Wifi calling. Communication without a network: Operators have allowed Russians to make calls over Wi-Fi. How to enable Wi-Fi Calling with iPhone

The ability to make and receive calls via Wi-Fi from your phone number is now "on topic", since one of the most demanded situations is calls to international roaming... It's good that we launched it before the start of the New Year's travel season. Also to compensate for the lack of coverage in the metro and in problem areas. There are a number of limitations and inconveniences, but it works and may well come in handy

Wi-Fi calls

An interesting and useful thing, in some cases it can be very “fit”. Installed and running application allows you to make and receive calls over the Internet using a Wi-Fi connection. The app also knows how to send and receive SMS messages. Not to be confused with VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) technology, with VoWiFi the smartphone fully works in Wi-Fi networks as in the cell. In our case, "Wi-Fi calls" uses a data network to "transport" voice and SMS in both directions. Nothing changes for your interlocutor: calls / SMS come to him from your number, and he also calls your regular Tele2 number. The service is still available only on the Tele2 network of the Moscow region.

The closest analogue is a similar solution " MTS Connect”, Which was launched in the Moscow region exactly a year ago, you can read our review. The Tele2 version is simpler and does not have additional functionality, which is literally stuffed with the MTS application. Is this good or bad? Hard to say. We must actively use both and compare. In theory, something simpler should work more stable, but this is not always the case.

You can download the application "WiFi Calling" in App Store or Play Market, Android (version 4.0 and above) and iOS (version 7.0 and above) are supported. Version for Android smartphones.

For whom?

You do not receive additional financial benefits, the money for calls is debited according to your tariff. Or, respectively, minutes / SMS from the package. Free calls between users of this service are also not provided. The main advantage is your home tariff, which you use when calling from anywhere, even from Australia. In international roaming, you can save money, and at work it can be useful and practical.

If there is a Wi-Fi network, the issue of coverage in problem areas is resolved. Relevant for the Moscow region, and, I'm afraid, will be relevant for a long time. Even in areas with good coverage, everyone has problem points, basements and vice versa, the upper floors of high-rise buildings. Tele2 base stations are often located in Moscow and "shine" low.

Communication in the subway. This is a valuable plus for Moscow Tele2 subscribers. I read complaints like "does not work!" and “works poorly,” but there are also many positive reviews. If it works, but it is bad, I would first advise you to avoid the cars in the middle and try to enter closer to the beginning or end of the train.

Last time during the discussion there was a popular topic: “Why should I also pay for the Internet ?! The operator has problems with coverage, but he wants to solve them at my expense! " The same was written when discussing femtocells. If you have no problems, then you really don't need this service, except in roaming. If you encounter problems, then you can try to change the operator or get by with "WiFi-calls", it's a master's business. A solution, free of charge and working, although it does not work perfectly. You can also write complaints and be indignant, but this is not very effective. Coverage miraculously appearing after complaints is more often a coincidence.

Peculiarities

For many, the main disadvantage is the mandatory binding to a SIM card with a valid Tele2 contract. For the recipient of the call, a call from the application is no different from a regular call from the owner's phone. You can install the application on any device, but it won't work without a Tele2 SIM card. Moreover, the application will not work even in a device with two SIM cards, if the Tele2 SIM card is installed in the second slot. Why did they do this? The reasons are obvious. Firstly, binding to a sim card guarantees the correct location of the caller. For example, cellular operators at the request of the relevant authorities, they are obliged to provide information, including about the place of the call. Secondly, by separating the application from the SIM card, we get the opportunity for several people to use one “copy” of the tariff, which is not profitable for the operator. In fact, binding an application to a sim card works like a ban on cloning a sim card.

When activating the application, some services are disabled. Personally, I feel sorry for "You got a call", it's inconvenient without her. There is a suspicion that after uninstalling the program, the "You have been called" service will have to be reconnected via Personal Area... For permission to determine the location, see above, and access to the camera is needed, most likely, to add a photo to a contact. Upon activation, you will need access to the Internet on the sim card that you link to the application. Without this, it will not be possible to activate the service. Why Internet from a SIM card when activated? Guessing laziness, but there must be reasons, did they not do it out of harm? For example, to deactivate services upon activation, to determine the number / user without any SMS and passwords.

You can only call through Wi-Fi connection, it is impossible to use data transmission from a Tele2 SIM card or another operator for this. An unpleasant limitation. It would be tempting to use a SIM-card of another operator to get the Internet, and make and receive calls from your own number. Or even use it on trips new option Tele2 "The Internet does not rest" on your SIM card.

There is no handover when making a call, if you leave the Wi-Fi zone during a call, the connection will be disconnected and not switched to the cellular network. Switch to another Wi-Fi hotspot it is also impossible without interrupting the connection.

