19 Comments
User's avatar
Karen's avatar

Chris, thank you for this article. This is really eye-opening!

So, Tello, for $5/mo, (with no data plan) your phone number is parked, and it will receive phone calls, text messages and 2FA verifications…. you mean over wi-fi, right?

I feel we’ve been hosed, considering I’m on Wi-Fi the majority of the time. And your comment about 50G lasting up to nine months for $125. Could one use flexiroam (or another eSIM) just in the states? (I feel like a dumb dumb for asking that question, but I associate eSIM’s when traveling overseas.)The main concern, though, would be reception. I’m with AT&T right now and it’s ok but can be frustrating (we do live in the mountains, so there’s that). But, I suppose everybody’s using the same cell towers.

Thanks again, Chris!

Chris Englert (EatWalkLearn)'s avatar

Yes, right. $5 a month to park, etc. Esims for data, worldwide, including the US. It’s exactly what we do. I’m currently in Maine using my Flexiroam data. Yup, Verizon et al is bucketing money.

Paul H R's avatar

I forgot to list that, it's $96 per year.

Calls outside of Georgia, I'll use WhatsApp etc.

Chris Englert (EatWalkLearn)'s avatar

How do you call 800 numbers like your bank?

Matt McMann's avatar

Really helpful Chris thank you!

PEGGY SIJSWERDA's avatar

Thanks for the tips. Super helpful!

Paul H R's avatar

I use U.S. Mobile; they have great plans. Easy to use.

Chris Englert (EatWalkLearn)'s avatar

for global data on a daily basis world wide?

Paul H R's avatar

Pretty much just for 2FA at my destination, Tbilisi.

Chris Englert (EatWalkLearn)'s avatar

What do you pay for that?

Roberta Hill, Wander After 70's avatar

Great overview, Chris. I'm Canadian, but I keep a Tello number (eSim) for worldwide WiFi use. I also usually use Airalo and Hoafly. I tried GigSky for a cruise but wasn't very successful, but I will give it a go again on our next repositioning cruise.

@stacksave

Wendy Hawkes's avatar

I use Tello and Saily and have been very satisfied for the last year of slow-mading. Except my iMessages all of a sudden stopped working a month or so ago. No clue why. Reset/reinstalled my Tello chip (old iPhone 12) and no luck. Need to get it sorted when next I'm near an Apple store. But the phone service has been great!

Chris Englert (EatWalkLearn)'s avatar

Thanks for the confirmation. No idea about the iPhone stuff.

Wendy Hawkes's avatar

Oh yeah, wasn't prodding. Just a note that settings can get tweaked, I guess. But your explanations are spot on and super helpful. 👍

Roberta Hill, Wander After 70's avatar

Wendy, our family all uses iPhones. My brother had a similar issue after using Tello and returning home. We have run into similar challenges when flipping between different eSims. So, it may not be the phone exactly but . . .

Wendy Hawkes's avatar

Interesting to know. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to experiment more.