Need US phone number

[Gringo80]

I have had success with Google Fi. Good clear connections, local US number and, very important, reliably getting sms codes for two step verifications. It used to require activation in the US.

 

[Redpossum]

I replied to similar question yesterday in another thread. GV has mixed results receiving SMS from banks who sometimes do not allow, based on what people report here. Everything else works fine after porting from Skype to GV

https://baexpats.org/threads/calling-from-europe-with-a-local-number.47671/post-459351

How does one go about porting a Skype number to another service?

Microsoft hangs up on Skype: Service to shut down May 5, 2025 | TechCrunch

Microsoft is retiring Skype from active duty 14 years after acquiring it, with users given nine weeks to decide their next move.

techcrunch.com

"Microsoft is encouraging users to move over to Teams Free. This offers some additional features not available in Skype, such as calendar integrations, but Teams Free lacks other key features that were hallmarks of Skype — specifically, phone-call functionality that allowed users to call mobile and landline numbers, as well as receive phone calls with a Skype phone number."

Well, jeez, if you can't make or receive calls with it, then how the hell is a replacement for Skype? Ugh, Microsoft!

 

[Rich One]

How does one go about porting a Skype number to another service?

Microsoft hangs up on Skype: Service to shut down May 5, 2025 | TechCrunch

Microsoft is retiring Skype from active duty 14 years after acquiring it, with users given nine weeks to decide their next move.

techcrunch.com

"Microsoft is encouraging users to move over to Teams Free. This offers some additional features not available in Skype, such as calendar integrations, but Teams Free lacks other key features that were hallmarks of Skype — specifically, phone-call functionality that allowed users to call mobile and landline numbers, as well as receive phone calls with a Skype phone number."

Well, jeez, if you can't make or receive calls with it, then how the hell is a replacement for Skype? Ugh, Microsoft!

Plus the ability to call US 800 numbers ?. What happens with all the Skype contacts ? If one migrates to Teams you save your Contacts.

 

[Rich One]

A good option is Tello Mobile, for long distance phone calls and sms messages from banks for 2 step verifications. You can download an eSim.

https://tello.com

 

[Caribbean Cool]

A good option is Tello Mobile, for long distance phone calls and sms messages from banks for 2 step verifications. You can download an eSim.

https://tello.com

The best choice....$5 a month

 

[pmacay]

I've been investigating this all morning. I tried to log onto Teams Admin Center but you can't do it without a business or school account, so no way to port your number to Teams without one. I asked Copilot/AI for some alternatives and he/she/it mentioned Google Voice/EasyRinger/KrispCall/Twilio/CallHippo. I looked at Google Voice thinking it's a big company and won't disappear in 6 months, but it seems you need to be physically in the USA to activate it. I tried using a VPN to make it look like I was in the USA but it wasn't fooled. I then had a live chat with KrispCall. I mostly use the skype number for text verifications from banks or financial institutions as some won't allow international phone numbers for verification purposes. KrispCall seems like it will do everything I want, but the cheapest option is $15 a month ($12 if you pay annually). Skype was only $6.95 There was an ad that kept popping up in Instagram for something called ifone2 (or something like that) but of course I can't find the ad again. I'm going to look into EasyRinger and the post above about tello.com to see if it will do what I need.

 

[Paige55]

I've been investigating this all morning. I tried to log onto Teams Admin Center but you can't do it without a business or school account, so no way to port your number to Teams without one. I asked Copilot/AI for some alternatives and he/she/it mentioned Google Voice/EasyRinger/KrispCall/Twilio/CallHippo. I looked at Google Voice thinking it's a big company and won't disappear in 6 months, but it seems you need to be physically in the USA to activate it. I tried using a VPN to make it look like I was in the USA but it wasn't fooled. I then had a live chat with KrispCall. I mostly use the skype number for text verifications from banks or financial institutions as some won't allow international phone numbers for verification purposes. KrispCall seems like it will do everything I want, but the cheapest option is $15 a month ($12 if you pay annually). Skype was only $6.95 There was an ad that kept popping up in Instagram for something called ifone2 (or something like that) but of course I can't find the ad again. I'm going to look into EasyRinger and the post above about tello.com to see if it will do what I need.

I'm looking for the same functionality and have heard decent things about Tello and one called Hushed that seem to offer exactly that. I've honestly been overwhelmed with it all and the quickness of Skype's demise (I know it seems some months is enough time to figure it out, but not for me—I'm basically a luddite, and porting my Skype number before it disappears is giving me anxiety sweats). I hope you'll have luck and keep us posted.

 

[Johnny]

I'm looking for the same functionality and have heard decent things about Tello and one called Hushed that seem to offer exactly that. I've honestly been overwhelmed with it all and the quickness of Skype's demise (I know it seems some months is enough time to figure it out, but not for me—I'm basically a luddite, and porting my Skype number before it disappears is giving me anxiety sweats). I hope you'll have luck and keep us posted.

Another luddite feels your pain!

 

[Gringo80]

I'm looking for the same functionality and have heard decent things about Tello and one called Hushed that seem to offer exactly that. I've honestly been overwhelmed with it all and the quickness of Skype's demise (I know it seems some months is enough time to figure it out, but not for me—I'm basically a luddite, and porting my Skype number before it disappears is giving me anxiety sweats). I hope you'll have luck and keep us posted.

I'm looking for the same functionality and have heard decent things about Tello and one called Hushed that seem to offer exactly that. I've honestly been overwhelmed with it all and the quickness of Skype's demise (I know it seems some months is enough time to figure it out, but not for me—I'm basically a luddite, and porting my Skype number before it disappears is giving me anxiety sweats). I hope you'll have luck and keep us posted.

Try Tello for a month, then save money by signing up for a year. Unless your needs are different from everyone else's you should be satisfied.

 

[lunar]

Try Tello for a month, then save money by signing up for a year. Unless your needs are different from everyone else's you should be satisfied.

I don't think Tello offers yearly plans. Could you share a link if you have one?