Have you decided to fulfill your dream and are finally going to Karelia? But here's the problem - there are several issues that need the advice of local residents. We will be happy to help you with this 🙂

To make your holiday smooth and easy, we give you a few really useful tips, after reading which, you will be able to prepare as much as possible for a trip to Karelia.

TIME.

Karelia is located in the European part of Russia and has the same time zone as Moscow. From the beginning of June until the 20th of July, we have a period of white nights - romance and almost round-the-clock sunshine. Sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and think it's time to get up, or worse, you overslept. But no, it's 3 in the morning and you are sleeping happily 🙂 June 22 is declared the longest day of the year.
At the same time, despite all the romance of the white nights, there is back side. A kind of Looking Glass 🙂 In winter, everything is exactly the opposite, what is called the polar night. And the shortest day in winter, do you think, is December 22nd.

WEATHER.

Karelia is a republic in the North of the country, and this is always worth remembering. home distinguishing feature our area - just a crazy and abrupt change in weather conditions. In just one hour, we can have snow, blow everyone around, and suddenly it will become sharp, like in Miami, when you want to go without a T-shirt. This should always be understood and prepared. Take things with you for all occasions: warm, hot, cold and rainy - everyone should have their own clothes. For example: umbrellas, windbreakers, warm socks, sneakers, slippers, etc.

YOU ARE DRIVING IN YOUR CAR.

The main rule - always carefully follow the signs. We understand that the “Rough Road” sign in Russia is even ridiculous, but in Karelia it is the truth of life, you should pay attention to it and drive carefully.
Nevertheless, the Petersburg-Murmansk federal highway is of very good quality, but there are new dangers here: traffic police and cameras. Agree that coming home and finding a bunch of fines in the box is not the best impression after the rest.
As for gasoline, thank God, there are enough gas stations. It is better to refuel with Lukoil and TNK, there are enough of them. Prices are slightly higher than the national average.

MONEY.

Now almost everywhere they accept cards and credit cards. There are plenty of ATMs and even in the villages. Naturally, as in any province, Sberbank is everywhere, with other banks it is more difficult.

MEDICAL SERVICE.

There are a huge number of pharmacies in Petrozavodsk, there are round-the-clock ones. There are hospitals and medical centers, centers paid services, maternity hospital (you can safely give birth in Karelia 🙂).

CONNECTION.

There are 4 mobile operators in Karelia: MTS, Beeline, Megafon and TELE2. In cities, all operators work well, in most of Karelia only Megafon and MTS work well, only Megafon works in the wilderness, and there are also a lot of places where absolutely nothing works 🙂

INSECTS.

Mosquitoes, gadflies and midges - our everything! 🙂 But the solution is very simple - you just need to buy something like Mosquitoll. June-beginning of July - the main activity of mosquitoes, then the midge climbs and gadflies appear. In fact, you get used to all this disgrace on the third day and even mosquitolls are no longer needed ...

Ticks - yes. They also decide - remedies for ticks, well, you can get vaccinated (in advance, of course), I recommend it to everyone.

There are snakes, but not as many as they are famous for. Watch your step and be careful - all that is required of you.

Karelia's mobilization gave good results, first of all for cellular communication operators. Almost every inhabitant of the republic has a cell phone. Since July of this year, the Russian legislation in the field of communications has changed. Now all incoming calls are free. But there are still many tariff plans and a huge variety of services. Navigating and choosing what you need is not easy.

KARELINFORM starts a series of articles on cellular communications in Petrozavodsk. In several publications, we will talk about mobile operators operating in the capital of Karelia, about the most advantageous tariff plans, about additional service in companies.

There are companies in Petrozavodsk operating in various cellular communication standards. The most popular is the GSM standard. Beeline, Megafon and MTS use it to provide communication services.

Historically, Megaphone, or rather "North-West GSM", was the first to appear in the republic.

