I live in Canada, and I am figuring out a way to get a “registered” phone number from a cell company just for SMS verification texts. However, I am wanting to find out if there is a service that would do the same thing (and potentially cheaper: the lowest plan I found from a carrier is CAD$15/mo). I would be using it just for SMS verification texts (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).

  • sporks_a_plenty@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    If it matters, I believe “voip.ms” is Canada based. I’m using them for a phone number with sms, kind of like what you said you’re looking for.

    IIRC, I’m paying ~$12 USD per year (+ $1 USD per month for a phone voip app, but there are free app options too).

    YSK, their site/service setting aren’t always the easiest to figure out so read their docs carefully.

    Best of luck!

    • wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      Unfortunately some verification providers don’t allow VoIP SMS numbers, I’d say it’s always about 50/50 whether it’ll work or not very frustrating. But otherwise yeah, VoIP.ms is great! And indeed Montreal based!

      • sporks_a_plenty@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Ah, ok… I used to use usmobile.com as a data backup on their cheapest plan. It was ~$8 USD for 2Gb of data and like 100 texts per month. Obv a lot more than voip.ms, but you get assigned a real number by a cell provider. U.S. based though so it might not be useful for you.