How to get Mobile Internet in Ukraine: Which option to choose?

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As you may well know, it is frustrating to not have an internet connection away from home. And if you don’t want this to happen during your trip to Ukraine, we recommend you to read this article carefully. Here we will show you the best ways in which you can connect to the internet in Ukraine without the need to pay expensive fees for some services. 

From the classic SIM cards with data to the new eSIM cards with unlimited data that promise to connect you to the internet without the need for a plastic card, in this article you will see about the rates and data plans of all these alternatives available to go online in Ukraine. 

In addition to the alternatives mentioned above, we will also show you how you can acquire and how much more expensive are other products such as the Pocket WiFi. On the other hand, throughout this article, we will show you the areas with the best coverage in Ukraine. All this, so that you are as well-informed as possible before deciding which option to choose. 

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Mobile data in Ukraine

As we mentioned before, there are many services and products to connect to the internet in Ukraine. Among these products, we can find quite cheap alternatives such as prepaid SIM cards and eSIM with data, which are positioned as the best options to stay connected to the internet in this country. This is due to the advantages that you can get from these products, these advantages we will show you one by one throughout this article.

On the other hand, you can also find options that are not so economical but that can save you from trouble, such as roaming for Ukraine, which, despite not being so economical, provides you with cellular services such as data, minutes, and international SMS during your trip. Finally, we have the Pocket WiFi, which has a fairly high rate, but with the particularity of being able to share data to more than one device.

Internet tariffs in Ukraine

We know that one of the aspects you may be most interested in knowing is the price of the different products and services to connect to the internet in Ukraine. For this reason, we have prepared a table with all the information related to the data rates that each of these alternatives have:

Service Internet Tariff in Ukraine
SIM card for Ukraine15 days 6GB on 4G for 49 dollars.
eSIM card for Ukraine30 days of unlimited data for 64 dollars.
AT&T Roaming in Ukraine2.05 USD per MB.
T-Mobile Roaming in Ukraine15 USD per MB.
Verizon Roaming in UkraineDomestic rate
Renting Pocket WiFi85 USD plus shipping of 25 USD
Free WiFi Free
Table 1. Comparison of internet tariffs in Ukraine with USA mobile operators.

SIM card for mobile internet in Ukraine

One of the most common ways to have internet in Ukraine, and also one of the most economical and practical ways that exist, are data SIM cards. These are also one of the most recommended alternatives for travelers to have internet during their vacation trips or to surf the web during short business trips. 

SIM cards for Ukraine are so good because of how inexpensive they are. In addition, practically everyone is used to the installation and activation process which is simple. It consists of two steps: inserting the SIM card and enjoying the data. That’s it!

However, not all SIM cards for Ukraine offer the same thing. Therefore, if you are interested in acquiring the best SIM card with data for cellular internet in Ukraine, we recommend you take a look at Holafly’s online store. There you can find SIM cards for Ukraine at very affordable prices and with advantages ranging from unlimited data during your trip to 24-hour customer service. You can even enjoy free shipping.

Holafly SIM rates for travel to Ukraine

  • 15 days with 6 GB at 4G speeds and 2G unlimited data for $49.

Unlimited data eSIM for Ukraine

Continuing with the best alternatives available on the market to connect to the internet during your trip, without the need for expensive roaming service, we find the eSIM with unlimited data for Ukraine. If this is the first time you hear about the eSIM, don’t worry, as this product works as the evolution of the classic SIM card. 

Because they are the same, eSIMs and SIM cards practically have the same functions. The only difference is that, instead of inserting a plastic card into your smartphone, to activate this product, as with the SIM, with the eSIM you will have to scan a QR code that your provider will give you at the time of purchase.

Since this is a totally virtual product you will be able to enjoy quite a few advantages, such as immediate delivery. However, if you want to enjoy more benefits, we recommend that you take a look at Holafly’s eSIM for Ukraine. This product, just like the SIM card, has quite interesting advantages. These advantages range from unlimited data, connecting to the best network in Ukraine, keep your WhatsApp number during your trip, among others!

To purchase this product, the first thing you should do is to check the compatibility of your cellphone with the eSIM. To accomplish this, you must access the official Holafly website. Once there, you will need to check for compatibility, select your data plan and then fill in the purchase details. When you finish your purchase, you will receive the QR code in your email in a matter of seconds!

eSIM rates for travel to Ukraine Holafly

  • 5 days of unlimited data for 19 dollars.
  • 15 days of unlimited data for 47 dollars.
  • 20 days of unlimited data for 54 dollars.
  • 30 days of unlimited data for 64 dollars.
  • 90 days of unlimited data for 99 dollars.

