TruPhone

Awesome method— let’s hope Truphone keeps selling the sim indefinitely.

That is so helpful Frasier1, thanks !!

I have been avoiding using the Truphone service because of its data usage.
But...
Now I can get rid of the callback app and use this method instead.

I've been a Localphone user for years & now, given your mention I looked & see that the dashboard page now has 'Callback New!' at the top - so it must be time to give that a try.
( www.localphone.com/dashboard/callback )

The only big difference I see seems to be its requirement of using a PIN & registering the originating number as well, which is no biggie.

Just checked their US to US rate for using their app, and it is 0.5¢/minute - but their SMS rate is 8.8¢ so I'll just use the native app for SMS if/when I need to & happily pay Truphone a little for that.

It has been so long since I used Localphone that I forgot all about this provider !!

Thanks Again.

As far as I recall most USA to USA calls are .01/min. (*edit - faulty memory - as pointed out it is .005/min.) with localphone BUT there were some exchanges that were more than that and I'm not talking Alaska or other far flung places (one was in upstate NY). Don't know if that is still the case.

BTW although it says "new" I think they have offered callback for quite a few years. I recall using it in the Caribbean where some islands had stupid expensive /min. rates for international calls. The islands with Cable & Wireless monopoly were crazy stupid expensive (multiple dollars/min.) and attempted to block callback services.

The rate for USA to USA is one half a cent. When you use the "callback feature" they charge for both the call to you and the call to whoever you are calling, which makes it a total of 1 cent per min (because of the 'double call') I've done this many times and it works fine and does not require data since all you are using is the phone. I also like that localphone doesn't make you put 20 or so bucks to start but rather lets you put as little as 1 dollar. I think they even give you 20 cents just so you can try it out before you commit to adding money.

Thanks, I corrected my post. Faulty memory or better rate now, not sure, maybe I was recalling the oddball expensive USA exchange. I rarely used localphone for USA calling but it was always provisioned in Obi devices as default for international calls and was there as backup in case GV flaked out.

I also appreciate that I can add a dollar or three instead of $10 or $20 minimum BUT be aware that if you want to use PayPal there is a $10 min. ALSO be aware that the purchase will incur a foreign transaction fee (1-3% depending on the card) so use a card that waives FTF if you have one.

So - I funded my account, and it called me back very nicely, and then...
Entering the weather service number (all 10 digits) - it rang & rang & told me 'that number is unavailable' - added the +1 - same result.
Tried my home number, also both ways - same deal.
Opened a support ticket & now must wait & see what follows.

In the meantime I installed their app in my GSM phone, made the settings I wanted & gave that a spin with the same numbers - all good - additionally it showed me how I was charged for the almost 3 minutes of failed calling out.
No matter if I ever figure out the callback, their app will definitely get used on that GSM phone, so its all good.
Also updated the GV app, set it to wifi only, and that works well to make calls now.

I've also shut off the GV Callback app & cellular data so as to preserve my TF balance as well as possible.

What is really funny to me is that I really make or get very few calls, but also still have a TextNow number on a wifi-only phone that I mostly keep running as it mines Pi 24/7 - so I guess its time to also install & set up GV on that phone as well.

Edit:
Here we are in the wee hours of the morning - and a LP rep got back with me saying that US to US numbers need 1& all 10 digits - but not the + symbol - and by golly it worked perfectly !!

All the goofing around did use a few pennies in both LP & TP, but this setup seems to be the best of all worlds & the time & efforts to get it going right have been well worth it IMO.

So, now I can actually ditch the GV Callback app & have really good options for low cost usages of my GSM phone.

Thanks Again !!!

My TruPhonr SIM card is in my old iPhone 4s. I use GVConnect for callback. When I’m at home, I have WiFi so I can use GVCon to make outgoing calls on TruPhone.

When outside, I have a FreedomPop SIM card (free 250 mb) in my other phone. I use FPop/GVC to call back my TruPhone for making outgoing calls. The FPop fone is my main fone since I need data to navigate/Google Maps and for my iCloud notes.

Yes, I should have mentioned that when using Localphone to dial out when they call you back and ask you to enter the number, you should enter 1 plus the 9 digit number (followed by # if you want to speed it up) Another 'trick' for Truphone for someone you call often (like a spouse) is just to call them with Truphone, let it ring once or twice and hang up. They see you called and call you back so now it's a free incoming call. Of course you would want to explain this to them ahead of time so they know what to do. (otherwise they might answer on the first ring!)

Frasier1 wrote: The rate for USA to USA is one half a cent. When you use the "callback feature" they charge for both the call to you and the call to whoever you are calling, which makes it a total of 1 cent per min (because of the 'double call') I've done this many times and it works fine and does not require data since all you are using is the phone. I also like that localphone doesn't make you put 20 or so bucks to start but rather lets you put as little as 1 dollar. I think they even give you 20 cents just so you can try it out before you commit to adding money.

20 cents top-up! LOL! This is great! Thanks Frasier1!

EDIT: You can also make international calls for 0.3cents/min. You're getting neighbors GV!

Some Localphone rates are better than GV, some are not. Some international calls are 0.3 cents/min., some are 3.0 cents (or more, sometimes way more)/min. As always YMMV depending on the destination.