A bit of history. In August 2001 The first all-Russian project of mobile communications "MegaFon" was launched. Having received the right to develop a network throughout the territory Russian Federation, MegaFon has become the largest mobile operator in the world in terms of licensed coverage. 100% coverage of the territory of Russia implies the ability to provide mobile communication services in 89 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, where 147 million people live.

The main role in the process of formation of the all-Russian operator was assigned to one of the leaders Russian market cellular communication - the St. Petersburg company "North-West GSM". CJSC "North-West GSM" was founded in 1993. In the same period, the construction of the network began, and in 1994. - its commercial exploitation. In 1999 The number of the Company's subscribers exceeded 100 thousand people. By that time, the network of "North-West GSM" completely covered St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region and was actively developing in the northern regions of the North-West.

November 2001 the number of subscribers of "North-Western GSM" exceeded 500 thousand people, and in May 2002 - one million. In connection with participation in the first all-Russian project of mobile communications "MegaFon" in 2002. the process of rebranding of the company began, as a result of which trademark"MegaFon" completely replaced "North-West GSM".

In May 2002 as a result of renaming and changing the organizational and legal form of CJSC "North-West GSM" and its merger with a number of regional operators, OJSC "MegaFon" was created. The creation of an open joint-stock company "MegaFon" was completed legal registration the unification process of regional operators within the framework of the first all-Russian project of mobile communications "MegaFon".

A little later, North-West GSM was competed by MTS.

MTS was formed by the Moscow City Telephone Network (MGTS), Deutsche Telecom (DeTeMobil), Siemens and several other shareholders as a closed joint-stock company in October 1993 4 Russian companies owned 53% of the shares, two German companies - 47%. At the end of 1996 AFK Sistema acquired a stake from Russian shareholders, and DeTeMobil bought shares in Siemens.

March 1, 2000 As a result of the merger of MTS CJSC and RTK CJSC, Mobile TeleSystems OJSC was formed. April 28, 2000 Federal Commission on securities The Russian Federation registered the initial issue of shares of MTS OJSC. In the same year, the company entered the global stock markets.

Having started in the Moscow licensed area in 1994, MTS in 1997. received licenses and began to actively develop in Tver and the Tver region, Kostroma and the Komi Republic. The agreement concluded with Rosiko allowed MTS to develop the GSM-1800 standard in another 17 regions of Central Russia and 11 regions in the Urals. In 2001 MTS continued its regional expansion by expanding its network to seven more regions of Russia. In the same year, MTS entered the North-West of Russia when it acquired Telecom XXI.

April 2002 MTS acquired the largest operator in the South of Russia - the Kuban GSM company, which made it possible to include the country's main resorts in the MTS network. In 2002 MTS networks were launched in Murmansk, Tambov, Arkhangelsk and Nenets autonomous region, Vologda, Tyumen, Republic of Karelia and Altai.

The company's license area in the Russian Federation has reached 76 regions with a population of 127.3 million people.

Beeline was the last company to appear in Karelia. The company was established in 1992. in Moscow. A switchboard and a base station were installed on the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow. The first experimental AMPS network in Russia with a capacity of 200 subscribers has started operation. At the first meeting of shareholders of JSC VimpelCom, Dmitry Zimin, the founder of the company, is approved for the position of general designer. VimpelCom JSC was officially registered on September 15, 1992.

In August of the following year, the Beeline trademark appeared. In 1994 The network of the company was already 2 thousand people. By 1996 VimpelCom is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), becoming the first Russian company, listed on the NYSE after a ninety-year hiatus. VimpelCom's shares in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADR) of the third, highest level, are placed on the stock exchange under the VIP symbol. This allows the company to raise more than $60 million to develop the network. By the end of the year, the Beeline network has 50,000 subscribers.

In 1997 the company starts working in the GSM-1800 standard. May 2000 the WAP-service is launched into experimental commercial operation. By using mobile phone Beeline GSM subscribers now have access to news, weather information, exchange rates. VimpelCom opens the first branch of Beeline GSM in Voronezh.

