Global telecommunications coverage it has grown impressively. Today it is possible to make and receive calls or messages to and from almost anywhere in the world. This base also provides the ability to connect Internet networks at different latitudes.
If you are a business person, who travels around the globe, your job forces you to settle in different countries on a non-permanent basis, or you are a blogger travel, These connections benefit you greatly.
However, it may happen that you must update your telephone number in each city in which you establish yourself. This is a potential inconvenience, if someone from outside wants to call you. Since you will have an outdated contact. To find the solution, we invite you to read this post.
What are the benefits of using an international number valid in multiple countries?
Having mentioned the previous problem, we can already say one of the advantages of having an international number. The only fact that your contact card does not change, makes it possible for you to share it with anyone regardless of the country. This ensures that they can always contact you at the same number. Another advantage is that you can avoid costly additional charges by roaming international. Furthermore, in some cases companies do not offer this service in all countries.
In the same way you can ensure good coverage. By using local connections (antennas and wireless networks) you should not worry about not having a signal. If you are dedicated to telephone sales abroad, this tool is necessary. It is usually used by Call Centers. Which appear to have a local prefix when in fact they are making the call from another country or even continent.
Steps to have an international number that you can use in several countries with Google voice, Twilio, Skype or Stdlib
It seems like a mess of names, but it is less complicated than it sounds. The first thing we have to say is that in order to create an international number we are going to use several applications at the same time. The route that the call or SMS will follow is shown in the image.
Pay attention to the following steps:
- Get an account from Google voice. It is a service to make calls for free between PC and mobile users. Here we will get the international number that we must disclose among our contacts. The only downside is that only works for the United States and Canada region.
- For get a USA phone number we will use the app. TextNow, available in the Google Play Store.
- Create a user account. You must confirm it via email.
- When asked if you want to use the area code for your current location, you press no.
- Choose a United States area code for example 501.
- The application will show you five number options, choose the one you like the most and press “Continue”.It will be this way 501 XXX XXXX
- With this you will already have a number with a US prefix.
- Up to here, we can only send and receive calls to and from U.S, this is where it comes in Twilio. It is a platform for calls through the cloud. And taking into account that it is compatible with many more countries will function as one of the intermediaries. Maintaining this service is economical since it offers the service from 1 euro.
- It’s time to tell Google Voice to send calls to Twilio. For this we will use the tool stdlib that allows you to create a “dialogue” between applications.
- Create an account in Twilio, confirm and choose a payment plan.
- Login to “twilio.com/docs/voice/twiml”
- Creates a new draft
- Enter the local phone number who uses the mobile you are using, no matter the country where you are. In the case of using the service in several countries, we recommend you keep the SIM Card, in case you re-enter that territory. (you must do this step for each region in which you use it)
- Copy the following code and replace the X by the number created.
For calls:
- https://nemo.api.stdlib.com/twilio/forward?
- FordwardTo = 501XXXXXXX& type = call
For SMS:
- https://nemo.api.stdlib.com/twilio/forward?
- FordwardTo = 501XXXXXXX& type = SMS
With this we have concluded and created our own international call diverter at a very low price.
8835 numbers What does this code mean for certain mobile phone numbers?
If you have received calls with numbers that begin with these digits, it means that someone or a company has tried to contact you from an international number. Unlike the case of the previous explanation, these are provided by a provider. They can be handled on an IP basis or be mobile phone operators. They offer an international call and message service at a cost that does not vary depending on where you are.
This service works virtually. In other words, it does it from an application to Smartphone or from functions belonging to the contracted company. This simplifies all the steps we saw in the previous section in exchange for a monthly subscription or added cost per minute of call.
List of the best international number providers
Within the companies that provide the aforementioned services we will find that of several countries, prices and tools included.
Among the most recommended we can recommend those included in the list:
Ringover.com
This company french offers a service in which you can have a great variety of numbers from more than 100 countries in the palm of your hand. It is possible to receive and call each one of them since the application stores them. The shipping and receiving options are landline, fax, mobile and even a free number depending on the country.
Sonetel.com
The packages of this company start from 99 cents per month. In addition, it has a coverage area of 239 countries on different continents. It does not add additional costs to calls, which means if you make a call from another country, only the local price will be charged.
TollfreeForwarding.com
Work through the cloud in more than 120 territories around the world. It also provides the ability to forward calls to existing lines as if it were a local communication. It is one of the simplest to use and configure. In addition, it provides support 24 hours a day.
Zadarma.com
Offers a virtual telephone exchange. In which you can have all the numbers you want (as long as you pay for them) from any of the 100 countries within the service. Add to this, the tools of transfer, call forwarding, recording, reports and answering machine in several languages.
IDTExpress.com
In addition to the traditional packages offered by its competitors, this company offers call traffic analysis, the possibility of conduct international conference calls and boasts the strongest security for communications.
International number vs local line What is the best option to have service while we travel?
The answer to this question will always be related to the type of activity we carry out abroad. In the event that we are on vacation in another country and the roaming international service of our company is not favorable or is not available, it is advisable to change the SIM card. Taking into account that the stay does not usually exceed two weeks, hire an external international service it will be unnecessaryas they offer monthly packages.
However, in this situation it may happen that the mobile is not compatible with this card. It occurs with equipment sold by the same telephone companies. It is advisable to investigate each particular case. If you are going to do a international tour For several countries, changing the number in each of them will be cumbersome and even dangerous. We say this because if someone wishes to communicate with you, they may not have your contact updated.
In this case we recommend that hire a virtual international number service for the duration of your journey. This way you won’t have to worry about updating your contact with your friends and family. If it is business, get an international number for your debit. You can offer your client the facility to communicate with a local rate with your business and do the same with others from different latitudes. In addition, you have the advantage of being able to move your office abroad without the need to change your numbers.
List of the best applications to receive calls and have service while you travel the world
There is a third option able to solve communication problems when we are away from home (country). We refer to applications that offer the possibility of make voice calls and video calls.
They can be used as long as we have a stable internet connection. This can be achieved through Wifi or by acquiring a sim with a plan of 4G. Although it is always better to use the free one. If it is a tourist town, it is certain that you will be able to find sites with open networks (find out about the dangers that this entails). Hotels, accommodation, bars and restaurants are places where you can connect to the web in a less risky way.
In any case, these are the best applications to make free international calls:
WhatsApp
The world’s most popular messaging service also offers voice and video calling options. The same they will not consume the minutes you have on the phone plan. In the event that the other person does not answer, you can always leave an audio. Another of its advantages is that it is available for all operating systems. The bad: you can’t do it with the web version used on a computer.
Telegram
The main competence of WhatsApp, although always one step ahead in tools. Thanks to its end-to-end encryption services, the company guarantees total security of messages and calls. It is available for all platforms and the best of all is that you can communicate from and to a PC. As a negative we can mention that not everyone uses this app.
Facebook Messenger
The second product of Facebook on this list. A simple management option with clear objectives. Keep in mind that for communication to be successful, both parties they must be friends on the social network.
Skype
Her reputation precedes her. Historically it has been one of the best applications for video calls on the Internet. Offers options videoconferences and you can add contacts only with their username. In addition, agreeing to the payment of a fee, calls can be made to real phone numbers.
Line
If we talk about group conferences, this is the best option, since it allows simultaneous connection of up to 200 users. In addition, photos and other multimedia files can be sent. All the mentioned applications can download for free from the store corresponding to each operating system.