Beside is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system. Instead of using traditional phone lines, it sends your voice over the internet - just like FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom calls.
This is what lets you make and receive business calls from any device, anywhere, without a landline or a separate carrier plan. Understanding how this works will help you get the best call quality and troubleshoot any issues.
How Beside calls work
When you make or receive a call through Beside, your voice is converted into small data packets and sent over the internet to the other person. Their voice comes back the same way.
This happens in real time - the experience feels just like a regular phone call. The key difference is that call quality depends on your internet connection, not your carrier's cell towers.
💡 Good to know:
Your callers don't need Beside or any special app - they call your Beside number like any regular phone number.
Beside calls don't use your carrier's voice minutes or SMS allowance. They use your internet connection (WiFi or cellular data).
What you need for clear calls
Beside works on WiFi and cellular data (4G/5G). Here's what matters for good call quality:
Requirement | Details |
Internet speed | At least 1 Mbps up and down (most connections exceed this) |
Data usage | About 0.5 MB per minute of calling - similar to streaming music |
Best connection | A stable WiFi network or strong 4G/5G signal |
Avoid | Weak WiFi, public hotspots with many users, or areas with poor cell coverage |
📌 Data plan note:
A 10-minute call uses about 5 MB of data. Even a 1 GB data plan covers roughly 33 hours of calls per month.
On WiFi, calls don't count toward your mobile data at all.
WiFi vs cellular data
Both work well. Choose based on your situation:
WiFi - best for stationary use (office, home, job site with WiFi). Provides the most stable connection and doesn't use your mobile data.
Cellular data (4G/5G) - best for on-the-go use. Works anywhere you have cell signal. Make sure you have a strong signal for clear audio.
⚠️ Important: If your phone's native WiFi Calling setting is enabled, it may conflict with Beside calls. If you experience audio issues, try turning off WiFi Calling in your phone's Settings (not in the Beside app).
Improve your call quality
If you're experiencing choppy audio, one-way sound, or dropped calls, try these steps:
Switch between WiFi and cellular data - if WiFi is weak, try data (or vice versa)
Move closer to your WiFi router - walls and distance reduce signal strength
Close bandwidth-heavy apps - video streaming or large downloads can compete with call audio
Restart the Beside app - this refreshes the network connection
Test your connection - use the built-in network test in Beside
FAQ
Does Beside use my phone plan's minutes?
Does Beside use my phone plan's minutes?
No. Beside calls go over the internet, not through your carrier's voice network. Your phone plan minutes are not affected. You only use internet data (WiFi or cellular).
Can I use Beside without WiFi?
Can I use Beside without WiFi?
Yes. Beside works on cellular data (4G/5G) just as well as WiFi. You just need an active data connection. A 10-minute call uses about 5 MB.
Will Beside work on airplane mode?
Will Beside work on airplane mode?
Only if you turn WiFi back on after enabling airplane mode. Beside needs an internet connection to make and receive calls.
Why does my call quality change depending on where I am?
Why does my call quality change depending on where I am?
Because Beside relies on your internet connection. In a coffee shop with slow WiFi or an area with weak cell signal, call quality may drop - just like a video call would. Switching to a stronger network usually fixes it.
What about my phone's built-in WiFi Calling feature?
What about my phone's built-in WiFi Calling feature?
Your phone's native WiFi Calling (in Settings) is a different feature - it routes your carrier's regular calls over WiFi. It can sometimes interfere with Beside. If you notice audio issues, try disabling WiFi Calling in your phone's settings. This won't affect Beside, which has its own way of handling calls over the internet.
Can I use Beside with a VPN?
Can I use Beside with a VPN?
VPNs can add latency and cause audio issues on calls. If you need a VPN for work, try split-tunneling so Beside traffic bypasses the VPN. If call quality drops, temporarily disconnecting the VPN is the fastest fix.