Impressions

It was easier for me, I went through all these activation and installation sufferings with the MTS Connect application and was mentally prepared for the fact that it would hardly work "from a half-kick". And I repeat: for authorization, you need the Internet from an authorized Tele2 sim card, on a two-sim card this sim card must be in the first slot, without a full set of permissions it will not work. Supported Android versions not lower than 4.0 and iOS versions not lower than 7.0. Same wifi signal should be good. Yes, not every Wi-Fi is suitable, as it turned out during the testing process.

Believe me, I read the description carefully, I carefully read all the warnings. And still, this thing was configured for me only on the third attempt. The reason is unknown to science, I did not change anything in the settings and did not try to reinstall. And if on the fifth try? I suspect that some of the complainants simply did not "try" the required number of times.

Then the device did not like my home wifi... Calls do not go through, the phone beeps and displays the message "network unavailable". After the 10th attempt to call from / to, I sat down to think what could be changed, I started from the access point. Miraculously, everything immediately worked on another router with a Beeline sim card. What did he dislike about the home router? It seems that the signal level was also good ... In general, one should bear in mind the possibility of such a "plug".

There are no complaints about voice transmission, the quality is at a good level. It seemed a little dull and noticeably quieter than with a direct telephone connection. But not critical. SMS arrived instantly. The typed statistics of connection success is about 20% only on the second attempt (redialing the number at once), never from the third. The rest 80% from the first. I watched with interest the indicator of the data transfer rate, the numbers are different. The seen minimum of the stream is 35-45 Kbps, the maximum is 140-170 Kbps during the conversation. Most often in the range of 70-90 Kbps. He's not so demanding on the connection speed. Wi-Fi from the "wire" is desirable, but it also works fine via LTE, without delays and "stuttering". As in any IP-telephony, the response time (ping) is more important than the speed in the data transmission channel.

There are few settings, and they are all intuitive. You can allow the application to work only with voice (without receiving / sending SMS), you can disable autostart after turning on the phone. Special thanks to the developers for the "Quit Application" menu item.

It's a pity that you can only make calls from the app via Wi-Fi, in certain scenarios you will have to use a mobile router or a second phone. Probably, some positive can be found in the fact that if you already called from the application and you succeeded, then you probably called via Wi-Fi.

Summary

The purpose of the service is detailed in the "For whom" section, although there may be other scenarios. You need to understand that this is not a universal communication environment and not just another Skype Killer. This is additional tool, allowing you to eliminate local problems or solve some specific problems. In this capacity, the program should be considered, nothing more. And, of course, there will be many fair grievances on the topic “why only for Moscow ?!”.

We bring to your attention information on how you can make calls on portable devices via Wi-Fi Android. We will tell you how to set up Wi-Fi telephony on any Android device, as well as provide links to well-known programs with which you can make calls.

Preliminary preparation

As you know, IP telephony works over the Internet and is appreciated for its convenience and cheapness (if you are going to make calls abroad), because you pay only for Internet traffic, and not for the conversation itself: but if you have unlimited tariff, then the calls are essentially free. Based on this, the conclusion: in order for you to make calls, firstly, you must have Internet access configured.

The second step is how to set up Wi-Fi telephony on Android: we mean that you can communicate with friends or family via Wi-Fi for free only if you have the same program installed.

Calling applications

So, we want to show you a couple of popular applications through which you can make Wi-Fi calls.

Skype

The first is the well-known Skype. If someone used it on a computer, then they can simply transfer their account to mobile app with all contacts and history of calls and correspondence. If you first encountered such a name, then below we will explain how to start using Skype and make your first call.

Download and install the application on your phone / tablet.
Start it up.
If you have a Microsoft account (email and password), then you can easily log in without any registration, the same applies to account Skype, if the program is on a PC. If you are a new user, then click "Create ..." at the bottom of the display.

The next window will be a warning that this application will not replace full-fledged telephony. Click Continue.

In the third window, you will need to enter your name in the appropriate fields, come up with a login (nіckname), password and enter the mail to which you want to link your account. Then click the round "Next" arrow button.

After that, you will be logged into the account you created. The next step is to add the people you want to chat with. Remember that they, just like you, must have Skype installed and be registered in it. In the main window, click the "Functions" button at the bottom right.

In the pop-up menu, tap on the "Add people" line.

The next window will display the found contacts from your phone book, which also have Skype installed: each of them can be added by tapping on the avatar. If suddenly the person you need is not in your contacts, you need to enter his login at the top in the search window.

After entering a nickname, all contacts with this login will be displayed, by photo or country, find the desired subscriber and select him.

After that, you need to select the "Add to contacts" button to send a request to add to friends: now the user will receive a message that you want to add him, to which he must give his consent.

After you have added the necessary people, in the "Contacts" window you can call all people with the "Online" status. Tap on the required name.
To make an audio call, you need to tap on the handset icon, and then select "Call a Skype subscriber".

