Getting a non-VOIP US phone number from Tello for 2FA

[lunar]

You don't want to just switch it off instead? What are you going to do on 2G?

It would be even better, but my phone software doesn't provide this option. I cannot turn it off completely, and still keep the main SIM card connected.

 

[Edmonton770]

I got a sim card from tello. After activating, i dont recieve any cellphone bars & was stuck with only emergency service

Any advice? I enabled wifi calling & set my address on my tello account. The call service from Tello is really not the best

I decided to buy a new cheap phone for this tello simcard wbuch was suggested to work with Tello/T-Mobile, but still no service. Tello was mentionkng that it maybe my wifi so they told me to use a VPN, but still didnt work

 

[lunar]

Any advice? I enabled wifi calling & set my address on my tello account.

So far, the only positive stories I've heard about using physical SIMs abroad were from people who activated the SIM in the US first, then brought it here.

How do you know the service is fully activated? Do you already have a phone number assigned?

Since the Tello rep seemed confident, maybe try this:

1. Enable both VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling.
2. In the call settings, set it to “Prefer Wi-Fi.” If it connects, you should see a little phone+Wi-Fi icon in the status bar.
3. If it still doesn't work, put the phone in Airplane Mode and then turn Wi-Fi back on. Otherwise the phone may give priority to local cell towers, even though the SIM can't actually register on them.

It could also help to check that your phone can make Wi-Fi calls with your regular Argentine provider. That way you’ll know it isn't just some phone setting blocking Wi-Fi calling.

 

[Edmonton770]

So only positive stories by activating in the US first?

I brought the Sim card from the US but was to busy & only activated it in Argentina. The phone rep was mentioning something that you can only activate it in Argentina.

I activated it here

 

[lunar]

I activated it here

So, do you have a US phone number associated with this SIM card?
When you go to the Tello site, what do you see there?

 

[Edmonton770]

So, do you have a US phone number associated with this SIM card?
When you go to the Tello site, what do you see there?

Yes on the tello site I recieved a US number after activating. But on the phone it says searching for network/emergency service

Tried my phone & a cheap phone from Amazon that works with Tello

 

[brandon]

Tello SIM alone in Argentina doesn’t work. Tello uses T-mobile network in US to be a standalone option. Off that network (outside of US) it needs a data connection to work- either on WiFi or in conjunction a local SIM on a dual-Sim phone.

I use Claro physical sim and Tello e-Sim on iPhone 13 to make and receive calls and text everyday everyday here to/from US.

Copied from Reddit:
Generally, you would be able to make and receive calls and exchange text messages on your phone via Tello's service outside the U.S. when connected to WiFi. Tello does not provide cellular service outside the U.S. You may be able to leverage cell data provided by a local (in country) SIM to receive calls and text messages via Tello but it depends upon one's phone.

 

[Silvie]

A few days ago I also bought a TELLO esim and although I see the new number, I don't seem to be able to activate it. I tried different ways. I only hope to see what happens once I arrive in the US in a few days, perhaps I will be able to activate it from there.

 

[brandon]

A few days ago I also bought a TELLO esim and although I see the new number, I don't seem to be able to activate it. I tried different ways. I only hope to see what happens once I arrive in the US in a few days, perhaps I will be able to activate it from there.

I did activate mine in US

 

[Rich One]

I did activate mine in US

My Tello eSIM was activated in the US. Works fine with a movistar local SIM and wifi.