Virtual Phone Number
Short answer: A virtual number is a phone number you reach over the internet, whether through an app, a dashboard or a SIP account, instead of on a physical SIM card or a landline. The term only describes the delivery method, not authenticity: a virtual number can just as easily be a genuine mobile, local or toll-free number on a national phone network.
The phrase gets used loosely online, stretching from free shared inboxes to private numbers on real national networks, so it's worth checking exactly what a given provider is selling.
Definition
A virtual number is any phone number reaching you through software rather than dedicated hardware sitting at your location. Calls and texts arrive at a provider first, which then relays them to your app, browser or phone.
What to check
- Is the number private to you, or shared among other users?
- Does it come from a national mobile, local or toll-free range?
- Can it be kept and renewed over the long term?
- Does it support calling and sending SMS, or receiving only?
How it applies to SMS Conecta
SMS Conecta numbers get called virtual numbers simply because you use them online, yet they are genuine, private numbers on national phone networks spanning 181 countries. Each one includes unlimited incoming SMS and calls, SIP credentials, call forwarding and a web dialer, starting from $1.80 per month on annual billing ($21.60 per year).
Common questions, answered for SMS Conecta
| Question | SMS Conecta's answer |
|---|---|
| Private or shared? | Private numbers only |
| Which ranges? | National mobile, local, and toll-free ranges across 181 countries |
| Can it be kept long-term? | Yes, renewed each year starting at $1.80/month on annual billing ($21.60 per year) |
| Calls and SMS included? | Unlimited incoming SMS and calls, plus 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 outgoing minutes every month |
Related terms
- Mobile number
- Non-VoIP number
- DID
- Temporary vs permanent numbers
Frequently asked questions
Is a virtual number actually a real phone number?
It certainly can be. A SMS Conecta number is a genuine number on a national phone network that you happen to access online.
Do SMS Conecta numbers get shared between users?
No. Every number belongs to you exclusively; sharing isn't offered.
Does a virtual number work for WhatsApp signup?
SMS Conecta numbers work across WhatsApp, Telegram, Google, Facebook and thousands of other apps. If one won't accept it, the 7-day replacement guarantee hands you a free new number.
Is a virtual number the same thing as a free SMS site?
No. Free sites usually publish shared numbers for anyone to see; a paid private number receives codes for you alone.