Almost all subscribers know that distributing a phone number on the Internet is unsafe.
After a while, scammers start sending advertising messages or making annoying calls. Buying an additional SIM card can be inconvenient, so many Russian telecom operators offer to use it.
The cost and terms of service depend on the specific company, but the essence of the service is the same - the subscriber receives an additional telephone number, which can be safely published on the Internet or used to register discount cards on various websites. Let's consider the corresponding proposals from leading Russian cellular operators.
How to create a virtual number through MTS?
The MTS virtual number is connected through the MTS Connect service. The cost of the service is 49 rubles per month, but the price of the room itself depends on its type. You can choose a toll-free number, but if the owner wants his contact to look “respectable”, he will have to pay for it. The connection is made online, and you can use the virtual number within 5-10 minutes after the operation is completed.
The additional MTS number works when the Internet or Wi-Fi is turned on. If they are unavailable, you can enable forwarding - all incoming calls to the virtual number will be sent to the main one. By disabling forwarding or temporarily blocking a virtual number, you can instantly get rid of calls and SMS to it. Therefore, the additional number can be published on the Internet without fear.
If you need to make your virtual number permanent, you can issue a SIM card for it. However, in this case, it will cease to be virtual, and the cost for it will be equal to the cost of the tariff, and not the established amount of 49 rubles.
How to connect and disconnect the service
Since April 29, 2014, due to changes in legislation and ensuring national security, including preventing terrorism, access to the option has been discontinued throughout the Russian Federation. All previously connected additional user contacts are disconnected by the company automatically, unilaterally.
It is also currently impossible to connect the service to MTS phone numbers.
How to connect a virtual number via Beeline?
Beeline offers two ways to connect a separate virtual number, for which you do not need to purchase an additional SIM card:
- Creating a virtual phone number, calls to which will be forwarded to the owner’s regular number. This service, although convenient, is expensive - 3,000 rubles for connection and 120 rubles monthly as a subscription fee.
- Connecting a virtual number using a virtual SIM card.
A virtual SIM card (eSIM) is practically no different in its functions from a regular one: you can use it to make calls, send messages, and connect to a separate tariff. However, eSIM does not have a physical form - it uses a special chip that is already built into the phone to work. This leads to the main disadvantage of this function: the user’s smartphone must support eSIM (currently this is only flagships).
Restrictions
All subscribers of the provider can use the additional number, with the exception of those who use Online, MTS Connect, and iPad, including all their modifications, as their main package.
Restrictions on using the service:
- One subscriber is allowed to link up to 3 phone numbers to his SIM card.
- The service is available if there are free contacts.
- The option is valid in the region of connection and when traveling around Russia in the MTS network.
- While roaming, you can only receive incoming calls and receive SMS; you cannot make calls and send messages using an additional phone.
- Data transfer, multimedia messages and other services are not available.
- Application for connecting to short and service communication channels, as well as sending SMS to them, is not provided for by the conditions of the option.
- The client is prohibited from using the phone to register for third-party services. Because if there is no payment within 2 weeks, the phone will be put on free sale and can be connected by another subscriber.
Attention! Mobile Telesystems PJSC is not responsible for possible fraudulent actions and their consequences when using the service.
How to connect a virtual number through MegaFon?
MegaFon offers customers to connect up to three virtual numbers per SIM card. All calls to them will be forwarded to the main number, and virtual numbers are managed using prefixes. For example, to call from the first additional number, you need to add the prefix “10” to the beginning of the subscriber’s number (“20” for the second, “30” for the third). It is also determined which number is being called - if a number with the prefix “30” is displayed on the screen, it means they are calling the third virtual number.
The cost of connecting each virtual number is 30 rubles, the daily fee is 2 rubles. The cost of a room depends on its appearance - the more “beautiful” it is, the more expensive it is. All additional virtual numbers will use the same tariff as the main number, and minutes, gigabytes and SMS will be shared. You can activate or deactivate the service in the communication salon or by command *480#.
How much does it cost to communicate via Connect?
Whatever tariff you have connected, in all cases, outgoing calls within the operator’s network will be absolutely free. They don't use up your package of minutes, which is a nice saving. Regardless of the tariff, calls to MTS subscribers are free and do not consume the connected minutes packages. Still, there will be some communication costs:
- Calls to third-party operators are equivalent to the price set in your tariff.
- If you have a package of minutes on your TP, then that is what is used.
- On the territory of the Russian Federation, payment for Internet traffic is not charged to subscribers of TP “X”, or when the “On the Network” option is connected.
- For other subscribers, mobile Internet traffic is used from the active package.
How to connect a virtual number via Tele2?
Unlike other operators, Tele2 has strong restrictions. Firstly, a virtual number can only be used for incoming calls and SMS. Secondly, the subscriber cannot choose a number himself (when connecting, he is assigned any free one). By disconnecting the service, the user loses the virtual number, and when reconnecting, he receives a new one. Therefore, the Tele2 virtual number should be used only as a temporary one, which is not scary to lose.
