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

[Edmonton770]

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.

So you wherent able to activate it? If you have a number doesnt that mean you activated it?

 

[pmacay]

I recently switched to Tello with eSIM, mostly because of the comments on baexpats.org when skype was shutting down phone services. I have a new Samsung +25 phone. I had a USA based phone number that I had purchased through skype, I had this phone number transferred to Tello. When transferring a number you need some information from the provider that has your number, skype was unhelpful with this saying they farm that out to someone else, they couldn't even tell me how to contact the phone provider. I used Copilot AI on my PC to try and figure out how to transfer the number, BTW: AI has been insanely helpful solving several problems I've had with companies that don't have good "help" features on their websites. AI was helpful telling me generic account numbers to use to transfer my phone number to Tello. I did this all while in Argentina.

I picked their cheapest 100 minute plan because I basically only use the number for 2FA with banks and financial websites. I did need to call my credit card company about something and even though I had it setup to use WIFI in connections when making a call, I even had the phone on Airplane mode, it didn't work using the WIFI connection and it ate up all my minutes while I was on hold forever. My service then stopped because I ran out of minutes. I then bought a "Pay as you Go" plan with Tello that only kicks in when I run out of minutes, just so I don't get stuck without having phone access in an emergency. So far, I've been happy with Tello, I just wish it would use the WIFI connection to make calls when it's connected to WIFI like skype used to.

 

[lunar]

I then bought a "Pay as you Go" plan with Tello that only kicks in when I run out of minutes, just so I don't get stuck without having phone access in an emergency.

I didn’t know Tello had a "Pay as You Go" option. I haven't seen anything like that listed on their website. Did you have to contact customer support to get it added to your account, or was it something you were able to activate yourself somehow? I’m curious how you managed to get that set up.

I just wish it would use the WIFI connection to make calls when it's connected to WIFI like skype used to.an emergency.

It looks like Tello has an app (at least on Android) that includes a Wi-Fi calling feature.

 

[pmacay]

I didn’t know Tello had a "Pay as You Go" option. I haven't seen anything like that listed on their website. Did you have to contact customer support to get it added to your account, or was it something you were able to activate yourself somehow? I’m curious how you managed to get that set up.


It looks like Tello has an app (at least on Android) that includes a Wi-Fi calling feature.

Wow, great info on WIFI calling, thanks! As far as "Pay as you go" it's under "My Settings", the attached capture is from using a web browser on a PC to go to Tello.com to look at "My Settings" It might look different if you're trying to access it from the phone app.

Cheers and thanks again!

Pete

 

[lunar]

My service then stopped because I ran out of minutes. I then bought a "Pay as you Go" plan with Tello that only kicks in when I run out of minutes ...

Also, you can keep the plan but renew it before Tello charges you for the next month, and then your minutes and gigabytes roll over. You can even renew the same plan a day before your credit card is charged again.

 

[Silvie]

I am in the US right now and the TELLO line that I tried to activate in Buenos Aires, finally worked here for calls and data. I am also using my Claro line from Argentina on the same phone. Let´s see if TELLO continues to work when I return to Argentina.