Yettel Bulgaria SIM Cards and eSIM 2024: a Comprehensive Guide for Tourists

Yettel Bulgaria, a leading mobile network, provides both prepaid and postpaid Yettel Bulgaria SIM cards for locals and travelers.

This blog post will help you guys buy Yettel Bulgaria SIM cards for your trip, making mobile connectivity easier. It also covers the best prepaid SIM and eSIM options, including coverage, speeds, costs, and how to activate them. Let’s discover now!

I. Quick facts about Yettel

Yettel Bulgaria (previously Telenor) is Bulgaria’s largest mobile network and third-largest fixed telecom company, known for its innovation and growth.

• Yettel, originally “Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile” in 2001, rebranded in 2022.
• Offers mobile and internet services.
• Had 4.5M users and a 36% market share by 2012.
• Covers 99.98% of the population with its GSM network.
• Has a wide network of stores and partner shops across Bulgaria.
• Received awards like “Best Mobile Network” in Bulgaria.
• Acquired by UAE’s e& (Etisalat) in 2024, keeping the Yettel brand.

II. Yettel Bulgaria Coverage and Speed in Bulgaria

Below is a concise overview of Yettel Bulgaria’s coverage and speeds based on data from Opensignal:

1. Yettel Bulgaria coverage

• Yettel offers reliable mobile coverage in Bulgaria.
• It scored 6.5/10 for Coverage Experience, ranking third, closely behind the leader, Vivacom.
• Yettel earned 1.4 points in 5G Coverage Experience, ranking second to Vivacom.

2. Yettel Bulgaria speed

• Yettel reached average download speeds of 65.4Mbps, ranking third.
• Its average upload speed was 15.4Mbps, coming in second.
• In 5G, it achieved average download speeds of 230.2Mbps and upload speeds of 35Mbps, ranking third for both.

In conclusion, Yettel may not lead in coverage and speeds compared to A1 and Vivacom, but it ranks close second or third based on Opensignal data. It offers reliable coverage and competitive speeds across Bulgaria, making it a better choice for a mobile operator.

III. Yettel Bulgaria connectivity options for travelers to Bulgaria

Staying linked while traveling in Bulgaria is easy with several options available. Let’s explore the different ways you can ensure smooth communication throughout your trip:

• Yettel Prepaid SIM Card in Bulgaria
• Pocket Wi-Fi Rental
• Roaming with your Home Provider

This table weighs the pros and cons of each connectivity option to help you choose the best one for your needs:

Connectivity Options	Pros	Cons
Prepaid SIM card	Affordable, good data packages with EU roaming included (limited amount), easy to obtain	Requires phone unlocking, activation process
Pocket Wifi	Convenient for sharing data with multiple devices, good for groups	Rental fees, battery life limitations
Roaming	No need for additional purchases, familiar network	Potentially high roaming charges, limited data allowance

► Recommendations:

• Budget traveler: Yettel Prepaid SIM for affordable EU roaming.
• Groups/data users: Pocket Wi-Fi for shared connection & more data.
• Light users: Roam, but check rates to avoid surprises.

Remember to check Yettel’s latest plans before traveling to Bulgaria.

IV. Best Yettel Bulgaria SIM cards for tourists & cost

As you can see, Yettel offers 3 prepaid SIM card plans:

• 6 GB, 400 mins, 3 BGN credit, 14 days = 8 BGN ($4.5)
• 8 GB, 500 mins, 3 BGN credit, 30 days = 10 BGN ($5.6)
• 15 GB, 1000 mins, 3 BGN credit, 30 days = 15 BGN ($8.4)

Packages are valid for 30 days. 

V. Does Yettel Bulgaria support eSIM?

YES, Yettel Bulgaria offers eSIM technology for mobile users. eSIM lets you activate a mobile plan on your device without a physical SIM card. It’s more convenient than traditional ones such as:

• Activates instantly, no waiting for a physical card. Great for immediate travel needs.
• Switch mobile plans without swapping cards.
• Cuts out plastic cards, better for the environment.

While Yettel Bulgaria does support eSIM, it’s important to note that not all eSIM providers are able to offer Yettel eSIM plans. One reputable eSIM retailer that does not currently provide Yettel eSIM is Gigago due to technical limitations.

Instead, Gigago offers eSIM plans for the A1 network in Bulgaria, which is considered one of the best mobile operators in the country. Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 3 days with $3.00 .

What is great about Gigago’s Bulgaria eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 . Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Bulgaria, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VI. Where can you buy a Yettel Bulgaria SIM card and eSIM?

Getting a good mobile service in Bulgaria is easy. Yettel offers SIM cards and eSIMs to keep travelers connected.

1. Where to buy Yettel Bulgaria SIM for Bulgaria?

• Yettel Center Store in Sofia at Vitosha Boulevard 51, offering a wide range of plans and add-ons in one of Yettel’s largest outlets.
• Yettel Store in Varna on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd 15, providing SIM cards for travelers near Varna’s center, perfect for exploring the Black Sea coast.
• Yettel Plovdiv Center on Tsar Asen II Str. 54, ideally located in downtown Plovdiv for easy access to SIM cards while sightseeing.

2. Where to buy Yettel Bulgaria eSIM?

Buy and activate Yettel eSIM online for compatible devices in minutes.

• Visit yettel.bg and choose an eSIM data plan
• Complete purchase and receive activation code via email
• Open cellular settings on device and select eSIM activation
• Enter provided code to activate service immediately

VII. How to activate Yettel Bulgaria SIM/eSIM?

To use Yettel SIM cards and eSIM (prepaid or rental), activate them first. Activation typically involves:

1. How to use Yettel Bulgaria SIM Card

• Insert the Yettel SIM card into the powered-off device.
• Power on the device to connect to the Yettel network.
• Network settings should auto-configure.
• Top up and activate a plan if needed.
• Start making calls, sending texts, and using data with your Yettel SIM.

2. How to activate Yettel Bulgaria eSIM

• Ensure your device supports eSIM.
• Get an eSIM QR Code from Yettel support or their website.
• Go to device settings, find eSIM or cellular options.
• Add eSIM by scanning the Yettel QR code.
• Activation starts automatically after scanning.

VIII. FAQs about Yettel Bulgaria SIM cards

IX. Conclusion

Obtaining and activating a Yettel SIM simple. You can buy Yettel Bulgaria SIM Cards online or at local stores and dealers. Activation just involves turning on the SIM, registering, and adding prepaid credit if necessary. Overall, Yettel Bulgaria SIM Cards offer easy, affordable access to Yettel’s nationwide network in Bulgaria.