Roaming abroad from Megafon - overview of options and services

The first mobile phones appeared in the USA in the 1970s, but in the Russian Federation the history of cell phones began only in the nineties. Back then, mobile phones could only make calls within one region, but now everything has changed. Using a mobile phone you can make calls not only within Russia, but also abroad. To do this, telephone companies create roaming.

Description of international roaming capabilities

If we explain in simple words what roaming is, we can say that roaming is the ability to use cellular communications in all regions, and not just in your home. If the user activates roaming, then during the trip he is not separated from the world and remains a full part of it. A person can use the Internet, call and write SMS messages just like in his hometown. Roaming will cost more than regular cellular service, but it's worth it. Each telephone company has certain types of roaming. Megafon also has this. Megafon attracts its customers by the fact that calls in roaming are often cheaper than on the tariff in the home region.

Contacting the operator and replenishing the balance

If you don’t know why Megafon doesn’t work in roaming, let’s look at how to contact support for all questions:

• When traveling around the country - 8 800 5500 500;
• Traveling around the world.

Calls will be free.

Now let’s figure out how to check Megafon’s balance while roaming. Several methods are available to users:

• Dial the command *105*1#;
• Open your personal account - the data will be displayed on the main page of the application; By the way, you can find an article on how to log into your Megafon personal account at the link provided.
• Use the combination *100#.

Please note that there may be a delay in updating your account status when traveling domestically/globally. The distribution period for withdrawing money from the account is up to 30 days.

Goodbye roaming

The first service from a large list is the Megafon Goodbye roaming service. She has the following characteristics:

• The cost of roaming is about 350 rubles;
• Outgoing and incoming calls cost the same as in your home region;
• SMS and MMS cost the same as at home;
• Internet traffic is provided on the terms of the home region, but it should not be more than 1 GB;
• The option is active in many countries in Europe and the CIS, including Western European countries, Eastern Europe led by Hungary, Scandinavian countries and the Baltic countries;
• Connection and disconnection are free

Call options

I don’t want to be left without mobile communications outside my home state. The cost of outgoing and incoming calls directly depends on the basic conditions of international roaming and the established tariff plan. The company offers significant savings and includes optimization services.

The whole world

The option allows you to communicate for free. All incoming calls are not subject to tariffs from the first minute. Let's look at the characteristics of the service:

1. To use the function, a subscription fee of 99 rubles per day is charged. Payments are debited automatically at the beginning of each new billing period. If at the time of payment there is not enough money on the balance, the work is blocked by the provider until the specified amount is paid.
2. There is no fee for connection.
3. The consumer is given forty free minutes every day for incoming calls from all directions. After the limit is fully consumed, charging is carried out according to standard roaming conditions. Unspent balances are not carried over to the next billing period and are automatically burned.
4. Other communication services are calculated at the base rates of the foreign country.
5. The option can only be activated once during the day.
6. The service is incompatible with the Around the World service.
7. Cannot work simultaneously with other optimizing offers in international roaming.

To make a connection, select one of the methods:

1. Log in to your personal account. Find the option you need and run it.
2. Enter USSD code *131*1#.
3. Write a message with the text “YES” to contact “0500978”.

Disabling occurs using the combination *131# or sending SMS “STOP” to “0500978”.

Around the world

The service provides favorable tariffs for calls and SMS sending. Characteristics:

1. Activation costs 15 rubles.
2. A subscription fee of 9 rubles per day is charged for work. If the required amount is not available, the option is suspended by the operator until the personal account is replenished.
3. Single price for incoming and outgoing calls in all directions, within the country and to Russia, in Europe and the CIS countries:

• calls – 13 rub. per minute of conversation;
• SMS to any phone number 11 rub.

1. Asia, North Africa and USA:

• calls – 19 rubles;
• messages – 14 rub.

1. All other states and China:

• voice communication – 43 rubles;
• SMS – 14 rub.

1. The option from Megafon does not work with other similar savings offers in international mode and with the Around the World contract.
2. Discount conditions do not apply to call forwarding.
3. Compatible with call back function.

To install, select one of the methods:

1. Through your Megafon personal account or mobile application.
2. Dial the code sequence *105*708#.
3. Send a request via SMS with the text “YES” to “000105708”.

To disable this service, enter the code *105*708*0# or write a letter “STOP” to the same service contact.

