What is a virtual phone number?
A virtual phone number is a real phone number that isn't tied to a physical phone line. Technically it comes from the same place that issues "landline" or "mobile" phone numbers; the difference is where the calls end up. Instead of ringing one fixed line, a virtual number sends calls wherever you tell it to: a phone app, a desk phone, your regular mobile, or a phone system.
There are multiple virtual phone number "types":
Local(geographic), National, Mobile, Toll-free, Metered, Shared cost.
A brief history lesson
Phone numbers didn't start with the invention of the phone. Initially, callers were connected via names and a switchboard. It wasn't until 1879 in the U.S. that phone numbers were introduced as a practical solution to the growing number of telephone users.
From the early 20th century, phone numbers were tied to specific physical locations and copper-wire landlines. Then, the internet and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, making it possible to transmit voice data over the internet rather than through traditional phone lines.
Initially, virtual numbers were used primarily by businesses to route calls more efficiently and to establish a local presence in multiple locations without needing to set up physical offices. As time went on, and as internet infrastructure and VoIP technology improved, virtual phone numbers became more accessible to individual users as well.
Where do virtual phone numbers come from?
Virtual phone numbers are regulated by government agencies or telecommunications authorities in each country, the same places that issue and regulate your landline or mobile phone number. In the United States, for example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees the distribution and regulation of phone numbers. Among other duties, they ensure that phone numbers are allocated fairly, preventing issues like overlapping numbers or numbering shortages in high-demand areas.
Our carrier partners are licensed to receive large blocks of numbers from these authorities, and FlyNumber makes them available in 90 countries. In most of them you pick your own number. When you order, the panel shows a list of available numbers and you can search by digits or letters (type NYC and it maps to the keypad digits). That covers every US and Canadian prefix, Australia and 50+ other countries. Where a list isn't offered (the UK, Germany and Singapore, for example), we assign one for you. The "Pick specific #" filter on the Coverage page shows exactly where you can choose.
In essence, virtual phone numbers are real phone numbers, but instead of being tied to a physical phone line or location, they’re hosted in the "cloud."
Different countries, different rules
Rules and regulations can vary significantly depending on the country—and sometimes even the type of number you're requesting. In the U.S., U.K., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Israel, and many others, obtaining a virtual number is relatively straightforward. There are no special registration requirements for a local number with these prefixes / area codes. However, on the opposite end of the spectrum are countries like Germany, where, for example, a Berlin number would require proof of address in Berlin.
Many countries are not as strict, though. For example, in Thailand or Singapore, you can get numbers using any address in the world (albeit you'll still need to provide an ID or company certificate).
The regulations can also vary based on "number type"—for a South Africa local (geographic) number, you'd need proof of address in the South African city where you want a number. However, an SA mobile number allows for registration using any address in the world.
Where registration is required, the FlyNumber panel walks you through the document upload at checkout and tracks the status on its Number Registration page. Verified numbers activate in about 1–3 business days. Numbers that don't need registration are usually active right away. The "Registration" filter on the Coverage page shows which is which.
Routing and forwarding
The beautiful thing about virtual phone numbers is that they are, in fact, virtual. It doesn't matter where you are or what device you're using, (at least with FlyNumber) you can route the calls where you want, how you want.
In your FlyNumber panel, the setting that decides where calls go is called Call Handling, and there are five ways to route calls (a sixth setting, Park the Number, simply stops the number ringing anywhere). FlyNumber SIP comes first: we give you SIP credentials (SIP is the standard that VoIP apps and desk phones use), you plug them into the app or device of your choice, and you can make and receive calls with your FlyNumber as the caller ID. Incoming calls are included with the number's monthly rate; outgoing calls are billed per minute from your prepaid balance. Or forward calls to any phone number in the world, send them to your own VoIP or SIP address, or add our optional cloud phone system when you need a voice menu, ring groups or business hours. You can also let a built-in AI voice agent answer for you. Here are the five side by side:
Note
Switch between them any time in your panel. A sixth option, Park the Number, stops the number ringing anywhere (callers hear busy) with no call charges.
That's the whole idea behind FlyNumber. The FlyNumber is "virtual", so let's keep it that way.
