The military conflict in Ukraine after the invasion by Russia is having serious consequences, also at the level of communications. There are many displaced people and family members who are having trouble communicating. Many mobile operators have decided to implement the possibility of sending SMS text messages or directly calling for free (or at least at much lower prices) to Ukraine.
It should be remembered that Ukraine is outside the territory covered by free roaming from Spain. In fact, under normal circumstances it is one of the most expensive countries within European territory as it is in Zone 3 along with others generally further away (we would only find Belarus at the same level).
Demonstration against the war in Ukraine
According to census data, 112,034 Ukrainian citizens reside in Spain. The different telephone companies want to facilitate their clients’ communications with people residing in Ukraine at this extremely difficult time and to do so they have opted for measures that are quite similar to each other, although with some peculiarities.
Movistar
The Telefónica operator has included the complete package of measures to help Ukraine as much as possible , being the one that has placed the fewest limitations or restrictions in this regard. They include free international calls and SMS between Spain and Ukraine.
Given the current delicate situation in Eastern Europe, from Movistar we will provide, free of charge and for an indefinite period of time, international calls and SMS between Spain and Ukraine for all our clients, companies and individuals, as well as free roaming if you are there.
– Movistar Spain (@movistar_es) February 26, 2022
In addition, they have also enabled free roaming if you are there and all these measures have been announced indefinitely while this tragic situation lasts.
Vodafone
The operator has decided to implement free calls and free SMS for its contract and prepaid customers . In addition, in the case of being in the country, these clients would also have free roaming (voice, data and SMS) in the Ukrainian territory.
From Vodafone we want to help as much as possible those affected by the situation in Ukraine:
1⃣ If you are a contract customer and you need to call someone who is in Ukraine, you have FREE international calls and SMS.
2⃣If you are in Ukraine, you have free roaming until 02/28.– Vodafone Spain (@vodafone_es) February 25, 2022
These measures, yes, have only been originally announced until today, February 28, although it was decided to extend them until March 31. We hope that the negotiations that take place in Minsk can find a solution to the armed conflict that ends with a ceasefire and does not need to last any longer.
In addition to these measures at the telecommunications level, his foundation has donated 500,000 euros from its humanitarian fund to UNHCR, as well as to the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary for the reception of refugees during the conflict.
Orange (and Jazztel)
For contract customers of its Orange and Jazztel brands, the Orange Group has offered free international calls and SMS to Ukraine for the duration of the military conflict with Russia.
Orange Spain offers free international calls and SMS to Ukraine for contract customers of its Orange and Jazztel brands https://t.co/AFXjCuO471
– Orange Spain (@orange_es) February 26, 2022
For prepaid customers , on the other hand, they will have to settle for special prices for calls and SMS from Spain to said country.
MoreMobile
The MásMóvil Group , to which brands such as Yoigo or PepePhone belong, has been another of those that have joined the relief measures for Ukrainian residents in Spain. In your case, the statement talks about free international calls and SMS to Ukraine for your contract customers, without giving more details about how long they will be in force.
In addition to having our full support, at MÁSMÓVIL we are going to make the tools available to us so that all our contract clients who need to contact their family and friends in Ukraine can do so in a more accessible way. pic.twitter.com/T2u4L8xH7C
– MÁSMÓVIL (@masmovil) February 25, 2022
At the moment there has been no news about roaming.
digi
The operator of Romanian origin has shared the following statement on Facebook : «Now, more than ever, our hearts go out to all of you who have family and friends in Ukraine. That’s why, from today, all international calls to Ukraine are free. So that being in contact with the ones you love the most is easier.
Demonstration for peace in Ukraine
In addition to offering the free service from Spain, it also does so from Romania and Italy.