Roaming goodbye

The offer allows you to use communications around the world without restrictions, at home prices. Let's consider the features of the provision:

1. Subscription fee 299 rubles per day.

2. Outgoing calls to the territory of Russia and all incoming calls are charged according to the home conditions of the established tariff plan.
3. Mobile Internet and options apply according to the standard conditions of the native region.
4. If you change location or state, the service continues to work actively.
5. Voice communication within the location and to other countries – 89 rubles. in a minute.
6. You can activate the offer only once a day.
7. If a tariff plan without traffic packages is installed, then the Internet is provided according to.
8. Does not apply while traveling on liners or ships via satellite communications.

To activate the offer, enter the USSD command *171# or send SMS “YES” to “05001382”. Or install it in your personal account environment. When returning home, do not forget to deactivate it using the code *171# or text “STOP” to the same number.

The service is provided in the following countries:

Minute packages

You can save a lot if you subscribe to minute packages of certain sizes while roaming. The table shows possible variations and their costs:

The option is limited to 30 days. Packages are valid only in international roaming conditions. Minutes are spent on all incoming and outgoing voice communication in all directions. If you do not have time to use up the volume of the kit in a month, the remaining balance will automatically burn out and will not be transferred to the next billing period. When the limit is fully consumed, charging is carried out according to the standard conditions of the roaming tariff plan. Activation and deactivation occurs only in the personal account service or with the help of Megafon employees.

Abkhazia feels like home

Option with a fixed subscription fee of 30 rubles per day, which is automatically withdrawn from the account. If there are insufficient funds, work is suspended until full payment is made. Activation costs 30 rubles. The provider limits its coverage area to the Republic of Abkhazia. All outgoing and incoming connections, SMS and mobile Internet are charged at home prices.

If other international roaming services are connected, priority takes place. To install, choose any method:

1. Enter code *541#.
2. Send an SMS message to “05001149” with the text “YES”.
3. Use your personal account on the provider’s official resource.

Just a note! When you return home, do not forget to deactivate the option.

To disable the service on Megafon, send SMS “STOP” to the same contact or dial the sequence of numbers *541#.

Expanded international roaming

Standard roaming conditions apply only to 152 countries. If you decide to go on a trip to an exotic part of the planet, do not forget to activate this option. It will allow active use of mobile communications in the following countries:

Without activating the service, voice communication and correspondence are impossible, because billing here is carried out with a delay of 30 days. The service is compatible with all tariffs, except for mobile Internet offers. The cost of connection is zero rubles, there is no subscription fee at all. To activate and deactivate, you will need to visit a Megafon sales and customer service salon.

The whole world

Megafon also offers its subscribers another roaming service - Megafon whole world. The cost of the service varies slightly depending on the subscriber’s place of residence, but its average price is about 100 rubles.

Also, roaming megaphone the whole world has the following characteristics:

• The first 40 minutes of incoming calls are completely free, from 41 minutes the price of calls will be calculated according to the conditions of the host country.
• Outgoing calls, SMS and mms, Internet traffic will cost as much as such communication services cost in the host country.
• This roaming can be activated all over the world.
• You can enable this option once a day.
• Connecting and deactivating roaming is absolutely free.
• The subscription fee is charged daily.
• The service is not compatible with all Megafon tariffs.

If a person does not want to connect any permanent service to his number, then he can buy a certain package of minutes.

Useful services

Here are some useful services from the operator that make Megafon roaming easier around the country and the world.

MegaTraveller

The service was created to help users when traveling. You will be able to see the price of services, connect or disconnect them, and learn about operator promotions.

Free to use. You can use it like this:

• Dial *139#;
• A menu with sections will open.

Back call

If this option is supported, the outgoing call will be interrupted, after which the system itself will contact the contact and connect you to the subscriber if the call is successful.

You can use it like this:

• Dial 0500 is free.

Or like this:

• The service will automatically turn on for international calls when using the “Business Travel” and “Around the World” tariffs.

