SIM Cards in Transnistria: The Best Prepaid Plans | 2024 Guide

Transnistria (Pridnestrovie) – known for having the largest statue of Lenin (well, mainly his head).

The territory is referred to as an unrecognized breakaway state, although it has been recognized by Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and South Ossetia – two other breakaway states.

The territory has its own passport, embassies (in Artsakh and Karabakh – basically useless for mostly everybody) & its own visa policy different from Moldova.

Anyone can stay in Transnistria for up to 45 days visa-free.

However, as you will have to enter Transnistria via Moldova or Ukraine, their visa policies are the de facto policies.

Regardless, I write guides for every country or territory with their own mobile operators 🤓.

But what can you do in Transnistria? Not much, honestly.

The best bang for your buck is to attend a tour.

If that is not your thing, the Iagorlîc is stunning.

Parque de Caterina is a must-see too, and so is the National Botanic Garden.

Oh, and you will see a lot of Soviet Union-style architecture.

Normally, I will tell you that international roaming is expensive and that you should not do it.

Which also applies to Transnistria. But you may not even have the option to roam there because of the lack of international roaming agreements between the national mobile operators and others.

But, you could use a Moldovan or Ukrainian SIM card with little disruptions, as their mobile operators cover most of the territory (with antennas near the borders – they are not operating in Transnistria itself).

But for the most optimal network experience, you want to get a SIM card from Internestrcom (IDC), which has become a lot more accessible over the years.

You can get a Transnistrian SIM card for 56 RUP (0.60 USD) from Interdnestrcom (IDC) in their stores.

That is not expensive, huh? But that should have been expected when knowing that Moldovan and Ukrainian SIM cards are inexpensive too.

But you are not here to read about Moldova or Ukraine – you want to know about Transnistrian SIM cards.

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Transnistria. Let's go.

Original publication: 24^th of January 2022. Last updated: 1^st of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

What is the Best SIM Card in Transnistria?

So, who are all these mobile operators and what options are available for you?

Transnistria has only one mobile operator offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:

• Interdnestrcom (Интерднестрком – IDC)

Anyone 16 or older living in or visiting Transnistria can buy a Transnistrian SIM card with no real restrictions, but you do have to comply with the Transnistrian SIM card registration regulations.

And if you are younger than 16, you can still get a SIM card if your parents buy one for you (in their name).

Which, in this case, is only showing your passport (or European Union ID if you have one) at the point of sale.

Where Can You Buy a Transnistrian SIM Card (+Costs)?

You can get a Transnistrian SIM card in Interdnestrcom (IDC) stores. Some Transnistrian airports sell (tourist) SIM cards (at inflated prices).

You can expect to pay the following for Transnistrian SIM cards:

• Interdnestrcom (IDC): 56 RUP

Note that SIM cards can be more expensive than those listed above when purchased at an airport.

Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date RUP (Transnistrian Ruble) to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) exchange rates.

For your convenience, below are some exchange rates between RUP and USD (US Dollars):

• 16.10 RUP = 1 USD

But for any other currency, the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Transnistrian Prepaid SIM Cards Explored

Below, I will guide you through Interdnestrcom (IDC), and go through:

• Background information
• Mobile coverage
• SIM card types, prices & availability
• Recharge/top-up information
• Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)

With that said, let's see what Transnistria offers us.

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Interdnestrcom (Интерднестрком – IDC)

Interdnestrcom (Интерднестрком), going by its shorter name IDC (which I will be using throughout this section), is the only mobile operator in Transnistria.

It used to be a CDMA-only mobile operator, making it impossible for tourists to use its services.

But that has changed over the years when IDC launched a 4G/LTE network.

IDC uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: N/A – never had it
• 3G: N/A – on CDMA (EVDO). Not compatible with GSM and services not being sold to new customers since November 2021
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20)

This is what you will learn about IDC:

* Coverage
* How to Get an IDC SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Interdnestrcom (IDC)

IDC has extensive coverage throughout Transnistria.

It even has some native coverage in various Moldovan and Ukrainian towns, but your network experience will not be pleasant.

Below is IDC's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Interdnestrcom (IDC)

You can buy an IDC SIM card for 56 RUP in IDC stores.

IDC has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.

Moreover, there is no reputable eSIM reseller with eSIMs for Transnistria.

However, you can use the Moldova (Soroca Mobile) eSIMs (1 GB/7 days, 3 GB/30 days & 5 GB/30 days) or the Ukraine (Lavranet) eSIMs (1 GB/7 days, 3 GB/30 days & 5 GB/30 days) and still be connected in Transnistria due to how narrow the territory is.

Note: due to the current unnecessary and wasteful invasion by Russia, telecommunications in Ukraine have severly been affected. Stick to the Moldova (Soroca Mobile) eSIM if you plan on getting an eSIM from Airalo.

Note that IDC offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and if you have enabled it in the settings but no VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).

Without VoLTE, you will not be able to make calls in Transnistria due to the lack of 2G and 3G (GSM) networks.

Call 883 to access the IDC menu.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Interdnestrcom (IDC)

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Interdnestrcom (IDC)

IDC has only one data-featured prepaid plan: ExTra Мобильный интернет/ExTra Mobile Internet. It is a data bundle (without 5G NR access).

I will list all the prices in RUP (Transnistrian Ruble).

To convert RUP to your currency (let's say GBP – British Pound Sterling) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

The following ExTra Мобильный интернет plans are available, which can be activated by dialing the Activation Code:

Price	Data	Validity	Activation Code
10 RUP	1 GB	24 hours	App only
25 RUP	1 GB	1 month	888*0211
25 RUP	3 GB	7 days	App only
55 RUP	3 GB	1 month	888*0212
85 RUP	6 GB	1 month	888*0213
120 RUP	10 GB	1 month	888*0214

Do not add a “*” or “#” in front or behind the activation code – those were not omitted by mistake. They are not needed.

APN/Internet Settings – Interdnestrcom (IDC)

• Name: IDC LTE
• APN: 4g.idknet.com
• Username: idc
• Password: idc

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

Getting a SIM card from Interdnestrcom (IDC) would be your only option when considering a Transnistrian SIM card.