With Skype and other internet phone services ending, what’s the best way for expats to connect overseas?

By Jack Davis

In a former career, I worked in computer systems analysis (now known as IT). I was an early adopter, setting up AppleTalk networks and communications systems and some of the first shared high-resolution remote printing sites for a university-based technology transfer organization. My first email addresses, years prior to the world wide web, were built on a BITNET node. I’ve seen a lot of technology come and go over the years and have maintained competency with many of the trends in computing and communications.

So, when friends and acquaintances asked me to help them set up free or low-cost telephone and text services with their US-based contacts, I was glad to help out. In recent months, as systems such as Skype and magicJack have been disbanded or have failed to keep up with current technology and falling prices, I’ve heard and read many queries and frustrations from the maturing expat population here.

What are the best ways for expats to stay connected with people and institutions out of Ecuador?

This article is a summary of my current recommendations for reliable inexpensive (or free) phone calls to and from the US plus reliable two-factor authorization text messages from the Social Security Administration and financial institutions that require it for account access.

While in the past, many expats have successfully used messaging services such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, such services require that both parties communicating have accounts on the same service. However, such services do not come close to the freedom or simplicity of having a phone number. And when it comes to text confirmation codes for accessing US-based financial services, messaging services don’t work at all.

An ideal scenario

• Anyone in the US can dial a US-based phone number that rings your phone,
• You can dial any US-based phone number from your phone,
• Anyone, including your financial institutions, can text you,
• You can text any US-based cell phone,
• Both calling and texting work anywhere your phone is located,
• Total cost of these services is under $30 per month.

I’m here to tell you that with some luck, effort and specific technology, all of these are possible.

First, a bit of helpful technology background.
Before explaining what is required for these points, it’s helpful to understand at least a little about the changes in technology that got us here.

Cell phones and landlines used to be analog data services. That means that a voice was carried via wire or wireless routes the same way that AM and FM radio stations still work. About 20 years ago, given massive demand for more efficient communications systems, voice signals began to get converted from old-fashioned frequency or amplitude-modulated signals to digital signals (zeros and ones). The reason for this evolution in signal transmission was economic. A telephone carrier could pack thousands of times more simultaneous calls using digitally-transmitted signals and fiber optic or cellular radio transmission methods compared to older analog signals and methods.

Now when this first happened, many companies rolled out telephone services that used something called “voice over internet protocol,” now more commonly referred to as VoIP. These companies included Skype, Vonage, Phone.com, magicJack, RingCentral, and OpenPhone among many others. To the end user, these services functioned just like old-fashioned phone systems once they were installed. They all provided a normal-appearing US-based phone number for calls in, and most came with physical devices that looked like phones and let users dial out just like before.

However, behind the scenes, VoIP technology is intrinsically different from cellular or traditionally-wired landline phone services. Instead of voice data being carried via a phone company’s own network, such data is transmitted over the same internet lines used by computers and data devices.

The next point deserves emphasis. The inherent difference between VoIP and traditional network phone service results is a huge vulnerability in security. VoIP lines can be intercepted, hacked, spoofed, impersonated, and even used to infect data systems with computer viruses.

For security reasons, VoIP phone lines are not accepted by many financial institutions (such as Capital One, Charles Schwab or the Social Security Administration) and may not be used for text-based account verifications. (As a reminder, text authorizations are one of several forms of “2-factor authorization” or “2FA” designed to prevent identify or account theft.)

All of this technological explanation comes down to one thing. For those who use VoIP phone services such as Skype or magicJack or Google Voice, the service may seem the same as a traditional cellular plan. But the VoIP phone number will not be acceptable by many financial institutions for use as a primary contact number or 2FA text number due to security issues.

Okay. That’s the end of the first explanation.

Why use Google Voice?
Despite the downside that your bank probably won’t allow you to use a VoIP number as a primary account contact number, there is still one good reason to have one. As of this writing, a single VoIP service, Google Voice, offers a totally free phone line for anyone who has a Google account. (Skype used to offer the same free service but is shutting down permanently on May 5, 2025.) The Google Voice service is reliable, easy-to-use, and has become a standard in the VoIP world. To be clear, other VoIP services (Vonage, magicJack, Phone.com, and many others) charge for their services, while Google’s is truly free.

