Is it possible to run two mobile phones concurrently?

MarkDavis

MarkDavis

MarkDavis

Soldato
Joined
16 Apr 2007
Posts
2,887
Location
Timbuktu
Basically, I would like one contract, but with two mobile phones with the same telephone number that simply duplicate each other in terms of calls, SMS received etc. Basically, if someone calls my number or sends me a text, both phones will ring / receive the same SMS etc.

Specifically, I'm looking for an iPhone (or something with a bigger screen for internet/apps) but also a lighter/better battery life Android phone (which I have already).

Can I simply ask my mobile phone company to simply send me a duplicate SIM card without them deactivating the original one?
 
Castiel said:
Yes.
Click to expand...

No.

edit- well not in the uk because our networks dont offer it

vodafone do a multisim thing where you can constantly switch between which sim (both have same number) you want to use but they dont both work at the same time. just read that it doesnt do data either which op would no doubt want
 
Last edited:
What happens then if you lose your phone or its stolen?

Presumably, the carrier will send you a new phone / SIM card with the same number? Would it not be possible to simply ask them to not deactivate the old SIM?
 
This will be possible when Google Voice ( http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html ) comes out in the UK but until then, sorry :(
MarkDavis said:
What happens then if you lose your phone or its stolen?

Presumably, the carrier will send you a new phone / SIM card with the same number? Would it not be possible to simply ask them to not deactivate the old SIM?
Click to expand...
Technical hat time - rough approximation. Your phone number is tied to a specific number on your SIM on the telco's central database (called a HLR). When telco A's customer sends a call to telco B's customer, the telco B receives the call & checks which SIM ID is tied to the number being dialed then sends a message to the phone with the matching SIM ID saying "call incoming" and the magic happens.

The voda (Orange have this too, so do all of them probably)switching SIM system works by changing the SIM ID matched to the number in the central database so only one works at a time which is usually the last one turned on. Basic, but useful for carkits etc...
 
Last edited:
MarkDavis said:
What happens then if you lose your phone or its stolen?

Presumably, the carrier will send you a new phone / SIM card with the same number? Would it not be possible to simply ask them to not deactivate the old SIM?
Click to expand...

The network will not allow both sims to register at the same time.
 
out of interest, why would you want this, in your described scenario couldn't you just swap sim when the iphone battery runs out?
 
Other than his example it would be very good for people who want to run a phone and a tablet at the same time. Changing the sim just to check something (requiring restarting the hardware) would become repetative and a pain in the ****...
 
Abraham said:
out of interest, why would you want this, in your described scenario couldn't you just swap sim when the iphone battery runs out?
Click to expand...

For convenience and flexibility really. If I go away for the weekend hiking in the middle of nowhere, iPhone / Desire etc are pretty hopeless because they suck battery life like its going out of fashion. I really don't want to have to be carrying a couple of PowerMonkey chargers with me.

Equally, if I forgot the phone at home/office, I can simply use the other one.

Also I like the idea of having a smaller/cheaper/light phone that I can take with me for sporting activities and not worry about the weight, it being damaged, lost etc. Losing a iPhone 5 / LG 2x at £500 would be gutting and £10 a month insurance is a rip off. And you would lose your SIM card as well if the phone got lost. Then several days with no phone whilst a replacement is sent.

It would be an unbeliveably faff constantly having to swap SIM cards which in any event, wouldn't quite solve the problem.

Have to say I'm surprised that phone companies haven't provided this option in the UK - would mean them being able to sell extra phones.
 
There is something like this from Orange but I think it's only for business customers, I had the SW area rep telling me about it a few months ago.

I think that you have your normal phone with your normal SIM in it, and you have a second phone with an alternative SIM in it but some clever stuff at Orange HQ means that when a call is made for your number, it routes it to both SIMs (or that's how I understood it anyway). I'm sure somebody from Orange will be along soon to explain how it really works.
 
I'd like to do this too. I guess they think they'd be losing out on revenue as two people could use one number with two phones (although not at the same time).
 
eidolon said:
There is something like this from Orange but I think it's only for business customers, I had the SW area rep telling me about it a few months ago.

I think that you have your normal phone with your normal SIM in it, and you have a second phone with an alternative SIM in it but some clever stuff at Orange HQ means that when a call is made for your number, it routes it to both SIMs (or that's how I understood it anyway). I'm sure somebody from Orange will be along soon to explain how it really works.
Click to expand...

from the man from Orange:

Myshra said:
This will be possible when Google Voice ( http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html ) comes out in the UK but until then, sorry :(

Technical hat time - rough approximation. Your phone number is tied to a specific number on your SIM on the telco's central database (called a HLR). When telco A's customer sends a call to telco B's customer, the telco B receives the call & checks which SIM ID is tied to the number being dialed then sends a message to the phone with the matching SIM ID saying "call incoming" and the magic happens.

The voda (Orange have this too, so do all of them probably)switching SIM system works by changing the SIM ID matched to the number in the central database so only one works at a time which is usually the last one turned on. Basic, but useful for carkits etc...
Click to expand...
 
one thing on the tablet note, why do people not just activate the wifi router on their phone (assuming it has it) and have the tablet set to use that, mobile internet on both phone and tablet then for the price of one sim?
 
rG-tom said:
one thing on the tablet note, why do people not just activate the wifi router on their phone (assuming it has it) and have the tablet set to use that, mobile internet on both phone and tablet then for the price of one sim?
Click to expand...

thats what i do, although it does say in a lot of the contracts no thethering
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom