Is Public Mobile or Lucky Mobile the most affordable way to get a "physical" phone number?

naticom wrote: ↑ In order to get a physical cell phone number (i.e not voip number, one with a sim card), currently I know you can get a free (occasional promo) or $0.99 PM/Lucky Mobile sim card (from ebay), and then sign up for the least expensive plan ($15/month) and possibly $2 off by setting up auto payment.

Is there any other cheaper way to get a physical phone number just to receive verification texts?

Thanks

genham17 wrote: ↑ I believe Piranha Mobile is the cheapest $0.70 (USD?) / month for a Canadian Number but you don't get to choose it nor can you port one in. It appears inbound calls are also free and $0.15/min for outbound.

I haven't used their service but am planning to do a Piranha Mobile + Fido Data sim after my Zoomer contract is done.

naticom wrote: ↑ Interesting name...

Is there a minimum balance I have to maintain in the account?

naticom wrote: ↑ Interesting name...

Is there a minimum balance I have to maintain in the account?

wearysky wrote: ↑ Speakout, hands down. $25 top up doesn't expire for a year, you just have to keep an eye on your balance because they take out a 911 fee every month.

gameon12 wrote: ↑Do you guys rely on Piranha for time sensitive verification texts?

RCML27 wrote: ↑ If I live in Quebec, can I use Speakout here? I see the network coverage map includes Montreal, but I also saw it saying service not available to Quebecers. Would they offer a phone number in Quebec?

This seems to be the cheapest option for someone who rarely uses the phone. I guess the next best alternative is Petro-Canada's service.

batcave wrote: ↑ I actually do not use piranha but I would if I needed a Canadian sim/number.

gameon12 wrote: ↑ Really? Even after their recent several-weeks-long outage (see HoFo)?

batcave wrote: ↑ I actually do not use piranha but I would if I needed a Canadian sim/number.

They don't offer it in Montreal but it can be used there according to this, it's on the Rogers network,

https://www.speakoutwireless.ca/speak/7 ... treal-514/

If you can't set it up with a 514 or equivalent area code, you could port it in.

RCML27 wrote: ↑ The link takes me to a forum from 2008. They talk about needing to go to a 7-11 store to buy extra airtime. Initially, can't I just buy the SIM and top up air time online all at once? The only concern is if they would ship the SIM to me in Montreal or not. Then add top ups online instead of going to a physical store since I notice you can do it online.

If, for example, I don't end up using the phone in one year, then I could have just spent the minimum $25 top up. As opposed to Petro-Canada's plan of $100 for a year. Would I be right in assuming that if you use the phone occasionally, then they're both equal, but if you only use it rarely, then Speakout is probably the better option?

batcave wrote: ↑ Yes, sorry about that - it was to illustrate that it could be used in Montreal. I used to use speakout and visited that forum on a regular basis. I saw the age of those posts but not much has changed. Yes you can top up and shop online now. It was helpful back in the day. As it's not offered in Quebec, they probably won't send you a sim card. You would have to buy one from eBay, rfd or Amazon.

I would buy the $100 refilll to take advantage of $25 top up promotions they would have occasionally. if you don't need that much it doesn't make sense to buy a $100 refill. I always bought my top ups at a store. I'm not sure if it is different when you buy online. Yes, I think speakout is the better option as all top ups are valid for 365 days rather than only the $100 top up at petro.

It's interesting how they are marketed. I guess it depends on which locations someone frequents most. There are 7/Eleven stores with Petro Canada gas pumps. Maybe you have the choice of buying both there!

RCML27 wrote: ↑ Thanks batcave. Very informative information. It's for my brother. He's on the Rogers Pay As You Go and has one or two hundred of credit in his account. He rarely uses the phone. Guess I'll let him use up those credits on either phone calls or renewing. Then try to switch to Speakout and port his 514 number over. Would they ask for an address when porting in a different area code, or since it's pay as you go, they won't bother with that?

Looked on eBay and Amazon and don't see any 7-11 SIM cards for sale. I guess when the time comes, I can ask my cousin who lives in Kingston to get it for me and send it over if they have it there.