How to get a US phone number overseas

The easiest way to get a US phone number while you are abroad is to buy a US phone number online.

These type of phone numbers are sometimes called “virtual numbers”, but in reality they are just normal local phone numbers – with the difference that they are not connected to you via any physical phone line, nor to any SIM card that can be entered into a phone.

This is how it works.

Forward incoming calls to wherever you are

“Virtual numbers” can easily be configured to forward incoming calls to any mobile number or landline worldwide.

So, what you need to do is the following

• Subscribe
  Subscribe to a US phone number.
• Configure it
  Have it configured to forward calls to the local mobile number you have in the  country you are in.

The cost varies significantly by provider, but if you get a US phone number from Sonetel, while you are overseas, you can expect the following costs.

• Monthly cost
  Your number costs from $1.99 per month with monthly subscription. You can get it a bit cheaper if you opt for 1 or 3 year subscriptions.
• Call forwarding
  Incoming calls to your number can be forwarded to any destination worldwide at local calling rates.
• Making calls
  You can make the call with an app – across the Internet – and only pay for the local call at the destination. If you use Call back or call thru – there will be an extra cost for the local call on your side.

If you need more

Business features such as Call Recording and Voice response are available with our paid plans such as Premium or Business – including free calling minutes and much more.

People calling your US number while you are overseas will usually have the same experience as when calling any regular US number.

They will call your number, you will see who is calling and can answer the call or let it go to voicemail.

The fact that the call is forwarded across the world – to your local number in the country you are in – will generally not be something that the caller will be aware of.

Making calls

You can dial any numbers in the US or elsewhere that you want to call. You can also call your mobile contacts, as if making the call from within the US.

Using the Android app or iPhone app, it is possible to either make calls in different modes.

• Internet
  The first part of the call travels from your phone or laptop across the Internet. The call is then connected out onto the regular phone network in the country you are calling. You only pay for a local call (plus local data charges if you have any).
• Call thru
  Supported in many countries.  Your mobile phone will automatically call a local access number in that country. Your call will then be connected onwards to the destination you called. In reality, you just select the person or number to call – and then the call will be set up. You additionally pay for the local call to the access number.
• Call back
  When you call a number or person, you will get a call back call. Once you answer this call, you will be connected onwards to the person you wanted to call.

If you want to show your US number to the people you are calling, you need to have a paid plan such as Premium or Business.

Try a US phone number for free for a few days. Keep it if you like it.

You can select a US number in a city and state of choice here.

Photo by frank mckenna, Stephen Leonardi, Andre Benz and Bermix Studio on Unsplash