Date: October 1, 2021 | Updated: May 23, 2021 | Author: Moblie-man
Progress does not stand still and now, in addition to the usual smartphones, tablets and routers, more and more different items are equipped with SIM card slots: sockets, smart watches and fitness bracelets, security alarm sensors, water leaks, heat meters and water leaks , CCTV cameras, various household appliances, as well as Smart Home systems.
Do you need separate tariffs for smart devices?
Yes, of course! No, don't!
It is for such “smart” devices that need short-term Internet access to transmit readings. On October 1, 2018, MegaFon introduced a new “Smart Things” tariff.
Let us consider in detail what is included in this tariff, its pros, cons and connection methods to decide whether it is worth using it at all.
Tariff description
The main purpose of the plan is unlimited Internet access. Traffic is provided without speed restrictions in the amount of 60 MB per week. When the limit is exhausted, the speed is reduced to 64 Kb/sec.
Unlimited access to the network is valid not only in the territory where the SIM card is connected, but also when traveling around the country. The exceptions are Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Norilsk, Taimyr. In these regions, the cost of 1 MB of transferred data will cost the user 9.9 rubles.
As part of using the Smart Things tariff from Megafon, the subscriber receives:
- 10 minutes of calls to all numbers in Russia;
- 20 SMS messages.
The package is issued for a period of 1 week. At the end of the period, unused minutes, SMS and traffic are not transferred to a new week, but simply “burn out.”
Pros and cons of the Smart Things tariff from MegaFon
pros
- It’s definitely cool that the operator doesn’t “stand still” and provides subscribers with special services. tariffs for new devices;
- Unlimited, here really without any reservations, Internet. What difference does it make to you that a conditional sensor will transmit readings not for 5 seconds at high speed, but for 15 seconds at a limitation. This is absolutely unprincipled.
- Rounding of traffic to 1 KB. This is a very beneficial advantage if your device sends very small data packets, again see the comparison table.
- Possibility of paying for an annual subscription with significant savings. When paying for a year, almost 30% discount is significant.
- The ability to pay once (but a lot) and not worry about the balance in principle. Comfortable. You “stick” the SIM card into a CCTV camera or smart watch and just use it.
- A normal “set” of minutes and SMS: it is quite enough to receive, for example, an SMS from a smart device once a day with the volume of transferred data or some other information.
Minuses
- Price. At first I wanted to write it down in “Pros”, but what if you have about 10 smart devices in your apartment/house? Even with the discount when paying for the year at once, this works out to 14.5 per week * 10 devices * 4 weeks. It turns out to be almost 600 ₽ per month. A little expensive for transmitting information in my opinion.
Video: Comparison of tariffs for smart devices
Service cost
For using the service, the company’s client is charged a subscription fee of 20 rubles weekly. In this case, the subscriber can activate the additional option “Smart things for a year”. Then the price for annual service of the tariff plan will be 750 rubles.
The subscription fee does not include MMS messaging services. They are charged separately. Their cost is 9.9 rubles.
If the service package is exhausted before the end of the billing period, the client will be charged the following amount:
- One minute of calls to all numbers in the Russian Federation – 5 rubles;
- One SMS message – 3 rubles;
- Calls to CIS countries – 39 r/min.
Incoming calls and SMS notifications are not charged. TP does not depend on the region of connection and its cost is the same throughout the Russian Federation.
Additional options
Users of the tariff plan can activate the additional option “Unlimited for cloud services”. With its help, you can view information transmitted from smart devices through programs:
- ru Cloud;
- Yandex Disk;
- Dropbox (Windows);
- iCloud (iOS).
You can connect/disconnect the service in your Megafon subscriber’s personal account. The validity period of the function is synchronized with the validity period of the tariff. The subscription fee is charged weekly. Its size is 60 rubles.
If on the day of debiting there are not enough funds in the client’s account to pay for using the service, then the provision of the service is suspended until the balance is replenished. After which the frequency of debiting funds is again synchronized with the main tariff.
Let's sum it up
The tariff for children's smart watches from Megafon allows you to fully provide your child with communication, and parents do not have to worry about what is happening to their child. When choosing a tariff plan, you need to focus on your own needs; maybe you communicate with your child only via SMS messages and never call, or maybe it’s easier for you to call your child and find out everything.
An excellent addition to the watch will be the “Where are my children” application - it will allow you to track your child’s location using GPS using minimal traffic costs. Other SMS and Internet notifications can be turned off to a minimum. Operators also constantly update tariffs, so it’s worth keeping an eye on what’s happening in the communications market.
Connection
You cannot switch to the “Smart Things” tariff from other tariffs . To connect to a tariff plan, you need to purchase a SIM card at a mobile phone store, operator’s office or on the megafon.ru website.
To purchase a card on the operator’s portal, you need to go to the “tariffs and . After that, click the “buy SIM card” button.
In the window that opens, you must specify:
- Personal data of the subscriber;
- Delivery address;
- Additional information.
After that, click “make an order”.
Activation of an annual subscription is possible only in the Megafon salon. Self-management and tariff changes are not provided.
To connect to a TP, the subscriber’s balance must be at least 300 rubles.
