Originally Posted by
Dubai Stu
If you have a phone compatible with Sprint, what about TexNow’s free (add supported) voice/text number on the Sprint network. Get a cheap used Sprint phone and the DYI SIM kit. Activate it and park it. Use the TextNow app. When you are back in the US, use it as your US phone but otherwise use it through the app.
TextNow may be free, but it's definitely not 'long term expiration'. "Parking" a TextNow phone and not using the service at all for some time will result in the number attached to the device getting deactivated and recycled to someone else after some time of inactivity (I believe this is set at 30 days only) unfortunately.
In order to keep the number, one needs to use the app every once in a while even if not in the US - which at least is possible without additional cost. They have hidden this in the fine print of the T&C where it gets easily overlooked.
BTW, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Red Pocket's $60/year plan now comes with 500 MB of data per month (up from 100 MB). Makes the package more usable.