Knowledge base / Living in Armenia
Mobile SIM and eSIM in Armenia: operators, plans and home internet
The operators
- Team Telecom Armenia is the brand of Telecom Armenia, formerly Beeline. It offers mobile, home internet and TV.
- Viva is run by Viva Armenia, previously known as MTS Armenia. It offers mobile and internet services.
- Ucom offers mobile, fibre and bundles of internet, TV and mobile.
All three work well in Yerevan. If you travel a lot in the regions or the mountains, ask locals which network is best where you go. Many residents keep SIM cards from two operators.
How to get a SIM card
- Bring your passport.
SIM registration is mandatory. A passport is enough; you do not need a residence permit or a local address. - Pick a place to buy.
All three operators have desks in the arrivals area at Zvartnots Airport. In town there are branded shops, many on Northern Avenue and around Republic Square. Airport prices can be slightly higher. - Choose a plan and top up.
Prepaid plans renew every 30 days. You can top up in the operator's app, through Idram or Telcell, or at payment terminals. - Install the operator's app.
Each operator has one for checking your balance, changing plans and adding roaming packages.
eSIM
All three operators offer eSIM if your phone supports it; you can get one in a shop with your passport. Team Telecom Armenia also lets you buy and activate an eSIM through its My Team app, including before you arrive. Terms change, so check the operator's website before you travel.
International travel eSIMs work too, but they usually cost more than a local plan and give you no Armenian number. You will need a local number for banks, deliveries, taxis and online public services.
What it costs
Guide prices, October 2026, from operator websites
- Viva UNLIM START: AMD 3,000 for 30 days with unlimited data.
- Ucom Level Up+: from AMD 3,000 (30 GB) to AMD 5,000 (unlimited data and plenty of minutes).
- Team Telecom Armenia: prepaid unlimited plans in the Be Free line.
- Home internet at 60 Mbps or more: typically AMD 7,000–12,500 a month (Numbeo).
Plans change often and promotions are common. Compare minutes for local calls and roaming options, not just the headline price.
Home internet
In Yerevan, fibre is offered by Ucom and Team Telecom Armenia, alongside smaller local providers. A bundle of home internet, TV and mobile is often the best value. For example, Ucom's Unity bundle costs AMD 12,500, and Team Telecom's COSMO bundles start at AMD 10,400.
Before signing a lease, ask the landlord which provider is already wired into the building. Connection usually takes one to a few days, and the contract is signed with your passport. If you work remotely and a stable connection is critical, keep mobile data as a backup or work from a coworking space.
Common mistakes
- Relying on your home number in roaming. It is expensive, and Armenian banks and services will ask for a local number anyway.
- Forgetting to top up a prepaid plan. Your package will not renew, and a number left inactive for a long time may be disconnected.
- Linking your bank and online accounts to a number you later abandon. Recovering access takes time.
Planning where to live? See our guide to renting an apartment in Yerevan.
Frequently asked questions
Which mobile operators are there in Armenia?
There are three: Team Telecom Armenia (formerly Beeline), Viva (formerly MTS) and Ucom. All work well in Yerevan, and many residents keep SIM cards from two operators.
What do I need to buy a SIM card in Armenia as a foreigner?
Just your passport, as SIM registration is mandatory. No residence permit or local address is needed. All three operators have desks at Zvartnots arrivals and shops in town.
Can I get an Armenian eSIM before I arrive?
Team Telecom Armenia lets you buy and activate an eSIM through its My Team app, including before arrival. All three operators issue eSIMs in shops with your passport.
How much does home internet cost in Yerevan?
Home internet at 60 Mbps or more typically costs AMD 7,000–12,500 a month. Bundles are often best value, such as Ucom Unity at AMD 12,500 or Team Telecom COSMO from AMD 10,400.
Moved to Armenia and working for yourself?
We register sole proprietorships, help choose a tax regime and open an Armenian bank account. We speak English and Russian.
Sources: Team Telecom Armenia — telecomarmenia.am; Viva — viva.am; Ucom — ucom.am; Armenia Discovery — buying a SIM as a foreigner; Numbeo — prices in Yerevan.