"Multifon" from "Megafon" and its analogues from other operators

To organize the successful operation of a company, one of the last things you need to think about is organizing communications. It should be reliable, inexpensive, provide many opportunities, optimizing the company's work. Below we will talk about one of the types – IP telephony. To a greater extent, this service will be useful to business , although individuals will also be able to use it, albeit in a limited form.

Features of MegaFon IP telephony

IP telephony from MegaFon is presented. It is aimed at business clients and allows you to instantly install telephones at workstations connected to the Internet. Its features:

• Provided without additional subscription fee - this is a simple telephony designed to replace a more expensive landline telephone, provided with a mandatory subscription fee and implying the high cost of calls outside the city. The absence of a monthly fee will allow workplaces to be provided with telephones at minimal cost;
• Honest per-minute billing for calls in all directions - no packages or other subtleties that confuse billing. The scheme is simple - as much as they said, they paid so much;
• Single account for multiple outgoing lines. By default, subscribers have access to two lines, but using the USSD command *137# their number can be increased to 20. The balance for all lines is common, which allows you to make several outgoing calls at once;
• If any configured equipment is used for outgoing calls, then incoming calls are accepted by default to the GSM phone. It is also possible to configure the reception of incoming messages only to connected SIP equipment or to all devices at once.

Both individuals and legal entities can use IP telephony, regardless of the service region. Commands for connecting and disabling the service will be given later in our review. In the meantime, we will tell you about the additional services provided within the framework of MultiFon Business.

Analogue of “Multifon” from MTS

The MTS operator also has an analogue to the Multifon service - MTS Connect. In this case, the functionalities are almost identical.

• It is enough to install the MTS Connect application;
• From the application you can call from abroad at the same prices as in Russia if you connect to Wi-Fi;
• Internet traffic when using the application is not charged (free).

It is important that MTS Connect allows you to receive a call from any phone - be it a modern gadget with an installed application or your grandmother’s old landline phone.

You can also call not only those who have the MTS Connect application, but to any cell or landline number in the world. Due to this, the reception area of ​​your phone expands: they can call your mobile phone even to a point where there is no cellular network, but there is Wi-Fi - for example, you can easily receive calls in a cafe that previously had a poor network signal, or on the subway.

For a subscriber who does not have the MTS Connect application installed, a call from the application will look like your regular call from a mobile phone.

In addition, the application supports all standard messenger functions: statuses, avatars, location sharing, transferring any files, group chats, voice calls over the Internet.

Calls from any phone can be received in several ways: always in the application or only when connected to wi-fi. Or set up receiving calls exclusively via GSM.

To start using the MTS Connect service, you need to dial the USSD code *111*6# - the “Internet calls” service will be activated, which also includes VolTE and Wi-fi calling technologies. You can disable the service using the command *111*6*01# or in your personal account on the operator’s website.

Important!

When using calls through the application, intranet communication is completely free - no package minutes are consumed, and no time-based charges are charged.

MegaFon services

"MultiFon Business" is the simplest IP telephony without many business functions inherent in virtual PBXs. But there is still some useful functionality here. Let's study it in more detail.

Intercom

Calls within the service to SIP ID numbers are free. Each subscriber is assigned a SIP ID of the form “[email protected]”; calls between them are not charged. Thanks to this, you can establish free communication within the office and even between branches. Please note that calls to mobile numbers associated with these SIP IDs are charged as calls to a mobile phone.

Additional numbers

When calling clients, you can use an additional number - landline or mobile. It is possible to connect a number in 8-800 format. It is recommended for use in small and large companies, as it significantly improves the image. Having an 8-800 number is perceived by clients as an advantage and increases trust. Set it to outgoing so that it is visible to every person receiving the call.

The 8-800 number is paid according to a separate price list with tariffs for all incoming calls. For subscribers, calls to 8-800 are free.

Multichannel numbers

Using a regular mobile phone, it is impossible to work with more than one client - there is only one outgoing line. There are two incoming lines, but they do not work at the same time. IP telephony from Megafon easily solves this problem - with its help you can receive and make up to 60 calls simultaneously. Organize a full-fledged call center without a virtual PBX and receive positive feedback from clients. At the same time, office employees will be able to make dozens of simultaneous outgoing calls.