Similar offers from other operators
Children's tariffs are available from different operators, as can be seen in the table above. Tariffs are offered by Beeline, Tele 2, even Sberbank has a tariff for smart watches.
For example, the Beeline tariff looks especially attractive to those who use Beeline themselves, so you won’t actually have to pay for a child’s SIM card, and it will be even easier to control expenses from the general balance.
Almost every mobile operator has smart home services. SIM cards with similar tariffs only work in conjunction with new technologies.
Additional Information
The weekly fee for using the service is debited from the subscriber’s balance. If there is not enough money in the client’s account, the service is automatically suspended until it is replenished.
When connecting to a tariff with annual payment, the subscription fee is charged once per year. At the end of the billing period, debits are made weekly at a cost of 20 rubles.
To re-switch to annual payment, you should contact your mobile phone store.
The following smart devices can be connected to the tariff plan:
- Video surveillance or alarm system;
- SMART watch;
- Temperature, smoke, water leakage sensors;
- Kitchen appliances;
- Light bulbs, sockets;
- Fitness bracelets.
The peculiarity of this TP is that it is not intended for use in modems, tablets and routers.
Parental Control Option
This service provides the following features:
- full control over the movements of the young owner of a smart watch. Parents can independently draw on the map those zones from which SMS notifications will be sent when the child leaves. The route of all movements is saved in history;
- managing the time during which a particular network resource will be available for viewing on children’s smart watches. If necessary, some sites can be banned from visiting altogether. Similarly, you can control the installation and operation of individual applications on the gadget;
- tracking the balance on the SIM card installed in the smart watch. Along with the balance, the battery charge level is also monitored;
- Turning the Internet on or off on a child's device. Both mobile and local Wi-Fi connections are available for management;
- changing the parameters of the gadget itself;
- blocking advertising mailings.
This functionality can be implemented either on a personal computer through the Parental Control website, or in a special application installed on a tablet or mobile phone. The corresponding application must be installed in the watch (the child will not be able to remove it independently without knowing the code word).
The cost of the service is 5 rubles/day. During the first week of use, the subscription fee is not charged; the first payment will be for the 8th day.
If necessary, the “Parental Control” option can be expanded to monitor multiple devices in children’s hands. For each additional phone number, a fee of 1 ruble will be charged. The number of controlled gadgets is limited to five.
Online reviews
The company's clients who have already used the new tariff plan from Megafon leave many positive reviews online about this tariff.
Users note unlimited access to the network, even after the end of the traffic, the ability to make calls and send SMS as part of the package. Disadvantages include high fees when connecting multiple devices. If for 1 equipment the annual payment is 750-1040 rubles, then when purchasing 10 SIM cards per year you will have to pay up to 10 thousand.
The “Smart Things” TP is suitable for owners of smart technology. It makes managing your home devices even easier. The subscription fee for the tariff is quite comparable to the cost of purchasing modern devices.
Option "Children's Internet"
This option will allow you to limit the connection of children's smart watches to sites that contain sites that are traumatic for the child's psyche. Sites for adults and Internet resources that are simply dangerous for children will not be available.
With Children's Internet enabled, it is impossible to purchase any goods whose sales are restricted by current legislation. This same function will also be useful for protecting against fraudsters, since it limits all types of payments.
Children cannot change the tariff settings on their own. This is only available to parents who have a pre-set code word.
For the “children’s Internet” to work, a special security certificate must be installed on the smartwatch. It must be downloaded from the official website, from the page describing the service. Some device models have an alternative version of this security certificate. It is available from the same page of the official website.
Successful operation of the option is possible only when the gadget is directly connected to the network. Therefore, when transmitting data via VPN, “children's Internet” will not work. The same result will be obtained when viewing content in the Opera browser with the compression mode of transmitted information turned on. When traveling on vacation there may be problems due to roaming. warns about this and recommends consulting about the serviceability of the service in a particular region via a hotline or in the office.
The option is free to connect, but a subscription fee of 2 rubles will be charged every day.
How to insert a card into the watch?
Before disassembling the watch, you need to double-check that your SIM card is of the correct format. We remind you that in most cases Micro-SIM or Nano-SIM is used.
Reference
If you make a mistake, operators give you the opportunity to replace the SIM card with another one of the right size.
For Megafon, Beeline, Tele2 and Yota, to replace a SIM card you need to go to a sales and service point with a passport. The service is free. At MTS, in some cases, replacement at a retail outlet is carried out according to the conditions specified in the tariff (more details). From Tinkoff Mobile - you will need to order a card (more details). The tariff has been chosen, the SIM card is in hand, only one question remains: how to insert it into the watch? Please note that many children's smartwatches do not have a special, easily accessible slot for it. And this was done for a reason. A child may accidentally damage such a slot or remove and lose the card. That’s why manufacturers hide the card compartment in the case itself.
To install a SIM card in such a watch, unscrew the back of the watch using a screwdriver (usually included). Carefully remove the battery, open the cover and insert the SIM card.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with SMS commands for setting up a GPS watch.
How is the subscription fee charged?
