Dual SIM

[grankin]

I see on fleabay that there's a dual SIM that fits in the spot where a single SIM does (item #180165959071). I carry around several SIM cards at present, one for the US, one for the UK, one for Trinidad (though that's probably expired now), and having my US and UK lines "resident" at the same time would be right handy.

I've googled "dual SIM" but only wikipedia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_sim> offers up any cogent explanation, but even that appears to fall short of describing the e-bay item mentioned above.

My limited understanding of these things tells me that the SIM is coded to a carrier. How, then, does one persuade this dual SIM what its new identity is? Or is this whole thing a use for which there is no workable product yet?

[LotusLord]

I'm hesitant to recommend it. I don't see how it could work.

[forgot]

Looks like its just a case? Your supposed to cut out the chip in the different SIM cards and insert them into this "device"? I'm not familier with this kind of thing, but I don't see how the phone could see both SIM's at the same time.

Reading the Wikipedia article it looks like its a first or second generation product, and not recommended. I would say don't get it.

[charcape]

I for one would like a solution for simultaneous use of two sim cards. I´ve read that in Asia this is common, having two sim cards in the same slot - but this requires surgery to original cards, something that I´m not glad to do.

The other solution is a brand new empty sim card that you "fill-up" with data from up to several sim cards. Interesting.
Nothing in the US though...

[Jos]

Hi,

I haven't used mine on my Treo. but I used a dual SIM for another cell phone.

Some models have cardholder to hold two full sized SIM connected with a cable to a SIM shaped "plug". This plug goes into your SIM compartment of you phone and the cable with the cardholder and the two actual SIMs go elsewhere into the battery compartment or where ever is place in the phone. So for those there should be space in your phone for this setup.

Other models have a mini holder for two SIM cards, that has the exact size and shape of a real, full size, SIM. In order to fit the two real SIM cards into this holder, you have to cut out the actual chip of the individual SIM cards with scissors (I am serious..). They often include a little cut aid to make sure you cut it out right. The two cut-out chips go into the mini holder. The holder with the two chips is covered with a small lid. The backside of the mini holder looks like a normal SIM card with a chip look-a-like area. You put the mini holder into SIM compartment of your phone and then you are done.
Every time you switch on the phone the DualSim switches between the two SIMs allowing you to change between the two providers (alternating). You want to use two different Pin codes, so you can keep track of which SIM is actually activated.
It worked great, but if you don't really need it... (you just destroyed your SIM cards more or less)

Hope the explanation it helps. I haven't used it with my treo yet, since my treo has difficulties with receiving phone calls, which is an issue that needs to be solved first (pfff...).

Best regards,
Jos