Having a Google Voice (GV) number allows free phone calls between the US and any device that is connected to the internet including smartphones, tablets, and computers. That means a GV user can make calls to any US-based phone for free. In addition, receiving calls made to one’s GV number is free. This allows ex-pats to avoid using up monthly minutes on a separate paid US-cellular plan when talking to anyone from the US.

Unfortunately, a Google Voice number can only be assigned to a Google user while physically located in the US and using a US-based phone that can receive 2FA text confirmations during the setup process. Where workarounds used to exist, Google has successfully eliminated them. The good news is that once a GV number is successfully assigned, it works anywhere in the world without further ado.

For those reading this who want to set up a GV number during a trip to the US, be sure to use a phone for 2FA text verification that is not associated with a GV number already and has not been previously used to set one up. If successful, it is very important to find the “devices and numbers” setting in the GV smartphone application (or on the GV website if using a computer to set up the account) tap on “Change device number” and select “No number” followed by “Save”. This should automatically select “Prefer WiFi and mobile data.” If these steps are not followed, the GV number will ring the physical phone that was used to set up the account and not the smartphone or computer that is logged into the user’s Google account.

2FA texts from financial institutions.
For most people living abroad, paying for calls to and from the US is an inconvenience. But being locked out of the Social Security website or a US-based online bank account is a deal killer.

In order to get 2FA texts from the US while traveling or living abroad, two criteria must be met. First, one must have a traditional US-based cellular phone number. Once more, it cannot be obtained from a VoIP carrier but must originate from an actual cellular phone carrier. Second, the cellular carrier’s phone service must operate in the areas where one is traveling or living.

The second criteria is tough. Within the US, cellular companies own or rent the radio equipment that carries the ph0ne calls of their customers. These “cells” or “towers” are physical devices that contain proprietary company-specific technology. Outside the US, cellular companies that contract with local non-US cellular companies using similar technology occasionally offer “roaming” services. In many places, roaming services do not exist. In others, the cost for roaming is prohibitively expensive. In other words, outside the US, US-based cell services are either expensive or simply don’t work.

Nevertheless, within the past five years a few US-based cellular companies have developed niche solutions that provide inexpensive coverage outside the US using an ingenious technological workaround that does not depend on roaming agreements.

An aside: the workaround explained. (Skip if not a tech nerd.)
Remember the issues with VoIP? Recall that if a phone number is assigned by a VoIP service, it is considered an invalid number by certain financial institutions. However, if a phone number is assigned by a traditional cellular service, it is considered a valid number.

Well, it turns out that once a phone number is validated as originating from a traditional cellular service, certain parts of that phone service can be transmitted via VoIP technology while maintaining the ability to receive 2FA texts. A few years ago, a few cellular companies rolled out a service called “WiFi calling.” This is simply a new term for VoIP.

Even though WiFi calling is a form of VoIP, as long as a phone number remains registered with an actual cellular phone company, WiFi calling does not invalidate the number for 2FA texts. (Conversely, porting the number to a VoIP service will invalidate it.)

For cell companies that offer it, WiFi calling must be enabled from smartphone settings to work. This takes a few steps on most phones (including a requirement to enter in a physical US address to meet emergency services 911 regulations). Once it is turned on, whenever a smartphone is using a WiFi network, incoming and outgoing calls and texts are delivered to the phone whenever it is out of range of a usable cell tower. That’s it. No need for roaming contracts, global calling plans, or contractual agreements between US-based and local cellular phone companies.

The ideal restated.
It gets better. If a user happens to own an iPhone (or later version Samsung Galaxy) that has both physical and eSIM capabilities, and if that user already has local cell phone service (such as with Claro or Movistar) certain US-based cell phone services will function on the same phone even when the phone is not within range of a WiFi network. This comes from the ability of a local cell phone service to share cellular data from a local account with the US-based account. From the US-based cell phone perspective, the local cell data looks and acts the same as data from a WiFi network, so calls and texts are put through the same way.

