Mobile Operators in Georgia: Magti, Silknet and Cellfie Compared
Georgia has three mobile network operators: Magti (Magticom), Silknet — whose mobile brand is Geocell — and Cellfie Mobile, formerly Beeline. All three run 4G and 5G and support eSIM, so an arriving traveller can be online in minutes. Magti markets the widest coverage and sells a Welcome SIM at the airport; Magti and Silknet also provide fixed home internet, while Cellfie is mobile-only. You normally register a SIM with your passport, and Georgia has operated mobile number portability since 2011, so you can keep your number if you switch. This guide compares the three operators and explains how to choose, buy and register — checked against official sources.
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026 · Last checked: 12 November 2026
Georgia has three mobile network operators, and for most new arrivals any of them will do the essential job — cheap data, good city coverage and eSIM — within minutes of landing. Where they differ is in coverage reach, whether they also sell you home internet, and the small conveniences like an airport SIM desk. This guide compares Magti, Silknet and Cellfie and explains how to choose, buy and register, checked against official sources.
For the broader picture — data pricing, home fibre, and why a local number gates banking and government services — see mobile and internet in Georgia. This page focuses on the operators themselves.
The three operators at a glance
| Operator | Also known as | 4G / 5G | eSIM | Home internet | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magti | Magticom | Yes / Yes | Yes | Yes (fibre) | Widest coverage; airport tourist SIM |
| Silknet | mobile brand Geocell | Yes / Yes | Yes | Yes (fibre, DSL, wireless) | Bundling mobile with TV and home internet |
| Cellfie | Cellfie Mobile (ex-Beeline) | Yes / Yes | Yes (~1 GEL) | No — mobile only | Simple mobile-only plans, cheap eSIM |
All three run their own networks and are regulated by the Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom). Retail plans and promotions change often, so treat any specific bundle you read about as a snapshot and check the operator’s current offer when you buy.
Magti (Magticom)
Magti is the operator most associated with the widest coverage, and it markets the largest 5G footprint in the country. It runs the full range of technologies from 2G through 5G, supports eSIM (activated through the MyMagti app, the website or a service centre), and — usefully for arrivals — sells a Welcome SIM for tourists at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports, valid for around 15 days with a data allowance and some free local calls.
Magti also provides fixed fibre home internet and IPTV, so it is a natural choice if you want your phone line and your apartment’s broadband from one provider. If your priority is service in smaller towns or along mountain routes, Magti is the common default — though you should still check its coverage map for the specific areas you will spend time in.
Silknet (Geocell)
Silknet is one of Georgia’s leading internet and TV providers, and its mobile service runs under the Geocell brand — a name you will still see, since Geocell was a long-established mobile operator before the merger. It offers 4G and 5G, supports eSIM (with an online order flow and a list of compatible devices), and publishes tourist packages for visitors.
Silknet’s strength is bundling: mobile, fixed fibre and DSL internet, wireless home internet, and television from a single provider. That makes it attractive if you are furnishing a long-term apartment and want one bill for connectivity and TV. We could not confirm an airport sales desk from Silknet’s official site, so plan to buy at a branch or online rather than at arrivals.
Cellfie (Cellfie Mobile)
Cellfie Mobile is the third operator, formerly Beeline — its apps still carry the “MyBeeline” heritage. It runs 4G and 5G with VoLTE, and its eSIM is the cheapest and simplest to get: around 1 GEL, buyable online at any hour, with the same services and packages as a physical SIM.
The key thing to know is that Cellfie is mobile-only — it does not sell fixed home internet or TV, unlike Magti and Silknet. That is not a drawback if all you need is a phone line: its straightforward prepaid plans and cheap online eSIM make it a clean choice for a mobile number without the rest. It does not appear to run a dedicated inbound tourist SIM in the way Magti does, so for a first line on arrival Magti’s airport pack is the easier route.
How to buy and register
You can buy a SIM at an operator branch, at the airport (reliably from Magti), in many shops and kiosks, or set up an eSIM online before you even land. To register a prepaid SIM you will normally need your passport — registering a line to an identified person is standard practice in Georgia, and a foreign national is expected to present a passport at an official point of sale. Activation is usually quick, and you top up online or in shops.
If your phone supports eSIM, that is often the smoothest path: you can order a line from the operator’s website or app and be connected without visiting a store. Cellfie’s low-cost eSIM and Magti’s app-based activation are both designed for this.
Keeping your number if you switch
Georgia has operated mobile number portability since 2011, overseen by ComCom, so you are not locked to your first operator. If you start on one network and later prefer another’s coverage or bundle, you can port your existing number between Magti, Silknet and Cellfie using the receiving operator’s “port in” process, rather than losing the number and telling everyone a new one. This matters if you have already given a Georgian number to your bank or the tax portal, since those are tied to the number, not the operator.
A note on numbers and regulation
Georgia’s international dialling code is +995, and mobile numbers are nine digits beginning with 5 (written as +995 5XX XXX XXX). The sector is overseen by the Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom), while operators set their own retail tariffs.
Because prices, bundle sizes and tourist-package contents change frequently, we deliberately avoid quoting specific tariffs here — check the operator’s current offer at the point of purchase. This page describes the market as published by official sources; it is not an endorsement of any operator, and you should compare current coverage and plans for your own needs before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How many mobile operators are there in Georgia?
Three network operators: Magti (Magticom), Silknet — whose mobile brand is Geocell — and Cellfie Mobile, which was formerly Beeline. All three run their own 4G and 5G networks. The market is effectively these three facilities-based operators, overseen by the Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom).
Which operator has the best coverage?
Magti markets itself as having the widest overall and 5G coverage in Georgia, and it is the operator most associated with reach into smaller towns and along routes. Silknet and Cellfie also run nationwide 4G and 5G. In cities and along main roads all three perform well; in remote mountain areas coverage thins for everyone. If reliable service in less-populated regions matters most, Magti is the common default, but compare current coverage maps on each operator's site for the specific areas you will use.
Do Georgian operators support eSIM?
Yes. Magti, Silknet and Cellfie all support eSIM for consumer numbers, which is convenient if your phone is compatible — you can set up a line without a physical SIM, often before or just after you arrive. Cellfie's eSIM costs about 1 GEL and can be bought online at any time; Magti and Silknet activate eSIM through their apps, websites or service centres. Confirm device compatibility and the current process with the operator.
Can I buy a SIM at the airport?
Magti sells a Welcome SIM for tourists at Tbilisi and Kutaisi airports, valid for about 15 days with a data allowance — a convenient first line on arrival. Whether Silknet and Cellfie maintain airport desks is not something we could confirm from their official sites, so treat Magti as the reliable airport option and buy the others at a branch or online.
What do I need to register a SIM as a foreigner?
You will normally need your passport. Registering a prepaid SIM to an identified person is standard practice in Georgia, and a foreign national is expected to present a passport at an official point of sale. Activation is usually quick. Keep in mind that a Georgian number is also what unlocks government and banking services, which authenticate by SMS code — so it is worth setting up early.
Can I keep my number if I switch operator?
Yes. Georgia has operated mobile number portability since 2011, overseen by ComCom, so you can move your existing Georgian number between Magti, Silknet and Cellfie rather than losing it. Each operator has a 'port in' process. Porting takes a short time and lets you change operator without telling everyone a new number.
Which operators also offer home internet?
Magti and Silknet provide fixed home internet — fibre and, in Silknet's case, DSL and wireless home internet — alongside their mobile service, so you can get your phone and your apartment's broadband from the same provider. Cellfie is mobile-only. For the home-internet side, see the mobile and internet guide.