Package of minutes Europe and CIS

There are several types of minutes package:

• Package for 25 minutes of calls to European and CIS countries. With this option, all incoming calls during the first 25 minutes of the call will cost the subscriber nothing. This option also includes free outgoing calls to Russia and Belarus, but calls abroad will cost 150 rubles. Outgoing SMS and Internet are not included in this option. You can connect a megaphone for 25 minutes in Europe and the CIS for 350 rubles.
• Package for 50 minutes of calls to Europe and the CIS. The first 50 minutes of incoming calls will be free, and starting from the 51st minute the subscriber will be forced to pay 89 rubles. The first 50 minutes of outgoing calls to Russia and Belarus are free, and calls to other countries are paid from the first minute. Outgoing SMS costs 30 rubles per message, and for Internet traffic you need to pay an additional 300 rubles per day. The cost of connecting to the service is 550 rubles.

How to save on calls

Voice calls are the type of cellular communication that consumes the largest amount of money on the subscriber’s balance when roaming. However, there is one small trick that will save the user.

To do this, the “All Russia” function is connected to the tariff plan. This option gives the user the opportunity to use Internet traffic according to the tariff plan package. All that remains is to download any messenger convenient for the client and make calls through this application.

All that remains is to compare the price of 10 rubles for communication per day or the same amount plus 3 additional rubles for every minute - the choice is obvious.

Expanded international roaming

If a Megafon subscriber wants to travel to an exotic country such as Botswana, Brunei, China or Iran, then it is best for him to use the extended international roaming service. This is necessary because in these countries there are no Megafon partners and automatic switching to their services is simply impossible. Megafon extended international roaming is connected absolutely free, but this can only be done at the Megafon office with a passport. Users of all tariffs can activate international roaming, except those that work only with the Internet without cellular communications.

The Megafon company has not forgotten about tourists who prefer old, proven countries to exotic ones. One of such countries is Abkhazia.

How to reduce the cost of sending messages

If the subscriber is used to using SMS correspondence for communication, but there is no need to talk on the phone, you can use:

1. " 50 SMS All over the world ." The cost of connecting to the package 495 rubles for 30 days. After using up the package, the next message will cost the roaming price, that is, 25 rubles.
2. " 100 SMS The whole world ." The cost of this package is estimated by the operator at 695 rubles, and the validity period is 30 days. The next 101 messages will also cost more ( 25 rubles).

Abkhazia feels like home

Abkhazia is located next to Sochi and very often people go there for a short period of time. Naturally, for 2-3 days they don’t want to buy and connect a new SIM card. For the convenience of its subscribers, the company created a megaphone. This service allows Megafon subscribers to use calls, SMS and the Internet under the terms of their home tariff. There will be no roaming for Megafon users in Abkhazia.

Currently, the most important thing for subscribers is not calls, but the Internet with its social networks and other opportunities. Therefore, in order to have good Internet during the trip, a tariff was created that expands the World service. The new tariff is called “The Whole World”.

List of countries where the service is available

Often on television or on the Internet they show advertisements for mobile networks that offer various services, for example, from the Megafon roaming company in China. However, you can only trust information from official sources, as well as on the operator’s website. Each state has its own price for mobile services. In the search you need to indicate the direction of travel. There, in addition to the cost of communication, you can find a list of available packages, discounts that guarantee a favorable cost of communication abroad, as well as methods for connecting them.

We reduce the cost of Internet abroad with the “World Online” option

The “World Online” option allows Megafon subscribers to use unlimited Internet while roaming in 78 countries around the world. When connecting, nothing will be debited from the subscriber’s account; money will be debited daily and 650 rubles will be debited. The validity period of this option is unlimited; you can enable or disable it at any time. World Online does not work with all tariffs and a device with this option cannot be used as a router. But if this option is connected to a mobile phone, then you can use all types of networks - 3g and 4g (LTE).

Also available with per minute pricing. This service exists in two versions:

• 25 minutes;
• 50 minutes.

“World” differs from the “Package of minutes Europe and CIS” option in that, in addition to the usual Russia and Belarus, Thailand is also added to the list of countries. To connect to the world online for 25 minutes, you need to pay 900 rubles one-time.

World 50 minutes costs 1,500 rubles and, apart from the presence of Thailand in the list of countries, is no different from the regular 50 minute package.

Useful Megafon tariff settings for those traveling abroad

Very often, for vacationers outside the country, replenishing the balance of their phone becomes a big problem. To prevent this from happening to you, we recommend that you turn to these and “Autopayment” from Megafon. Thanks to them, your phone will always stay in touch and you can contact your loved ones at any time without worrying about your balance going into minus.

