Dual-SIMs mobiles in UK

vm2pensioner

Does anyone have experience of buying / using dual-SIM phones (i.e. giving access to two networks) in UK? Is there a general agreement / conspiracy among UK providers to prevent us buying these, as in the following comment I found on one website (Unwiredview.com)?

"..The reason for the (Tipo Dual’s) absence from the UK market has to do with a perceived lack of demand as well as operators fearing that people could more easily switch some of their communications needs to their competitors. The lack of demand part of this explanation kind of contradicts the operators’ fears on the matter, but regardless – no dual-SIM Sony for you!... Which is why the fact that the Xperia Tipo Dual won’t get launched over there will surely go unnoticed"

SnowTiger

vm2pensioner wrote: »

Does anyone have experience of buying / using dual-SIM phones (i.e. giving access to two networks) in UK? Is there a general agreement / conspiracy among UK providers to prevent us buying these, as in the following comment I found on one website (Unwiredview.com)?

"..The reason for the (Tipo Dual’s) absence from the UK market has to do with a perceived lack of demand as well as operators fearing that people could more easily switch some of their communications needs to their competitors. The lack of demand part of this explanation kind of contradicts the operators’ fears on the matter, but regardless – no dual-SIM Sony for you!... Which is why the fact that the Xperia Tipo Dual won’t get launched over there will surely go unnoticed"

I don't think there's much demand for dual SIM mobile phones. It's not a feature I've heard my family and friends crying out for. That may, of course, be because they're not aware that such things exist.

As most handsets, even on PAYG, are subsidised by the networks I can understand why they're not keen on dual SIM. However, subsidies are a lot lower than they used to be, so the cost of a subsidised handset vs. an unsubsidised one may not be huge.

Dual SIM technology seems to be pretty cheap to implement. I bought an extremely basic, unlocked, dual SIM Alcatel handset from CPW last year for £7.50 (after cashback). It works quite well and is able to receive calls on either number simultaneously, so both SIMs are active at the same time.

grumbler

SnowTiger wrote: »

...Dual SIM technology seems to be pretty cheap to implement. I bought an extremely basic, unlocked, dual SIM Alcatel handset from CPW last year for £7.50 (after cashback). It works quite well and is able to receive calls on either number simultaneously, so both SIMs are active at the same time.

It's worth noting that dual sim phones with dual standby cost more, but IIRC there are some available for about £30.

Del_Astra

It is an interesting point, I'd certainly be interested in a dual sim phone. For example to check out ovivo / giff gaff offerings plus coverage from other providers. I note that most of the dual sim models I've seen on ebay and the like don't have internet on the second sim. Have you seen a make / model that allows both sims to do phone / text and internet?

A good few years ago, I had a company provided phone, single sim (Orange) but it had two numbers, one for business use one for personal calls. Made it easier for billing and saved the company money in that people had a personal number, well that was the theory, people just didn't bother switching to the personal number to make personal calls. When I did it just served to confuse friends and family as to who was calling. Probably as they'd got used to me phoning on the company number and weren't expecting me on the other number.

grumbler

>> Dual Sim Phones

vm2pensioner

Thanks, SnowTiger - the Alcatel is shown as out of stock, cannot be ordered on CPW website. Thanks also for link, Grumbler. Most of the online offers seem to come from abroad.

Cisco001

What function do you need for dual sim phone?
The cheapest one would probably be Huawei
http://www.play.com/Mobiles/Mobile/4-/40427146/739571870/Huawei-Dual-Sim-Sim-Free-Unlocked-Mobile-Phone/ListingDetails.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:40427146%7Cprd:40427146

john1

If you Google "Bluetooth Transformer Dual SIM" or
"Bluetooth 2-SIM Transformer Converter" these may be of interest

It uses your existing smart phone connect to a small external converter via blue tooth - download app/apk, your phone then apparently has access to three different Sims.

It was all news to me that these devices existed.

DUTR

My Manager has a Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos, with dual standby.

Im_just_careful

It is the distortion of the phone market caused by Network Operator subsidy that means you won't generally find dual SIM phones in the UK.

Essentially it is the network not the end user who is the customer for phones hence we get the phones the networks want us to have not the phones the consumer might choose.

In some other countries (generally those with lower incomes per head) phones are unlocked and unsubsidised. In such markets dual SIM phones are popular as people can chase the best airtime deals.

Del_Astra

Acer Liquid Z2 is reported to have a dual sim option:

http://www.gsmarena.com/acer_liquid_z2-5302.php

Its not out yet, but Asda offering pre-order for £89, although no mention of dual sim option.