BYPASS your SIM provider
with affordable (pay-as-you-go) data-driven (cloud) airtime.
GREAT FOR:
individuals
Avoid expensive & traditional airtime from your sim provider.
businesses
Move away from fixed line operators like TELKOM, or if you are already on VoIP, switch to UKUTEL VoIP.
SME’S
Become even more professional with a landline number on your mobile device @ ZERO monthly fees.
RESELLERS
Earn profits when family and/or friends you invited get a VoIP number from us.
How it works
Keep your sim
We give you an app
Buy a Pay-As-You-Go UKUTEL Airtime Package
Start Making Calls
Our App
OUR global calling app
BEST FOR
Communication
Manage portfolio
Reseller tools
Click on either Apple App or Google Play stores icons below to register, choose your airtime, or data package, and start reselling in under 10 minutes.
Get a landline (office) number on your phone, or port your existing Telkom (SA) landline number for ZERO monthly fees!
Learn MoreFREE Calls
Learn MoreZero Internet Data is required to access your Client Portal when using the UKUTEL DATA-SIM
Learn MoreQuality Calls
Learn MoreCall rates!
All calls are billed @ 1 (South African) cent per second to any number, made to the following countries (dial code dependent):
– A quick 20 second call will cost you 20 cents to the following countries –
Quality of calls
The better the quality of the connection, the better the quality of the call.
Although we have many customers reporting that they are happy with the call quality, it’s not true for some, and this is normal!
Yes, it’s a fact that we only need a stable down-and-upload speed of only 2 Mbps to be able to make or receive good-quality calls via the UKUTEL App.
But did you know that besides your line speed, there are other factors that can affect the quality of, and ultimately, your experience when using our app?
If you are on a shared network like a WiFi-hotspot, the voice quality can and will most probably become worse due to heavy traffic load.
Your connection might have a high latency. Latency refers to the weak network condition outside your and our control, as well as the distance between the receiver and sender. If the ping latency is around 20ms or less and your network latency for both down-and-upload speeds is around 150 ms or less, then your call should be clear.
You might be using an older phone with higher frequencies and outdated hardware which can impact quality.
DO A SPEED TEST! You can do a regular speed test over at OOKLA to help you determine if your speeds are OK!
FAQ’s
GSM vs UKUTEL’s data-driven airtime – which is the best?
WHICH AIRTIME IS THE BEST TO USE?
UKUTEL AIRTIME:
UKUTEL’s data-driven airtime is virtual airtime which you load onto a softphone application, like the UKUTEL_App.
It’s ultimately the best option to use when you DO HAVE a stable WiFi or 3G/4G/LTE internet connection.
GSM AIRTIME:
GSM airtime is airtime which you load onto your sim and is linked to your SIM telecom provider.
You know what you are paying for, so it’s easy to make the comparison yourself!
It is the better alternative when you DO NOT HAVE a stable WiFi or 3G/4G/LTE internet connection.
How Do I Make A Call?
You are going to need the UKUTEL_App
The UKUTEL_App is a softphone application which seamlessly integrates with your contact list, so you can simply pick a contact from your list or use the keypad to manually select a number to dial.
The UKUTEL_App does not yet recognize all local phone number notation conventions. Therefore, to reach certain destinations it might be necessary to enter the phone number in the international phone number format: ‘+’, followed by the country code, followed by the rest of the phone number without spaces or other symbols.
For example, the USA number +1 (800) 123-4567 should be entered as +18001234567.
This is particularly sensitive to contact list entries stored with an additional international prefix, such as 011 for North America.
There are 2 types of calls you can make:
TYPE 1 | “OFF-NET” CALLS – calls to any local and international mobile or landline number.
1.) Ensure you have a sufficient airtime balance to make a call to your destination – Your airtime balance will show on the top of the keypad section of the UKUTEL_App.
2.) Check that you are connected to the internet and if your connection to the internet is of an appropriate quality.
TYPE 2 | “ON-NET” CALLS – calls to another UKUTEL number (the preferred way).
1.) Check that you are connected to the internet and if your connection to the internet is of appropriate quality – No airtime balance is required to make calls to another UKUTEL number
How do i top up when i run out of airtime?
Step 1: Open the App and click on the small UKUTEL tab icon. Your reseller business and personal summary section will open up.
Step 2: Look for, and click on, the “Recharge” button. Follow the simple instructions.
for How long does unused uKUTEL airtime roll over?
3 Months if you are on the Starter package.
6 Months if you are on the Intermediate (medium) package.
12 Months if you are on the Pro package.
Do I Need An Internet Connection To Make A Call?
UKUTEL airtime is not loaded onto your Sim, but onto the UKUTEL_App itself.
As with all other applications on your mobile device, the UKUTEL_App requires active internet to function and for you to access its features.
Yes, A stable WiFi or 3G/4G/LTE internet connection is required. The better the quality of the connection, the better the quality of the call.
Note that your provider may charge roaming costs for the use of 3G/4G/LTE if you are calling from outside of your country of residence. To avoid additional costs, we recommend connecting to a stable WiFi connection.
Does The Receiver Need An Internet Connection To Receive A Call?
It depends!
If you are calling the receiver on his/her UKUTEL_App number, then the answer is “Yes“, otherwise, “No”.
When I Call Someone From My UKUTEL_App, What Number Will Display On Their Device?
Your current number linked to your inserted sim will display if you port your number over to us, otherwise the UKUTEL number will display if you choose not to port your number. Read more about porting below.
NOTE:
We have a wide selection of South African geographical numbers you can choose from during the registration process.
Our international clients are particularly fond of our mother city “Cape Town” number range starting with +27 021.
UKUTEL will be offering international number ranges in the future and users will be able to swap their numbers out when those become available.
Do I Need Airtime To Receive A Call?
“No” – Only a stable WiFi or 3G/4G/LTE internet connection will do – The better the quality of the connection, the better the quality of the call.
Can I Make Emergency Calls?
“No“ – Due to the nature of the VoIP system, the UKUTEL_App cannot be used for emergency calls.
Is there a Fee to maintain the UKUTEL telephone number i chose Or number I ported?
“Yes“ – A nominal fee of $10 (150 ZAR) is required annually on your anniversary date (your registration date).
In this way we secure our low calling rates, while ensuring we keep you and the business operations online.
The fee is normally easily covered by the profit you will be earning when you willingly decide to act as an ambassador and get family and friends to download the UKUTEL_App and purchase a once-off airtime/voice bundle.
Read more about the UKUTEL reseller program and income potential here.
App features
For Communication
For Reseller Business
Click on either Apple App or Google Play stores icons below to register, choose your airtime, or data package, and start reselling in under 10 minutes.
Get a landline (office) number on your phone, or port your existing Telkom number
Learn MoreFREE Calls
No airtime is consumed when clients call each other on their UKUTEL Numbers through the UKUTEL_App.
Possible internet connection charges may still apply.
Zero Internet Data is required to access your Client Portal when using UKUTEL DATA
It’s convenient when you run out of data and need to recharge or want to visit your client portal.
Learn MoreQuality Calls
Learn More
Get family & friends to try any of our Global Cloud Airtime Packages and earn shared profits…
Once-Off
Earn When someone in your reseller business registers for an airtime package
Ad-Hoc
Earn whenever an existing client in your reseller business tops up with airtime
Recurring Profits
Earn when a client in your reseller business renews his/her UKUTEL mobile number