Beeline today ranks third among the largest mobile operators in Russia. The advantages of this communication standard are: clear sound of speech and the absence of extraneous noise; high-speed Internet access and others.

High-speed Internet access, access to a local corporate network, e-commerce, receiving and listening to high-quality music recordings, transferring photos and videos, interactive games- here is an approximate list of services that are available in Sky Link networks.

Pay attention, owners of clothing stores, gifts, perfumery - now SMS sending will help you to remind yourself. You simply upload a list of customer phones and report on promotions, news, new arrivals. You save time and money. Payment by webmoney and Yandex-Money.

20 years ago, in June 1993, the Foreign Relations Committee of the St. Petersburg City Hall registered the North-West GSM company, on the basis of which MegaFon was subsequently created. Around the same time, the first cell phone with a built-in clock came out, the South Korean giant Samsung was just starting to release mobile phones, and one could only dream of a color display, not to mention a camera built into the phone. Cellular communications have come a long way since then. Hundreds of base stations were built, MMS and mobile TV services were launched, 3G, 4G were added to the GSM standard ...

Taking advantage of the festive occasion, "Stolitsa on Onego" talked about the past, present and future of cellular communication with Alexei Artemyev, director of the Karelian Regional Branch of the North-Western Branch of OJSC "MegaFon".

- Alexey Viktorovich, how did cellular communication in Karelia begin?

If you do not recall the experiments with the Finnish network of the already closed NMT-450 communication standard, then since the creation of Alfa Telecom OJSC back in 1995. This joint venture of Karelian and St. Petersburg signalers later gave life to our department of MegaFon. But the first digital base station of the "North-West GSM" was launched in Petrozavodsk on July 18, 1997. This station, refurbished modern equipment, and is now located on the roof of a building on Gorkogo Street, 4. The only dealer who then connected to the North-West GSM network was Alfa Telecom. When connecting, subscribers had to have not only a passport, but permission to use a mobile phone issued by Gossvyaznadzor. The permit indicated the name of the owner, model and number of the device. The inconsistency of the data specified in the permit, and even more so its absence, could lead to serious problems with the police officers, up to the seizure of the device. Connecting to the network cost $200, the monthly fee was about $30 depending on the package of connected services, and calls to North-West GSM numbers and to the city cost about 50 centers each, incoming calls were also paid.

In 2002, MegaFon OJSC was established on the basis of CJSC North-West GSM. In the same year, the Karelian regional branch of the North-Western branch of MegaFon OJSC was opened in Petrozavodsk. Since that time, we have put into operation more than 500 base stations.

- How can MegaFon surprise a subscriber today?

Now the priorities of our client have shifted somewhat from voice communications to the consumption of Internet services, the growth of which can be described as "explosive". Previously, it was important for the subscriber that the connection was in the city, in the country and on the highway. Now added to this is the need for high-speed Internet access anywhere the subscriber is located. How could we imagine 5 years ago that, sitting somewhere in a remote corner of the republic, you can watch any movie online with the help of one mobile phone, pay bills for an apartment, make a video call to relatives? The possibilities of mobile communication today are almost limitless, and they cannot but surprise. We, in turn, do everything to make the range of our services available throughout the country. Our coverage area still needs no introduction. For example, according to research by Roskomnadzor, the coverage of the Kola highway with MegaFon communications is 87.1% of the total length, while competitors here lag behind us by 14% -26%.

- The quality of communication is, of course, an important factor, but the service itself and its cost are no less significant. What principles does MegaFon adhere to in its tariff policy?

We make our products as simple and understandable for the client as possible. As for pricing factors, we always offer the best prices for communication, based on the competitive situation in the market.

- What can you say about the claims about the high cost of MegaFon's services?

