Dual sim phone

stevemcol

Hi

Has anyone got experience with dual sim mobile phones. I've got a work phone but i have to go through my bill every month crossing out personal calls and paying for them. Bit of a pain so I'm thinking about getting a dual sim phone and PAYG sim. 2g.
Have I got the right idea? Anyone recommend a phone sub £50?

DevCoder

http://uk.cellphoneshop.net/pb41.html?adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CMS7-ZDttbICFSfMtAodXlIABg

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-C2-00-Dual-Mobile-Phone/dp/B005LOYBLO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1347652656&sr=8-7

or get an iphone and a dual sim adaptor

stevemcol

Thanks

Can the SIMs be on different networks? Are they both active simulatneously for receiving calls?
I know I should do my own research but there is so much knowledge around here it's always worth asking.

Edit

Google has helped me out thanks. Found this:
What is dual SIM?

Dual SIM means the phone can hold and use two SIM cards in the same handset. Each SIM card has its own phone number and may be from totally different networks. The phone keeps both SIMs - i.e. both numbers- switched on at all times, so you can make and receive calls on either of the two numbers.

SteveJW

I work for a large local authority, we had just the same thing identifying calls every month, the amount of time wasted and then they would issue a receipt for stupid amounts like 50 pence. Representation was made and we now have an arrangement where we sign an agreement that either

No personal calls are made, disciplinary action can be taken if broken.
Pay £2.50 a month and allowed to make personal calls, no limited stated but generally accepted as maximum of £10. Don't know they would enforce the latter as they do not publish the tariff and no warning if you are approaching the £10
Only major problem is the restrictions etc they place on the phone, give me a Blackberry, cannot connect to PC to download photos, but have to email to myself

OneADay

stevemcol wrote: »

Thanks

Can the SIMs be on different networks? Are they both active simulatneously for receiving calls?
I know I should do my own research but there is so much knowledge around here it's always worth asking.

Edit

Google has helped me out thanks. Found this:
What is dual SIM?

Dual SIM means the phone can hold and use two SIM cards in the same handset. Each SIM card has its own phone number and may be from totally different networks. The phone keeps both SIMs - i.e. both numbers- switched on at all times, so you can make and receive calls on either of the two numbers.

You can put different network sims in, then you can choose which sim to use for mins, texts or data or combinations. Calls are received on either sim - though you have to check the functionality of the phone so that it allows both sims to be in standby mode rather than only being able to select one active sim at a time.

Nokia 200 (Asha) is dual sim, not to be confused with Nokia 201.
Samsuing Chat 322 is dual sim too.

Mr_Toad

stevemcol wrote: »

Hi

Has anyone got experience with dual sim mobile phones. I've got a work phone but i have to go through my bill every month crossing out personal calls and paying for them. Bit of a pain so I'm thinking about getting a dual sim phone and PAYG sim. 2g.
Have I got the right idea? Anyone recommend a phone sub £50?

Dual SIM phones are a godsend. For some reason they're not that readily available in the UK, most seem to be imports or via eBay.

I had a Samsung D880 and used it with my own O2 SIM and my work Vodafone SIM. Incoming calls and texts are identified as to which SIM is being called and when you made an outgoing call you chose the SIM you wanted to use.

HTC do a dual sim version of the Desire smartphone but again they do not sell it in the UK officially so you're left with importers or fleabay.

Likewise with Samsung, they do dual SIM versions of the Galaxy Ace and Y models but do not sell officially in the UK.

Good luck, you won't regret getting one.

London_baby

I don't know what your budget is but if you want a smart phone with dual sim, I recommend this phone from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/STAR-N9770-SANDWICH-smartphone-supported/dp/B008MKGNF6/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347725876&sr=8-1-spell

They are cheaper variants:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Android-tablet-MTK6575-Cortex-standby/dp/B0081FCY46/ref=pd_cp_ce_0

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dapeng-A75-Android-tablet-cortex/dp/B008383V3Y/ref=pd_cp_ce_3


There are two slots for two simcards. One slot is for 3G connection, whilst the other sim slot is for normal 2g . It's quite a decent copy of the Samsung Note, when I'm using it everyone assumes it's the real thing and I don't bother to correct them :rotfl: . Obviously you're not going to get the performance of a £500 phone on a £150 copy, the GPS is weak indoors and the camera is ok but it works very well browsing the internet and using apps. It's handled everything I've thrown at it and it's quite thin and light considering it's a 5" screen.

If you do order it, I would suggest you buy from the company draco tec. I got the phone within 8 days from China and didn't pay any custom fees.

stevemcol

Thanks all. I've ordered a cheap one from the website associated with the first link from krisdorey.
Yes, our firm have a limit of £1 over which we're supposed to identify and pay for personal calls. Mine normally come to about £3 but it's a pain weeding them out on my bill. I'll see how I get on with the phone.

btw, I asked the lady in the Tesco phone shop today if they had any dual sim phones. She looked at me like I was from another planet!

mchale

Dont know how true this is, but i've been told if you put a * at the end of the number you are phoning this shows up on the bill, was told this by a person who had a works phone and used this method to ID personal calls he made.

stevemcol

mchale wrote: »

Dont know how true this is, but i've been told if you put a * at the end of the number you are phoning this shows up on the bill, was told this by a person who had a works phone and used this method to ID personal calls he made.

It is true, I've tried it but it doesn't work for texts, at least not on my network, O2. I tend to txt more than I call so not really much use.