Auto payment:

USSD request to enable auto payment.

SMS request for connection.

There are special commands to monitor the account status, but checking their balance each time takes some time. But why waste it on empty activities when you can spend it on sightseeing or other more pleasant moments.

Having connected from Megaphone, the system will automatically monitor it and provide information on the gadget’s display.

Description of roaming on the official Megafon website.

“Megafellow” option from Megafon will help you get all the information about mobile communications in the region where you are going . Her responsibilities include providing information on the cost of roaming services in the local region, how to top up the phone or check the account balance.

Also pay attention to the “Call Back” when communicating with the operator’s hotline, since it is designed specifically for cases such as roaming, where every minute is worth its weight in gold.

Description posted on the Megafon website.

Useful video:

Methods for connecting and disabling the Megafon roaming service abroad

Connecting and disconnecting international roaming megaphone occurs after dialing certain numbers. The numbers differ from each other, depending on which service is connected. But the main methods do not change, there are two of them:

• Through your personal account on the company’s website or application;

• Come personally to the megaphone communication salon and ask the consultant to do this.

How to disable

After returning home, you must disable the national or international roaming service from Megafon. This will allow you to save money by not paying for unnecessary packages. Several ways to decontaminate it:

• Application of a service function. Dial a specific number, after which the selected option will be disabled;
• Online Vacation Offer;
• Use personal account management on the company’s official website;
• Ask the operator directly;
• Send an SMS notification with the word stop to the number that was used for activation.

It will not be possible to list all the ways to disable roaming from Megafon for each service in one article, but below you will find a list of USSD commands for disabling the most popular options. It works the same way as connecting: dial the combination and click “Call”.

Across Russia

• Make yourself at home - *570#
• All Russia — *548*0#
• Travel without worries — *186*0#
• It’s like home in Moscow - *105*353*0#
• Everywhere Moscow - *105*167*0#
• Crimea — *105*1037*2#

Abroad

• It’s like home in Abkhazia - *541#
• Whole world - *131*0#
• Around the world — *105*708*0#
• Vacation online - *501*0#
• Unlimited Italy — *105*1144#
• There is no need to disable minute packages and SMS packages, the fee is one-time.

If clients have questions about changing tariffs, connecting or disconnecting them, they can always contact the main office directly. It does not matter where the subscriber lives at the current time. To call the main service center megafon, which is located in Moscow, dial +79261110500 . The employee will be able to fully answer the task and competently advise on all the organization’s products. Any user is provided with a free call, regardless of location. In addition to calling, it is possible to visit the Megafon office in person in each region completely free of charge.

Compare and choose the best international fare

Megafon tries to attract as many clients as possible to its company, so many options are created. All these options offer the opportunity to use the Internet from a megaphone abroad.

Thus, we can draw the following conclusions about the roaming of the Megafon company. A megaphone with Internet abroad can work with a variety of options and services. The main ones are:

• Goodbye roaming;
• Package whole world;
• Package of 25 and 40 minutes separately with European countries and separately with Thailand;
• Expanded international roaming;
• World online;
• A separate reduction in communication fees in Abkhazia.

Internet is provided only on one tariff, “World Online,” because only on it the price for Internet is fixed. The rest of the tariffs calculate the Internet at the prices of the host country. You can also read the article about the cancellation of roaming in Russia from MegaFon, except for Crimea.

Favorable rates for calls when traveling around Russia

When choosing a tariff plan, users who constantly move around Russia are better off choosing those options that do not have regional roaming within the country. Let's take a closer look at the offers from the mobile operator MegaFon.

The most profitable tariff plans for traveling across Russia are the “Turn On!” tariff line.

List of all offers from the telecommunications company MegaFon with no roaming within the country:

All of the above tariff plans work throughout the Russian Federation, consuming monthly traffic, and do not involve the use of roaming. Therefore, the user can independently decide which tariff is suitable for him.

Turkish SIM cards: offers for tourists

There are 3 main mobile operators (MNOs) in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telecom

(formerly called Avea, and some shops still have this sign).

