How it works

One shared phone number, one extension each, and a free app that turns your device into a phone.

When someone calls you

They dial the CheapPhone number, +1 343 842 3569.
A voice asks them to enter your three-digit extension.
They hear your name and choose: 1 to leave a message, 2 to ring your device.
If your device does not answer, they are offered voicemail instead of a dead line.

The voicemail is saved to your portal within seconds, and can be pushed to your email or Telegram.

Turning your device into a phone

You need a SIP app. These are free and work on old hardware:

Device	App to try first	Notes
Android (old or new)	Linphone	Free, open source, runs on Android 5 and up
Android, low-end	Sipnetic	Very small install, light on memory
iPhone / iPad	Linphone	Free
Windows laptop	MicroSIP	Free, tiny
Linux laptop	Linphone or Baresip	Either is fine

In the app, add an account with the username, password and server shown on your portal page. Keep it on WiFi — calls do not use mobile data unless you allow it.

Texts

Text messages cost money per message, so texts to the shared number need an extension in front:

ext 123: hi, it is Donna, I got the job

Send that to +1 343 504 7378 and it arrives in extension 123's portal, and is forwarded to whatever channels that member has switched on (email, Telegram, WhatsApp or Messenger once those are approved).

If someone texts you without the extension, nobody can tell who it was for. If a sender needs ordinary texting, a dedicated number can be attached to one extension — ask.

What this is not

Not a replacement for 911. Always call emergency services directly.
Not a mobile plan: it needs WiFi, and it will not work in a dead zone.
Not anonymous. We keep a record of who holds which extension so the number cannot be used to harass people.