www.cellularabroad.com +1 310 862-7100

Please be sure to read these instructions prior to departing for Russia.

If you experience any technical difficulties with your phone or SIM card and you do not contact Cellular Abroad for technical support by phone or by email during your trip, we cannot offer any refund or compensation.

Dialing information
Your phone needs to be an unlocked dual-band, tri-band or quad-band GSM phone capable of functioning on the 900/1800 MHz GSM band in order to accept the SIM card.

Your Russia Cell to US: 810 – 1 – area code – phone number                                                    
US to Your Russia Cell: 011 – 7 – area code – phone number
Your Russia Cell Number to Russia: area code - phone number
Russia to Your Russia Cell Number: area code - phone number

Important: US toll free numbers are not accessible from overseas. Be sure to get valid international numbers prior to your departure.

Please Note: There is no support for service when roaming outside of Russia.

Rental Setup

• Make sure your phone is charged and the menu settings are in English.

For SIM Card Purchases Only
Snap out the SIM chip from the SIM card and insert the chip into your GSM Phone with the metal portion facing down as to make contact with the contact prongs.

• Make sure the phone is charged and the menu settings are in English.
• Turn on the phone and if prompted, enter the 4-digit PIN code found in your SIM card package. If unsure how disable the PIN lock feature, please consult your phone manual. ( Look for "security", "SIM", or "PIN" in the index.)

PIN and PUK codes
The PIN (Personal Identification Number) code prevents unauthorized access to the SIM card in your phone. If you enter the PIN code incorrectly 3 times in a row, the SIM card will be blocked. To un-block the SIM card, you will need to enter the PUK (Personal Unlock Key) code. Please consult your manual for how to disable the PIN-check feature

Activating Your Service

1. Turn on your phone
2. The SIM card is pre-activated, so you're all set to start making calls.

Checking Your Credit
Dial *102# and press the call or send key. You will receive a text message on the screen with your current credit. As a second option, you may also dial 696 and a voice will tell you what your credit is - in Russian.

Purchasing More Talk Time
Your SIM card includes an initial airtime credit voucher worth around $3.00, which you may load once you arrive in Russia. Additional credit is available through the purchase of airtime vouchers, also called reload codes (not another SIM card), in Russia. Airtime vouchers are available locally, in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Caucasus region), at local tobacco shops, convenience stores, Megafon shops and authorized dealers. These airtime vouchers are available in $5, $10, $20 and $50 denominations.

Adding Talk Time
And your incoming calls are always free even when you run out of airtime.

• Gently scratch off the gray protective layer to reveal your voucher code.
• Dial *110# 18-digit refill voucher code # (no spaces) then <Send>. When punched into the keypad of your international cell phone the voucher code will credit your SIM card the respective dollar denomination you purchased.

Note: Balances will be displayed in rubles.

Troubleshooting
If you are unable to make or receive calls switch networks on your phone.  Consult your phone’s manual.  The steps will be like these:

• Menu > Settings/Setup > Network > Available Network/Change Network > Search
• Select a different network carrier than the one currently shown.

If you are receiving no reception bars, emergency calls only, SOS, or no service
check your phones band setting:  Consult your phone’s manual. The steps will be like these:

• Menu > Settings/Setup > Network > Network Setup >Band
• Make sure you select 900/1800

Customer Service
For network or service issues:

• Dial 555 from your Russia cellular phone Customer service is available 24 hr/day.
• Dial 507 7777 from a fixed line.
• Internationally, you can dial +7 495 507 7777

For hardware issues:

• Please contact Cellular Abroad at +310-862-7100 (24/7 English speaking reps) or via email at support@cellularabroad.com

Rates
The domestic rates are listed in 2 sections for your prepaid Megafone Lite Russia SIM card. The first section is for calls placed while you are in Moscow and the 2nd section is for calls placed while traveling outside of the Moscow region (St. Petersburg as a an example) but within Russia. All calls from your SIM card are rated per minute.

Note: The first 5 seconds of all calls while roaming outside of Russia are FREE.
All rates are per minute for international outgoing calls from a Russia prepaid SIM card within Russia. Like the domestic rates there are 2 sections for the international rates. The first section is for calls placed while you are in Moscow and the 2nd section is for calls placed while traveling outside of the Moscow region (St. Petersburg as a an example) but within Russia. All calls from your SIM card are rated per minute.

Cellular Abroad recommends the use of a calling card in order to lower the cost to place international cell phone calls when outside of Moscow. These are often found at convenience outlets, right alongside recharge vouchers.

GPRS
If you plan on doping any data transmission in Russia GPRS is a high-speed data service available to Megafone prepaid Russia SIM subscribers. A GPRS compatible phone is required and the rate is $1.77 per 3Mb of data transmitted.
GPRS is also available while roaming in Russia outside of Moscow for $0.13/100Kb
Helpful Phone Numbers

• 01 - Fire (free)
• 02 - Police (free)
• 03 - Ambulance (free)
• 500 - MegaFon Moscow Customer Service (free)
• 6868 - automatic answering system about reference numbers (free)
• 6333 - Informtel express reference (paid service)
• 6116 - Taxi-club (paid service)
• 6111 - Medical assistance (paid service)
• 6161 - Medical advisory service (paid service

Service Life
You must add airtime once per month to prolong the service of you SIM card.  However if you account reached 0 (zero) balance then you must recharge your account within 30 days or your Mobile phone number will be recycled and any remaining airtime credit will be forfeit. To get connected again you will be required to purchase another SIM card

To inquire about the possibility of extending your SIM card’s service life while outside the SIM card’s country of origin, contact the telecom provider's customer service, Cellular Abroad does not provide support for this feature.

You will find a copy of these instructions on our website at http://www.cellularabroad.com/russiaSIMop.php.

Cellular Abroad is not responsible for typos, misinformation, change of service or menu prompts, lack of coverage or other possibilities that result in a lack of service or otherwise resulting in not being able to make or receive calls. We try to supply the most accurate information possible.  Carrier rates, service plans and related information can change without notice. If you find any discrepancies between these instructions and your actual experience with the phone service or if you have useful additional information, we would appreciate any clarifications, suggestions or corrections. Please send your comments to comments@cellularabroad.com.