Network Connection in Kyrgyzstan: what to choose and why
Mobile connection is well-developed and easily accessible in Kyrgyzstan. It is easy to obtain a SIM card at airport exits and cross-border checkpoints. Sometimes even for free! If you don’t encounter or miss such an opportunity, you can obtain one as soon as you reach the city.
The first option is to get a SIM card from a mobile operator’s office. In this case, you will get detailed information about the available packages and options. It is also convenient to visit the office if you decide to keep your permanent SIM card and get an electronic SIM instead. The official dealer will also bind your new number to your passport (so bring it with you).
You can also buy a SIM card for around 50 cents at any market or shop. The 50-cent SIM cards usually have a preinstalled tariff. However, you won’t be able to use calls, the internet, or messaging for anything other than emergency numbers.
Packages
Weekly fees start from around $1.5/week and offer 8-10 gigabytes of internet, free inter-network calls, and a few free minutes to other mobile operators. For $3/week, you get unlimited internet, more free minutes outside your network, and the ability to use your phone as a personal hotspot (cheaper packages don’t offer this option for free).
Monthly fees start at around $5/month and include 40 gigabytes of internet, 30 minutes of free calls outside the network, and personal hotspot data sharing. And finally, for around $10/month, you can have a package with unlimited internet and 100 free minutes outside the network.
There is not much difference in package fees among the three major mobile operators (Beeline, Megacom, O!). There is no substantial difference in connection quality or coverage. Yet each mobile operator has a slight edge over the others in certain areas. Here is a brief comparison of the three.
Beeline is the oldest mobile operator in Kyrgyzstan. It is usually the first operator to introduce new technologies and options. Its main advantage is the area coverage. In the mountainous areas where other operators fail to connect, Beeline remains the lone survivor. For example, while visiting Kyrgyz-Ata National Park, Beeline is the only network that connects from the yurts of semi-nomads.
A primary advantage of Megacom is its popularity. It is the most used operator among the local population. It is crucial to consider this advantage if you plan to stay long-term and make frequent direct calls within Kyrgyzstan. Otherwise, the price and network coverage in populated areas are similar to those of Beeline and O!
O! claims to have the best internet connection in Kyrgyzstan, citing independent analysis. I have not used O! within the last few years and cannot confirm it from my experience. But according to anecdotal evidence, O! indeed has a great internet, especially in urban areas. Again, when it comes to price, options, and connectivity in populated areas, it is almost the same as the other two operators.
So what to choose?
I myself use two SIM cards: Megacom and Beeline. I’ve been using Megacom since 2013, and most people know this number. I also use Beeline because it has network coverage in areas where other operators fail.
The choice of mobile operator depends on your travel duration, location, and activities. If you are traveling with friends or family, you can get two different SIM cards: Megacom (or O!) and Beeline. If one fails to connect, you can rely on the second. If you are a solo traveler, you can still consider getting two SIM cards. Getting two SIM cards is a reasonable option, given that most phones support dual-SIM and the package is low-cost in Kyrgyzstan.