Author of the article
Kristina Gorbunova
Higher education in the specialty “Information Systems”. In the field for more than 7 years, he develops websites on WordPress and Tilda.
In large Russian cities, metro and ground transport passengers can connect to a single free Wi-Fi network. The project is being implemented in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The wireless network operates at metro stops, trams, trolleybuses, buses and in the transport itself. Let's look at how to connect to MT Free and what to do if the connection is not established.
How to connect Wi-Fi in the metro
It is quite difficult for a modern person to cope without the Internet, interruptions of which can occur during a trip by subway. To connect Wi-Fi in the metro, it only takes a few minutes: after that, the user gets direct access to the Global Network to read news, watch videos, listen to music, etc. Several options for connecting to the Internet are available to Moscow residents. Below we will look at how to do this without resorting to complex manipulations. Compliance with safety measures is also of great importance.
Preliminary stage
To gain access to the Internet you must take the following steps:
- register;
- activate Wi-Fi on your mobile phone;
- find the MT_FREE profile;
- make connections to the network;
- go to the browser and enter the address vmet.ro in the search engine.
In the pop-up window of the site, the user will be offered two authorization options - through State Services or by telephone. Each method has its own specifics.
Disable auto payment
Typically, the automatic payment will also be registered with your bank. So as a bonus, you'll need to go to your online banking, enter your automatic payment settings, and delete anything you don't need. Using Sberbank as an example.
- Go to the Sberbank website online and enter your username and password (you need to get it in advance through an ATM - they didn’t have any other methods):
- Go to the “My automatic payments” section:
- So we look for our subscription and disable it.
If problems arise, you can write directly to the MaximaTelecom operator (they provide communications in the metro) - [email protected]
By mail above you need to send to disable:
- Device MAC address
- If payment was made by card - the first 6 and last 4 digits of the card number
- Your phone number
- Payment method
- payment date
What to do when there is no Internet: instructions from Botan on WiFiGid
Via phone
This method is most popular because of its simplicity. Authorization in this case is carried out via SMS.
Procedure for activating WiFi in the metro via phone:
- enter your personal telephone number in the specified field;
- wait for the SMS to arrive;
- enter a one-time code in the specified line of the system;
- open the Wi-Fi function in the metro.
In most cases, smartphone owners use this connection method.
Through State Services
This is the second most popular method of activating Wi-Fi in the metro. To use it, the client must have a valid profile on this service.
Procedure:
- select the option “login through State Services”;
- enter all requested information;
- wait until authentication is completed;
- make sure that switching to MT_FREE has occurred.
Deactivating Wi-Fi in the metro
There are several ways to turn off WiFi in the subway. The most commonly used options are:
- deactivate wireless communication in the mobile device menu (Wi-Fi section);
- disable the service from your personal account;
- use the Smart WiFi Togger application, which automatically turns off.
With this information, the user will be able to quickly log in or out of the Internet while in the metro.
Instructions for connecting to MT free Wi-Fi
The free wireless MT free Wi-Fi service in transport and public places in the capital is provided by. To connect to a wireless network for the first time, each user must register using the link https://auth.wi-fi.ru/auth. In the future, each time you connect you will need to go through authorization.
Registration procedure
To register on the website https://wi-fi.ru, you need to click on “house” in the corner on the left of the page. After that, choose one of the proposed methods:
- by mobile phone number;
- through the State Services portal.
In the first case, you need to enter your current phone number, wait until you receive an SMS containing a one-time verification code, and enter it. The mobile number will be automatically linked to your account.
In the second option, the site will offer to go through the identification procedure. To do this, the user provides personal data and a password, after which he has access to his personal account. Note! 5 devices can be connected to free Wi-Fi at the same time.
Authorization
After identification on the official website, a person can go to the available free Wi-Fi connections and select “MT free” there. You need to go through the following basic steps:
- activate the Wi-Fi function on your smartphone;
- update the list of available wireless connections;
- select the free MT Free network there without advertising;
- connect to it.
Authorization in the Moscow metro in MT free Wi-Fi is not always possible for users. The network is not always accessible underground, so SMS with a verification code is not received. Therefore, it is better to undergo identification in advance before going down to the metro.
A similar situation is observed with Aeroexpress trains. To ensure a seamless wireless connection, you need to do this in advance before boarding the train.
