[Freeboots]

I'm in a similar boat. Not so much service, but I move around internationally and change sims a lot. I dont even have a sim most of the time, I'm on wifi 99% of the time.

Don't want to pay outrageous fees for Google FI or the like, as literally all I need it for is to get into online banking (who have decided sms 2fa is now compulsory, without offering any other options like an authenticator app). I'm currently locked out of my bank, will have to fork out $50+ just to call them, then hope I can convince them I am who I say I am. Then do the dance again next year when they do it again.

Can we all just do authenticator apps?

[screamingninja]

> outrageous fees for Google FI

Last I checked, they were asking for $20 / month for unlimited calling and texting. Do you consider that outrageous?

As an alternative, Google Voice will host your phone number for free. It works with every WiFi connection and even while traveling internationally. Have you considered that?

[gruez]

>Last I checked, they were asking for $20 / month for unlimited calling and texting. Do you consider that outrageous?

It's pretty outrageous if you already have a local sim, so you're basically paying google $20/month to only receive SMS messages.

[Freeboots]

That's interesting, will have to check that out. People have mentioned online sms, which sounds pretty much like what I need.

But yeah re:Google Fi, $240/y to recieve maybe 3 sms is pretty bad imo. And unlimited is only within US.

[HumanOstrich]

If you use Google Voice, don't get too attached to the number. They'll reclaim it in a heartbeat for various reasons.

[gruez]

Can't you find a cheap prepaid provider that has roaming access? Since you're not going to be making calls, the balance drain should be minimial, although you still have to top up a certain amount (depends on the carrier) to keep the sim active.