Quick Answer
MegaFon leads Russia on mobile speed at 20.1 Mbps average download with 76 million subscribers and 27% market share. T2 (Tele2) is the budget fourth operator with 48 million subscribers and mobile-only service. MegaFon is faster and has 5G. T2 is the cheapest option.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The table below shows the performance and service gap between Russia’s speed leader and its budget operator.
| Feature | MegaFon | T2 (Tele2) |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 76 million | 48 million |
| Market Share | 27% | ~17% |
| Avg Download | 20.1 Mbps | 10-13 Mbps |
| 4G Coverage | 65%+ | ~50% |
| 5G Status | Active in multiple cities | None |
| Fixed Broadband | FTTB, fixed-wireless | None |
| Positioning | Speed-focused premium | Budget mobile-only |
Test MegaFon speed | Test T2 speed
Speed Comparison
MegaFon averages 20.1 Mbps download, roughly double what T2 delivers. T2 users typically see 10-13 Mbps. The gap reflects different network investment strategies.
MegaFon has 65%+ 4G coverage and active 5G in major cities. T2 runs primarily on 4G with significant 3G fallback in smaller towns. During peak hours, the speed difference grows because T2’s network gets congested faster with less capacity.
MegaFon also offers fixed broadband through FTTB and fixed-wireless connections. T2 has no home internet product. For users who want mobile and broadband from one provider, only MegaFon works.
Check your actual speeds with a speed test.
Coverage
MegaFon covers 65%+ of Russia with 4G LTE. Northern regions like Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, and the Komi Republic get strong MegaFon signal. The Moscow-St. Petersburg corridor is well covered.
T2 focuses coverage on urban and suburban areas where customer density supports its low-price model. Coverage drops fast outside cities. Many smaller Russian towns have no T2 service at all.
In major cities, both operators provide adequate coverage. The difference shows in regional travel and smaller towns where T2 drops to 3G or loses signal entirely.
Which Should You Choose?
MegaFon fits users who want fast mobile speeds and broader coverage. Its 20.1 Mbps average is Russia’s best. The fixed broadband option adds value for households wanting one provider for everything.
T2 fits budget users in major cities who mainly use mobile data. T2 tariffs cost 30-40% less than MegaFon. If you live in Moscow or St. Petersburg and rarely travel, T2 delivers acceptable speeds at the lowest price.
For the widest coverage at moderate speed, consider MTS with 80 million subscribers and 31% market share.
Summary
MegaFon outperforms T2 on every metric except price. Double the speed (20.1 vs 10-13 Mbps), wider 4G coverage (65% vs 50%), and fixed broadband options make MegaFon the stronger network. T2 wins only on cost, with tariffs 30-40% cheaper.
Test your connection at Kencang speed test and check the Russia internet overview for full market data.
Last Updated: March 28, 2026 Data Sources: Opensignal Russia report, GSMA Intelligence, operator filings