In practice, this means that one smartphone properly set up will ring anywhere that has local cell service or WiFi access. It also means that one can call and text any US number as long as local cell service or WiFi access is present. I’ve received US calls and texts while horseback riding in the mountains, hiking on remote islands, wandering around in farm markets and riding the bus. On the same phone, I also can make and receive local calls and use internet services like Azu Taxi, Google Maps and WhatsApp.

Enter Tello.
While many US-based cell phone companies have talked about rolling out inexpensive international services using WiFi calling, one company has actually done so.

That company is called Tello. It originated as one of many “Mobile Virtual Network Operators” (MVNOs) that arose from phone deregulation efforts that eventually trickled down to consumers. MVNOs provide cell phone services but do not own the underlying wireless network infrastructure. Instead, they lease time from conventional cellular companies and resell mobile services under their own brand. To gain customers, MVNOs offer cheaper rates than the big cell phone companies. In return, the big companies gain by selling time on their networks that otherwise would go unused.

Tello leases its services from T-Mobile. In the US, it functions just like T-Mobile service but at a lower cost to customers.

Outside the US, Tello just works, all because it allows WiFi calling and local carrier SIM data sharing. Service, including porting existing US-based cell phone numbers, can be initiated outside the US (unlike the strict GV only-in-the-US setup requirement). The best part is that the cost for service that allows reliable unlimited 2FA texts is $7 per month, which also provides for 100 minutes of calls to and from the US.

Thus, for $7 per month for my US-based cell service, I get everything I need. (For those interested, I also pay $19 per month for local Claro service that includes local calls, plenty of cell data and smartwatch service. This allows me to use my Tello number anywhere that Claro works.)

Tello service is paid by the month. The initial setup fee is $3 for an eSIM. Those who do not own iPhones or later versions of the Samsung Galaxy can still use Tello but without the added feature of being able to send and receive calls outside a WiFi network. That’s okay if the main motivation for setting up Tello is to reliably access financial institutions that require a 2FA text confirmation.

For anyone interested in getting the service, one must first set up a Tello account. This step is free. It simply allows one to view the options available without needing to commit to the service.

When ready to start service, use the “Build Your Own Plan” and choose “No data” followed by one of the minutes options. (I recommend 100 or 300 minutes. Texts for both are unlimited.)  No data is important. Data refers to cell tower data and only applies if one is living in or traveling in the US. Outside the US, data is not available from local cell towers so one would simply be paying extra for a feature that does not function. Also, skip the options for “Pay As You Go” or “Roaming” services. Neither adds additional functions but will add to the price of Tello service.

As a bonus, the following Tello link will credit any new account with $10 toward payment of the next month’s fees and (disclaimer) also credit $10 to my account: https://tello.com/account/register?_referral=P3RGPBBD

The steps for getting service can be intimidating for those who are not tech-savvy, particularly if one chooses to port one’s pre-existing cellular number from another cell phone company to Tello. Fortunately, Tello has an excellent website and has good phone, email and chat support. Among the most useful website pages for new users is the following one: https://blog.tello.com/news/how-to-activate-tello-from-abroad/

Thanks for reading this far.
I hope this article helps the many people who I know have struggled with solutions for inexpensive reliable phone and text communications to and from the US. Having recently helped a number of friends set up services to gain access to their online bank and social security accounts, I’ve witnessed both the frustration and the relief that comes from having up-to-date working phone systems while living abroad.

If you are frustrated and need solutions, my suggestion is to start with Tello service. Next, add a local cell plan with data on the same smartphone if you have an iPhone or suitable Samsung. That gives you the most options. If you don’t already have Google Voice, you can put it on your wish list for your next US trip. But switching to or adding Tello service gets you the most functionality for phone and text communications. It will save you cash if you’re currently paying into any other US-based cellular plan. It’s always nice to save cash.
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Author’s note: If you liked this article and want to give me a boost, buy and review my cocktail book on Amazon. (Or get me some Allen’s coffee brandy — https://bit.ly/trailerparkchampagne — so I can properly celebrate!)