To make a call with a video, tap on the camera icon at the bottom left. Then you will hear the familiar beeps.

As you can see, the first launch will take some time, but it will be worth it. From what has not yet been said, we would like to mention that it is possible to be "Online" not only through Wi-Fi, but also through the mobile Internet. In addition to calls, you can exchange text messages and transfer files of any extension, from document to video clip or archive.

Vіber

The second program is still less popular, it is called Viber: unlike Skype, it was originally created immediately for mobile devices, and only later a version for PC appeared. Vіber is only slightly different from Skype in terms of functionality, but many users liked it more because of the juicy interface and the fact that it does not require registration, but only works with a phone number. How to start using the program, see below:

Download, install and run it on your smartphone.

At the first launch, the application will tell you about its functions, click "Continue".

In the next window, the program will ask for access to phone book: We advise you to accept this in order to facilitate further settings.
Next, you will need to enter your phone number and click "Continue".

April 2018 was marked by a pleasant innovation for MTS subscribers, thanks to which it became possible to make calls via Wi-Fi networks. And today in our article we will consider information about possible options using the new offer, and also talk about who it is available to.

Calls over the Internet using VoLTE technology on MTS

This technology allows you to make voice calls over 4G / LTE networks, in which the sound quality is at the HD level. In addition, such calls can be made in conjunction with the use of mobile internet... This means that you can, for example, conduct a conversation on speakerphone or through a headset, while surfing the net, launching videos or audio recordings in various online services. Another advantage of the technology is almost instant dialing, even faster than in today's popular instant messengers.

The option of making calls via VoLTE to MTS is available for use on all modern sim cards, and Internet traffic when making calls is not consumed from the prepaid quota.

The disadvantages of the technology are, perhaps, only the following points:

Inability to use the service in international roaming;
Temporary work of the service only on the territory of the capital and the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, Voronezh and their regions (the zone is constantly expanding);
Outgoing calls are provided for a fee (according to the tariffication conditions of the tariff plan used);
The service is only available on relatively new devices, starting with Samsung S7, iPhone6 / SE and newer.

How to connect or disconnect VoLTE on MTS

USSD combination *111*6# connects VoLTE calls;
Combination *111*6*01# disables;

Calls over the Internet via Wi-Fi Calling on MTS

The Wi-Fi Calling service allows MTS subscribers to make calls via Wi-Fi networks even if there is no coverage of the operator's network. It is noteworthy that for this you do not need to install any applications analogous to instant messengers, and the service works even abroad.

To make a call using Wi-Fi technologies Calling subscribers need to do the following:

Activate the Wi-Fi Calling service in the smartphone (for example, on the iPhone, this is done as follows: "Settings"> "Phone"> "Calls over Wi-Fi").
Connect to any Wi-Fi network (whether home router, or a guest network in a hotel, cafe, train station, airport).
Check the activity of the Wi-Fi Calling icon, and then make a call the way you are used to doing it through cellular networks (that is, absolutely normal).

Outgoing calls within the Wi-Fi Calling service are charged according to the standard conditions of the tariff plan used. Incoming calls are available free of charge.

As for connecting the service, the activation / deactivation procedure is performed using the same commands as in the case of VoLTE ( *111*6# and *111*6*01# to enable and disable respectively).

Application "MTS Connect"

The third option for the service of making calls to MTS via the Internet implies the need to use special application MTS Connect. The application is almost a complete analogue of today's popular instant messengers. Its functionality includes the following main features:

Text correspondence tete-a-tete and in group chats;
Making calls via the Internet;
Sending files;
Geo-position exchange;
Setting statuses, avatars and photos;
The ability to use international roaming.

You can download the corresponding version of the application today for iOS and Android devices using the following links:

For iPhone (works on iOS 8.0 and above);
For Android devices (runs on Android 4.0 and above).

Cost of calls through "MTS Connect"

Outgoing calls to MTS numbers from any country in the world at all tariffs are free and unlimited. If you have a tariff with packages of minutes, then calls through "MTS Connect" do not spend this limit.
Incoming calls are free and unlimited at all tariffs.
Outgoing calls to numbers of other operators are subject to the terms of the tariff for calls to home region(there is no extra charge for roaming).

