Mongolia SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know
When traveling to Mongolia, staying connected with family, friends, or colleagues is essential. To do so, you may need to purchase a local SIM card for reliable and cost-effective communication. Below is a listicle outlining everything you need to know about acquiring and using a SIM card in Mongolia.
- Operators Available:
- Mobicom: One of the largest and most popular providers with widespread coverage.
- Unitel: Known for good customer service and competitive pricing.
- Skytel: Offers reasonable prices and decent coverage, especially in urban areas.
- G-Mobile: Covers areas that other providers may not, including certain rural locations.
- Where to Purchase:
- Airport Outlets: SIM cards are available at Chinggis Khaan International Airport upon arrival.
- Brand Stores: Visit official stores of the mobile operators for personalized services.
- Authorized Dealers: Located in cities and often in small towns throughout Mongolia.
- Supermarkets and Kiosks: SIM cards can sometimes be found at general stores.
- Requirements for Purchase:
- Passport: A valid passport is usually required as identification.
- Registration: You may need to fill out a form with personal details for registration.
- Activation: The store representative typically activates the SIM card for you.
- Cost and Packages:
Here’s a general range of what you might expect, though prices are subject to change:OperatorPrepaid SIM CostData PackagesMobicomAround 5,000 MNTVarious options, starting from 1,000 MNTUnitelAround 5,000 MNTData plans beginning at 2,900 MNTSkytelAround 5,000 MNTData packages start from 3,000 MNTG-MobileAround 5,000 MNTVarious packages, from 1,000 MNT upwards- Prices are in Mongolian Tugrik (MNT).
- Packages vary and may include only data or combinations of data, text, and voice.
- Coverage and Speeds:
- Urban Areas: Expect stronger signals and faster speeds in cities like Ulaanbaatar.
- Rural Regions: While operators are expanding their networks, some remote areas may have weak or no signal.
- 4G/3G: 4G services are mostly available in larger cities, while 3G is more commonly found in rural areas.
- Top-Up Options:
- Physical Stores: Visit the operator’s store or authorized dealers.
- Online: Many operators offer online top-up services on their websites.
- Bank ATMs: Some ATMs in Mongolia allow you to top up your mobile account.
- Top-Up Cards: Available at most kiosks and supermarkets across the country.
- Roaming with a Foreign SIM:
- Network Compatibility: Check if your phone is compatible with Mongolian networks (mainly GSM 900/1800 for calls and texts, UMTS 2100 for 3G).
- Roaming Charges: Be aware that roaming with your home country SIM can be expensive.
- SIM Card Activation:
- Activation is usually done by the seller at the point of purchase.
- Follow instructions included with the SIM pack if you need to activate it yourself.
- Customer Support:
- Customer support lines are typically available for each operator.
- Support may not always be available in English, so asking a local for help might be necessary.
- Checking Balance and Data Usage:
- USSD Codes: Dial specific USSD codes provided by the operator to check balance and usage.
- Mobile Apps: Some operators offer mobile apps where you can manage and review your account.
- Important Considerations:
- Phone Compatibility: Ensure your phone is unlocked and can accept a Mongolian SIM.
- Language Barrier: You may face challenges if you do not speak Mongolian or Russian.
- Duration of Stay: Monthly plans may be more cost-effective for longer stays compared to pay-as-you-go for short-term visits.
By following these guidelines, travelers to Mongolia can navigate the process of obtaining a SIM card with greater ease and confidence, ensuring a more connected and enjoyable visit to this majestic land.
Best SIM-Only Plans for Light, Moderate & Heavy Data Users in Mongolia
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the best SIM-only plans available in Mongolia for light, moderate, and heavy data users:
Light Data Users:
- Unitel 300MB Data Plan: This plan provides 300MB of data, 200 minutes of local calls, and 200 SMS for ₮1,500 per month.
- G-Mobile 300MB Data Plan: Offering 300MB of data, 100 minutes of local calls, and 100 SMS, this plan costs ₮1,000 per month.
- Mobicom 300MB Data Plan: Providing 300MB of data, 50 minutes of local calls, and 50 SMS, this plan costs ₮1,200 per month.
Moderate Data Users:
- Unitel 1GB Data Plan: This plan provides 1GB of data, unlimited local calls, and unlimited SMS for ₮3,000 per month.
- G-Mobile 1GB Data Plan: Offering 1GB of data, 500 minutes of local calls, and 500 SMS, this plan costs ₮2,500 per month.
- Mobicom 1GB Data Plan: Providing 1GB of data, 300 minutes of local calls, and 300 SMS, this plan costs ₮2,800 per month.
Heavy Data Users:
- Unitel 5GB Data Plan: This plan provides 5GB of data, unlimited local calls, and unlimited SMS for ₮6,000 per month.
- G-Mobile 5GB Data Plan: Offering 5GB of data, 2,000 minutes of local calls, and 2,000 SMS, this plan costs ₮5,000 per month.
- Mobicom 5GB Data Plan: Providing 5GB of data, 1,500 minutes of local calls, and 1,500 SMS, this plan costs ₮5,500 per month.
Additional Considerations:
- Network Coverage: Consider the network coverage in your area when choosing a SIM-only plan. Unitel and Mobicom offer the widest coverage in Mongolia, while G-Mobile may have limited coverage in some rural areas.
- Data Speed: Check the data speed offered by each plan to ensure it meets your requirements. Unitel and Mobicom generally offer faster data speeds than G-Mobile.
- Promotional Offers: Look for promotional offers that provide additional data or discounts on specific plans.
- Customer Support: Choose a provider with reliable customer support in case you need assistance with your SIM card or service plan.
MobiCom Data Packages
| Volume | 4G Bonus | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 MB | 600 MB | 1 day | 1500 ₮ |
| 1 GB | 1 GB | 2 days | 2000 ₮ |
| 1.5 GB | 1.5 GB | 3 days | 3500 ₮ |
| 3 GB | 3 GB | 7 days | 7000 ₮ |
| 5 GB | 5 GB | 15 days | 11500 ₮ |
| 3 GB | 3 GB | 30 days | 16500 ₮ |
Unitel Data Packages
| Price | Validity | Data | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 500 ₮ | 24 hours | 1 GB | 1 |
| 4 000 ₮ | 3 days | 512 MB per day | 3 |
| 8 000 ₮ | 7 days | 512 MB per day | 7 |
| 25 000 ₮ | 30 days | 512 MB per day | 30 |
| 4 000 ₮ | 7 days | 500 MB | 500MB |
| 10 000 ₮ | 30 days | 1 GB | 1000MB |
| 20 000 ₮ | 30 days | 3 GB | 3000MB |
References:
https://abrokenbackpack.com/mongolia-sim-cards/
https://esims.io/en/countries/mongolia