Once you arrive in Yerevan, you might be in need to make some phone calls or use the web. Participants of ASPIRANTUM language school might be interested in purchasing a SIM card for many reasons. It might be useful to search vocabulary in an online dictionary, contact classmates, or call for help in case of an emergency (which we hope will never happen!).
Below we pointed out types of SIM cards, available operators, and the customer service centers in Kentron (central district of Yerevan), so you can get the card you need.
Purchasing Phone Card in Armenia
There are three phone operators in Armenia: VivaCell MTS, Beeline, and Ucom. All of them offer two types of subscription plans: prepaid card and post-paid card.
Prepaid cards
Prepaid card is preferable for short stays. To purchase a card you need to visit a phone operator center (list below) and discuss with an assistant your needs and budget.
The card costs around 3000-9000 AMD (6-18 USD) depending on the operator. You can choose a card with a specific plan, for instance, Belinee offers 7gb of the internet for 3500 AMD (7USD).
To purchase the SIM card you need to show your passport and sign a contract which takes around 30 minutes. Don’t worry about the contract, the company just needs to get your data and know to whom they sell their cards! You are not obliged to pay anything extra, and once you leave the country your card will simply expire since it’s prepaid type.
NOTE: If you decide to take a card with no plan, you need to load some money on your account to use it. You can do it in every TelCell terminal or in any bank or online despite your operator.
Postpaid cards
The pos-tpaid card is a bit complex subscription, and it’s better for those who plan to stay longer in the country. You are paying a monthly subscription that includes a specific number of minutes for calling, messages and Internet plans. This type of subscription is usually arranged by a contract for at least 6 months.
Check out the websites pointed out below and choose your favorite offer. Remember to have your passport when entering the customer service center, without it, you will not be able to get a SIM card.
VivaCell MTS
VivaCell MTS is one of the Armenian phone operators. It has several customer service centers around Yerevan.
Visit the website to check all the offers: www.mts.am
Here are the addresses of the customer service centers:
- Yerevan, Abovyan,33 (open from 9:00 to 19:00)
- Yerevan, Amiryan 3 (open 24 hours)
- Yerevan, Northern Avenue, 6/14 (open 24 hours)
- “Zvartnots” International Airport, Arrival Hall (open 24 hours)
Team
Beeline offers, on the same model than VivaCell MTS, tariffs for a prepaid card and post-paid card. Check out Beeline’s website to learn more: www.beeline.am
Beeline’s customer service centers :
- Yerevan, Northern Avenue, 4 (open from 10:00 to 00:00)
- Yerevan, Amiryan, 3 (open from 10:00 to 00:00)
- “Zvartnots” International Airport, Arrival Hall (open 24 hours)
Ucom
Ucom offers a range of offers for corporate and individual customers, with postpaid and prepaid cards. Learn more about Ucom offer on the official website: ucom.am
Here are some of Ucom customer service centers in Kentron:
- Yerevan, Amiryan 4/7 (open from 9:00 to 00:00)
- Yerevan, Northern Avenue, 1/2 (open 24 hours)
- “Zvartnots” International Airport, Arrival Hall (open 24 hours)
As you can see above at the Yerevan airport, all of the phone operators have their service points, so if you travel to Armenia by plane, you can buy the card immediately after arriving! The service points are located just after you leave the baggage claim section in the airport as well as in the arrival hall.
Wi-fi in Armenia
When booking an apartment or hotel in Yerevan you will most certainly see that the housing also have free wifi. So you will for sure have fast and unlimited internet access from the place you live. Still check with the hotel or the owner of the apartment if the place has a free and unlimited wi-fi. Please check this article about how to find an apartment in Yerevan.
All cafes and restaurants in Yerevan will also have free wi-fi available for the visitors.
Free wi-fi will also be available at ASPIRANTUM classrooms.
Outside Yerevan free wi-fi will be mainly available in hotels and sometimes in restaurants and cafes.
So you will need a cellular internet mainly during your trips around Armenia or while you are far from any wi-fi hub in Yerevan.
Mobile Internet coverage in Armenia
You will always have access to cellular internet and mobile connectivity while you travel through the main roads in Armenia.
The majority of even the most remote villages in Armenia are covered by at least one of the above mentioned mobile operators.
If you decide to go hiking in the forests and mountains of Armenia please be aware, that if those places are far from inhabited areas you may be out of mobile and internet coverage.
It is advised to go to such remote places in Armenia with a group and with an experienced guide.
Wrap up
Mobile communication is necessary during your stay in Yerevan as an ASPIRANTUM student.
You will need the internet to check for online dictionaries, reading texts and watching videos for learning purposes.
You will need a mobile number for fast communication with the ASPIRANTUM staff, with peer students and most importantly during any emergency situation.
We suggest you to purchase an Armenian mobile card as soon as you arrive in Yerevan.
You may also read this article about Electrical sockets, plugs and voltage standards in Armenia.
