Why can't I have a second SIM card

[dakeb]

Okay this question is not specific to android phones, but why can't my provider give me two identical SIM cards with the same phone number on the same account. So I can put one in one phone and one in another?

That way I can pick up whatever phone I need to use at any given time, or the other phone at another time and operate without having to switch the SIM card over.

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[power5]

Theoretically you could give your second sim card to your wife or son/daughter. When someone is calling for them, you dont answer. When someone is calling for you, they don't answer. You could both text whomever you want at any time even the same time most likely. So in essence you get 2 phones for the price of 1. In theory any way.

 

[TheMaskedMamba]

Dakeb, in general no 2 sim cards are alike. Each sim has a unique esn or imei assigned to it.

From a carrier stand point I don't think any carrier would active 2 Sims on the same line. That wouldn't be good for business.

Sent From "The Beast"

 

[dakeb]

I would still be billed for all calls though, irrespective of whoever made them.

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[bembol]

It seems so simple and I wish for this too but it would be more profitable for carriers if you added a second account.

SHIFT_tapatalk Note 3

 

[dakeb]

I already have two accounts, I just want a second phone on one of them.

Is it really all about maximizing profit, or are there technical reasons, e.g. if the two SIM cards were in different countries?

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[AZwldcats]

Of course it is about profit.

I am sure there are provisioning issues that may not allow it, But if there weren't what woould stop people from getting 2 and having 2 people use them? Nothing.

 

[dakeb]

What's wrong with two people using the same SIM card? We use the same phone account on our dect phones.

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[Jerry Hildenbrand]

It's against the law for two cell phones to share the same identification on the network in many countries. In theory, it could be used to evade law enforcement and commit fraud.

In practice, it's stupid. But it is the law.

If you really want to do this, the equipment (for GSM networks) is about $20 and it's easy to use with any Windows 32 bit computer. CDMA network cloning needs no equipment that didn't come with your phone.

Google is your friend here, don't get caught.

 

[putsometrebleinit]

I'm sure it is purely from a profit standpoint that you aren't allowed to do it. A sim card is just another smart card, and people have been cloning smart cards as long as they've been in existence. Like others have said. They can make more money off multiple lines and keep track of things easier.

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[Pedro2NR]

I've been wanting to do this for a long time. This process is called Sim cloning and I don't know if it is illegal or not.
Carriers can detect if you have Sim cloned.

 

[dakeb]

Thanks guys I didnt want to suggest anything illegal, this is more about establishing why you can't do it legally. Especially as it is cheap and simple to do it illegally.

I guess there is not sufficient public demand for a "mirror SIM" that the phone company could charge a fee for.

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[emiinn]

Dakeb, in general no 2 sim cards are alike. Each sim has a unique esn or imei assigned to it.

From a carrier stand point I don't think any carrier would active 2 Sims on the same line. That wouldn't be good for business.

Sent From "The Beast"

Fully correct maybe there can be added that it isn't possible because of sim-copying. Its quite easy to copy a sim and run it. To avoid abuse this isn't available.

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[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Thanks guys I didnt want to suggest anything illegal, this is more about establishing why you can't do it legally. Especially as it is cheap and simple to do it illegally.

I guess there is not sufficient public demand for a "mirror SIM" that the phone company could charge a fee for.

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It's not a mater of public demand, or carrier fees.

Lots of people (the kind who read AC ) would be interested. The carrier gets the same amount of money for the service no mater how many phones use it — just like it is now when you swap cards a couple times a day.

It's illegal in North America, most of Europe, and the UK. Again — that's stupid, but it is what it is. Mister Policeman needs to be able to single you out.

FWIW I've never had a carrier say they cared about more than one phone using the "same" sim at the same time. I might have done this a time or two for research purposes. As long as we don't waffle into the HOW this is done, I think this is good discussion

If you can't tell, I'm all for it. I think it should be allowed and AT&T should do it for me at their store. They could even charge $15 for the service.

 

[dakeb]

I wonder if there is a security issue. For example, if this was legal, and a person had an excessive phone bill, they could say somebody must have cloned their card without their knowledge and argue that as a legal defence for not paying the bill?

A bit like banks and ATM cards.

This could be why providers are reluctant?

This is why I suggest a mirror card, which would be a unique SIM and trackable, but would only mirror all account activity of its parent card, and to the user it would display as the parent card phone number. A bit like simultaneous call forwarding. They could charge a fee for it.

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[Adamsberg]

.... This is why I suggest a mirror card, which would be a unique SIM and trackable, but would only mirror all account activity of its parent card, and to the user it would display as the parent card phone number. A bit like simultaneous call forwarding. They could charge a fee for it ....

German carriers haven't any problems to provide and sell up to three (or even more?) SIMs for the same phone number & account.
SMS/MMS can used only by one of the phones, but switching is easy by app.

 

[Quetik]

Hi, I can understand that carriers will not give you two identical SIMs. I have a slightly different requirement that I hope someone can help me with. I have a galaxy tab 2 cellular and its great. I can use data, make phone calls, etc. However when I'm out and about I'd like to use a smaller device on the same number. I have my tab 2 with me, but its an absolute pain to use as a phone when walking around offices or whilst sitting (not driving) in a car, etc. Is there an app out there that can connect the two enabling me to make phone calls from the smaller device, etc? or some other solution? Many thanks

 

[ShaggyKids]

You'll probably have better luck making a new post for your question. What you want to do I'm pretty sure is not the same thing the OP wants to do.

 

[Dom Perignon]

It is implemented in Europe so It should be feasible in the US. I can see a small business with 2 lines, 2 or 3 cell phones using the same SIM cards. If the lines roll over the better. The Microsoft Lumia 950XL with 2 SIM cards would be perfect for small business use.