SIM card for Ukraine

[msmob]

Which firm would one recommend for a month's duration pay as as you go sim to allow data / calls within UA - to allow multiple cities roaming for both services ?

Thanks

[LAman]

There is not much  difference in phone companies in Ukraine. Moby, you must be thinking in terms of Russia. Sometimes what determines which company to choose is if friends are on a certain company (free calls to both) or if there is a sale for a certain company. I find some areas may have a certain company that is more dominant. In general, Kievstar in central, Livecell in south and MTC in the east. The cost is so cheap, I normally have 2 phones and use a couple phone companies.

[Maxx2]

Moby is asking on behalf of me. I will be in Lviv, Nicolaev, Vinnesta and Khmelnytsky hanging out a week in each city. It is an exploratory run for me on life on the go in Ukraine. I have to leave my adopted country Georgia once a year to stay residency compliant. I'll be traveling light, just a Nike gym bag, my Apple Air laptop and my Lenova unlocked cell. I leave Sunday morning at 5 AM and return 4 weeks later at Sunday morning 1 AM the 4th of February.


Moby recommended some Apps such as UBER and Google Maps with GPS. I have Google translate that I use occasionally here in the Republic of Georgia.

[msmob]

)) Hi Maxx

Just remember to download UA / RU lang on your google translate app and I recommend installing maps.me and downloading the detailed maps for each place on free - but secure -  wifi ))

http://kyivstar.ua/en/mm/tariffs#

I'm guessing you want pay monthly

[Maxx2]

I have a maps program that I am going to test once I get out of my internet signal range. Presently it shows my location and a map that I entered Batumi train station as a test and it shows the route to it. I also have a UA / RU language download. All I have to do is talk into the microphone icon or type into the keypad to get both a written and verbal translation. I just tested the Ukrainian version just now, Works great though I think for the map I'll need to purchase some internet WiFi in Ukraine. I am relatively new to all of this.

[Maxx2]

)) Hi Maxx

Just remember to download UA / RU lang on your google translate app and I recommend installing maps.me and downloading the detailed maps for each place on free - but secure -  wifi ))

http://kyivstar.ua/en/mm/tariffs#

I'm guessing you want pay monthly

Do I do that in Ukraine when I get my sim card at a store?

[msmob]

Do I do that in Ukraine when I get my sim card at a store?

NO.. download all the apps you can on your Georgian wifi !

Edited to add:

,,,and UBER app

http://uberestimator.com/country/ukraine

[BillyB]

I will be in Lviv,

There's a cemetery in Lviv that is famous and always full or tourist buses. Forgot the name of it but ask about it and go see it. Historic and beautiful.

[ML]

 I'll be traveling light, just a Nike gym bag, my Apple Air laptop and my Lenova unlocked cell.

So you will wear same underwear all month, and just turn inside out once in a while?
What about all your prescription medications?

[ML]

There's a cemetery in Lviv that is famous and always full or tourist buses.

So that's where they bury the busses?

[Hammer2722]

There's a cemetery in Lviv that is famous and always full or tourist buses. Forgot the name of it but ask about it and go see it. Historic and beautiful.

I agree with Billy. You must see it. It has several sections. There is a very old Polish section with knights buried there. There is a section for the great Patriotic war, and there are some famous people buried there like Ivan Franko and a few others. We spent hours there. I posted some pic from there in my second TR to Lviv.

[Hammer2722]

So you will wear same underwear all month, and just turn inside out once in a while?

Nothing wrong with that! Its how we submariners do it! 

[LAman]

Moby is asking on behalf of me. I will be in Lviv, Nicolaev, Vinnesta and Khmelnytsky hanging out a week in each city. It is an exploratory run for me on life on the go in Ukraine. I have to leave my adopted country Georgia once a year to stay residency compliant. I'll be traveling light, just a Nike gym bag, my Apple Air laptop and my Lenova unlocked cell. I leave Sunday morning at 5 AM and return 4 weeks later at Sunday morning 1 AM the 4th of February.


Moby recommended some Apps such as UBER and Google Maps with GPS. I have Google translate that I use occasionally here in the Republic of Georgia.

You have all the logistics set up?
4 weeks using a gym bag will clothes. May I say that is worse than a
Couchsurfer!!! Or is that what you are going for? )))


Google maps works great but need data to access your location. Using train or buses?
Curious why Nikolaev, not really area of other cities. Of course your entry point may matter.

[JayH]

Which firm would one recommend for a month's duration pay as as you go sim to allow data / calls within UA - to allow multiple cities roaming for both services ?