Equipment used

To work with IP telephony, you can use any equipment:

• IP phones of any model - they allow you to make calls without using a computer. MegaFon supports IP handsets from dozens of manufacturers. If you have any problems with the settings, contact technical support - contact details will be listed below. IP phones with cordless handsets are especially convenient. Headsets can also be connected to them, which is very convenient when there is a large flow of calls from clients;
• Softphones (softphones) - the practice of real users suggests that IP telephony from the MegaFon operator works successfully with almost any application, including for mobile platforms. Built-in IP telephony is also supported in smartphones with Android operating system version 4.0 and higher;
• VoIP gateways of any model - classic landline phones, including those with cordless handsets, can be connected to them. For this purpose, the gateways are equipped with the appropriate FXS ports;
• IP-PBX is an opportunity to connect mobile communications and office telephony together to expand capabilities.

To configure the equipment, use the online configurator on the MegaFon website. Select the device type and manufacturer's name, and receive a file with instructions for subsequent setup.

“Multiphone” - what is it?

The Multifon mobile application allows Megafon subscribers to make and receive calls within the application from any numbers, including international ones. At the same time, communication occurs through digital channels, which allows you to save on communication - only Internet traffic is wasted.

It would seem that such a service was invented a long time ago: take, for example, Skype. The key difference between Multifon is that calls are made from your own MegaFon number, and money is also debited from a single account. There is no need to create additional accounts or remember complex logins and passwords. With Multifon everything is much simpler.

In addition, in the case of Skype, it is necessary that both subscribers have the application installed. Even those who do not have this application installed will be able to receive a call from Multifon, regardless of the phone model they are using.

MegaFon tariffs

IP telephony from MegaFon is represented by a single tariff plan, the parameters of which are presented in table form:

Several options will help you reduce call prices:

Using options significantly reduces the cost of calls. Make a guaranteed payment and connect the selected option through your personal account. After the amount is written off, the above tariffication will be activated.

Feedback from our reader

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International calls are charged according to a separate price list. But the cost of calls is noticeably lower compared to traditional mobile communications.

Price

Megafon IP telephony connection is absolutely free! There is no additional charge for providing and connecting the service.

• You pay for communication services according to the rules of your tariff plan - only outgoing calls;
• Incoming calls are always free - this is another advantage of the technology.

There is another cool bonus of IP telephony. If you use the telephone only occasionally, in small quantities, you will not have to spend extra money! Only services rendered are paid for, that is, outgoing calls at the established rate.

Pros and cons of MegaFon

We have put the advantages and disadvantages of IP telephony from MegaFon into a separate block in the form of a table:

Analogue of “Multifon” for Beeline subscribers

An analogue of this digital service from Beeline can be considered the Veon application. Its main function is sending messages, multimedia, video, as well as voice calls via IP telephony channels.

Calls to external numbers, as in Multifon, are prohibited, just as you will not be able to receive calls to your cell number via an IP network.

This is a disadvantage of Veon, but there is also an advantage: traffic for Beeline subscribers within the application is free, that is, you can communicate without restrictions. But in essence, Veon from Beeline is no different from the familiar WhatsApp or Telegram.

Veon’s audience did not reach the leaders in the digital calling market, even taking into account free traffic. Even taking into account the fact that Veon is an international solution and was available in all countries where the Veon telecom group is present, this did not bring much popularity to the messenger. Therefore, it has been discontinued and the service is no longer available.

How to connect

Instructions for individuals - dial the USSD command *137#, send an arbitrary SMS to 1117, connect through the MegaFon Business portal or your personal account. Get a SIP ID and start setting up your hardware or software. If your password is lost, send a random SMS to 1117 or dial the USSD command *137# to receive a new password. Use similar tools to configure the mode for receiving incoming calls.

Instructions for legal entities - write an application for connecting IP telephony at one of MegaFon's offices. You need to have a power of attorney and documents with you. You can also submit a connection request on this page, indicating your phone number.

Signaling protocols used

The history of communications includes several different IP protocols (types of call service in IP telephony), here are some of them:

• H.323;
• MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol);
• H.248 (similar in purpose to the previous one);
• SIP (Session Establishment Protocol).

IP telephony on the UIS platform supports the SIP signaling protocol; today it is the most flexible, promising and most commonly used in the world for telephone conversations over the Internet.