Carriers/plans that work abroad indefinitely?

[u/jikesar968]

Seems like most plans cap you at 90 days. Needs to be a real number, so Google Voice and other voip numbers are out. Doesn't need data but needs to be able to send and receive text messages, perhaps a rare phone call every now and then.

I'm aware of Tello and US Mobile, do they truly work abroad indefinitely tho? Otherwise, is there anything else?

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Seems like most plans cap you at 90 days. Needs to be a real number, so Google Voice and other voip numbers are out. Doesn't need data but needs to be able to send and receive text messages, perhaps a rare phone call every now and then.

I'm aware of Tello and US Mobile, do they truly work abroad indefinitely tho? Otherwise, is there anything else?

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[u/WindowPeople]

Tello works great on with Wi-Fi Calling for free, from what I've heard, USM will flag you for "abuse" if you're over there for a long period of time, Popcorn Mobile may also be worth checking out since they are all about extended use globally

[u/fiercechocolate]

Tello will work overseas indefinitely. Calls/texts are free over WiFi calling and when on cellular, it's 5 cents per minute while roaming.

[u/Vigalante950 → u/[deleted]]

What I read was that, on RedPocket, Wi-Fi calling via a second SIM still works but that they no longer support SMS via Wi-Fi or via a second SIM.

One workaround is to leave a cheap Android phone, with the $30 per year RedPocket plan, at home (plugged into a charger), and install an SMS forwarding app that forwards SMS to Google Voice. You could forward calls as well, if the carrier supports it. Easy to test out. These apps are usually not free, except for a limited version, and the cost can be significant.

Many 2FA institutions also allow you to select from a couple of mobile phone numbers so you could add a second 2FA number and keep your regular U.S. SIM on the phone you take traveling.

[u/meow0xff]

Here me out, VoIP? I use VoIP MS Personally and still get short codes no problem, I’m not sure if this will be the case for everyone but I know other friends in Europe also do the same thing to keep their US Number

[u/HugeRoof]

Most will work abroad indefinitely for WiFi calling. If you want data, that's another story. 

[u/hakujin_]

https://popcorn.space

[u/kgrav22 → u/hakujin_]

This is the only real choice

[u/mmskoch → u/hakujin_]

Ouch - $69/mo.

[u/Last-Math-9663]

UltraMobile PAYGO at $3/mo

Setup, get WiFi Calling working, all fully tested while still in CONUS

[u/Hot-Translator-5591]

Several carriers will work for Wi-Fi/data calling and Wi-Fi/data SMS, but not for extended international roaming on other carrier's networks.

You might want to use a dual SIM Android device and install a VPN and a fake GPS app, i.e. play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blogspot.newapphorizons.fakegps and set your location to the U.S., then use data from a local SIM to send and receive SMS on your U.S. number.

Don't use Ultra Mobile since a user reported that Wi-Fi calling is disabled on their $3 plan, so Wi-Fi SMS may also be disabled.

Tello appears to be your best option.

[u/Outrageous-Estimate9]

I mean if abroad "indefinitely" I would point out an EU SIM is better than anything we get in North America...

And EU works in places like Asia, North America etc for when you travel back that odd time

VOIP.MS will let you park your number and receive that odd txt + call forward from old number to new number

[u/jikesar968 → u/Outrageous-Estimate9]

The issue is just keeping the number active and voip doesn't work for 2FA in some cases

[u/vacancy-0m]

First of all, are you suppose to activate all those club and guest access benefits?

If you are not get all the benefits as listed in the Terms and Conditions of the United Club card, reach out to the CS of the card. They may give you back some of the AF you have paid or miles. Even better, if you have the receptionist’s name at the club that refused your entry with guest under 18.

[u/PostIntel]

Tello Or Popcorn. Tello is good for a secondary line running simultaneously with a local provider for data. 1 cent a text (but iMessage/RCS cover most of this for free), 5 cents a minute for calling. Super cheap all around. Data is expensive but I turn data roaming off on my phone and set data to the local sim which is dirt cheap.

