Are you a Beeline client? Do you want good communication and calls from abroad (so that they open it) at home rates? Have you long heard about calls via Wi-Fi and some kind of VoWiFi, but have not had the opportunity to use it? This material is for you.
Just the other day, a person wrote to us in the support chat asking us to explain why calls via Wi-Fi on a device that supports it are not working for him. The reason was obvious - Beeline. Some “copywriting” sites have bothered to write thousands of word-long instructions with details about connecting to this service. But we knew that Beeline endured until the very end and did not give its customers the opportunity to make calls via Wi-Fi. And just like that, it happened.
Another interesting fact from that conversation is that a call to the Beeline support service confirmed the availability of the service, but only in Moscow and the Moscow region. However, there was no official information on their website. And now everything has fallen into place - the insider information turned out to be correct, on May 20, 2021, news appeared about the launch of Voice over Wi-Fi in VimpelCom networks
VoWiFi – why do I need it?
And it seems that we are now on a portal about Wi-Fi, but at first I was very skeptical about this technology. And then I tried it and got hooked. Calls via Wi-Fi are very convenient, and also of high quality and at the rates of your home region.
To put the whole point at the user’s fingertips, a little background:
- Previously, on the cellular network you could only make calls (and receive messages).
- Then they added the Internet.
- With the advent of the 4G network (LTE), it became possible to package calls to the Internet via cellular communications (Voice over LTE, VoLTE - this can be seen in the curtain when connected to the network). Those. you are still connected to the same operator network, but in fact the calls are made through the Internet mobile data channel. In practice, a high-quality connection is obtained.
- If there is technology for packaging calls to the Internet, why not unload your networks and send calls to the Internet network of the client (regular provider). And since the phone is usually connected to the home network via Wi-Fi, the technology was called calling over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi).
In practice, you will not notice absolutely any differences in terms of use. These will be the same classic calls without using third-party applications. How the phone works there and what network it uses is his business. Moreover, if you start a conversation on a Wi-Fi network and then move out of reach, the call will not be interrupted, but will seamlessly switch to cellular communication. Tariffs remain the same, with the exception of some bonuses for calls not from your home region (I will describe examples below).
If you work in a “bunker” where simple communication is lacking, or are going abroad, mastering this technology is very necessary. In the first case, if there is Wi-Fi in the “bunker”, you will always be online, in the second case, calls with family and friends will not eat up your balances (when connected to a Wi-Fi network, the operator treats you as if you were in your home region).
What is VoWiFi?
“VoWiFi” (an acronym for “Voice over WiFi”) is a modern technology that allows you to make voice calls and SMS from your mobile number using WiFi. Thanks to this option, you can use the capabilities of your phone even where the operator’s mobile signal is absent or extremely weak (for example, in various basements, subways, inside concrete buildings, etc.). Moreover, in such places there may be good Wi-Fi, which allows you to use Internet access with Honor and Huawei to make calls and send SMS messages.
The difference between VoWiFi and traditional instant messengers (Viber, Skype, etc.) is that your phone communicates via the Internet with your mobile operator. Such calls are charged at your operator's home rate, which allows you to save money on calls (especially international ones). When connecting, your phone decides how best to communicate with the operator - through regular mobile communications or via VoWiFi.
This is useful to know: What does “subscriber temporarily unavailable” mean?
What is needed for this?
The most important thing is that your smartphone must support VoWiFi technology.
There is no specific dependence on the manufacturer here. Just search for “your VoWiFi smartphone model” and find the answer. As a last resort, write your model in the comments to this article. The technology is supported by both Samsung and iPhone, as well as the popular Xiaomi.