Regions where calls are available through "MTS Connect"

Actual information. Updated March 15, 2019

Moscow and the Moscow region;
Abakan and rep. Khakassia;
Arkhangelsk and Arkhangelsk region;
Bryansk and the region;
Vladivostok and Primorsky Territory;
Vladikavkaz and rep. North Ossetia;
Voronezh and the region;
Kaluga and Kaluga region;
Kostroma and region;
Krasnoyarsk and Krasnoyarsk Territory;
Kyzyl and Rep. Tyva;
Makhachkala and rep. Dagestan;
Murmansk and the region;
Naryan-Mar and Nenets Autonomous District;
Omsk and Omsk region;
Stavropol and Stavropol Territory;
Syktyvkar and rep. Komi;
Tver and region;
Maykop and rep. Adygea;
Ufa and rep. Bashkiria;
Yaroslavl and Yaroslavl region;

The cost of using traffic when making calls through "MTS Connect"

On tariff "X" ("X", formerly "Hype") or with the enabled "VNets" option - traffic for calls to the Russian Federation and abroad is free and does not consume the package in the tariff;
On others tariff plans when making calls to Russia, the traffic is not charged and not consumed; when calling when the subscriber is abroad, the traffic is paid, according to roaming rates for each country.

It is recommended to make calls via MTS Connect while abroad via Wi-Fi networks.

Eventually

Summarizing the considered information about calls via the Internet from MTS, it can be emphasized that the operator does not stand still, and tries to quickly pick up all modern trends in technology, and this is commendable. However, in a specific case, speaking about making calls via the Internet, neither VoLTE, nor Wi-Fi Calling, nor, moreover, MTS Connect, cannot be called full-fledged competitors such messengers as Viber, WhatsApp and Telegram. Especially if it comes on the need to make calls while staying outside Russia.

Therefore, before starting to use the new offers from MTS, I recommend that you carefully weigh the pros and cons in order to understand how rational such services are in your particular case.

The "Wi-Fi Calling" function (calls over Wi-Fi) was first introduced back in iOS 8. However, in Russia this technology has only recently started working. The first operator to declare full support for this option was MTS. Let's take a closer look at what this function is.

What is Wi-Fi Calling

This is a technology that allows you to make calls even if there is minimal or no cellular coverage. The call is made using the operator's network, Wi-Fi plays a role in this base station.

But you can also make calls via Skype, what's the point of this technology?

The call is made as a regular phone call using your number. Accordingly, the interlocutor does not need the Internet to communicate with you. This is the main difference.

Which iPhone models are supported

Which operators are supported

To date, only MTS has acquired direct support. So far, such calls can only be made in Moscow and in the Moscow region. In the future, it is planned to expand the geography of the service provided.

Is it more expensive than regular calls

The cost does not change and is charged according to home rate even when making calls in another country.

How to enable this feature

We go to "Settings".
We find "Calls over Wi-Fi". This item will be unavailable for unsupported operators.
We activate the slider.

After that, all calls will be made using the current Wi-Fi network.

For a number of objective reasons, Internet calls are becoming more and more popular all over the world. At the same time, the quality of communication is constantly growing, and the final price of a conversation is usually significantly lower than when calling by cellular network, or absent altogether.

In contact with

Of course, the distribution of distribution points mainly affects the development of IP telephony. free internet via Wi-Fi. For example, while abroad, you can make calls from a hotel without roaming charges, or contact the required subscribers from a subway car in a tunnel where cellular communication is simply not available.

One of the main Wi-Fi problems calls previously there was a need for the presence of appropriate clients on the devices of both subscribers. That is, in order to contact via Skype, for example, both users had to install the appropriate application on their smartphone (or deposit money into their Skype account and make paid calls to regular phone numbers). Now everything is a little simpler.

Function allows you to exercise and accept phone calls even in places with minimal or no cellular coverage. To use this feature, you need an iPhone 5s or later.

Currently the only operator fully supporting at the hardware level, is "MTS" (how to set up, see below).

In the case of MegaFon, Tele2 and SberMobile, to make calls over the Internet, you will need to install a special operator application (links below), but Beeline users still have to be content with third-party solutions, such as: Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp, Skype and other VoIP clients.

How to enable Wi-Fi Calling with iPhone

First, you need to enable support for Wi-Fi calls by going to "Settings" → "Telephone" → ... If your operator supports this function, it can be activated, after which the following message will appear in the status bar immediately after the operator's name "Wi-Fi".

To call services emergency you may need to additionally provide or verify your address. Typically, the iPhone uses to emergency calls cellular communication however, if it is not available, calls will be transmitted over Wi-Fi. In doing so, the device can reveal your location even if location services are turned off.

How to make and receive Wi-Fi calls on other devices

You can also make and receive calls over Wi-Fi from others connected to iCloud devices even when iPhone is turned off or connected to a different Wi-Fi network. This function can be used on the following devices: iPad and iPod touch running iOS 9 or later, Apple Watch running watchOS 2 or later, Mac computer OS X El Capitan (not available on computer models, including Mac Pros manufactured before 2012).

In order to make a call via Wi-Fi from using iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch or Mac, the user needs:

1. Add a device to use the function in the iPhone.

2. Open the FaceTime app.

3. Select "Audio".

4. Enter a contact or phone number and then tap the handset icon.

5. In addition, this function can be used by clicking on the phone number in the programs "Contacts", "Mail", "Messages", Safari etc.