Tourists planning a trip to Mongolia should not ignore this blog, as it will explore data roaming in Mongolia and compare the costs and features of roaming versus the best alternatives to get Internet for tourists. By learning about available alternatives and how to enable or disable roaming, travelers can choose the most cost-effective solution to stay connected while exploring Mongolia.
Mobicom Mongolia SIM Card: What Tourist Should Know Before Buying
Mobicom was Mongolia’s first mobile network when it launched in 1996, but buying one of its SIM cards today looks quite different from what older guides describe: you can now pick a Tourist data plan online and get it as an eSIM before you even land. This guide covers Mobicom’s current tourist plans and prices, what its speed data actually shows, where to buy a SIM in Ulaanbaatar, and when a travel eSIM is the easier choice.
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What Is Mobicom in Mongolia?
Mobicom is one of Mongolia’s two largest mobile networks, alongside Unitel, with Skytel and G-Mobile as the smaller operators. It was founded in 1996 and has been majority-owned by Japan’s KDDI since 2016. For visitors, Mobicom sells a dedicated Tourist data SIM that you can buy online or at its stores.

How Fast Is Mobicom’s Mobile Internet?
Mobicom’s average mobile download speed is 45.5 Mbps, according to SpeedGEO’s Mongolia statistics for October 2025 to September 2026. That’s above the average for all mobile providers SpeedGEO tracks in Mongolia over the same period.
| Measurement (SpeedGEO, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026) | Mobicom’s result | All mobile providers in Mongolia |
|---|---|---|
| Average download speed | 45.5 Mbps | 40.4 Mbps |
| Average upload speed | 12.9 Mbps | 9.0 Mbps |
| Average ping | 52 ms | 58 ms |
These results show Mobicom can handle everyday travel tasks such as navigation, messaging, browsing and video calls when you have a good connection. Your actual speed will vary with location, signal strength and how busy the network is.
How Good Is Mobicom’s Coverage in Mongolia?
Mobicom is a practical choice for trips that combine Ulaanbaatar with Mongolia’s provincial towns. Mobicom says its Tourist SIM connects to 4G “across all 21 provinces, 330 soums” on its Tourist SIM support page.
On long drives through the countryside or the Gobi, coverage can be intermittent between towns. In such case, you should download offline maps before you leave Ulaanbaatar, check Mobicom’s coverage map under “Network Coverage” on mobicom.mn, and ask your tour operator what connectivity to expect along your route.
If you’re deciding between the two big networks, our Unitel Mongolia SIM card guide covers the other option in detail.
How Much Does a Mobicom Tourist SIM Cost?
Mobicom’s Tourist data SIM costs 20,000 MNT for 15GB over 7 days, 30,000 MNT for 25GB over 15 days, and 60,000 MNT for 50GB over 30 days, according to Mobicom’s Tourist data SIM page.
| Plan | Data Allowance | Validity | Price | Approx. in USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | 15GB | 7 days | 20,000 MNT | about $5.60 |
| 15 days | 25GB | 15 days | 30,000 MNT | about $8.30 |
| 30 days | 50GB | 30 days | 60,000 MNT | about $16.70 |
Note: The plans and prices above are calculated based on the exchanged rate at the time of writing this article.
You can choose an eSIM or a physical SIM on the same page, and the plan starts when you activate it.
Mobicom’s Tourist data SIM is designed for mobile data, not regular calls or SMS. According to Mobicom’s support page, a Tourist number can’t make or receive calls, except to Mobicom’s customer service on 2222. If you need a local voice number, check Mobicom’s other prepaid options before you buy.
Where Can You Buy a Mobicom SIM in Mongolia?
You can buy a Mobicom Tourist plan online, at Mobicom’s airport branch, or at a Mobicom store in Ulaanbaatar.
- Online as an eSIM: Choose a plan on Mobicom’s Tourist data SIM page, select eSIM, confirm your email with the code Mobicom sends you, and pay by card (the only online payment option). Your eSIM details arrive by email.
- Online for a physical SIM: Buy a blank Mobicom SIM at a Mobicom store first, then choose your Tourist plan online, select Physical SIM and enter the number printed on the back of the card to activate it.
- At the airport: Mobicom’s support page lists a Mobicom branch at the new Ulaanbaatar international airport (Chinggis Khaan International Airport), with a promotion giving international visitors a free ready-to-use SIM with a 1GB data bonus. Promotional terms can change, so treat the free SIM as a bonus rather than your plan.
- In Ulaanbaatar: Use “Find a store” on mobicom.mn to locate the nearest branch. Mobicom’s head office is at the MPM Complex on UNESCO Street in Sukhbaatar district.
For help in English, call Mobicom’s customer service on 2222 and press 2.

Do You Need a Passport to Buy a Mobicom SIM?
For a physical SIM, bring your passport when you visit a Mobicom store or the airport branch, and confirm the registration requirements with the staff.
If you buy online, Mobicom’s checkout asks you to verify your email address and pay by card before your SIM details are sent to you.
How Do You Top Up a Mobicom Tourist SIM?
You can buy a new Tourist data package on Mobicom’s top-up page by choosing a plan, entering your Mobicom number and paying online. Your number is in the email you received when you activated the SIM. Mobicom also sends a reminder with a direct recharge link when you’ve used 80% and 100% of your data, and one day before your package expires. To check your data balance, dial *210# and follow the prompts.
Is a Gigago Mongolia eSIM a Good Alternative to a Mobicom SIM?
Yes, a Gigago Mongolia eSIM is a good alternative if you value flexible payment, round-the-clock support and hotspot. Both Mobicom and Gigago let you buy an eSIM online before you fly, so the choice comes down to price, payment and support.
Mobicom’s Tourist data SIM gives you more data for the money, which makes it the better pick for heavy data users on longer trips. A Gigago Mongolia eSIM is the easier fit if you’d rather:
- Various plans: There are many data and validity options to choose, suitable for different types of travelers.
- Pay your way: Gigago accepts credit and debit cards and PayPal, with prices shown in US dollars from $9.90 for 1GB over 7 days to $47.50 for 10GB over 30 days. Mobicom’s online checkout takes card payments only.
- Get help in your language: Gigago offers 24/7 support by chat and email in several languages, including English.
- Share your connection: Gigago’s Mongolia eSIM includes hotspot, so you can share data with a laptop or a travel companion.
With either option, your home SIM stays in your phone. Keep in mind that Gigago’s Mongolia eSIM runs on Skytel’s network, not Mobicom’s, so your coverage will follow Skytel.
FAQs About Mobicom SIM Cards in Mongolia
Is Mobicom faster than Unitel?
There’s no recent independent test that compares the two directly. SpeedGEO’s mobile data puts Mobicom’s average download speed at 45.5 Mbps but doesn’t list Unitel separately, so the more useful choice is the network that covers your route and fits your budget.
Is Mobicom the same company as Unitel?
No, Mobicom and Unitel are separate, competing companies. Mobicom is majority-owned by Japan’s KDDI, while Unitel is Mongolian-owned.
What is the “Physical SIM” option on Mobicom’s website?
It lets you activate a Tourist plan on a blank Mobicom SIM card you’ve bought from a Mobicom store. Instead of scanning a QR code, you enter the number printed on the back of the card.
Conclusion
Mobicom’s Tourist data SIM is one of the cheapest ways to get online in Mongolia, with 15GB for 7 days at 20,000 MNT and above-average measured speeds. Buy it online as an eSIM, or pick up a SIM at a Mobicom store and activate your plan online. If you’d rather pay by PayPal, have 24/7 support and share your data by hotspot, a Gigago Mongolia eSIM is a convenient alternative.


