Looking for a phone service provider

[Mondongo]

I have used magicJack for several years, but lately the sound quality, have not been the best, interference,echo,etc. Now it's time to renew the contract and I would like to ask if anyone has any paid service, not free, to recommend. I use magicJack to occasionally call the US and to receive two-factor identification from my bank. Thank you.

 

[pixer12]

I have used magicJack for several years, but lately the sound quality, have not been the best, interference,echo,etc. Now it's time to renew the contract and I would like to ask if anyone has any paid service, not free, to recommend. I use magicJack to occasionally call the US and to receive two-factor identification from my bank. Thank you.

Tello: tello.com

Officially, activating the service outside the U.S. is not supported but apparently using a VPN can help you to get around this restriction. Lots of testimonials re this on https://www.reddit.com/r/Tello/

 

[LuckyLuke]

I use Dialpad for my personal, which was pretty awful with connection issues but seems to have gotten better recently. I also have a business account with RingCentral, which has always been great to me. Both are on the expensive side, $30-$40 monthly.

One curious thing is that my BofA account does not let me use my RingCentral account as it's recognized as a VOIP number. However, they will let me use my Dialpad number because it was originally ported from T-Mobile.

 

[lunar]

Officially, activating the service outside the U.S. is not supported but apparently using a VPN can help you to get around this restriction.

I opened a Tello account and got a number from Argentina without using a VPN, but that was a couple of years ago.

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

Recently, I needed to sign up for a service that wouldn't accept my Google Voice number, claiming it to be a VOIP number (fairly), so I obtained an additional phone line through Tello Mobile. I'm sharing my experience here, hoping it might benefit others in similar situations. Apologies for the...

baexpats.org

 

[Caribbean Cool]

I opened a Tello account and got a number from Argentina without using a VPN, but that was a couple of years ago.

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

Recently, I needed to sign up for a service that wouldn't accept my Google Voice number, claiming it to be a VOIP number (fairly), so I obtained an additional phone line through Tello Mobile. I'm sharing my experience here, hoping it might benefit others in similar situations. Apologies for the...

baexpats.org

Tello at all costs.

 

[Utopos]

I have had a Rebtel International account for many years. It costs $10 U.S./mo. with unlimited minutes, and can access almost any landline OR cellphone worldwide (including 800 #s etc). Call quality is uniformly excellent. Although we mostly use WhatsApp, I will always keep Rebtel. It has been a lifesaver for those unfortunate times I've had to spend hours or days dealing with U.S. banks, government agencies, or whatever.

In case anyone is wondering, all I need do is dial a CABA access number (because I live in the Buenos Aires area). Then a voice prompt requests that I enter the country code, area code and the number I wish to call, followed by the # key. Moments later the call is ringing.

P.S. They may offer a calling card option, which you can pay as you go, but I'm not sure as I've never used it.

 

[Mondongo]

I have had a Rebtel International account for many years. It costs $10 U.S./mo. with unlimited minutes, and can access almost any landline OR cellphone worldwide (including 800 #s etc). Call quality is uniformly excellent. Although we mostly use WhatsApp, I will always keep Rebtel. It has been a lifesaver for those unfortunate times I've had to spend hours or days dealing with U.S. banks, government agencies, or whatever.

In case anyone is wondering, all I need do is dial a CABA access number (because I live in the Buenos Aires area). Then a voice prompt requests that I enter the country code, area code and the number I wish to call, followed by the # key. Moments later the call is ringing.

P.S. They may offer a calling card option, which you can pay as you go, but I'm not sure as I've never used it.

Crédito regular
Créditos Rebtel
Las tarifas más baratas para llamar a Estados Unidos: 1.0¢/min.
500 min $5
Great, thank you. I joined this plan to see how it goes, did a test call and the sound quality was very good.

 

[Sparta]

If you have a phone with eSim feature, it's hard to beat Tello. You CAN activate it from anywhere, as long as you're using eSim on wifi. You only need to activate in the US if you have to use a physical sim.

Plans are affordable and it's a true cellular number, not VOIP. So it doesn't get rejected for OTP verification.

I have 2 Tello lines. One is $6 and the other is $7. Works great. You can port existing numbers to it or get a new number.

 

[brandon]

If you have a phone with eSim feature, it's hard to beat Tello. You CAN activate it from anywhere, as long as you're using eSim on wifi. You only need to activate in the US if you have to use a physical sim.

Plans are affordable and it's a true cellular number, not VOIP. So it doesn't get rejected for OTP verification.

I have 2 Tello lines. One is $6 and the other is $7. Works great. You can port existing numbers to it or get a new number.

I was really happy using tello esim and being able to receive calls to my US number. With an iphone 13 it worked seamless.
Recently switched to an Android and its not working the same. Calls to my tello number almost never ring, whether on wifi or Claro.

Ive tried most every combination in Sim Manager.
If anyone has a good setup on Android that works, please share.

 

[Sparta]

Disclaimer: In my last post above, it appears someone edited their referral link into the phone service name. Just an FYI that I didn't include that link and I'm not affiliated with it.