AMD | 1 GB | Until midnight | N/A |
| 1000 AMD | 1 GB | 7 days | 1 GB |
| 2000 AMD | 4 GB | 15 days | 4 GB |
| 3000 AMD | 8 GB | 30 days | 8 GB |
1 unlimited data at 64 Kbps after exhausting data allowance
uDrift – Ucom
The uDrift plans is data bundle (without 5G NR access).
This uDrift bundle is available:
| Price | Data 1 | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3500 AMD | 30 GB | 30 days | *111*6# |
1 unlimited data at 64 Kbps after exhausting data allowance
APN/Internet Settings – Ucom
- Name: Ucom Internet
- APN: internet
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Armenia
Getting a SIM card from Viva-MTS or Ucom would do you well when considering an Armenian SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Card in Other Asian Countries
Visiting other countries in Asia? Check out my region-specific SIM card buying guides:
- Central Asia
- East Asia
- (Middle East)
- South Asia
- Southeast Asia (revamped in September 2022)
- West Asia
Or check out my SIM card buying guides for individual Asian countries:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
Support Phone Travel Wiz
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Your support helps me keep producing impartial content by eliminating the need to recommend international SIM cards as the best local SIM card (but some of them CAN be useful).
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Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience?
Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel!
Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises & accommodation.
Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling?
In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services & products I have for this site and my YouTube channel.
If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
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