The modern pace of life dictates its own conditions, and access to high-quality mobile service is becoming critically important anywhere. However, even in large cities, there are "dead zones" where Tele2's cellular network signal is virtually nonexistent, whether in underground office buildings, shopping center basements, or remote summer cottages with thick concrete walls. In such situations, technology comes to the rescue. Voice over Wi-Fi, which allows you to make voice calls over an Internet connection.
For Tele2 subscribers, this feature has become a real lifesaver, providing a stable connection where conventional antennas fail. Using Wi-Fi for calls not only improves audio quality but also often saves smartphone battery life, as the device doesn't have to constantly search for a lost base station signal. Furthermore, HD audio quality over Wi-Fi often surpasses standard 2G or 3G voice calls.
In this article, we'll cover in detail how to activate this feature on various devices, the requirements for the service to function properly, and how to resolve common connection issues. You'll learn how to check if your device supports the technology, whether you need to change your SIM card, and what to do if the activation button doesn't appear in the settings menu. Proper setup will ensure a reliable connection even in challenging signal conditions.
What is VoWiFi technology and how does it work at Tele2?
Technology Voice over Wi-Fi (often referred to as VoWiFi or Wi-Fi Calling) is a method of transmitting voice traffic over an internet protocol. Unlike popular messaging apps, which use their own servers and apps, VoWiFi is integrated directly into the standard phone module of a smartphone. This means you dial a number as usual through a dialer, and the call goes through Tele2's infrastructure, but is broadcast through a Wi-Fi hotspot rather than a nearby cell tower.
The principle of operation is to encrypt the voice stream and transmit it through a secure tunnel to the operator's gateways. This process is completely transparent to the user. The main advantage is that you can freely move between coverage areas during a call: if you leave your home where you have Wi-Fi and enter an area with strong Tele2 cellular coverage, the call will not be dropped but will automatically switch to the mobile network (provided that your device and operator support this feature).
⚠️ Please note: Call quality directly depends on the speed and stability of your internet connection. If your Wi-Fi network is overloaded with other devices downloading large amounts of data, call quality may deteriorate or echo may occur.
For the service to work, several conditions must be met simultaneously. Your smartphone must support the VoWiFi standard, your SIM card must be registered on a 4G/LTE network, and your operator settings must be configured correctly. Tele2 automatically detects if the mobile network is unavailable or its signal is weaker than Wi-Fi and reroutes the call over the internet if the feature is activated.
Equipment requirements and tariff conditions
Before setting up, make sure your hardware and data plan meet the necessary requirements. Not all smartphone models, even those released in recent years, have software support for VoWiFi on Russian carriers. This particularly applies to devices imported through parallel channels or released for foreign markets without the necessary localization.
The second important requirement is the SIM card type. Older SIM cards with large chips or those used for more than 5-7 years may not support the necessary encryption and authorization protocols in 4G networks. In such cases, the subscriber may need a free SIM card replacement at a mobile store or via Tele2 delivery. It is also important that the 4G/LTE service is active on the number.
The list of compatible devices is constantly expanding, but the basic list includes:
- 📱 Apple iPhone SE (2nd generation and later), iPhone 6s, and all subsequent versions (subject to updating to the latest iOS).
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy S, Note, A, and Z series devices (starting from approximately 2018-2019).
- 📱 Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones with global or Russian firmware (MIUI 12 and above).
- 📱 Flagship models of Huawei and Honor (before the sanctions and some new models with Google services).
It's worth noting that your tariff plan doesn't really matter when it comes to enabling this feature. Tele2 charges Wi-Fi calls based on your basic minute plan. If you have unlimited minutes to Russian numbers, Wi-Fi calls will be charged from that plan, or they will be free if you have an unlimited plan. There is no separate fee for using the technology.
Activation of the service on the operator's side
In most modern cases, the Wi-Fi Calling service on Tele2 is activated automatically the first time a compatible device connects to the network. The operator detects your smartphone model and, if it's on the "whitelist," sends the necessary configuration profiles. However, sometimes manual confirmation or updating of the network profile is required.
You can check your connection status through your subscriber account or the "My Tele2" mobile app. In the communication services section, you may see an option called "Wi-Fi Calling" or "VoWiFi." If you see a toggle there, make sure it's turned on. In some cases, briefly disabling and then re-enabling the service can help.
If automatic activation doesn't occur, you can use USSD commands or contact support. Sometimes you need to send a special request to update your network settings. For this, you can use the standard profile update code, which is valid for most of the Big Four operators.
*111*1005#After entering the command and pressing the call button, a message will appear on the screen indicating the settings have been successfully updated, or you will receive a confirmation SMS. After this, it is recommended to restart your smartphone for the new settings to apply correctly.
⚠️ Please note: Personal account interfaces and USSD codes are subject to change by the operator. If the command doesn't work, check the current code in the official "M My Tele2" app under "Help" or "Services."
Setting up VoWiFi on Android smartphones
The process for enabling this feature on Android devices may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and operating system version. Generally, the toggle is located in the mobile networks menu. Before beginning setup, make sure your smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
For Samsung devices the path usually looks like this: go to Settings → Connections → Mobile networkHere you should find the "Wi-Fi Calling" option. If it's not in this menu, try searching for "Wi-Fi" in your phone's settings. Once you activate the slider, a corresponding icon may appear in the status bar.
On Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones, the procedure is slightly different. You need to open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networksSelect your Tele2 SIM card (if you have two) and find "Wi-Fi Calling." On some MIUI versions, this option may be hidden in the "Advanced Settings" menu.
For other Android models (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) the sequence is often as follows:
- 🔹 Open the standard Phone app (dialer).
- 🔹 Click on the three dots in the corner or the menu button.
- 🔹 Select Settings → Calls → Wi-Fi Calling.
- 🔹 Activate the feature and select your preferred connection type (for example, "Prefer Wi-Fi").
It's important to set network priority correctly. If you select "Prefer mobile network," your phone will try to use cellular data even in weak signal conditions, ignoring Wi-Fi. For maximum performance in poor signal areas, it's best to select "Prefer Wi-Fi."
☑️ Setting up VoWiFi on Android
Enabling the feature on iPhone (iOS)
Apple smartphone owners are lucky to have a unified interface. Setting up Wi-Fi calling on an iPhone is quite simple, but it does require a few prerequisites. Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS, as carrier support is often added through system updates.
The first step is to go to the main settings of the device. Find the section Settings → CellularIf you have two SIM cards (a physical and an eSIM, or two physical ones), select the one from Tele2. Next, find "Wi-Fi Calling" and turn on the toggle switch.
When first turned on, the system may ask you to confirm your emergency address. This is a standard safety procedure required by law in many countries so that the operator can transmit your coordinates to emergency services (112, 102, etc.) when calling via Wi-Fi when your location cannot be determined via cell towers. In Russia, this address is for reference only, but it must be provided.
Once activated, the "Tele2 Wi-Fi" icon, or simply "Wi-Fi," should appear in the status bar (top right, where the signal strength is displayed) next to the operator's name. If the icon doesn't appear, try toggling "AviationLike" mode on and off.