Two phones in one

As much as eight per cent of India's mobile users have two phones. No wonder, companies are coming up with phones and services specially for this segment.

All of you who lug two phones around can look forward to the dual SIM card phones launched by Spice Mobiles and Samsung. Industry estimates indicate that around eight per cent of existing mobile phone subscribers own (on an average) two numbers, one for work and another for private use.

With India's mobile subscriber base totaling 185.13 million (as of June 2007) and looking to grow to more than 462 million mobile connections by 2011, the trend of users retaining multiple phone numbers is expected to gain momentum, or so claim mobile vendors.

Talking about the flexibility of using two SIM cards in a single mobile, Kunal Ahooja, CEO, Spice Mobiles says, "Be it two GSM or one GSM and another CDMA SIM card, Spice has built in two SIM card slots allowing the user to make or receive calls from any SIM at any time, as well as receive and send SMSes."

The Spice Dual D88 handset supports GSM+CDMA active connections at the same time, while the D80 handset supports two GSM+GSM active connections. The Spice Dual D88 is priced at Rs 9,849, while the D80 will be launched later this year.

Samsung, too, has unveiled a touchscreen-based dual SIM phone along with Tata Teleservices. Samsung Duo will cost Rs 11,999, Hyunbai Kim, head, CDMA division, Samsung Telecommunications India informs.

Through its partnership with Samsung, Tata Teleservices hopes to lure GSM customers to its CDMA network. Says Vinayak Deshpande, president (enterprise solution), Tata Teleservices, "The handset will support data speeds at the robust speed of 153 kbps on the Tata Indicom network." Samsung Duo has been priced at Rs 11,999.

"A lot of CDMA phones are locked to one operator and that has been a hurdle in growing our technology faster," says Deshpande.

According to optimistic estimates, dual SIM handsets have the potential to capture close to 10 per cent of the present mobile market "" anywhere from five to six million sets a year.

Ahooja hopes to sell close to a million phones this year, while Kim chooses to "remain optimistic" about the sale of the Samsung dual card phones.

Spice Mobiles, which is currently sourcing these phones from China and Taiwan, is yet to chalk out a partnership to bundle its phones with CDMA operators like Reliance and Tata Teleservices.

Dual SIM card mobile phones do not rank high on any operator's wishlist, as each is reluctant to share his user base with competitors. But CDMA operators could stand to benefit from these GSM-CDMA phones.

Deshpande says, "Introduction of these dual handsets will help attract new mobile phone subscribers for us, especially those who are already on GSM networks and would like to subscribe to CDMA's advanced technology for data and multimedia applications without having to change their numbers."

FAQS

Can I make or receive calls, SMSes from two SIM cards at the same time?
Both SIM cards can be used at the same time "" the phone shows two network bars. Dual card phones show which SIM card is getting an incoming call or SMS, and also allows the user to choose which SIM card he wants to use. At a time, only one call can be received while other incoming calls can be put on wait. But the user can make a call from his CDMA connection, while sending an SMS from his GSM card. Or he can check emails on the CDMA connection while making a call from the GSM line.

How can I switch between the two SIM cards?
Each phone comes with a "switch between" option that allows the user to select a slave and master connection. In effect, one could set GSM as the default connection, while CDMA or another GSM connection could be the secondary line.

Can I use data services on one SIM while making calls on the other?
Yes. Data services of one connection will not hamper calling facilities on the other.

Can I shut off one SIM card, while continuing to work with another?
No. The user will have to manually remove the SIM card to switch it off.

Is it cost effective and who are the target customers?
First, it saves the cost and hassle of carrying a separate mobile device. Second, dual SIM card phones are potentially appealing for somebody who travels in two countries or states and has local phone numbers in each place to save on roaming charges. Users can get value-for-money deals from both, CDMA and GSM operators.

Will two SIM cards accelerate battery consumption?
Yes. To help users get the best service from dual phones, manufacturers like Spice Mobiles are bundling a spare battery to extend the promised four hours of battery.