A local phone number is the first thing you need in Armenia — banks, taxi apps, delivery services and government portals all verify you by SMS. Here is how to get connected on day one and set up reliable home internet.
Why the local number matters
You can survive a holiday in Armenia on roaming or a data-only travel eSIM. Living here is different. An Armenian mobile number is used to verify bank accounts and cards, payment apps such as Idram and Telcell, taxi apps, food delivery, and the government’s electronic services. Many of these will only send codes to a +374 number. Getting one should be on your first-day checklist, alongside your social card and, later, a bank account.
The three operators
Armenia has three mobile network operators. All three cover Yerevan and the main towns well and offer 4G nationwide, with 5G being rolled out in parts of the capital.
| Operator | Formerly known as | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Team Telecom Armenia | Beeline | Also a major home fibre provider; bundles of mobile plus home internet. |
| Viva | VivaCell-MTS / Viva-MTS | Largest subscriber base; strong coverage outside Yerevan and in the regions. |
| Ucom | Orange Armenia (mobile) | Strong home fibre and TV offering; popular with remote workers in Yerevan. |
In practice the differences between operators matter less than the specific package. If you will spend time in the mountains or in the regions, ask colleagues which network works best where you are going — coverage in valleys varies.
Buying a SIM or eSIM
You can buy a SIM at the operator kiosks in the Zvartnots arrivals hall, at any operator store in the city, and at many supermarkets and post offices. What to expect:
- Bring your passport. SIM registration is mandatory, and the SIM is registered in your name on the spot. It takes about ten minutes.
- Choose prepaid first. Prepaid packages with a generous data allowance cost a few thousand drams per month and need no contract. You can switch to a postpaid plan later.
- eSIM is widely available. All three operators can issue an eSIM via QR code in store if your phone supports it — convenient if you want to keep your home SIM active in the second slot.
- Top up easily. Balance can be topped up in the operator’s app, through Idram or Telcell, at payment terminals found in almost every shop, or with a bank card.
International data-only eSIMs are fine for your first hours, but they do not give you a local number, so treat them as a bridge rather than a solution.
Home internet
Fibre-to-the-home is standard in most Yerevan apartment buildings, and speeds of several hundred megabits per second are common and affordable. Team, Ucom and Viva all sell home internet, and there are smaller local providers in some districts. Before you sign a lease, it is worth checking:
- Which providers already serve the building. Ask the landlord or neighbours; connecting a new provider to an older building can take days.
- Whose name the contract is in. If the existing line is in the landlord’s name, agree in writing who pays and how.
- Router placement. Thick Soviet-era concrete walls block Wi-Fi. A mesh system or a second access point is often a better buy than a faster plan.
- Backup. Short power or line outages happen. Remote workers usually keep a mobile data package large enough to hotspot for a day.
To open a home internet contract, providers typically ask for your passport and the property address; some also ask for your social card number. If you rent through our long-term rental service, we confirm connectivity before you sign.
Apps worth installing in week one
- Your operator’s app — balance, packages and invoices.
- Idram and/or Telcell — pay utilities, top up, transfer money and pay in many shops.
- Yandex Go or GG — taxis (see our Yerevan transport guide).
- A delivery app such as Yandex Eats, Glovo or Menu.am for food and groceries.
- Your bank’s app once your account is open.
Common pitfalls
- Letting a prepaid number lapse. Numbers that go unused and unfunded for a long period are eventually recycled — and your bank verification goes with them. Keep a small balance and set a reminder.
- Registering a SIM in someone else’s name. It seems convenient, but you cannot manage the number or recover it if the other person leaves the country.
- Signing a long internet contract before you know the building. Test the connection in the apartment first if you can.
Official sources
- Team Telecom Armenia: telecomarmenia.am
- Viva: viva.am
- Ucom: ucom.am
Last reviewed: September 2026. Rules and prices in Armenia change often — always confirm with the official source linked above before you act.