# SIM cards and mobile data

> Pick up an Ucell or Beeline prepaid SIM at Tashkent airport arrivals hall — 30 GB for ~$5, valid 30 days. Bring passport for registration.

Uzbek mobile networks are cheap and generally reliable in cities. Coverage in remote desert (Kyzylkum, Ustyurt) is patchy.

**Main operators**:
- **Ucell** — largest network, best rural coverage. Recommended for most travellers.
- **Beeline** — good in cities, weaker in mountains.
- **Uzmobile** — state operator. OK but no advantage over private.
- **UMS** (Perfectum) — smaller, cheaper local plans.

**Buying at Tashkent Airport (recommended)**:
- Booths just past customs in the arrivals hall.
- Open 24/7 to cover overnight flights.
- Present passport + Uzbek visa/entry stamp.
- ~$5 for a starter package with SIM + 30 GB data.
- Staff activate the SIM and test it before you leave the booth.

**Buying in city**:
- Any Ucell or Beeline shop. In Tashkent there are dozens.
- Same passport requirement.
- Slightly cheaper than airport prices (~$3).

**Plans (2026 rough figures)**:
- 30 GB data + 500 min calls / 30 days: ~$5.
- 60 GB / 30 days: ~$8.
- Unlimited data / 30 days: ~$15.

**Data speeds**:
- 4G/LTE in all cities and along Afrosiyob train route.
- 3G in most large towns.
- 2G or nothing in the Kyzylkum, Nurata mountains, Aral coast, Ustyurt plateau.

**eSIM**:
- Ucell offers eSIM as of late 2025. Ask specifically at the airport booth.
- International eSIM services (Airalo, Holafly) work but cost 3–5× the local price for less data.

**Wifi**:
- All hotels and most cafés have wifi.
- Speeds vary — 5–50 Mbps is typical.
- Public wifi (metro, malls) exists but unreliable.

**VPN**:
- Uzbekistan blocks some services — TikTok is blocked as of 2026, and various VoIP calling occasionally throttled.
- A commercial VPN (Nord, Mullvad, etc.) works fine and is legal for foreigners.

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Keywords: SIM card, internet, mobile, data, Ucell, Beeline
Updated: 2026-08-15
Category: tips
URL: https://uzbguidedtours.com/kb/kb-tips-sim-card-internet