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coastrangepaul's avatar
4 months ago
Solved

Two factor at multiple remote properties, no cell

I have two rural properties neither of which have cell service. I have Telus-supplied copper wire landlines at both. Telus Fiber is not available at either location. I have Xplore satellite telecommunication services at each location for Internet and email. I need a single phone number for both locations that I can use for two-factor authentication. Xplore has its own VoIP phones which allow voice-based 2FA codes but not SMS. I have a basic flip phone and I purchase a yearly prepaid plan called Text and Talk 100 from Telus. In a year, I've never used up all my allotted "free" voice and text. I top up for long distance to the tune of about $35/year. It would be nice to just use wifi calling from my cheap flip phone using my existing prepaid plan. After looking into it as a possible option I found that I would need to buy a newer phone that supports VoLTE and wifi calling and probably a plan that would make my prepaid plan look cheap. What are my options to get talk and text at the two rural locations?

  • Hello coastrangepaul​ , yes, you'll most likely need a new phone and a monthly postpaid plan in order to get Wi-Fi calling/SMS support at your location.

4 Replies

  • It means using two-factor authentication (2FA) at several remote locations where there's no cell service.

  • SuperFred's avatar
    SuperFred
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager

    Hello coastrangepaul​ , yes, you'll most likely need a new phone and a monthly postpaid plan in order to get Wi-Fi calling/SMS support at your location.

  • Starlink. I have it on my boat and have been cruising far from cell towers. I have WIFI calling, internet, text and email. Also have Telus Optik TV which is internet based.

    You would need two or move a portable one. If you decide to get it let me refer you and we both get a free month.

    • coastrangepaul's avatar
      coastrangepaul
      Neighbour

      I had considered Starlink before I went with Xplore. It has lower latency and at the time I wasn't needing 2FA, so I didn't look at Wifi calling. What with the politics of extremists, I'm loathe to change to an American-based solution. I appreciate your suggestion, though.