I am surprised Google Voice hasn't been mentioned as an alternative. It piggy backs on existing networks by allowing you to communicate with Google servers over

I am surprised Google Voice hasn't been mentioned as an alternative. It piggy backs on existing networks by allowing you to communicate with Google servers over your data plan, which forward your texts as SMS to their destinations. I run it on my smartphone and use my Google Voice phone # exclusively. As a result I have been able to get rid of my SMS Verizon plan over a year ago. This is completely transparent to my contacts who have no idea that they are texting/calling a google voice number.