To get started, simply click here to join Tello.
Once you arrive on that start page, we check your coverage and you choose your Plan.
Then you either shop for a Tello Phone or Bring Your Own Phone, where you have the option to purchase a Tello SIM.Once you select the option you'd like, you will be guided through the easy purchase process and then, when your package arrives, guided through activation.
For security reasons, opening an online account can only be done by the customers themselves.Our Support team does not create accounts or place orders for customers and we do not have any physical stores.
Payment can be made with most credit/debit cards & PayPal. We do not accept checks, bank transfers, Venmo or other payment methods.Tello is a contract-free service and our checkout page shows you the full purchase price (with tax) before you proceed to finalize an order.
You need an unlocked and compatible phone, alongside a Tello SIM to join the service.
When you purchase a Tello SIM, you receive a 3-in-1 SIM card that includes mini (2FF), micro (3FF), and nano (4FF) sizes to fit any type of compatible phone.
Once you successfully activate your Tello SIM in your online account, you will then have the option to port in your own phone number.
Note:
Tello does not participate in the EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) / Lifeline program at this time.
International Calling
All Tello plans (except for data-only plans) include calls to more than 60 countries as well as the US... at no extra cost!So, for example, if you make a 20-minute call to Canada, that 20 minutes come out of your monthly minutes' balance. Overseas freephone numbers may not be available.
5G
5G is available to anyone with a Tello plan, a 5G-capable phone and located in an area that provides 5G coverage (see our Coverage map).Your service will switch seamlessly between 5G and 4G/LTE, whichever signal is stronger.
Hotspot
Our plans also include the mobile Hotspot feature at no extra charge.The data you use via Hotspot just pulls from your monthly Data balance.All you need is a Hotspot-capable phone.
When your data plan balance runs out and your Pay As You Go balance falls below $0.50, hotspot is automatically disabled.
When using the Unlimited Data plan, you have 5 GB of hotspot included.
Travel Options
Although we do not provide roaming, we do have 2 great alternatives for calling and texting when you are traveling abroad or simply in an area of poor coverage at home:
- WiFi Calling & Text -- This is a feature available on the vast majority of Tello-compatible phones and you can check your phone settings to confirm.It allows for calling & texting via the closest available Wi-Fi network which could be at a hotel, your office, at home, or even a Wi-Fi Hotspot. For more details check out our blog.
- "My Tello" App --You also have the option of using our free "My Tello" app to make calls through Wi-Fi.You can not receive calls via the App and texting is also not available via the App - this can only be used to make calls.The "My Tello" app is a free download for iOS and Android users.
3-Way Calling
3-Way calling is available and allows you to add a third party to a call so that all three parties may talk to each other simultaneously.
Visual Voicemail
Visual Voicemail is only available for Android users on our network at the moment.If your Android phone does not natively support Visual Voicemail, you can download and use a third-party app available in Google Play Store.
Toll-Free Calls
Calls to all Toll-Free Numbers in the USA are charged from your voice balance as normal.
2FA
Shortcodes and 2-factor authentication messages can be received on your Tello line.
Note:
Tello does not provide a 411 directory assistance service.
For security reasons, all customers are required to retrieve their porting information (Tello Account Number & Temporary Port Out PIN) directly from their own online account. (this feature is not available in the "My Tello" App)
- Go to the "Porting" tab in your online account
- Scroll down to the "Port Out" section and click "Information"
- Click on the "Retrieve Port Out Information" button
- Provide the required information.
Please note that you will need your 4-digit Tello Security PIN to perform this action. If you cannot recall or find your Security PIN, go to the "My Information" tab, and follow the instructions to reset your PIN.
When you activate the service with Tello, all your APN settings are usually set automatically.
However, if you're having issues with data, hotspot, MMS or group messaging, you need to check your APN settings to make sure that they're correct.
On an Android device, you can view and adjust your APN settings in the following location:
- Settings
- Tap More networks (under the Connections tab, or More, Wireless & networks, Wireless Controls, Wireless Manager, Phone Information).
- Select Mobile or Cellular networks.
- Choose Access Point Names.
- Tap the Menu icon.
- Tap the Access Point you would like to check.
- If you're adding a new APN, tap New APN and enter the following APN: wholesale
Save the APN, restart the device, and test the service.
On an iOS device, you can view or adjust your APN settings in one of the following locations:
- Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network OR
- Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Mobile Data Network.
Here are the APN settings required when using an iOS device on Tello:
- Mobile Data
- APN: wholesale
- MMS
- APN: service
- MMSC: http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
- Personal Hotspot
- APN: wholesale
- Leave everything else blank.
Now double-check that the iOS software is updated, restart your phone, and test the service again.
Wi-Fi Calling & Text is included with your Tello service.
This feature is available on the vast majority of Tello-compatible phones and you can check your own phone settings to confirm. It allows for calling & texting via the closest available Wi-Fi network which could be at a hotel, your office, at home, or even a Wi-Fi hotspot.
It is an ideal alternative to Roaming (which we don't yet offer) when you are traveling abroad or even when you experience poor network coverage at home in the US.
You can use Wi-Fi Calling with Tello if the following conditions are met:
- your device supports Wi-Fi Calling which the majority of Tello-compatible phones do.
- you have enabled Wi-Fi Calling on the device.
- you have registered an E911 address in your Tello online account (or through your phone Menu).
- the Wi-Fi network you are using allows Wi-Fi Calling. Obviously, this is not within Tello's control or responsibility.
How is Wi-Fi Calling & Texting Charged?
Wi-Fi Calling & Texting has no additional charge.
It's simply taken from your existing plan balance or your Pay As You Go balance, whichever applies to the activity.
For example, if you receive any calls (no matter where from) or if you call the US or any of the 60+ included international destinations then the minutes of those calls will be deducted from your minutes' plan balance.
If, on the other hand, you call an international destination that is not included in our plans (Ex: Cuba), then it will be charged from your Pay As You Go balance if you have one.
The same logic applies to Wi-Fi Text.
One-Time Passwords (OTPs)
You can receive any kind of text message if you have successfully set up WiFi calling & text.
This includes, one-time passwords (OTPs) and shortcodes for verification and 2-factor authentication.
If Wi-Fi calling & text is working for you while abroad and you’re receiving SMS's as usual, there should be no problem for you to get texts from your bank for verification.
However, of course, MMS will not work.
Please check our International Calling page for included countries and the rates for excluded countries.
Also, please visit our Blog for more details about Wi-Fi Calling & Text.