Registration of a personal account
According to Russian Government Decree No. 801, each provider is required to verify all persons who connect to Wi-Fi. Those interested register in the LC using one of the methods presented below, and then the Moscow metro network becomes available to them.
Important! To authorize an account, the client needs to make one connection to MosMetro_Free using a phone number. All user information will be saved automatically.
You can register through a browser. The owner of the smartphone goes to the MosMetro_Free network channel, then enters the address https://gowifi.ru in an open browser. After this, the authorization site is automatically opened via the personal account using the following possible methods:
- by phone number;
- through the State Services website.
When using the first method, a person enters a phone number, then clicks “OK”. After some time, he receives a message containing a numeric code. This combination of numbers should be entered into the required field of your personal account. After registration is completed, a random advertising video will be available for viewing on the device screen.
When using the second method, a person performs the identification procedure through a personal account on the State Services portal. To go to the network space, the subscriber needs to enter a username and password.
Automation application
To connect to free wireless Wi-Fi easily and quickly, users can use a special application. With its help, the smartphone instantly finds the desired network itself and makes the connection without human intervention. To install it, links are available in PlayMarket and AppStore on the corresponding devices:
- for android
- for iOS
The program will save all user credentials. Using the application, you can also deactivate advertising that appears when you connect to the network.
In the application, the user can create a personal account where active subscriptions, payments, Wi-Fi connection steps and other important information are saved.
To disable the appearance of commercials, you can pay for the “Like at Home” tariff for 177 rubles/month. It is purchased as a subscription and is tied to the physical address of the mobile device.
It is more profitable to pay for the service in advance for several months at once. The subscription will be automatically renewed every month. Payment will be charged either from the subscriber's mobile account or from a linked bank card.
The Maxima Telecom provider describes in detail each of the existing tariffs on its official website: https://static.wi-fi.ru/docs/offers/portal/premium.pdf.
Data transfer speed and existing limitations
The average mobile data transfer speed over the Internet is 100 Mbit/s. This figure is divided in equal shares by the number of connected users. When a large number of people connect to free Wi-Fi at the same time, the speed drops significantly or even the connection is interrupted.
There is also a general Internet access channel from the provider at a speed of 30 Gb/s. But this is not yet enough to service all subscribers who want to connect to the Internet during rush hour. Therefore, this value is planned to increase over time.
Metro technologies in Moscow and St. Petersburg: differences
Do you think everything is the same in Moscow and St. Petersburg? Not so. The two capitals of our country differ even in such small details as organizing access to WiFi in the metro. Guests of these two cities may even get confused - after all, everything is not like that here. For some, Wi-Fi is available in the carriage, while for others only at the station. And vice versa. It's all about organization.
In the Moscow metro, the main signal distributor is routers, which are located in the carriage. There are none at the station. Those. You will only be able to connect to the network while you are in the carriage - the connection will appear on the platform only when the train is approaching.
While moving, the carriage's router catches the signal from the stations via an optical cable. He does all the work of switching between points himself. All carriage passengers do not feel this and have a stable connection at any time.
In St. Petersburg it's the other way around. Access to the network is only available at stations where routers are installed. Nothing like this is currently provided in the carriage itself. So, habitual Muscovites may be surprised - they seem to have heard about free Wi-Fi, but for some reason they don’t get it in their usual place. There's nothing you can do, you'll have to get used to it.
General principles of WI-FI operation in the metro
In Moscow and St. Petersburg, Wi-Fi operating methods are different.
In the capital's transport, each car is equipped with a modem that catches the Internet and distributes it to visitors. The signal is transmitted from stations created in tunnels and connected by optical cables to the Network. You cannot connect to the Internet while in the metro lobby.
Wi-Fi in St. Petersburg operates on a different principle. Only metro stations are equipped with access points; there is no router in the carriage itself. When switching to another line, you will have to connect to the Network again. In total, 18 stations in the St. Petersburg metro are equipped with routers.
MT Free does not connect, what should I do?
If the user is unable to connect to a free wireless connection while on the go, he should use the following recommendations:
- reboot the gadget;
- remove the MT free connection from the list of saved ones and connect to it again;
- if the connection to the Internet constantly disappears when connecting, you need to try choosing a different browser;
- try to clear cookies in your browser, go to the official website and go through the registration procedure again;
- To use a free connection in public transport, ad blockers on mobile devices must not be activated. Otherwise, the provider may block it for 1 day.
If the listed options cannot solve the problem and MT Free does not connect, users can contact technical support by email [email protected]