Unfortunately, this is a very common stereotype. If someone I know tells me that he has an “expensive” MegaFon, this only means to me that we could not choose the right tariff for the subscriber or did not tell about all the possibilities of our tariff options. In many ways, we offer extremely affordable options and rates. This includes free communication within the MegaFon network, and inexpensive packages of minutes and SMS. One of our biggest advantages is affordable mobile internet. Can you imagine the owner of a modern smartphone who does not use Internet applications, instant messengers, social networks? Me not. That is why we have developed a whole range of tariffs for the needs of each owner of a smartphone, tablet or router.

In general, the criterion of popularity is determined simply - subscribers, one might say, vote with SIM-cards. In Karelia and most regions of the North-West, MegaFon is the leader in terms of the number of subscribers. This means that our subscribers choose the right price / quality ratio. For example, for only 200 rubles per month, a subscriber using the All Inclusive S tariff receives not only the opportunity for unlimited communication within the network, but also a package of minutes to numbers of other operators, packages of SMS, MMS and mobile internet. Agree that it's cheap. And this is not an isolated case. For example, we have drastically reduced the prices for European roaming, which, among other things, is turned on automatically. The cost of services in roaming fell by almost 9 times.

- But what about the notorious "asterisks" in the tariffs of all operators? Lack of transparency in write-offs often causes dissatisfaction among people.

Yes, unfortunately, the attitude of users to services mobile operators sometimes negative, and sometimes deservedly so. However, we are constantly developing the direction of absolutely understandable services and tariffs, full transparency of our communication with customers. We strive to be the best service company for our customers, including in roaming. In MegaFon, there is no WAP billing for a long time, at which the price of 1 megabyte of Internet traffic is tens or even hundreds of times more expensive than with an internet access point.

Moreover, today, when there are thousands of victims of mobile fraud, we give the client the opportunity to find out how much a message to a particular short number costs using a USSD request.

- If we talk about business subscribers, what has changed in the operator's work with corporate clients?

Previously, the minimum group of corporate clients included at least 5 numbers on one account, today there can be only 2. In addition, we have taken another step towards our subscribers: now corporate client can connect to us in any salon of our own retail("MegaFon-Retail"). To do this, it is enough to have only a passport with you. It can be said that today almost any large enterprise in Karelia there are our SIM cards and a personal account. Large state structures also use our services.

We also have projects that, in addition to commercial, also have a social orientation. For example, we provide a place and communication channels for a video surveillance system for forest fires, Internet services for 36 district schools where there is no Internet access in principle ...

- What are the tasks in general facing the branch today?

We cannot exist in isolation from the infrastructure - electricity, communication channels, buildings on which we place our equipment. In view of this, one of our main tasks, in addition to the happiness of the client, is mutually beneficial cooperation with the owners of the infrastructure, because otherwise the subscriber suffers. The owner of a cell phone today is used to the fact that he has a connection almost everywhere and always, so he reacts very sharply to the fact that problems may arise with it.

- And what difficulties do you have to face?

One of the difficulties is, oddly enough, in the phenomenon of the progress of mobile phones, which are becoming smarter and smarter. Often this happens to the detriment of the radio part, and we get a situation in which the old Nokia can make calls where a modern smartphone does not catch the network.

- What do you think is the future of cellular communication in Karelia?

Behind the growth of the quality of services and the increase in the coverage area of ​​the mobile Internet. Despite the fact that not all the possibilities of our 3G network are currently used, in 2014 we expect 4G to appear in Karelia. It allows you to transfer data at speeds exceeding 100 Mbps.

- What do you think about the law on keeping a mobile phone number when switching to another operator?

We are all for. In any case, the client will win: the mobile communications market is one of the most competitive in the country. There are 4 cellular operators providing services in Karelia! For us, this law is both a great responsibility and an opportunity. But, as I said, experience shows that the client votes for the quality of the SIM card.

