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A1 Belarus eSIM — How to Get One, Plans & Coverage

A1 is Belarus's largest mobile operator (formerly Velcom), part of A1 Telekom Austria Group. This guide covers how to get an A1 eSIM, prepaid Privet vs contract activation, 4G+ LTE and Minsk 5G coverage, and travel eSIM alternatives for short visits.

Last updated: 2026-05-31

A1 Belarus (formerly Velcom, rebranded in 2019) is the largest mobile operator in Belarus, with around 5 million subscribers. It’s part of A1 Telekom Austria Group, which also operates A1 Austria, A1 Slovenia, A1 Croatia, and A1 Bulgaria. A1 Belarus has nationwide 4G+ LTE coverage and launched 5G in Minsk in 2023. The operator supports eSIM on prepaid (Privet) and postpaid plans for eSIM-capable phones.

What is an A1 Belarus eSIM?

An A1 Belarus eSIM is a digital SIM profile from A1 Belarus that installs on your phone via QR code, instead of a physical plastic SIM. It does everything a regular A1 SIM does — voice, SMS, data, hotspot — but lives as an embedded chip. A1 supports eSIM on iPhone XS+, Pixel 3+, Galaxy S20+, and recent flagship Android phones. Activation is via the My A1 app or at an A1 retail shop.

How to get an A1 Belarus eSIM

As a Belarus resident

  1. Visit an A1 shop with your passport (нацыянальны пашпарт).
  2. Choose a tariff — prepaid (Privet) or postpaid.
  3. Request eSIM instead of physical SIM at signup.
  4. Receive QR code by SMS or email.
  5. Scan QR on your phone.

Existing physical SIM customers can also transfer to eSIM via the My A1 app — section “Кіраванне SIM” → “Перайсці на eSIM”.

As a non-resident / tourist

For tourists or short-term visitors to Belarus, A1 requires a passport (foreign passport accepted for prepaid Privet plans) and personal visit to a shop. There’s no online-only signup for non-residents. Plans typically start at 15-20 BYN ($5-7 USD) for a basic prepaid bundle with 10-20 GB.

Some travelers prefer a travel eSIM marketplace instead, which delivers a Belarus eSIM by QR to email in 60 seconds — no shop visit, no passport scan, payable in your home currency or crypto.

A1 Belarus eSIM plans

Privet prepaid (most common for tourists):

  • 15 BYN / 10 GB / 30 days
  • 25 BYN / 30 GB / 30 days
  • 35 BYN / 50 GB / 30 days + unlimited social

Postpaid (contract, Belarus residents only):

  • From 20 BYN/month for 10 GB + 100 min + 100 SMS
  • Up to 60+ BYN/month for unlimited

BYN = Belarusian ruble. 1 USD ≈ 3.20 BYN as of 2026.

A1 Belarus coverage

  • Minsk: city-wide 4G+ LTE, 5G in central districts
  • Major cities (Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Gomel, Mogilev): 4G+ LTE
  • Regional centers and resort areas (Mir, Nesvizh, Brest Fortress region): 4G LTE
  • Rural areas: mostly 4G LTE, some 3G

A1 has one of the most extensive networks in Belarus and competes directly with МТС Беларусь (the country’s other major operator).

When a travel eSIM beats A1 direct

If you’re visiting Belarus from Russia, Ukraine, EU, or elsewhere for under 30 days, a travel eSIM marketplace is usually faster and easier:

  • No shop visit. Order online, get QR by email, install before you fly.
  • No passport scan in person. Email-only checkout.
  • Pay in your home currency or crypto. A1 prepaid usually requires BYN cash or Belarus bank card.
  • Same A1 network underneath in many cases — travel eSIMs for Belarus use A1 or МТС Беларусь via roaming agreement.

Simsimsim Belarus eSIM — from $3.90, on A1 / МТС Беларусь networks, hotspot enabled, crypto payment accepted.

FAQ

Can a tourist get an A1 Belarus eSIM? Yes, but you’ll need to visit an A1 shop with a foreign passport. There’s no online-only signup for non-residents. For short trips, a travel eSIM (delivered by email in 60 seconds) is usually easier.

Does A1 Belarus eSIM support 5G? Yes, in Minsk’s central districts since 2023. Outside Minsk, you’ll get 4G+ LTE everywhere with population. Your phone must support A1’s 5G bands (n78, 3.5 GHz).

Can I top up A1 prepaid eSIM online? Yes — via the My A1 app, ERIP payment system (Belarus’s unified electronic billing), or at any A1 shop or partner. Foreign cards work for online top-up in most cases.

Does A1 Belarus eSIM include roaming in Russia or EU? Postpaid plans include some roaming as a paid add-on. Privet prepaid is generally Belarus-only with high roaming charges. For travel beyond Belarus, get a travel eSIM for your destination.

Can I transfer my existing A1 physical SIM to eSIM? Yes, via the My A1 app — section “Кіраванне SIM” → “Перайсці на eSIM”. The transfer is free for existing customers and takes ~10 minutes.

Does A1 Belarus eSIM work with VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling? VoLTE — yes, supported on all 4G+ LTE plans and eSIM-capable phones. Wi-Fi calling — supported on most modern iPhones and Android flagships with A1 plans.

What’s the difference between A1 and Velcom? Velcom was the operator’s brand from 1999 to 2019. In 2019, after acquisition by A1 Telekom Austria Group, all Velcom operations rebranded to A1 Belarus. The network and infrastructure are the same — just a new name and logo.

Where do I get A1 coverage information? a1.by has interactive coverage maps for 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G across Belarus.

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