• Communications in Turkey are provided in packages of 27-30 days.
• If you do not use the card for six months, it will be deactivated.
• All SIM cards are sold only with a passport (in the case of tourists - with a foreign country) in order to conclude an agreement with the compulsory medical insurance.
• You can buy a SIM card in the operator’s official store, in shopping centers and small shops, and at the airport.
• Often the final purchase price consists of: the price of a SIM card + the price of a tariff package. Then you simply top up your account on the card.
• It is cheapest to buy a card at an official representative office, but they may refuse you some tariffs (which are “only for Turks”).
• It will be more expensive in shops, because each seller charges as much as he sees fit “for services.” But he can cheat and draw up the contract for himself, thus giving you access to all tariffs.

Turkcell

The main cellular operator in Turkey is Turkcell. It has the largest coverage in the country. A basic SIM card costs 50 liras (about 520 rubles). The minimum package is 27 liras (about 280 rubles), which includes 500 minutes within Turkey, 1000 SMS and 2 GB of mobile Internet. On Turkcell you can activate additional packages specifically for the Internet:

• 1 GB per month for 12 liras (about 130 rubles);
• 4 GB per month for 44 liras (about 470 rubles);
• 8 GB per month for 69 liras (about 730 rubles).

You can familiarize yourself with the tariffs in advance here https://www.turkcell.com.tr/russian-support (official Turkcell website with Russian support) or here https://turkcellrussia.ru/#tr (special tariffs for Russian tourists).

Vodafone

The second largest compulsory health insurance company is Vodafone. A basic SIM card will cost 70 liras (about 740 rubles), with 50 liras already on your balance. The operator offers a large number of packages with mobile Internet:

• 1 GB for a week for 10 liras (about 110 rubles);
• 1 GB per month for 16 liras (about 170 rubles);
• 2 GB per month for 22 liras (about 230 rubles);
• 4 GB per month for 40 liras (about 420 rubles);
• 6 GB per month for 50 liras (about 530 rubles);
• 12 GB for three months for 80 liras (about 850 rubles).

Also, for an additional fee (7-9 liras per month), you can activate the Vodafone Passes service, which allows you to unlimitedly use social networks (at certain times): Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. For 10 liras per week you can get unlimited on Youtube. The operator also offers special travel packages “Vodafone Holiday Lane” for 105 liras (about 1,100 rubles): 300 minutes of calls within Turkey or 30 minutes of international calls, and a package for 6 or 12 GB of Internet for an additional fee.

But with Vodafone you need to keep in mind that many tariffs have restrictions: only up to a certain age, usually up to 26 years, or only for Turkish citizens. You can see more details here: https://www.vodafone.com.tr/Tarifeler/tarifeler.php?filter=onlineaozel, alas, there is no Russian support.

Turk Telecom

And the third of the main operators in Turkey is Turk Telecom (formerly called “Avea”). His coverage is good, as he rents the towers of the operators listed above. A basic SIM card costs 70 liras (about 740 rubles), but you already have 20 liras and 4 GB of mobile Internet on your balance. Additionally you can activate:

• 1 GB for a week - 9 liras (about 95 rubles);
• 10 GB for a week - 25 liras (about 260 rubles);
• 1 GB per month - 19 liras (about 200 rubles);
• There are also other packages for 2-5 and 10 GB, the price of the most expensive is 59 liras (about 620 rubles).

You can read more about tariffs on the official website https://bireysel.turktelekom.com.tr/mobil/web/internet/sayfalar/genel.aspx?kampanya=66, there is no Russian support.

One important point!

Turkey has a CEIR system that monitors connections to cellular operators. That is, upon activation, each Turkish OPS SIM card is entered into the CEIR database. The model and all data about your phone are linked to the SIM card number!

• If the device was purchased in Turkey, when purchasing a SIM card you simply show a receipt indicating that the state duty has been paid.
• If you brought your phone from the Russian Federation, then you need to register it and pay tax (at the beginning of 2021 it was announced that the tax would rise to 1838 Turkish lira, which is almost 20,000 rubles!).
• It makes no sense to pay such an amount for 10 days of rest, so tourists don’t pay it, BUT!
• If the tax is not paid within 120 days, your device will be disconnected from the network forever. You will be able to use your smartphone to access the Internet only via Wi-Fi. In any other country except Turkey, your phone will work as before.

Which exit? If you travel to Turkey no more than once a year, buy a new SIM card each time. If the breaks between your trips are less than 120 days, and you don’t want to change your Turkish phone number every time, buy a smartphone directly in Turkey (tax is already included in the price) and use this device specifically for your stay in this country.