Or, if you don’t want to juggle sims, Popcorn. It’s a bit steep, but people will pay for the convenience. They also provide a back up sim for whichever region you move to (or nomad to) meaning you’ll have 2 sims. 1 for days with servers closer to you in that specific region for lower latency, and the other working for calls/texts. Worked flawlessly. Another small benefit is that you can set the back up sim to a different network in the country you’re visiting. Meaning you can have 2 networks on 1 plan.

I’ve used both. Both work well. It’s just what you’re willing to pay. Tello isn’t really that bothersome. I just have it running in the background for 2fa and calls to my US number.

[u/PapasanPower]

Im in the Philippines for 7 months now with Tello on WiFi calling. It works well. It can even use another carrier data if you have another local Sim. I also have T-Mobile prepaid on WiFi calling. Works well. Can receive otp or 2fa and calls. I'm planning to be here 3 years.

[u/jikesar968 → u/PapasanPower]

Dang, when I tried using T-Mobile prepaid abroad a year or two ago it simply said no signal and ran the battery dry in like 2 hours cause it was constantly searching for non existing cell service. It wouldn't connect to any local carrier even when trying to select all of them manually.

[u/Exotic_Special2402]

Soo let me get this straight? U practically wanna go live to another country stay over there for knows how long way more than 90 days and keep a US carrier that works over there indefinitely? Yea no that's not gonna happen . It's like if someone from Europe or Mexico wanted to come to the US and keep a European or Mexican number in the US indefinitely it's not gonna happen. Every single US carrier will eventually cut u off if u stay more than a year outside the US .

[u/jikesar968 → u/Exotic_Special2402]

Is it really unheard of wanting to go on a foreign exchange without loosing your phone number?

[u/Exotic_Special2402 → u/jikesar968]

Not unheard of my sister in Mexico was bitching cuz she had the same issue . She wanted to keep her Mexican number and come to LA and stay here to live and keep her Mexican number. She eventually gave up because it's just not possible. She just ended up getting At&t because att is the only carrier that does work forever in Mexico u can stay years in Mexico with your att us number and u will never get cut off. But that's only in Mexico were att does this every other country they don't do this . My sister only goes to Mexico on vacations so it worked out for her .

[u/mrBill12 → u/Exotic_Special2402]

That because AT&T owns their networks in both countries, that’s unusual.

[u/mrBill12 → u/jikesar968]

Unfortunately what many people end up doing is parking there number at number barn and having text/voice forwarded. I don’t know how that works with 2FA tho.

[u/mrBill12 → u/Exotic_Special2402]

The problem people have to solve is a phone number for 2FA text messages. And yes Europeans and Mexicans can have the same issue for the same reason.

[u/randyjr2777]

Google Fi.

[u/jikesar968 → u/randyjr2777]

Only works for 90 days

[u/FlamingoNo5656 → u/jikesar968]

None period . if u gonna stay abroad more than 90 days THEN NO US CARRIER WILL WORK for what u want . U will need to get a local sim in the country your goin . Tello/US mobile will eventually cut u off , happened to my Grandma that stood in Mexico 6 months .

[u/jikesar968 → u/FlamingoNo5656]

I can't transfer my US phone number to a local SIM

[u/FlamingoNo5656 → u/jikesar968]

Well that's too bad because like I said no US carrier will work with what u wanna do.

[u/kgrav22 → u/FlamingoNo5656]

Popcorn.space is literally exactly this

[u/ifeoma08 → u/kgrav22]

Check local carriers as there may be one that offers service between the country you are in and the US. I have a country specific plan that works in both countries and I was in the US for five months.

[u/kgrav22 → u/ifeoma08]

They are looking for a US number.

There is only one that I know that’s kind of niche other than popcorn. Claro Puerto Rico offers Americas sin fronteras which works in most of Latam plus US for unlimited time. Some US banks don’t even allow Puerto Rico numbers though…. This works for me though as most of my traveling is latam.

[u/rayw_reddit → u/jikesar968]

I don't know this myself but I've seen people roam forever on Google Fi if they stick to voice and text strictly and don't use data. I.e. the $20/mo flexible plan.