The subscription fee for the second number is 50 rubles per month, if the daily allowance is charged 2 rubles per day. The service is activated via a command. To connect you need to enter *872*1#, to disconnect: *872*0#. You can find out that an incoming call is being sent to an additional number by the prefix: the code 2# will appear at the beginning of the number.
How to disable the service
Virtual phones were connected and disconnected at the request of the subscriber, regardless of their serial number - first, second or third. Now all numbers are disconnected and none of the previously activated phones within the service are functioning.
The service was popular and convenient for subscribers both for work and for personal purposes. The option stopped working due to reasons beyond the operator’s control. The company apologizes for the inconvenience on its official website. Whether its action will be resumed is still unknown.
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Virtual number for Tinkoff Mobile
allows the client to use two numbers simultaneously on one SIM card. Each number has a single account and tariff plan. The cost of the service ranges from 49 to 99 rubles monthly (depending on the region).
The connection is made through a mobile application developed by the company. Install the program on your phone, log in and click the “Add service” button. Then select the “Virtual Number” section and click “Connect”. Here you will be asked to independently select the appropriate number from the list provided or get a random option.
After connecting the virtual number, an additional tab will appear in the application. The default settings are for incoming calls to be enabled and outgoing calls to be disabled. You can always change this item in the parameters.
Which Apple gadgets support eSIM
Among iPhones, eSIM is supported by the following models:
► iPhone Xs and Xs Max ► iPhone XR ► iPhone SE 2nd generation ► iPhone 11 ► iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max ► iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and Pro Max
Any iPhone with two physical SIM cards (such as those sold in China) is not suitable for eSIM. eSIM for Apple Watch is not fully supported by Russian operators.
And among tablets, any one will suit you, starting from the cheapest iPad 7th generation and newer. Just note that the iPad itself must be one of the models with a physical SIM card, that is, with a SIM slot. Without it, you won't be able to add an eSIM.
The full list of supported models, including Android smartphones, can be found on the operator’s website.
Tariff “We are MTS+”
Communications for a large family - Internet, TV and mobile communications up to 5 SIM in one “We are MTS+” tariff. The first month is free, as a gift - a subscription to mobile MTTV, discounts on antiviruses and other bonuses.
makes it possible to share minutes and traffic packages with other MTS subscribers.
Only a subscriber using the “Our Smart” and “All MTS Super” tariffs can “distribute” the Internet and minutes. Recipients can be subscribers of any other tariffs (with minor exceptions, they are described below). At the same time, recipient subscribers can use both the package of their minutes and gigabytes, and the received ones.
The service is paid - about 50 rubles / month (there are differences in cost by region).
Eventually
If you need a second number, but you don’t want to buy a phone with two SIM cards, then the ideal option, of course, would be the “Virtual Number” from Tinkoff Mobile, since you can call and send messages from it, which MegaFon does not allow you to do on its own.
Smartphone with two SIM cards: use cases, module and slot options
I will also add that on the modern market of electronics and smart gadgets there are individual devices that can solve the problem under discussion. We are talking about special headset modules, which are an analogue of a regular telephone that does not have a display. This is a small box into which a SIM card is inserted. The device connects via Bluetooth to the user’s main smartphone, on which a special application is installed. Thus, the user gets two phone numbers in a “single-carrier” smartphone. However, he has to carry with him not only the main smartphone, but also a small box-device with a second card installed inside. Such devices often have smaller dimensions than even the most compact smartphones, but they also take up space and, accordingly, cause discomfort during use. Don't forget that every device requires charging. Accordingly, when buying such a gadget, you also have to take care that it is always charged.
What you need to know about the MTS Connect service
Another function is being launched in the MTS Connect branded application - multi-account. It will allow you to download all MTS numbers into one application in order to receive or make calls through it.
This is very convenient for those who have multiple SIM cards or phones. Now you don't need to carry them with you all the time. A multi-account in MTS Connect will help you always stay in touch, even when the number is not nearby. The MTS Connect application can be downloaded from the App Store and Play Store.
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Price
The cost per use involved several stages. To add a combination, you had to pay 30 rubles. Then the subscription fee began to apply. The service was not provided free of charge, even for a trial period.
During conversations, prices and packages from the activated tariff plan were taken into account. Clients did not need to connect additional tariffs. If the package of minutes was not used up, then the calls were made free of charge.
Daily write-off
In addition to a one-time payment for the number, the service also implied a daily subscription fee. The price depended entirely on the chosen category:
- Standard – 1.5 rub.
- Gold – 3 rubles.
- Platinum – 9 rub.
The submitted payment was debited from the account daily. In your personal account it was possible to control the service.
Why do you need an additional number?
Scenarios for using the second (not main) additional number are as follows:
- You submitted an ad on a website for the sale of a car, service, etc., and you don’t want to “reveal” your main phone number so that it doesn’t end up in spammers’ databases and then they don’t constantly call you with offers from banks, loans, etc.
- It is necessary to separate communication at work and personal.
- Leave this number as a contact when receiving discount cards and similar things in stores.