If your phone supports the technology, continue the search - “how to enable VoWiFi for your phone model.” I’ll show you using my native Xiaomi as an example:
Settings – SIM cards and mobile networks – Go to the settings of your SIM card – Activate calls via Wi- Fi and, just in case, VoLTE (if it was not already enabled)
Usually, after these manipulations everything should work. Personally, I had a couple of times where the phone did not want to connect to VoWiFi after some actions - a simple reboot helps. How to understand that you are already online? We look at the curtain of the phone, there should be something like this:
And yes - I now have a Megafon. But the technology works exactly the same for all operators.
Operating conditions for VoWiFi on Honor and Huawei phones
The technology I’m considering is not supported by all mobile devices. Technology support is present on modern devices of recent years. You can find out whether this technology is available on your device by going to its manufacturer’s website and reading the technical specifications of your gadget.
In addition, the operation of the technology in your mobile network must be guaranteed by the mobile operator. Beeline was the first domestic operator to announce support for VoWiFI. Over time, a number of other Russian operators announced support for the technology.
Geography limitation
Now the technology has been launched only in Moscow and the Moscow region. But something tells me that everything here is the same as with other operators. If something is wrong, you can safely correct it in the comments.
Based on my experience of use: geography is limited only by the regional affiliation of the SIM card. In fact, you can make calls from other regions when connected to a Wi-Fi network (and all while traveling overseas).
The only thing worth considering is that if you took a SIM card in Moscow and went to Kamchatka with it, then you will pay for calls within Kamchatka as if from Moscow. In my case, I waited until the “correct” SIM card appeared in my region so as not to fall into this situation.
And so the technology will be tested and will definitely be launched in your region, so we believe and wait. This was the case with other operators.
How to enable or disable international roaming
Beeline abroad offers services based on user preferences. You can subscribe to unlimited traffic in Europe, cheap calls from exotic countries, and a large SMS package that allows you to write to friends and relatives about your impressions.
When crossing the border, the parameters of the standard tariff are rearranged, payment for each item takes into account roaming.
Tariffication
And again from my own experience. I already wrote about tariffs when using a SIM card from another region a little higher - don’t fall for this unless it’s profitable for you. Here I would like to outline the advantages of the technology.
All calls via the Wi- Fi network are counted as from the home region (I really hope that Beeline will not deviate from this tradition).
A reverse example: you live in Kamchatka, went on a business trip to Moscow, but all calls to your loved ones via Wi-Fi will be counted as if you were at home. I have the same situation with any foreign country: everything is charged at home prices. Both incoming calls and outgoing calls. Of course, especially dubious ones prefer to use the same WhatsApp or Telegram, but the usual method is very convenient if you have packages or unlimited ones.
The main thing in all this is that Wi-Fi does not fall off and you are not transferred to a standard roaming network. As I usually do: I turned on the “Airplane” mode and turned on Wi-Fi separately. From this moment on, the SIM card no longer tries to catch classic networks, but when an available Wi-Fi network appears, the phone comes to life.
Tourist SIM card for Internet access
It is worth considering the option of purchasing a SIM card that will provide access to the Internet. The tourist SIM cards presented on our website are such. They guarantee Internet connection in most countries of the world. Thanks to this, every tourist or businessman can make calls via WiFi almost anywhere in the world without paying huge amounts of money for roaming.
It is worth remembering about WiFi calling, as it allows you to maintain constant contact with loved ones even in very difficult conditions, while at the same time guaranteeing that you save time and money. Who knows, maybe in the near future everyone will be connected to the world in this way?
Internet in roaming
– an ideal option for those who often spend time online. Description:
- The first 100 MB per day at maximum speed, then 128 Kbps. Monthly fee – 350 rubles.
- Automatic activation is installed on the “All”, “Unlim”, “Zero Doubts” tariff lines.
- Connection - *110*20171#, disconnection - *110*20170#.
The terms are valid in 100 countries around the world.
If it is difficult for you to independently determine the most suitable offer for yourself, then it is recommended to contact the Beeline office or call the technical support service to get advice.
