Most mobile networks in the United Kingdom still provide 2G coverage to an extent. ‘Three’ the network provider is an example of one that no longer provides 2G coverage. This then means that you cannot use a SIM card from Three in the secondary SIM card slot, or from any other virtual network operator that uses coverage from Three such as Superdrug Mobile and more. Some countries Outside of the UK have already switched 2G coverage off. 2G coverage is no longer available in countries like Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and Australia. Other countries such as the United States are beginning to turn off. For example: AT&T has switched off 2G. Again, something else worth taking note of as it might affect you when you are visiting other countries with a dual-SIM device.
If you have decided to buy a dual-SIM smartphone, you will need to buy it as unlocked from an electronics retailer and not locked into one particular provider. It is uncommon to be able to buy it on a contract from an individual mobile network because dual-SIM smartphones tend to be unpopular with the big network providers as they make it easier for you the bill payer to bypass charges for example in the case for international calling and roaming.
A Dual SIM phone UK uses two different SIM cards with only one of them being active at any one time which means that when one SIM card works, the other is out of service. To use the second SIM card, you will need to manually activate it – the first SIM will disconnect when that is done. Each SIM card will give you a phone number and a connection to a mobile network. The mobile phone will hold two numbers and two profiles simultaneously. This means you are able to place or take calls and send or receive texts on either of the two numbers that you have. You can also decide which number to give to who for whichever reason.
When you are choosing a dual SIM smartphone, concentrate on other related features that can make your life easier. Eg. Motorola has a feature called intelligent calling and this feature automatically chooses the best SIM card when you are making a call. In addition, Huawei has a feature called App Twin allowing you to run two separate scenarios of a single application. For example: you can manage two separate WhatsApp accounts – one for your personal phone number and one for your work phone number.
If you need more than one phone number on the same one phone or maybe multiple networks on just one device, you will need a dual SIM phone. This is where the dual SIM card (a mobile phone with two SIM cards) device comes into play. Basically, it holds two separate phone numbers and profiles simultaneously. The user makes and takes calls and texts on each of the numbers and it is up to them who they give which number to.
But how does this multi-SIM thing actually function? When and why would I need a dual SIM? Well there can be many reasons why you might need or want more than one SIM in one single phone but the most common reason is simply for having two numbers because You might want to have your personal phone number and your work number on just one device and not have to carry two mobile phones …and potentially having more than one charger to think about never mind the maintenance and running costs. Having more than one network to choose from in your phone means you have more chances to get connected no matter how far or to where you travel or visit and never having to be too concerned about a place not having enough coverage.
In recent years some countries have made it difficult to jump from one mobile network to another. A way around this was to contract with a new provider and use the second SIM slot. Here in the UK we have luckily been able to enjoy the freedom to move between different mobile networks and with the added bonus of being able to take our current number with us. All this is thanks in part to the UK law since 2003. The same kind of legislation has just recently been received in some countries and in some cases not at all. So when mobile phone users in these places have switched their network provider, they must purchase a new SIM and contract a new provider. They need to keep their existing SIM card running to ensure that they are still contactable by everyone who has the original number.
For a dual active SIM phone anyone can use two different networks on the same mobile phone and switch between them very easily. If your mobile provider offers good tariffs for calls but not for mobile data and maybe has poor coverage, then you can add another SIM on a different network to make sure you are covered. Two SIM cards means more flexibility and can sometimes save you money as well and now because a dual SIM phone has basically all the same features as a regular smartphone, there aren´t any major disadvantages for switching to a dual SIM phone.
With a dual SIM phone, users can keep separate contact lists on each SIM and also roam easier by being able to access a foreign network while still maintaining the existing local card. Selling agents of foreign SIMs for travel purposes usually encourage dual-SIM operation with a home country and a local SIM both in the same device. When you have a dual SIM, going abroad just means connecting to the travel SIM card which is already placed in your phone. You have a choice to be able to switch it on for all services or simply just choose to switch on services you use the most such as data or calls.
The major benefit of owning two SIM cards in one phone is that you can be connected all the time. But the downside is that dual-SIM smartphones are harder on battery life than on a normal single SIM smartphone. Another very valid reason for needing a dual SIM phone is for keeping your work and personal life totally separate. Very common amongst those of us who run a business from our mobile phone. Two SIM cards enables you to manage calls and messages for two numbers separately meaning that you also have the choice of who to give which number to.