Comments

Misha Petrov

2019-01-07 11:19:43

On MTS I have unlimited internet, 500 minutes and SMS for 450 rubles. Is there such a thing on mega? By the way, I distribute the Internet to a laptop and a tablet for free, though you need to change ttl to 65 so that they don’t fire

2013-07-09 11:25:42

Pekka, don't la-la! in Tele2 for 200 rubles. per month you can get unlimited within the network + 100 minutes to other networks + 100 MB of Internet traffic + 100 SMS + 100 MMS? And Mega please! (All inclusive S) Is there 3G in Teletu and 6 rubles/min in roaming in Europe? Mega has. Learn the materiel

Operator Iota made his way into the most secluded corners of Russia, forming a gigantic cellular network. He also works in the Republic of Karelia - in one of the most beautiful places in our country. Base stations are deployed here, providing broadcasting in all formats from 2G to 4G. Iota tariffs in Karelia are quite low, as is customary in regions with weak economic development. In our review, we will consider them in more detail and provide details.

Coverage Features

The Republic of Karelia occupies an area of ​​more than 172 thousand square meters. m, and about 630 thousand people live here. On its territory there is a limited number of settlements - these are mostly small villages. The capital of the republic is the city of Petrozavodsk with a population of about 280 thousand people. It is here that the coverage of fourth generation networks is organized with high speed access in Internet.

Third generation networks show more decent coverage, working in the surrounding settlements - these are Kondopoga, Pryazha, Medvezhyegorsk, Kostomuksha, Muezersky and some others. The 2G zone is slightly better developed, it covers the territories between settlements. Most of Karelia is not covered at all cellular communication- there are mountainous and wooded areas with a minimum population density.

You can clarify the quality of coverage using the map published on our resource - here you can also get acquainted with the coverage of other networks.

Shops and offices

In small Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, three official offices of Iota work at once. Let's represent their addresses in the form of a list:

• Shopping center "Lotus Plaza" - Lesnoy Ave., 47, lit. BUT;
• Shopping center "Maxi" - Lenina Avenue, 14 (servicing legal entities);
• Shopping center "Tetris" - st. Marshal Meretskov, 11.

Also, partner shops and salons operate on the territory of Petrozavodsk and Karelia - modems, routers and SIM cards are sold here.

Internet tariffs for a computer

The tariff described in our review only works where there are 4G networks - modems and routers are not accepted by networks of other generations. But subscribers get real unlimited Internet without major restrictions. The main limitation is the load - if it is detected, the access speed may decrease.

The following equipment is used to access the Internet:

• Modems - for individual access to the network;
• Wi-Fi modems are the easiest way to deploy a wireless access point;
• Routers and mobile routers - to deploy more productive networks;
• Internet centers are multifunctional network devices.

The tariff for all devices is the same, which is already a big plus.

Price wireless internet in Karelia is at a low level - the maximum monthly fee at the current tariff is 850 rubles per month. And it depends on the speed chosen by the subscriber. There are about 15 speed thresholds for users to choose from. We will consider the cost of only some of them:

• 416 kbps for 300 rubles/month - this speed is enough for Skype calls and surfing with traffic compression;
• 1 Mbps for 450 rubles/month – more reasonable speed for browsing the content of Internet sites;
• 3.5 Mbps for 650 rubles/month - this speed is enough for watching videos in average quality, listening to music, surfing and other purposes;
• 10 Mbps - 800 rubles / month. - decent speed channel, which is enough for any needs;
• Maximum speed - 850 rubles / month.

At some points, the set speed may not be available. H Oh, it doesn't matter - you can change the selected speed mode at any time in personal account Yots. Accordingly, the subscription fee will be recalculated.

For subscribers from Karelia, billing is provided for more than short time. For example, you can activate the Internet for 4 hours for only 50 rubles. Daily access to the network will cost 150 rubles. Traffic and speed are not limited here.

Iota offers an interesting opportunity to save on the subscription fee by paying it a year in advance. The operator has provided the following speed modes with annual payment:

• 5 Mbps - good speed for 5400 rubles / year;
• 10 Mbps - high-speed channel for 6900 rubles / year;
• Maximum speed - 9000 rubles / year.

