Russia - data and voice cards needed.

[inquisitor]

Just a short update:

Yesterday I straighlty walked into an MTS shop here in Moscow and got a prepaid SIM card (data only) with a data allowance of 4GB valid for 30 days for just 400 Rubels (€ 8 ). Had to show my ID and 5 minutes later I could plug the SIM into my phone and immediately start using the Internet without any additional activation procedures. I think there is some geographic limitation as the data allowance can only be used in parts of Russia, but except for that a very easy process.
On that occasion I had my first completely machine-translated face-to-face conversation as the salesperson did not really speak English. How stupid of me to ask if they spoke English when they have Google Translate including voice recognition at their fingertips. Worked like a charm!

[NFH]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

I think there is some geographic limitation as the data allowance can only be used in parts of Russia, but except for that a very easy process.

Russian networks have national roaming within the same network, a bit like the US networks used to do until a few years ago. You pay roaming charges if you use your SIM card in a region other than the one where you bought the SIM card. A few more expensive tariffs and data bundles (including some suitable for short-term visitors) have no national roaming surcharges.