Dual SIM phones are an easy way to ensure you are always available and contactable. So, are all UK dual SIM phones the same? No and there are two main differing types:
First type is referred to a passive dual SIM and this is when a phone has an individual and shared antenna for both of the SIM cards. The two SIM cards spend the majority of their time in a passive mode (or standby) until they need to be used.
When one of the SIM cards gets used for either data or voice purposes the other SIM card instantly inactive. This means you can´t download data while making phone calls simultaneously. Might sound like it is a hassle but in reality, it really doesn´t cause any major inconvenience. If one of the lines is busy and therefore unavailable to take a call then it is more than likely going to be automatically diverted to voicemail by the mobile network provider. This is probably the most popular and cost-effective type of UK dual SIM phone and can be purchased from a range of popular manufacturers such as Motorola, Huawei, Nokia and Microsoft.
Dual-SIM smartphones normally aren’t popular with the mobile networks as they allow you to easily avoid charges from the mobile network as mentioned in above paragraph (e.g. when travelling abroad or for when you want to call other countries). It is also essential that your handset/device is unlocked and not tied to any individual network. And so, for this reason, you will probably need to buy your dual-SIM smartphone device from an electronics retailer and without a SIM and with the device not locked.
Second type of dual SIM is referred to as active and this type refers to mobiles which gain from having an antenna for each SIM slot i.e. two in total. This allows the mobile phone user to use the two SIM cards at exactly the same time. This is for instances such as making a phone call on SIM number one and downloading something with SIM card number two. It is even possible to have two conversations at once and switching the calls and putting one of the calls on hold if need be. Disadvantages with this type of UK dual SIM phone include the main one being running cost. An extra cost is incurred with having two antennae built into a mobile phone. A user will also have issues with frequent low battery due to the cellular connections basically doubling
Maybe you are a big user of your phone and are hard on your battery power by needing to place multiple mobile calls at the same time. In this case you will really need to buy a dual sim dual active mobile device i.e. DSDA technology. DSDA phones are difficult to shop for and are usually a lot more expensive than regular single SIM phones but the benefit is that they have two transceivers so you can make a phone call on both SIM cards at the same time. Doing things such as putting one call on hold whilst you handle the other call is also possible and you can even join the two phone calls together for one conversation.
The future of dual SIM card phones? Bearing in mind that the first mobile phones were buy, big and heavy but despite this they were indeed an extremely useful technological leap at the time. Nowadays mobile devices are becoming smaller, smoother, lighter, finer and totally reliable with an ever-growing list of functions and features. And Tri-SIM (triple-SIM) devices are already in the development stage and will be launched on to the market where your mobile device can have three SIM cards.
A huge percentage of dual SIM smart phones are using “dual-standby technology”. More commonly it is known by its full name of dual-SIM dual-standby and abbreviated version of DSDS. On a dual-standby mobile phone, it’s only possible to use one SIM card at a given time for making and receiving mobile phone calls. When one SIM card is being used for a call then the other SIM card will be disconnected for the running time of the call but in most cases, this will not make too many issues however you definitely should just keep it in mind.
When and why would I need a dual SIM?
Well there can be many reasons why you might need or want more than one SIM in one single phone but the most common reason is simply for having two numbers because You might want to have your personal phone number and your work number on just one device and not have to carry two mobile phones …and potentially having more than one charger to think about never mind the maintenance and running costs. Having more than one network to choose from in your phone means you have more chances to get connected no matter how far or to where you travel or visit and never having to be too concerned about a place not having enough coverage. No matter what your reason is for having a dual SIM smartphone you will need a smartphone that can handle the double SIMs.
Overall… there are some disadvantages with using dual SIM phones but for most people who really require this type of mobile phone the benefits outweigh them such as being able to manage your calls and get the coverage you need in areas with low quality reception. More and more of the bigger brands are now offering this dual SIM type of phone. When a second SIM card is installed, the phone either allows users to switch between two separate mobile network services manually, has hardware support for keeping both connections in a passive or standby phase state for automatic switching or has individual transceivers for keeping the two individual network connections at once.