How to get internet in Ukraine with your operator?

As you could see in the table above, most of the options to get internet in Ukraine through your domestic cellular operator are very, so they are not usually highly recommended. However, if you want to connect to the roaming service in Ukraine that your operator offers you, below we will present you the rates and services that these cellular operators have for you during your trip.

Internet in Ukraine with AT&T

If you are a user of AT&T cellular operator, and you are interested in having internet with them during your trip to Ukraine, we recommend that, before activating the roaming service, you take a look at the following rates that this operator offers:

  • Internet: 2.05 dollars per MB spent.
  • SMS: 0.5 dollars for each SMS sent.
  • Picture and video messages: 1.3 dollars for each message sent.
  • Calls to Ukraine: 3 dollars per minute 
  • Cost for calling other destinations: 3 dollars per minute.

Likewise, if you prefer a different option, you can also get the AT&T International Pass, with which you can make use of your phone plan, with access to data, calls, and messages, paying only $10 a day. 

Internet in Ukraine with T-Mobile

On the other hand, T-Mobile users who want to connect to the internet or other cellular services offered by roaming in this country will be able to do it at no extra cost if they have one of T-Mobile’s Simple Global plans, you’ll be able to get unlimited text messages and data. You will only have to pay for the calls you make in Ukraine, at only 0.25 USD per minute. 

On the other hand, in case you have other T-Mobile plans you can activate international roaming by paying 15 USD per MB, 0.5 USD per MSM sent, and 0.25 USD per minute. 

Internet in Ukraine with Verizon

Finally, if you are a user of the cellular operator Verizon and have a contract cellphone line with them, you can use the Travel Pass in Ukraine, which will cost you 10 USD per day, with which you will be able to access the internet during your trip. Likewise, if you prefer the pay-per-use option, you can also make use of it by paying 2.05 USD per MB. 

Portable WiFi to have mobile internet in Ukraine

Coming almost to the end of this article and in the penultimate place of the options to have internet in Ukraine, we can find the Pockets WiFi, also known as Portable WiFi. These small routers can be carried perfectly in your pocket and in addition to this, they have the feature of providing data to more than one device without losing cellular internet quality. 

This makes it a good product if you plan to travel with a group of friends. If this is not the case, we recommend that you do not buy it, since the price for renting or buying one of these WiFi Pockets is quite high. In case you are traveling with a group of friends and would like to purchase one of these Pockets WiFi, here are some of the providers available with Pockets WiFi for Ukraine.

Pocket WiFi providers for Ukraine

Travel WiFi: The Pockets WiFi offered by Travel WiFi has a total cost of 85 dollars 7 days of internet service. The amount of data that you can enjoy during these 7 days is 5 GB per day. That is, we cannot exceed 5 GB per day. This may be enough, but due to its high price, it is not recommended at all. In addition to the 85 dollars, you also have to pay 25 dollars for shipping, so the total price for renting this Pocket WiFi is 100 dollars for 7 days.

Public WiFis offering internet in Ukraine

Finally, we find one of the cheapest ways to have internet during your trip to Ukraine, we talk about connecting to the internet through public WiFi networks that you can find in some establishments in Ukraine. These establishments are usually found in tourist areas, cafés, restaurants, and more.

However, this type of free public network is not usually recommended because they are open to everyone, and it is very insecure to connect to these networks, as your personal information could be stolen. In addition to this, this type of free network is usually very slow, so it is not recommended to use them to have internet during your trip.

However, if you decide to opt for this alternative, we recommend that you do not provide important information, much less your bank account information, as these can be easily stolen.

Internet coverage map in Ukraine

3G or 4G coverage

Coverage map of Ukraine. Source: GSMA

Our recommendation

Now that you know all the alternatives available to have cellular internet in Ukraine it is time for us to show you what our recommendation is. Based on the tariffs, features, and advantages we have seen throughout this article, SIM and eSIM cards are undoubtedly, our favorite options. With them, you will be able to enjoy many benefits, such as free shipping, unlimited data, etc.

Frequently asked questions about mobile Internet in Ukraine

From Roaming, we wish you a lot of success during your trip to Ukraine. If you have more questions feel free to write in the comments. Finally, we leave you some common questions among tourists visiting Ukraine.

What network frequencies work in Ukraine?

In Ukraine, networks operate at a frequency of 600, 850, 900, 1700, 1900, and 2100.

What telephone companies are there in Ukraine?

In the United States, there are many companies and most of them are present in Ukraine, but the main ones are AT&T and T-Mobile.

What kind of networks exists in Ukraine?

Ukraine has 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.

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