Thanks

Life now called LIFECELL have ever expanding network, quality retail outlets ,ability to buy scratchcards to top up,or at booths everywhere via a cc or cash.
Can buy SIM at airport and get help to set up ( if needed) .
Data is included in monthly cost ( pay as you go)  Calls unlimited within network.
I think about   UAH  70 ish a month -they send reminders when credit is low. Not sure of SIM coast-- but not much.
It is a simple system to use
I would pay UAH200/300 to start-chances are that will be more than enough ( unless you are using data to watch movies etc !!)

http://www.lifecell.ua/en/

[Maxx2]

So you will wear same underwear all month, and just turn inside out once in a while?
What about all your prescription medications?

Not much in the way of those. I just take one, insulin for Type 2 diabetes. I've got a few pens and that fit in the side pocket of the bag. As for the rest there is washing in the sink, rinsing in water and hanging over the radiator. I am not fancy. I lived in Saratov and Ekaterinburg back in pre 9/11 2001 and later in 2002 and 2003. I think things are probably better in Ukraine now than they were in Russia during those dark days when the hot water (and heat) were shut off from April to October. So I know about living in primitive conditions and getting by. Again, I am not fancy. 

[Maxx2]

Life now called LIFECELL have ever expanding network, quality retail outlets ,ability to buy scratchcards to top up,or at booths everywhere via a cc or cash.
Can buy SIM at airport and get help to set up ( if needed) .
Data is included in monthly cost ( pay as you go)  Calls unlimited within network.
I think about   UAH  70 ish a month -they send reminders when credit is low. Not sure of SIM coast-- but not much.
It is a simple system to use
I would pay UAH200/300 to start-chances are that will be more than enough ( unless you are using data to watch movies etc !!)

http://www.lifecell.ua/en/

Thank you JayH. I'll let you know how I make out.

[Maxx2]

You have all the logistics set up?
4 weeks using a gym bag will clothes. May I say that is worse than a
Couchsurfer!!! Or is that what you are going for? )))


Google maps works great but need data to access your location. Using train or buses?
Curious why Nikolaev, not really area of other cities. Of course your entry point may matter.

I'll be a Airbnb guy. I am one right now. I have arraignments between two Airbnb hosts in my same building to  rent from during their off season. I get the benefit of a luxury apartment at low rate and they get full occupancy once the busy season ends. I'll probably just do an Airbnb in various cities. I am trying to get a feel for the place (Ukraine) while avoiding the more expensive cities. I heard Odessa is like Moscow and Saint Pete, a rather high cost place to live at. 

[Maxx2]

I agree with Billy. You must see it. It has several sections. There is a very old Polish section with knights buried there. There is a section for the great Patriotic war, and there are some famous people buried there like Ivan Franko and a few others. We spent hours there. I posted some pic from there in my second TR to Lviv.

You make me want to see it. I probably will. Thank you.

[LAman]

I'll be a Airbnb guy. I am one right now. I have arraignments between two Airbnb hosts in my same building to  rent from during their off season. I get the benefit of a luxury apartment at low rate and they get full occupancy once the busy season ends. I'll probably just do an Airbnb in various cities. I am trying to get a feel for the place (Ukraine) while avoiding the more expensive cities. I heard Odessa is like Moscow and Saint Pete, a rather high cost place to live at.

Actually, Odessa is very inexpensive in winter months. My favorite is $30 a night and goes for $80-$90 in summer. Is in Airbnb.

[JayH]

Actually, Odessa is very inexpensive in winter months. My favorite is $30 a night and goes for $80-$90 in summer. Is in Airbnb.

 I have seen accommodation as low as $10 with breakfast !
Probably more a generation or 2 below Maxx ideally -- but - possible.
Not my thing -- but I was checking for someone else at the time ! The same group is in other major cities.

[Anotherkiwi]

...I have arraignments between two Airbnb hosts in my same building...

I'm sorry to hear that!    Hopefully the charges are quite minor - like renting out a mattress without a licence! 

[Maxx2]

I'm sorry to hear that!    Hopefully the charges are quite minor - like renting out a mattress without a licence! 

I am not going to bite on that one! 

[msmob]

I'm sorry to hear that!    Hopefully the charges are quite minor - like renting out a mattress without a licence! 

 

You ARE on form with the typos, today !

[drsecu]

Which firm would one recommend for a month's duration pay as as you go sim to allow data / calls within UA - to allow multiple cities roaming for both services ?

Thanks

I used Kyiv Star in Kyiv to Lviv.  $4 a month for a mid range plan (data for social networking was unlimited).

