Mobile(cell) phones rental in Samara.

Basic Information:
There are four mobile network providers, which operate in the Volga region of Russia: Megafon, SMARTS, MTS and BeeLineGSM. The prices for their services and connection quality are similar.
Most cellular networks in Russia operate in GSM 900/1800 standard and you can use the mobile telephones that support this type of network only. All providers in Samara support SMS, MMS, WAP and GPRS (mobile internet).
Using your own cell phone in Samara:
If you have a GSM phone, it's better to check with your local provider which company you should use in Samara. In case you will be using your own number from abroad, you will be connected to local Russian networks through so-called "roaming", and the phone-calls will be too expensive (about $2 per minute). So, it is better to connect to a local operator. We can buy you a pay-as-you-go set (contract and the sim card) and you will have a local number. You must be a Russian citizen to sign such a contract.
Some European operators "lock" the mobile telephones, so that they work with the sim card of this provider only. It means that even if you have a GSM phone, you will only be able to use it with your European operator in Russia and means you will have to pay up to 10 times more for your phone calls both to Russia and abroad. If your mobile is locked and cannot work with a sim card of another provider, you can rent a mobile with a local SIM card installed and leave a temporary message on your phone to forward people to your new Russian mobile. American phones will not work in Russia as they usually use a different standard (CMDA or TMDA).
We offer:
• GSM compatible mobile phones, with ready-to-use SIM cards provided;
• Flexible payment options, low prices, low-cost international phone calls;
• Your own phone number in Russia;
• New! Sony Ericsson T630 with tuned up e-mail client;
These are cell phones to be available to our guests and clients:

The phones have a list of important and emergency numbers already punched in.
Rental Price: $1.5 per day + $10 for pickup and delivery if necessary. Security deposit $50 is fully refunded to you when you return the mobile phone.
You will know your phone number and be able to give it to friends and colleagues before you are on your way to Russia. I can meet you at Samara International airport with a ready to use phone. This way you are in touch from the moment the plane lands.
NEW!! Mobile phone with tuned up e-mail client and a camera for rent:
If you want to permanently check your email box while you are in Samara and send your friends emails with Samara pictures, then our new offer for you: Sony Ericsson T630 QuickShare with e-mail client and camera. The phone can be also connected to your laptop computer to give you mobile Internet access in Samara.
Rental Price: $3 per day + $10 for pickup and delivery if necessary. Security deposit $150 is fully refunded to you when you return the mobile phone.

Features of the Sony Ericsson T630 include: Big colour TFT display (65,536 colours, 128 x 160 pixels) Bluetooth™, infrared and cable connectivity Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Downloadable 32-voice polyphonic & mono ringtones, Downloadable Java games WAP 2.0 (GPRS), email Predictive text (T9) Voice memo / recorder Picture phone book,Calculator, calendar, alarm Memory: 2 Mbytes Size: 102 x 43 x 17 mm; Weight: 92g Battery standby: 315 hours; Battery talktime: 14 hours Vibration alert

A complimentary Nokia 2160 cell phone or local SIM card available to guests, who stay with us or rent one our apartments.

Types of Phone Numbers: :
Historically, there are two types of mobile numbers in Russia: a "city" one and a "federal" one. The "city" one is a normal phone number of the city where you are based (for example, 5555-555 in Samara). It is as if you have a regular city phone. The "federal" cannot be accessed directly: you should dial it as if you are calling to another city: 8 wait for a tone, then a code of the network (i.e. 902, 903), and then the 7-digit number. It is obvious that the "city" numbers are much easier to remember and to access, however, they are more expensive.

Prices & Tariffs:
Normally, a minute in Samara region costs $0,05-$0.18, and an outgoing text is about $0.04. WAP costs $0.05-$0.10 per minute depending on the time of the day, GPRS costs about $0.25 per megabyte. You should pay for all outcoming calls, outcoming text messages, and additional services, such as voice mail, number identification, call diverting etc. The pricing system in Russia is different from the American or European ones. The main difference is that the price of the phone call depends on where you are calling from and where you are calling. The tariffs are given usually for local calls, if you are calling to another region, expect to add about $0.3-$0.7 per every minute. Also, if you subscribed for your phone in Moscow, traveled to Samara and are using it from here to call to Samara, it will be considered as a call to another city, and you will have to pay more. So, it is better to subscribe in the city where you will spend the most of your time in Russia. If you are traveling to another city, it is best to subscribe to the operator that is represented in both cities and thus have low tariffs in both cities. From July 2006 all incoming calls are free (if you are in domestic region). Please note that the mobile telephones will receive incoming international calls (free), but are not equipped for international roaming or international direct dial outgoing calls. You may use the phones to dial local access numbers for outgoing international calls.
To add funds to your account you can either pay at the operator's office, buy a special top-up card (sold in many shops) or make an instant payment at the cash register in major supermarket and retail chains.
A second-hand phone can be procured in Samara for about $50.

Do you have someone in Samara you'd like to talk to, but that person doesn't not have a telephone at home? We can deliver a connected mobile phone including pre-paid SIM card with assigned telephone number.

Internet connection via mobile phone:
If you have a notebook and need an Internet connection in Samara, then we have a solution for you. You can use our mobile phone as a GPRS modem for your computer. You will be able to use the Internet, check e-mail in any place in Samara region.
We can install all software needed and tune up the phone for $10.

Samara map for your mobile phone: http://www.mobimap.ru/en/main/