Transnistria: Best Prepaid SIM Card Buying Guide (2023)

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: 24th of January 2022. Last updated: 1st of October 2023.

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Table of Contents

Can You Buy a SIM Card in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)?

Anyone 16 years old or older living in or visiting Transnistria can buy a Transnistrian SIM card from Interdnestrcom (IDC) with no restrictions.

You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.

Moreover, you need a phone that supports the frequency used in the territory.

Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.

Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)?

You can get a Transnistrian SIM card in Interdnestrcom (IDC) stores.

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

• Interdnestrcom (IDC): 56 RUP

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Can You Use Your Phone in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)?

Transnistria uses GSM and CDMA (EVDO) technology for mobile telecommunications services. Interdnestrcom (IDC) is phasing out its CDMA network (new customers cannot get CDMA plans anymore), so you should not bank on it. Moreover, you would not be able to use Interdnestrcom's CDMA network unless you buy a phone from them or roam.

Traditional European frequencies are used in Transnistria, which are mostly used in ITU Regions 1 and 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 and 3), you should not experience any issues with using your phone Transnistria.

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 you cannot use your phone in Transnistria because the terrotiry has no fallback frequencies (4G/LTE is on a European frequency only).

If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Transnistria.

Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

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

• Interdnestrcom (Интерднестрком – IDC)

The following frequencies are used in Transnistria:

• 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)

You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.

To check whether your phone will work in Transnistria, 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.

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VoLTE & VoWiFi in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) is available in Transnistria. However, VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFI calling) is not available (yet).

In fact, your phone does not support VoLTE, you will not be able to make calls in Transnistria.

Of course, you are free to use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) apps for calls, such as Facebook (Messenger) and WhatsApp (if you have an active Interdnestrcom (IDC) data plan).

5G NR in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

5G NR is not available in Transnistria as of 2022, and the Transnistrian government has not made any indications of when it will auction 5G licenses.

Best SIM Card in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

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Best eSIM in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

Unfortunately, Interdnestrcom (IDC) does not offer eSIMs (yet).

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.

TIP: use the Moldova eSIM – speeds in Ukraine, and especially near Transnistria, are significantly slower than in Moldova.

With these eSIMs, you can skip Transnistria's SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in Transnistria!

If you plan on visiting other neighboring European nations, consider the Eurolink eSIM (six variants: 1 GB/7 days, 3 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers, 5 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers, 10 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers, 50 GB/90 days & 100 GB/180 days) in Transnistria and these other countries:

• Check out my Airalo Eurolink eSIM review (tested in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia & Spain)

Holafly and Nomad also have eSIMs covering all of the European Union (and more).

But honestly, the Eurolink eSIM is superior (but you can consider the Holafly Europe eSIM if you want unlimited data in 30+ countries – just do not forget about code PHONETRAVELWIZ if you go with Holafly).

SIM Card Registration in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

SIM card registration, with the use of your passport information, is mandatory in Transnistria. This will be done at the point of sale.

Using Moldovan and Ukrainian SIM Cards in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

The Moldovan and Ukrainian mobile operators do not allow you to roam for free in Transnistria. However, you can still use their SIM cards in the territory with some disruptions.

Transnistria is rather long in height but skinny in width – just like Chile (but much shorter – like myself🤭).

In many cases, the Moldovan mobile operators (Orange Moldova, Moldcell & Moldtelecom (formerly Unité) and the Ukrainian mobile operators (Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine, Lifecell, 3Mob & Lycamobile Ukraine) will cover most of Transnistria (without international roaming).

However, your reception may be spotty, and speeds may be slower than you are used to.

But if you want the most optimal experience, you should get an Interdnestrcom (IDC) SIM card.

Remember to turn international roaming off if you use a Moldovan or Ukrainian SIM card in Transnistria to avoid accidental roaming charges.

Moreover, Interdnestrcom does not allow you to roam for free in Moldova.

Currency in Transnistria (Pridnestrovie)

Transnistria uses the Transnistrian Ruble with the unofficial symbol RUP (which will be used throughout this guide).

However, prices are often listed as ПМР. For example, 25 RUP = 25 ПМР.

The Transnistrian Republican Bank has tried, and quite successfully, pegged RUP to the US Dollar (USD – 16.10 RUP = 1 USD) and the Euro (EUR – 18.28 RUP = 1 EUR) for years.

However, the central bank may devalue its currency on any given workday.

But the current peg has been in place since 2019.

Unofficially, you can pay for some services in USD (best exchange rates) or EUR (at reasonable exchange rates).

Some businesses may even accept the (British) Pound Sterling (GBP), Moldovan Leu (MDL) & Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH).

However, the exchange rates will be poor (especially for GBP).

Note that Interdnestrcom (IDC) will only accept RUP.

Transnistrian (Pridnestrovien) Prepaid SIM Cards

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 being said, let’s see what Transnistria has to offer to 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.