Cheap International Roaming?

**rs899** · 10-30-2023, 09:50 AM

Any experts? I am selling the house in Florida and moving to France. We're already halfway moved there, and have been using Google Voice pretty well to catch 2FA from all the banks I deal with. However, I just got a Wells Fargo card and they say I MUST have a US phone number- no GV.

I don't know if I will follow through, but does anyone know any cheap way to keep a US number permanently overseas just for 2FA?

I know Tello and US Mobile have fairly cheap plans, but I need an eSIM phone and my Vivo Y55 5G isn't one (though my wife's Pixel 5a is, but it's in France).

Any other ideas?

**Boz1** · 10-30-2023, 11:13 AM

Please clarify what you mean. Tello and US Mobile don't require eSIM.

If WF has no other 2FA option besides SMS, which isn't really secure, anyway, here's one option, that you can use via WiFi calling, to receive 2FA with a compatible device for $3/30 days.

-Ultra Mobile Paygo (Formerly T-Mobile Paygo)-
https://www.ultramobile.com/paygo
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285112988423
$3/30 Days
Includes 100/100/100 Each 30 Days

**rs899** · 10-30-2023, 11:59 AM

Both US Mobile and Tello's website seem to say only eSIMs work for International roaming. I already have a US Mobile physical SIM (going to port my expiring Mint account and number over to steal 50 gb and 50 days while I wait for house closing, lol).

Didn't know about Ultra. That seems to be a reasonable deal. So far, other than Wells Fargo credit card (that I can live without) I haven't found a need to have a US number (other than GV), but I might do it just for insurance for a few months.

I think it was US Mobile that said I could activate an eSIM on a device overseas (eg my wife's Pixel 5a)- does that sound plausible (if I find that I need one later)?

**PaulCrawhorne** · 10-30-2023, 12:16 PM

You do NOT want international roaming just for that goal.

Wifi Calling is the way to go, can work off any WiFi or local-SIM data plan. Get a hotspot or Dual SIM phone.

Tello works with eSIM or pSIM.

UltraMobile PAYGO pSIM only, $3/mo

**Boz1** · 10-30-2023, 12:28 PM

The Ultra Mobile plan I posted earlier would use WiFi calling, not international roaming, although that may be available at an extra cost.

I'm not sure what you're saying about Tello, because Tello doesn't offer international roaming, at least according to https://tello.com/help_center/do-you...g?_language=en. Tello DOES, however, have WiFi calling, like Ultra, just a little more expensive.

US Mobile does include some international roaming via eSIM, but I don't think it currently connects to your actual mobile #, so it would basically also be like WiFi calling to use your actual US Mobile #, but double check that, because I don't know too much about it. I did read that their T-Mobile based service will soon (or maybe already does) include real international roaming, but only on the higher end plans.

In any case, using the Ultra Mobile plan I posted will be significantly cheaper, and will work for 2FA, as long as you have WiFi available.

Thanks for the info about WF not accepting GV #s for 2FA, because I use my GV # exclusively, even while in the US. I did have a WF account around 12 years ago, and at that time, it DID work with my GV #, but I understand things are always changing. I wonder if you can install the WF app on your phone, call in to get a CSR to verify you and get you logged into the app, if you can then use the WF app for any future 2FA? It might be worth checking.

**rs899** · 10-30-2023, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Boz1

Thanks for the info about WF not accepting GV #s for 2FA, because I use my GV # exclusively, even while in the US. I did have a WF account around 12 years ago, and at that time, it DID work with my GV #, but I understand things are always changing. I wonder if you can install the WF app on your phone, call in to get a CSR to verify you and get you logged into the app, if you can then use the WF app for any future 2FA? It might be worth checking.

I had a WF account about 8 years ago, too, and I had GV. I think it worked then. The French expat group on Facebook hates them, so I don't think I will worry too much about WF, but I still might want to get an Ultra account running for a few months just in case I find something else.

My Vivo is a dual sim, so I could leave it in there with my French SIM (Reglo Mobile, 5 euros/mo for 6 gb).

**robbyrobby** · 10-30-2023, 03:41 PM

as a general rule the 'international roaming eSIM's' that MVNOs are offering alongside their regular services are data only products and would not help for 2FA

**rs899** · 10-30-2023, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by robbyrobby

as a general rule the 'international roaming eSIM's' that MVNOs are offering alongside their regular services are data only products and would not help for 2FA

Hmmm. OK. Do you agree with Boz1 that Ultra, using wifi calling should work for getting SMS for 2FA?

**PaulCrawhorne** · 10-30-2023, 04:12 PM

That is not opinion but fact. Hundreds of reports from actual experience over the years.

Tello more popular recently since eSIM allows you to activate, reprovision etc while still overseas, and Tello is aware of the use case and officially supportive

**robbyrobby** · 10-30-2023, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by rs899

Hmmm. OK. Do you agree with Boz1 that Ultra, using wifi calling should work for getting SMS for 2FA?

Ultra or Tello would both be decent options, anything on T-Mobile network with a paygo option should work. i would avoid ATT or Verizon based MVNO's since they tend to be less lenient about wifi calling compatibility with different handset.

**@Class** · 10-31-2023, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by PaulCrawhorne

You do NOT want international roaming just for that goal.

Wifi Calling is the way to go, can work off any WiFi or local-SIM data plan. Get a hotspot or Dual SIM phone.

Tello works with eSIM or pSIM.

UltraMobile PAYGO pSIM only, $3/mo

Well there is also KnowRoaming for a true number.

The problem I've had with WiFi calling is sometimes you'll loose the registration and it won't return until you're actually on a cell network again. This is on a Galaxy S22, so your experience might be different.