When connecting to a tariff, the traffic is updated weekly, the subscription fee is 20 rubles. is also written off weekly. If there is not enough money, access to communication is completely suspended and resumed only after replenishing the balance. That is why it is important to constantly maintain a positive balance so that the operation of the devices does not stop at the most crucial moment.
You can connect to the “Smart things for a year” option, and then the subscription fee will be charged in a single payment of 750 rubles, and you won’t need to think about paying for cellular services for a whole year. This option can only be activated in the communication store, where you can also make a payment.
But if you plan to use the tariff for a long time, then you can pay it once and forget forever about making the mandatory payment. The cost of such a lifetime payment is 2,500 rubles, and it will pay off after 2.5 years (weekly cost), or after 3 years 4 months (annual payment).
"Bi+"
On the operator's website https://beeline.ru/customers/products/mobile/tariffs/details/socialniy-paket/Package includedSubscription feeOn trips- With the “Start” option: unlimited calls to Beeline numbers in Russia and 3 GB per month for the Internet.
- Without the “Start” option: calls to Beeline numbers in Russia - 1 rub./min., mobile Internet - 5 rubles. for 5 MB
- No
- Subscription fee when connecting the “Start” option – 4 rubles/day
- all incoming calls - 0 rub./min;
- outgoing calls within Russia - 2.5 rubles/min;
- SMS within Russia - 2.5 rubles;
- Internet: the first megabyte is free, then you can connect to unlimited Internet until the end of the day for 249 rubles. — the first 100 MB are provided at maximum speed, then the speed decreases to 128 Kbps until the end of the day.
- SMS to numbers in your home region - 2.5 rubles.
- SMS to numbers in other regions of Russia - 5 rubles.
- SMS to numbers in other countries - 5 rubles.
- Outgoing MMS - 10 rub.
⠀
Beeline also has family tariffs from the “Close People” line, which allow you to connect several numbers, as well as home Internet and TV.
TELE2
(can be used in regions where there is 2G coverage or on watches with 3G)
Tariff “Internet for Things”
is positioned by the provider as a special tariff for smart watches, alarms and other smart devices. It has a small fixed subscription fee. You can also familiarize yourself with the “Classic” tariffs (no monthly fee, but allows you to connect 1 GB of Internet for 120 rubles/month), and if you plan to communicate a lot with your child - “My Conversation” (250 rubles/month, suitable for the first phone).
Bottom line. Which tariff plan is better?
The best tariff for children's watches is all specially developed offers from leading telecom operators. Compared to standard package offers, their cost is 10-15 times more profitable.
Of the proposed ones, the “Smart Device” from MTS can be called profitable. Low subscription fee and package offer cover all user needs. Even in comparison with Beeline’s attractive at first glance “Signal”, which charges a minimal subscription fee, MTS wins because calls from Beeline are more expensive.
We definitely do not recommend experimenting with Tele2 if you are not ready to risk the Smart Baby Watch Q50 or any other model.
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Review of Megafon tariffs that are suitable for smart watches
Megafon company offers a fairly large selection of tariff plans that may be suitable for smart watches:
| Tariff plan | Subscription fee | Internet package | Package of minutes | SMS package | Calls to other operators, rub |
| Smart things | 20 r/week | Unlimited | 10 minutes/week | 10 SMS/week | 5,0 |
| Get involved! Write! | 400 r/month | 5 GB + unlimited instant messengers | Unlimited within the network | 300 SMS/month + 2.2 rubles/message if the package is over | 300 min/month + 2r/min at the end of the package |
| Get involved! Have fun! | 450 rub/month | 15 GB + unlimited instant messengers, YouTube, music | Unlimited within the network | 2.2 rub/message | 100 min/month + 2.0 r/min if the package runs out |
| Megafon online | 0 | 2.5 RUR/MB | 5 r/min | 5 r/message | 15 r/min |
Megafon also offers cashback up to 30% on all communication services at any tariff.
Advantages and disadvantages
Now you know everything about the Megafon “Smart Things” tariff, whether you choose it or not - decide for yourself, there are not many reviews of it on the Internet, but if you analyze the information about it, you can draw a certain conclusion. Users appreciate the tariff and believe that it has virtually no disadvantages.
The advantage is completely unlimited Internet. And, although it has a speed limit, it is quite enough for smart devices. Also a plus is the good composition of the basic packages.
Overall, this is a great package for smart device owners.
What to look for when choosing a Megafon starter kit
Before choosing an operator, you should pay attention to which SIM card company you and your family members use, since calls to numbers from other operators can be quite expensive.
When purchasing a starter kit, you need to analyze what functions your device has and which of them you plan to use. When using smartwatches for children, the first thing you need is the Internet, since parents usually track the child’s location using a GPS beacon. But this doesn’t require a lot of traffic.
It's another matter if you plan to talk with your baby via video conference. In this case, more traffic is needed, and therefore the Internet package provided in a special tariff plan may not be enough.
You also need to pay attention to smartwatch functions such as outgoing calls and messages. If you plan to use these functions, you should choose a tariff with a large package of minutes and messages. You also need to pay attention to minute packages or the cost of calls to numbers of other operators if many people in your environment use SIM cards from other companies.
