Porting NZ mobile number to VoIP provider that also supports SMS

Forums › VoIP › Porting NZ mobile number to VoIP provider that also supports SMS

BlueYoda

13 posts

Geek

#306476 26-Jul-2023 13:57

As stated in the topic. I have been trying to find out if this is possible and if so, if anyone does it. (Moving overseas and need the number active for at least a few months).

I found an old geekzone topic from 2016 which says it's not possible. But maybe things have changed since then?

Call diversion seems to require me to maintain a plan.

This topic suggests keeping the SIM and prepay.
https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=81&topicid=302856

I spoke with Hero, and they don't support it and suggested that maybe an overseas VoIP provider might do it (which seems a bit odd to me?).

Thank you

Linux

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#3108354 26-Jul-2023 14:30

Why not just leave the SIM in a handset and use WiFi calling

OneNZ & 2degrees supports SMS over WiFi calling

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Linux

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#3108356 26-Jul-2023 14:32

Put handset into flight mode and turn on WiFi

BlueYoda

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#3108536 26-Jul-2023 18:12

Just the convinience of having it on a single device instead of two devices.

ANglEAUT

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#3108554 26-Jul-2023 19:22

BlueYoda: ... maybe an overseas VoIP provider might do it (which seems a bit odd to me?).

Nah, not odd. Previously, this type of service was available to purchase from Twilio

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BlueYoda

13 posts

Geek

#3109443 28-Jul-2023 22:39

Linux: Why not just leave the SIM in a handset and use WiFi calling

OneNZ & 2degrees supports SMS over WiFi calling

I looked into this like you suggested, but unfortunately my phone isn't supported which doesn't seem to be that unusual according to this thread (https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=81&topicid=293287)

Linux

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#3109445 28-Jul-2023 22:45

What is make / model of your handset?

BlueYoda

13 posts

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#3109646 29-Jul-2023 18:20

Google Pixel 4a (5G).

Not unusual for it to not work according to this thread: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=298485&page_no=19

Moving to an esim did not change anything. Going to ring 2degrees to ask them to provision it manually which seems mostly in vain but maybe it'll work.

nztim

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#3109651 29-Jul-2023 19:21

Get the cheapest iPhone 6s or above off trademe turn off mobile and use wifi calling

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alinz

65 posts

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#3109692 30-Jul-2023 00:03

A Galaxy A04 would work too. Can get one for $110 at the moment direct from the Samsung site by stacking SERVICE15, THANKYOU30 and CRP2023 coupons.

Futurianzero

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3119018 22-Aug-2023 15:20

Jumping in to ask if anyone has another solution than wifi calling – a relative is going to be in the same boat soon, but going to China where wifi calling is not supported (and I think their local cell provider would charge roaming on a wifi call even if it does work). They won't be able to keep a VPN up all the time to receive calls over wifi at unpredicted times.

It might be acceptable to have a mobile number ported to VOIP without SMS, as they mainly use iMessage.

BlueYoda

13 posts

Geek

#3119032 22-Aug-2023 16:28

Futurianzero:

Jumping in to ask if anyone has another solution than wifi calling – a relative is going to be in the same boat soon, but going to China where wifi calling is not supported (and I think their local cell provider would charge roaming on a wifi call even if it does work). They won't be able to keep a VPN up all the time to receive calls over wifi at unpredicted times.

It might be acceptable to have a mobile number ported to VOIP without SMS, as they mainly use iMessage.

I think you are out of luck. In my research and in speaking to some NZ VoIP providers on the phone, there's no infrastructure to allow porting of a NZ Carrier Mobile number to a VoIP service. You can get a brand new mobile number with some VoIP providers though, but that of course avoids the point (and it's got it's own suffix too).

One support person suggested asking some big overseas providers, but I gave up at that point.