Travel Tariffs
When going on a trip, you should connect temporary options to reduce costs or change the tariff. The most popular Beeline product is “All for 1800 + roaming”. Conditions:
| Offer | Conditions |
| Monthly subscription fee | 1800 rub. |
| Calls | 3000 min. |
| SMS messages | 3000 pcs. |
| Incoming calls | |
| Calls to “Popular countries”, Georgia, Ukraine | 30 rub./min. |
| Communication with Europe, USA, Canada, Vietnam, China, Turkey | 50 rub./min. |
| Other states | 80 rub./min. |
| Internet traffic | 15 GB |
If the package ends, the price for calls with Beeline clients will be 1.6 rubles/min, and for third-party operators – 3 rubles/min. To reduce costs, it is proposed to register, its connection is 0674 09 0901, its disconnection is 0674 09 0900. You can activate five additional numbers with which you are allowed to share package limits. The monthly fee for one added number is 5.09 rubles.
We recommend: What are the tariffs for roaming when traveling to Turkey?
If the subscriber has not changed the tariff within 30 days, the transition will be free.
"Planet Zero"
This option is suitable for those who receive incoming calls more often than make calls themselves. Tariff schedule:
| Offer | price, rub. |
| Activation | 25,42 |
| Subscription fee | |
| Daily write-off | 61,01 |
| Conversations from 1st to 20th minute | |
| From the 21st minute | 10,17 |
| Outgoing dialing | 20,34 |
| SMS | 7,12 |
To activate the service you need to dial the combination *110*331#, to deactivate it - *110*330#. Such roaming conditions are only suitable for a number of countries. Prices for other countries:
| Options | Cost, rub. |
| Daily charges | 101,69 |
| Receiving calls from 1 to 20 minutes | |
| From 21st minute | 15,26 |
| Outgoing calls | 45,76 |
| SMS | 9,15 |
| mms | 10,65 |
To find out the full list of countries for which these conditions are suitable, you should visit the official Beeline resource.
"My planet"
Communication in roaming will not require significant costs if you connect such a product. The main positions are shown in the table:
| Offer | price, rub. |
| Subscription fee | |
| Calls from any provider numbers (incoming and outgoing) | 25,42 |
| SMS | 9,15 |
| Mms in roaming | 10,65 |
| Calls to subscribers in countries that are not covered by the program | 49,83 |
This Beeline offer is archived, which means connection is impossible. To remove the option, enter the combination *110*0070#.
"Roaming lightly"
This product is also archived, but continues to operate for those users who managed to activate it earlier. The option offered a unique layout: calls with Beeline users for only 1.95 rubles per minute, with other telecom operators - 4.95.
How to make profitable calls abroad
Traveling with the product “Beeline's Most Profitable Roaming” will become twice as cheap. The option is suitable for traveling to neighboring countries, Europe and other popular countries:
| Options | Cost, rub. |
| 20 minutes for conversations | 200 |
| From the 21st minute | 10 |
| SMS | 30 |
| Internet of 40 MB per day | 200 |
| 1 MB over the limited limit | 5 |
We recommend: Detailed description
Connect to Beeline numbers – *110*131#, disconnect – *110*130#. If a person travels to Belize, Burundi, Ghana, Nicaragua, Chad, etc. (60 in total), then the tariff layout is slightly different.
| Conditions | Price |
| Communication in any direction | 100 rub./min. |
| Beeline Inbox | 25 rub./min. |
| Sending an SMS message | 30 rub./pcs. |
| 1 MB Internet traffic | 90 rub. |
| Tanzania, Morocco, Tunisia, China and Argentina provide 40 MB | 200 rub. |
| 1 MB over limit | 5 rub. |
If a Beeline client likes to vacation abroad in exotic countries, then without additional subscriptions, roaming will cost 200 rubles. per minute of communication. Therefore, it is recommended to activate, where minute billing will cost 30 rubles. Activation - *110*201#, deactivation - *110*201#.
The option is adapted for prepaid and postpaid systems.