Text messages/SMS
Virtual phone numbers can send and receive text messages too, as long as the specific number supports it. The Coverage page shows an "SMS in" and "SMS out" badge on every prefix, so you can check before you order.
With FlyNumber, incoming texts land in the SMS inbox in your panel and in your email at the same time. Incoming SMS is free in most countries, with a small per-segment fee in a few (the United States, Mexico, Lithuania and Thailand). A segment is one chunk of a text message, up to 160 characters.
Sending works by default on any FlyNumber whose coverage shows "SMS out": open the inbox in your panel and reply, chat-style, at the per-segment prices on our Rates page. It's meant for personal, person-to-person texting, so bulk, marketing or automated (A2P) messaging isn't supported.
Now for the honest part. We hope the day will come when all companies, including financial institutions and government agencies, accept virtual phone numbers as regular numbers and send verification texts (i.e., short-code/2FA) to them as they do to standard mobile numbers. More and more individuals are using virtual numbers as their "main" numbers while keeping their "main" phone number private. We actually touch on this subject in a blog post - Can blockchain fix the VoIP phone number verification conundrum?
That's not to say that all virtual phone numbers have this issue. FlyNumber can't guarantee verification texts from short codes or alphanumeric senders; whether they arrive depends on the sender. We anticipate this improving as time goes on and tech companies (like ourselves) get better at filtering out spam users.
One current limit: texting US numbers isn't available yet — it's coming soon (A2P). The details, including what to expect from 2FA texts, are on our SMS information page.
Porting
Just like "regular phone numbers," virtual phone numbers can also be ported in or ported out to and from companies. You could also port a mobile number to a virtual phone number company or vice versa. The company holding the number would need to "release" the number after the "new" company makes a request to port in. In general, your account should be in good standing before trying to port a number away; otherwise, it's a big no-no for a company not to allow a port out.
You'll find cases where a provider can't port in certain phone numbers. However, you won't really find a case where a provider wouldn't release a current number they hold.
So before porting out a number, you'll want to make sure your "new" provider can, in fact, port in that exact number.
With FlyNumber, you submit the port-in request from your panel: pick the country and number type, upload the signed letter of authorization (LOA) and a recent bill, and we handle the carrier side and keep you posted. Porting in is free in nearly all countries and typically takes a few business days for US and Canadian numbers and 1–3 weeks elsewhere; porting a number out of FlyNumber is handled through support.
Frequently asked questions
Is a virtual phone number a real phone number?
Yes. It comes from the same national numbering plan as landline and mobile numbers, and anyone can call it like any other number. The only difference is that it isn't tied to one physical line, so you decide where the calls end up.
Can I make outgoing calls with a virtual phone number?
With FlyNumber, yes. Set the number's Call Handling to FlyNumber SIP and you can make and receive calls from any SIP app, desk phone or PBX, with your FlyNumber as the caller ID. Incoming calls are included; outgoing calls are billed per minute from your prepaid balance at the rates on our Rates page. Some number types restrict outbound calling due to local regulations.
Can I choose my virtual phone number?
In the US, Canada, Australia and 50+ other countries, yes. When you order, the panel shows a list of available numbers and you can search by digits or letters. Where a list isn't offered, we assign one for you. Use the "Pick specific #" filter on the Coverage page to see exactly where you can choose.
How much does a virtual phone number cost?
FlyNumbers start at $2.95 per month, and most prefixes cost exactly that. The live price for every country and city is on the Coverage page, next to the one-time setup fee that a few premium numbers carry. Pay monthly, or save 10%, 15% or 25% with quarterly, semi-annual or annual billing. See the Pricing page for details.
Do I need a phone system to use a virtual phone number?
Usually not. One person with a softphone app only needs FlyNumber SIP, which includes voicemail. Add the optional cloud phone system ($14.95/month flat for your whole account) when you want a voice menu, ring groups, queues, business hours or call recording.
Get your virtual phone number today
- A virtual phone number from $2.95/month in 90 countries. See pricing for the 3, 6 and 12-month discounts and the Rates page for per-minute and SMS prices.
- Make and receive calls with FlyNumber SIP, or forward calls anywhere. Switch any time.
- Pick your own number in the US, Canada, Australia and 50+ other countries.
- No contracts. Auto-Renew is on by default and every renewal is a one-time charge; turn it off any time to let a number lapse.
