A random article: How much is a mobile phone number worth | Overseas mobile phone cards

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Before this, I have written about overseas mobile phone cards sporadically, so I want to group these articles into a series. Mobile phone cards are an important part of our use of overseas software and services, so I will take some time to talk about them specifically. Later, I will also introduce some mobile phone cards in various countries that I personally think are good and have number preservation.

Because the ultimate purpose of using these mobile phone cards is to register accounts and use overseas services. Therefore, I pay more attention to the ability of these mobile phone cards to send and receive text messages. As for calls, data, etc., they are not rigid needs. Therefore, 3HK in Hong Kong or CTM in Macau are not within the scope of this series.

In addition, let me reiterate: I don’t sell cards, I don’t sell cards, I don’t sell cards!

If you pay a little attention to the relevant information about low-cost overseas mobile phone card number preservation, you should be able to find that many other countries have long-term number preservation packages, with time periods ranging from three to five years, and some even claim to be lifelong use (just listen); the prices usually range from a few yuan to dozens of RMB.

If you see this kind of message, I personally recommend that you stock up on a few different countries to facilitate registration of software services in different countries. Especially for things like e-wallets, you may need a mobile phone number from a specific country/region. I remember registering for Turkey's Ozan a few years ago. In addition to Turkish mobile phone numbers, only British mobile phone numbers could open virtual bank cards.

In addition, low-cost number plans in various countries are not always available. For example, the New Zealand eSIM, which was very popular last year, now supports new users to purchase physical cards. So, when it’s time to make a move, don’t hesitate.

1. How to buy

There are usually several channels to buy such mobile phone numbers: e-commerce platforms, second-hand platforms, brand official platforms, self-built platforms, and various communities, etc. Due to the different requirements of real name and anonymity, the actual difficulty of purchase is also different. Among them, the most troublesome and the most opaque type is the phone card that requires the real name of the local person, such as MTN in Nigeria. The "sense of security" of buying such a phone depends entirely on the "consciousness" of the seller and the person who provides the identity proof.

As for the payment method, you usually need a credit card that supports foreign currencies. Therefore, it is recommended that you apply for US dollar credit cards from several banks and try to apply for different card organizations: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, etc. If you can still find a group like Telegram, you should also learn a little about cryptocurrency trading. Regarding overseas payments, I will also open a separate series to talk about it systematically.

2. How to match

Find mobile phone numbers in specific countries according to your needs.

Generally speaking, it is the first choice to keep a US number, whether it is a physical card or an eSIM. The price is usually 3 to 5 US dollars per month. I personally use the UltraMobile Purple card. This card has previously had problems with new numbers failing to activate/recharge in mainland China. New friends should confirm with the seller.

In addition, you can choose a card with the lowest cost of keeping the number, such as Giffgaff in the UK, Vodafone in Germany, etc. As long as you think the price of keeping the number is affordable and you don't need to operate it frequently, you can register one.

Finally, it is strongly recommended to prepare a mobile phone that supports eSIM, or buy an eSIM writing card. In this way, different mobile phone numbers can be written into the same mobile phone for easy use.

3. How to use it worthwhile

To keep an overseas mobile phone number, a US number costs about 22 yuan per month, which is 260 yuan a year. Numbers in other countries cost as little as a dozen yuan, or as much as several dozen yuan. So, is it worth keeping such a number?

Let's do a simple calculation. If we replace such a number with a one-time code receiving platform, and then register the commonly used software, we can see how much it costs, so that we can have an intuitive impression.

The data comes from my personal consumption andsms-activate.io

The above are just some commonly used software, but there are many practical scenarios. For example, when registering an educational email account, some schools require a mobile phone number for verification. In addition, these accounts are not permanent once registered. Once they are controlled by risk or the login device is changed, a mobile phone number is also required for verification.

In short, if you come across an overseas mobile phone number that is available at a low price, you can consider stocking up on one as long as your phone can store it and the number does not require frequent texting or making calls.

The above content is the beginning of the overseas mobile phone card series. In this series, I will demonstrate some mobile phone numbers that I personally think are cost-effective and easy to buy and hold. I hope it will be helpful to everyone.

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