Picking the best Hungary mobile operator is certainly not an easy task especially considering all the options that are there. This article will help you review all mobile operators in Hungary and find out which is suitable for you.

HUNGARY Mobile Operator 1

1. List of Mobile Operators in Hungary

Hungary has a competitive telecom market with multiple mobile network operators and numerous mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to choose from.

1.1. Main Mobile Operators in Hungary

The three major mobile network operators in Hungary are:

  • Telekom: Telekom is the incumbent operator in Hungary with the best nationwide coverage. It offers 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G services.
telekom hungary logo
  • Vodafone: Vodafone is the second largest Hungary mobile operator with excellent 4G and growing 5G coverage.
vodafone hungary logo
  • Yettel: Formerly known as Telenor, Yettel has very good urban and rural coverage across Hungary. It offers 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE services.
yettel store

These three Hungary mobile operators collectively cover over 99% of Hungary’s population with voice services and about 95% with 4G/LTE.

1.2. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Hungary

In addition to the main MNOs, there are some MVNOs in Hungary as well. MVNOs lease network access from the main operators and offer their own plans/services. Some popular MVNOs in Hungary include:

MVNOs offer cheaper options compared to the main operators, but may have more limited coverage.

2. How to Choose the Best Mobile Operators in Hungary

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a mobile operator in Hungary:

Operator Coverage Price Speed Customer service Pros Cons
Telekom Excellent Competitive Fast Good Excellent coverage, very fast speeds, good customer service Can be more expensive than other operators
Vodafone Good Competitive Fast Good Good coverage, fast speeds, good customer service Can be more expensive than other operators
Yettel Good Affordable Fast Good Affordable prices, fast speeds, good customer service Coverage is not as good as Telekom or Vodafone in some areas
  • Coverage: Telekom has the overall best coverage while all the three operators operate well.
  • Price: Yettel is usually the cheapest among all the three operators and offers competitive prices.
  • Speed: The fastest speeds are offered by Telekom and Yettel, then comes Vodafone.
  • Customer service: All three operators provide good client service, with Telekom being regarded as a top provider of customer service.
  • Overall: In general, Telekom is the best mobile operator in Hungary; however, if you’re looking for more affordable option, then Vodafone or Yettel will be fine.

When selecting a mobile operator, consider your needs and budget. Telekom offers great coverage and speed but is costly. Yettel is budget-friendly while Vodafone strikes a balance. Read reviews to see what others think. A MVNO like Digi could also meet basic needs more affordably. Choose the Hungary operator that best fits your usage and financial situation.

3. Best Mobile Operators in Hungary – Detailed Comparison

Here is an in-depth look at how the top Hungary mobile operators compare across important criteria:

Factor Telekom Vodafone Yettel
Market share 45% 27% 28%
Bandwidth Very fast Fast Fast
Coverage Excellent Good Good
4G coverage Excellent Good Good
Objects of use Voice, data, text, TV, fixed broadband Voice, data, text, TV, fixed broadband Voice, data, text, TV, fixed broadband
Average price Competitive Competitive Affordable

Telekom the largest mobile provider in Hungary with the highest coverage and speed. It is also the most expensive service provider. Vodafone has good coverage and speed making it the second biggest operator. It is also costlier Yettel.
Yettel is the smallest of the three operators; however, provides cheap price and good coverage and speed.

Which operator is it for you?

Telekom offers the best available coverage and the highest speed. Yettel is good for those trying to work on a budget. Thus, Vodafone serves as a reasonable compromise between the two extremes. You should also bear in mind that it is crucial to choose an operator depending on your requirements.

4. Where to Buy SIM Cards from Hungary Mobile Operators?

You can obtain SIM cards from the various Hungary mobile operators through multiple channels:

  • Official retail stores – Three major mobile operators in Hungary such as Telekom, Vodafone, and Yettel also run official retail stores and buy SIM cards. Often, stores such as these are found in larger towns, cities, and shopping centers. The website of a mobile operator would be able to help you locate an official retail store.
telekom hungary store
  • Supermarkets and convenience stores – In Hungary, several supermarkets and convenience stores offer SIM cards. There are many such stores around the country, so you should be able to locate one close to you. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that all supermarkets and convenience stores don’t need to offer SIM cards produced by all three Hungarian companies.
Relay Convenience Store
  • Electronics stores – SIM cards are also sold in electronics stores in Hungary. They are usually situated in urban areas, major towns, as well as in shopping malls. While electronics stores may provide broader options on SIM cards, they might also be costly.
mediamarket-budapest
  • Airports – You can purchase SIM cards even at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. In the arrivals hall there are some SIM card kiosks. Nevertheless, one should keep in mind that the SIM card costs at the airport might be more expensive than in other places.
vodafone store budapest airport
Vodafone store at Budapest Airport
  • Online – You can also purchase SIM cards from the Hungary mobile operators’ websites online. This is an option that allows for shopping without having to go to the store. But you must remember that you will purchase a SIM card online and you must pay for shipping and handling charges.

When purchasing, have your passport and Hungarian address/hotel details ready. Operators are required to register your info by law with new SIM activations.

5. Do Mobile Operators in Hungary Offer eSIM?

eSIM allows your phone to be activated via a digital profile rather than inserting a physical SIM card. Availability among Hungary mobile operators:

  • Telekom launched eSIM support in 2021. Available for both prepaid and contract (postpaid) accounts for Hungarians.
  • Vodafone also introduced eSIM in 2021. Primarily targeted towards enterprise clients so far.
  • Yettel eSIM is now available for our new and existing small business customers and for Samsung smartwatches. 
  • Most MVNOs in Hungary also do not offer eSIM currently.

As of late 2022, the use of eSIM in Hungary is still quite restricted. Therefore, if you wish to utilize eSIM in Hungary, it may be worthwhile to look into third-party providers such as hungaryesim.com. This website provides a range of pricing options and durations for Hungarian eSIM services.

Leave your physical SIM behind, travel light with a digital SIM from hungaryesim.com!
Buy my eSIM

6. FAQs about Hungary Mobile Operators

Which operator has the best mobile coverage in Hungary?

Telekom has the most extensive mobile coverage across Hungary, providing service to 99% of the population with its 2G, 3G and 4G networks.

Which Hungarian operator is the fastest for mobile data?

Both Telekom and Vodafone deliver excellent 4G speeds around 80 Mbps on average. Their new 5G networks offer up to 500 Mbps.

Which mobile carrier is the cheapest in Hungary?

MVNOs like Digi Mobil and Yettel’s Like prepaid offer cheaper basic services starting under 2000 HUF. But MNOs like Yettel can be cheaper for plans with more data.

Does Hungary have 5G coverage?

Yes, both Telekom and Vodafone have launched 5G networks in parts of major cities so far. Coverage is still limited but expanding.

Can I use my phone from another EU country Hungary?

Yes, European roaming regulations allow you to roam in Hungary at domestic rates. But beware of using very high data volumes.

7. Conclusion

When choosing a mobile operator in Hungary, compare key factors like coverage, speeds, pricing, roaming needs, and customer service. Telekom generally has the best overall service quality and speeds. Yettel also offers excellent 4G/5G networks and competitive plans. MVNOs like Digi Mobil provide basic calling/texting and slower data for lower budgets but good customer feedback. Carefully consider your usage and budget to pick the best provider for your connectivity needs.