[msmob]

Well, Maxx - you are 'quiet' ... did you run out of data ?

[Boethius]

Or he found more interesting company.

[eich]

What about Russia? Just curious if anything has changed since I was there a long time ago. I was required to show my passport and registration in addition to something else that I don’t remember. I used Beeline I think. Anyway I may be returning in the summer assuming Sasha Bortnikov isn’t still mad at me.

[msmob]

What about Russia? Just curious if anything has changed since I was there a long time ago. I was required to show my passport and registration in addition to something else that I don’t remember. I used Beeline I think. Anyway I may be returning in the summer assuming Sasha Bortnikov isn’t still mad at me.

You need to show your passport - they make a copy of this and your immigration registration card - if you buy at the airport - on arrival - you tend to pay more.

IF you are being met by a lady - on a WO trip - she'll buy you the same network she's on - as calls will be free

I recommend getting a YOTA sim for DATA - bring a MiFi device

http://http://tinyurl.com/mifi-device

 that isn't locked to a network- if you are going to more than one city and buying a local mobilnik ( cell phone ) with 2 sims - then you can pop in Beeline and ( say ) MTS - as you can choose which network to call on.

Yota don't charge for inter-city roaming

MiFi devices allow you to make a personal WiFi hotspot for your laptop and other devices - it is NOT tethering

With Yota DATA sims you still get unlimited internet for 1, 000 R / month 

[DaveNY]

If you're American do not take your personal or work phone abroad, to any country. Buy a phone locally and use it locally. There is a chance, probably slim, that the government will seize the phone or at a minimum search the phone.

The article below tells the story of a NASA engineer having to give up his work phone, that he took on vacation to Chile, to CBP agents to have it searched.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/us/citizen-nasa-engineer-detained-at-border-trnd/index.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/can-us-border-agents-search-your-phone-at-the-airport-2017-2

[alex330]

If you're American do not take your personal or work phone abroad, to any country. Buy a phone locally and use it locally. There is a chance, probably slim, that the government will seize the phone or at a minimum search the phone.

The article below tells the story of a NASA engineer having to give up his work phone, that he took on vacation to Chile, to CBP agents to have it searched.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/us/citizen-nasa-engineer-detained-at-border-trnd/index.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/can-us-border-agents-search-your-phone-at-the-airport-2017-2

Huh? That was a one in a billion occurrence and being overly paranoid. There was also more to that story that later came out if I recall....Most people carry their personal phones all over the World without issues. My wife has entered almost every country on the planet without issues.

[Boethius]

It probably isn't an issue for your wife, but it would be an issue for anyone whose phone is tied to their business, and that business includes confidential information.  For example, think of a lawyer who is working on an IPO.

[alex330]

It probably isn't an issue for your wife, but it would be an issue for anyone whose phone is tied to their business, and that business includes confidential information.  For example, think of a lawyer who is working on an IPO.

Considering my wife flies planes full of gold, extradited drug lords and terrorists, Russian Oligarchs, and the owners of the largest corporations in the World I would think it would be an issue if it mattered.

[Boethius]

Yes, but she doesn't have the ins and outs of their accounts, does she?

[alex330]

Yes, but she doesn't have the ins and outs of their accounts, does she?

She has their names, passport numbers, tail number, time of departure/arrival, flight route, etc sent to her gmail account. Enough info to heist 300 million in gold or spring a drug lord loose. If they want your info the last thing these need is the pin to your phone these days. Someone can walk up right beside you and take any info off your phone without touching it.

[Boethius]

That’s all information border officials have access to as well. They don’t routinely have access to what NASA is working on, or the details of an IPO, or, say, draft financial statements, or negotiations on a public deal, etc. These are things that, of disclosed, can make or break a career.

As for accessing without a pin, how?

[alex330]

That’s all information border officials have access to as well. They don’t routinely have access to what NASA is working on, or the details of an IPO, or, say, draft financial statements, or negotiations on a public deal, etc. These are things that, of disclosed, can make or break a career.

As for accessing without a pin, how?

If someone wants your info and knows how it is not difficult to steal it. Not to mention most people are very sloppy. There are many ways to steal data from devices in your proximity. Heat transfer, acoustically, electromagnetically, through lights, etc. When I ran a data center we had very strict protocols because of this issue. And tech advances have progressed substantially since then.

EDIT - One of many examples. There are more advanced methods. Now I have all your logins just from standing in line next to you.

http://thehackernews.com/2014/10/airhopper-hacking-into-isolated.html