Pay for a year in advance and get a significant discount on the subscription fee.

If you have doubts about the performance of Iota at one point or another in Karelia, use the Test Drive program. Within its framework, you will get the opportunity to purchase a modem on special terms - with a refund in case of negative results. You will also get three days of free unlimited access. To do this, you need to contact the nearest Iota service office in Karelia.

Smartphone plan

Yota tariffs in Petrozavodsk and all of Karelia are the same. Another thing is that modems and routers will only work where there are 4G networks. But phones, smartphones and tablets will work in networks of any generation. Let's see what the operator offers to those who need voice calls, SMS and Internet access.

As well as throughout Russia, there is only one tariff in Karelia - very flexible and profitable. Its advantage is the divided choice of minutes and traffic. No other operator has such a separation yet. Calls are presented in packages of 200, 300, 600, 1500 and 5000 minutes within Russia. The amount of traffic is 5, 10, 15 or 30 GB. Combinations can be any - the subscription fee depends on it. Here are some examples:

• 200 minutes and 5 GB - a set with a minimum subscription fee of 330 rubles / 30 days;
• 300 minutes and 10 GB - a more solid set with a subscription fee of 400 rubles / 30 days;
• 1500 minutes and 5 GB - a set for talkative subscribers for 880 rubles / 30 days;
• 5000 minutes and 30 GB - for the most active subscribers, the subscription fee is 2000 rubles / 30 days.

To select combinations, a proprietary mobile application is used.

The tariff for smartphones from Iota does not include SMS and MMS packages - they are paid separately, at 1.9 rubles per piece. If the SMS channel is the main communication tool, there is a way to save money. To do this, you need to use the option "Unlimited SMS". For only 50 rubles/30 days you will receive an unlimited package of messages (SMS and MMS) - this is a unique offer among Russian operators.

Even if the package of minutes ends, Iota subscribers will still be able to stay in touch. The cost of voice calls at the tariff will be 1.9 rubles per minute - both in Karelia and throughout Russia. An additional package of 100 minutes for only 150 rubles will help to reduce prices. The number of additional packages is not limited in any way.

Calls to other countries

Using the tariff from Iota for smartphones and phones, you will get the opportunity to make voice calls around the world at affordable prices. Since there is no single pricing table, check them on the operator's website - indicate the name of the country and get the cost of calls and SMS in this direction.

Communication in roaming

When going abroad, be sure to bring along an Iota SIM card with a tariff for smartphones and phones. With it you will receive:

• Half an hour of incoming calls for 39 rubles per day;
• A convenient option to control traffic - to prevent unnecessary spending on the Internet;
• Always working messengers (work even if there is not enough money to pay for the Internet);
• Balanced prices on most popular destinations.

To clarify the prices on the Iota website, a calculator works.

With an Iota SIM card in your smartphone, you can move around Karelia and almost all of Russia without roaming, communicating at your home rate. Regular rates and free incoming calls await you. The cost of services will increase only if you leave Karelia for more than 30 days, but the cost of incoming calls will remain zero.

Internet cost

Individuals cannot count on unlimited Internet in their smartphone - it was disabled back in January 2017. But Iota will be able to offer subscribers from Karelia solid Internet traffic packages. This traffic is spent for any purpose, including the "distribution" of the Internet via cable or Wi-Fi. It also provides unlimited traffic for social networks and messengers - services are connected and paid separately:

• Social networks - 20 rubles / piece;
• Messengers - 10 rubles / pc.

If the main traffic runs out, you can buy it in addition - an additional package of 5 GB costs only 100 rubles.

Tariff for tablets

For tablet owners in Karelia, there is only one tariff from Iota (as well as throughout the country). Here you cannot select the speed or traffic package - there are no limits. But the access period is selected - a day, a month or a year. If the Internet is needed only for a day, the payment will be 50 rubles. Access to the network for a whole month will cost 400 rubles, and for a year - 3000 rubles. The tariff works throughout the territory of Karelia and Russia.