A SIM card for more than one device...

[BAL]

The technology improves from year to year (in some cases, few months). The mobile services are behind the technology by several years.

In the past, a person was buying one device (like a mobile phone) and that was it. But today, it is not uncommon for people to own more than one device (like a mobile phone, a tablet and/or a laptop for example).

I have a data (only) plan and I am very happy with it because I use VoIP. In fact, I believe that Public Mobile is the only mobile company that let you buy a data only plan. Public Mobile is a pioneer in that sense. 

Public Mobile would be even more a pioneer by using two identical SIM cards to allow to use two (or more) devices with the same mobile phone number and account. This way, when a call comes in, the subscriber would have the choice of setting all devices to ring at the same time, or only one.

It becomes really inconvenient to have two phone numbers because I use two devices. It is like 25 years ago, there was one television set per household. Today, most people have multiple television sets, with one cable company and one account. It could be similar to the later scenario even if we are talking about a different technology. But the principle stays the same.

Presently, Public Mobile might have to follow the parent company's (Telus) technology. But it would be a great and competitive advantage for Telus to implement this technology first. I don't think that Telus would lose money because in principle, two devices would use the same volume of services with all devices.  

Public Mobile is already a pioneer with its (cheap) mobile plans. Why not go to the next step?

Thank you.

[will13am]

@BAL, I can tell you that this ain't ever going to happen.  SIMs have to be unique for security purposes.  As inconvenient as it might be to swap SIM cards between devices to use the same plan, it will be a necessary thing forever.  BTW, there are many other providers that offer data only options.  Most sell them as a "tablet" plan.  I have a Fido tablet plan that is used in a tablet but I could just as easily put it in a phone. 

[paulie]

And the Fido Data only plan is $15 a month.  🙂      Wish PM has similar deal.  

[will13am]

@paulie, don't forget the plan includes a free tablet!  Loyalty discount at 50% after 6 months! 

[paulie]

I think the free tablet deal is over, but the data plan is still offered.  😉  

Edit:  maybe the free tablet deal is back on ??  

[kav2001c]

@BAL if using a data only plan why swap SIMs? Just hotspot and both devices will be on network.

If you *really* want to, it is quite possible to clone a SIM card. Just be WARNED.

Shut down device not in use so ONLY one device is ever active at a single time.

Otherwise network will flag your SIM and you will lose all service.

[xCameron94x]

you could just get a dual sim phone.... That way you dont have to swap sims, but you will still have 2 different numbers/accounts. Yes you can have more than one cable box under the same account number (my parents do). But all cable boxes are essentialy the same, but they are programed based on the cable package that you have. the tv comparisson doesnt make the much sense to me to be honest, its a tv. But as mentioned above SIM cards need to be secure, meaning each SIM is basically unique if I'm not mistaken. This is why there are more and more dual sim phones.

[WearySky]

Somebody else requested this in the past.  But yeah, never ever going to happen.  Especially not at PM, which is a bare bones provider giving the absolute minimum that people need for a phone plan.