Single User, Single Sub, Multiple Mobiles
Clark,
A relatively consistent wish for even die-hard CDMA users on message boards is for SIM cards. ... I would love to be able to own multiple handsets on a single contract and just switch between them depending on the situation. ... Ditto.
From an uncompleted post in progress ...
... in response to Quincy's question on the other board, but on this SIM feature ...
<< Why do you need a SIM in the US? >>
I need it (and a GSM handset) to travel internationally and to be able to be reached on my US GSM number. I need it the moment I depart my office for PHL or BWI, cause I (often) forward my secondary office business line to the mobile, and I leave my Verizon CDMA phone at home. I also need it to swap into my GSM/EDGE datacard when I travel abroad, but I also now occassiobnally use that modem domestically.
And in the near future ... (see below)
<< Verizon has always been able to transfer everything but my brew apps and my voice notes (oops...) between every phone I've ever activated (never the same brand twice in a row). >>
I've been a Verizon customer (via BAM) since 1992. A T-Mobile USA customer (via Omnipoint then Voicestream) since early 1998 for international travel. I'll probably soon be a Cingular customer, however, because of a reason I'd like to use (not need to use) a SIM in the US.
For the last many years (ever since release) I've used the son of 'engineers' PdQ and its grandson, but for the last 2 years I have also used Nokias (I'm on my second and the wife got my first) with better RF and voice quality interchaneably with the Kyo 7135 (always a little flaky and on its last legs) on the same subscription. Since they developed the capability I've used Verizon's "poor man's SIM" -- the online ESN changer to make the swap. A bit of a PITB but I use the Palm desktop fed by my ACT! contact database and Nokia's PC Suite to keep contacts up to date on both phones. When I use the CDMA Nokia I can't have and don't need the PDF and Word files I keep on the Kyo.
My GSM uses the Symbian OS which I like, and have purchased a fair amount of software for it that essentially duplicates my high end Palm apps. I plan to replace it with another tri-band or quad-band Symbian smartphone but I also want a smaller sportier phone with or without the Symbian OS and I want to be able to SIM swap quickly and easily. ... and then there's a slim stainless steel slider prestige phone I have my eye on for Friday or Saturday night at the club.
PS: One of the reasons GSM phone sales are still blowing away CDMA (without the 'W' to cover it up) phone sales in % terms not just actual terms, is multiple phones on the same subscription offsetting multiple subscriptions on a single phone (SIM arbitrage, etc).
Best,
- Eric = |
