How to get Russian internet, TV and telephone
Once you’ve found somewhere to live in Russia, you need to connect your home to the outside world. During your first week in Russia, you’ll need to arrange your utilities and sort out an internet connection. You might also want to set up a TV and landline telephone.
It is very difficult to find English-language pages on your provider’s website. It is important to find a Russian-speaking friend or translator to set up your internet and TV. So, start researching your options at least one month before your travel to Russia.
In this article you will get to know about this all:
- communications in Russia;
- getting connected in a new home;
- getting a landline telephone in Russia;
- how do I set up a phone connection in Russia?;
- international and regional dialing codes in Russia;
- setting up the internet in Russia;
- how do I set up an internet connection in Russia?;
- VPNs in Russia;
- setting up Russian TV;
- Russian TV channels;
- telecommunications bills in Russia;
- making a complaint about a Russian telecommunications company.
Communications in Russia
If you are renting the apartment in Russia, your rent may include internet and TV subscription. When it comes to your telecommunications there are a lot of providers who offer a package like TV, telephone, and internet.
It is easier to buy your internet and TV package from the same provider. Find the information online about the packages before signing up.
First of all, you need to make sure that you deal with the website of your provider for the place of Russia you are traveling to. All the companies offer various packages. For instance, Megafon offers 7 home internet options in Moscow and Saint Petersburg but only one options in the towns.
In Russia even with a good internet you may see the websites limited or blocked by the authorities worldwide. For example, Russia has a block to Facebook like opposition action and criticism of the government. You will also face charges for posts or reposts that is not acceptable from authorities view.
Getting connected in a new home
Once you arrive in Russia you need to do some stuff like to set up an internet connection, a landline phone and TV. We are going to provide you with a guide on how do that.
If you have a rented apartment in Russia your Wi-Fi, TV and a landline phone may be included in the rental agreement. But sometimes you need to set this up by yourself. Ask your landlord if you have to find your internet and TV provider.
If you want to buy a property in Russia then you will have to set up your own connections. First of all, you must check is there a active phone line in your home. If there is no such line then you should call a telecoms provider to install it. For instance, if your provider is Rostelecom it will be possible to do this via their website, by telephone number 8 800 1000 800 or at one of their branches. You will contact them to explain which services you need in your home and give your address, identification, and contact details.
Getting a landline telephone in Russia
Today the popularity of the landline phones has reduced tremendously in Russia. In 2024, only 37% of homes use a landline home compared to 49% three years earlier. To be added, a landline connection is good if you want to access the internet even with no phone.
There are two main providers of home phone services like Rostelecom and MGTS. You should pay around 1000 rubles monthly but you will also get TV and internet to save your money.
How do I set up a phone connection in Russia?
In Russia you should make an existing operable phone line in your phone setting up your phone connection. Firstly, you choose the company and the tariff that works for you and then you contact your new provider. Usually, you need to provide the following information like this:
- proof of your address;
- contact name;
- contact number;
- email address;
- passport and/or migration card;
- payment details (typically a from Russian bank account).
To set up your connection the operator will arrange for a technician to visit your home. Or operator will send you the important information to connect the service yourself. You will have to sign a contract before installing the service and equipment.
International and regional dialing codes in Russia
A country code in Russia is +7 or 007 that you dial before other numbers when calling from outside the country or from a foreign number. There are 10 digits in Russian numbers. If you call any number in Russia you dial 8, followed by this 10 digit number.
There are a lot of area codes in each city like these codes for Moscow 495, 499, 496, and 498. When it comes to the mobile numbers they start with 9.
Setting up the internet in Russia
There are only 84 % of Russians who have internet because in the EU 92 % are connected. Depending on where you live in Russia you may have different speed. There is a good coverage and 4G net in big cities. But when it comes to the towns you will find there a poor coverage and slow internet speed. If we are talking about the internet you can either use a router with 4G SIM card, plug it into the telephone line, or fiber -optic cables.
Some companies offer home internet in Russia:
- Beeline (Билайн);
- Megafon (Мегафон);
- MTS;
- Rostelecom.
In 2022 you can pay 1000 rubles for only the internet and you can save money if you buy home internet with TV and mobile internet.
How do I set up an internet connection in Russia?
Firstly, in Russia you need to choose your provider and tariff. It can be the same provider as your home phone line. You should know that you need a technician to visit your home.
Secondly, you will get a router and information on setting up your connection from your provider. Then you will have two options like buy the router or rent the router monthly. It is expected to get a 4G router with a SIM card and then you can plug it into a power supply.
But sometimes 4G router is not for you because some parts of Russia do not have 4G coverage, so it would be good for you to use a fixed-line connection. Thus, you will get a router from your internet provider. This takes longer than a router with a SIM card, especially if you need to connect a phone line to your home.
VPNs in Russia
Sometimes Russian internet blocks you some websites. Among these are the following : YouTube, Facebook, and DailyMotion. You can face a lot of bans, so you need to use a VPN if you need consistent access. VPN increases privacy and prevent your service provider from viewing your activity. And it also protects you on unsecured networks such as public Wi-Fi.
Even if you are in another country VPN makes your internet connection appear. Thus, you will be able to watch your home country’s TV channels online.
There are some of the internet providers in Russia:
- NordVPN ;
- VyprVPN .
Setting up Russian TV
Russia offers you to access satellite TV, cable, terrestrial, and streaming services. You can choose from the range of 3330 TV channels in Russia and they are controlled by federal or local government.
Your first step to set up your TV connection is choosing your internet provider. If you buy TV package you can save money. Many internet providers have tools to find available internet at your address. You have an option to rent a set-top box and other equipment and have a specialist to help you set up your TV. Some companies offer you TV:
- MTS;
- Rostelecom;
- Tricolor.
Russian TV channels
In Russia most of the channels are control by the government. But you can meet there also private channels and regional channels. In Russian homes you can access 20 channels for free like governmental broadcasters, news, and kids’ shows. You can also get digital TV, satellite TV, and streaming services.
If your option is buying digital TV then you will reach a lot of channels. Sometimes you can even reach even 200 channels like Rostelecom offers you 186 channels for 1000 rubles price monthly.
If you choose to install satellite or digital TV you will access the international channels too. Many internet providers offer you watching international news channels like BBC World News or CNN International. When it comes to the foreign sport channels it is offered the limited number of them.
Telecommunications bills in Russia
In Russia you will get the bills monthly for your phone, TV an internet.
If you choose all-in package you can make one payment but if you choose separately phone, TV and internet you will make several payments.
Payments from your bank accounts will be from your online bank account or at a payment terminal. If you subscribed, you can do your payment automatically. You can also check your balance by dialing a code of your internet provider.
In case of not payments your provider will disconnect your service. Some companies also add a penalty to unpaid bills, which you need to pay before turning your connection back on.
Making a complaint about a Russian telecommunications company
If you have problems with your Russian phone, internet or TV, the first thing to do is, of course, turn it off and on again. If that doesn’t work, check that your payments are up to date, that your equipment is not damaged and that it is connected correctly. If you still can’t solve the problem, contact your provider. They should be able to fix the problem. However, if they don’t respond to your complaint or can’t fix the problem, there are other options.