C&W and Digicel in one phone...How cool this would be.

[Ropy]

Is it possible to have a two different SIM Chips from two different providers operating in one phone? e.g. One from Digicel and the other form C&W ( If you didn't know C&W will soon be using GSM & GPRS tech. ) The reason for this is that I was wondering if it is possible to have hybred Phone. To me the benefit would be:

1. Call a C&W phone where as the standard C&W to C&W rates would apply, and visa versa for Digicel
2. The same goes for the SMS also (Text Message)
3. Having one phone, Digicel service & GPRS from C&W ( C&W service also )

Result: Having the best of both providers in one phone.
I know this may sound cheep to you, but it's the same as having two phones (one C&W and one Digicel).

[Blunty Killer]

You can't have that hybrid. CW Jamaica is TDMA, and phones are not designed to use a SIM card. If they changed the specs, it would not be TDMA anymore. If CW decided to go GSM, then yeah, but currently, you cant have a TDMA/GSM hybrid.

[Ropy]

I know that C&W is currently TDMA, but by June or max September. C&W will start operating with their GSM & GPRS infrastructures. That's the reason why I asked.

[Blunty Killer]

If that is the case then you cannot have one GSM adaptable to different GSM networks, that is the purpose of the SIM Card. Refer to the GSM white papers to see why it is not possible.

[CKnight]

Take a Digicel GSM phone and a C&W GSM phone and duct tape them together. Now you have a somewhat bulky device that can access both networks.

Now take away the casing, keypad, battery antenna, screen and any redundant device attached to either of the phones and place what's remaining in the shell casing of the other.

Make a few connections, i.e., keypad, display, etc. and add an interface that allows you to interact with 2 different SIM cards and select what is in effect a Main network and what you have is a Hybrid phone.

Anything the mind conceives it can achieve

[Collin]

Anything the mind conceives it can achieve



The question therefore, CKnight - are you going to try to achieve this feat? ;D

[CKnight]

Heck no. Just trying to shed some light on the possibilities of having a single instrument with multi-network capabilities.

It's nowhere near as simple as I would make it seem, but very possible, just treat each network individually. One phone that acts as two (duct tape).

Don't worry, it'll be done one day (if it hasn't been done already).

[pradere]

It can be done!!
There are some aftermarket batteries and backplates available for some phones which have spaces for two sim cards. Thus converting one sim slot into two.

Basically if you had a digicel sim in slot 1 & a C&W sim in slot 2, then when you turn on the phone it would be on Digicel
If You switch the phone off and on again immediately it switches to C&W.

I had this on a nokia 3310 a couple of years ago, It worked but the switching on/off was annoying and the phone was prone to freezing.

The other problem is you still have 2 numbers and can only be reached on the one thats switched on at the time.

In the end I gave up, now I just carry two phones around.

Apart from this in Ja you will need a tri-band 900/1800/1900Mhz phone because C&W have decided to be difficult and install 1900Mhz

[Chris]

... Apart from this in Ja you will need a tri-band 900/1800/1900Mhz phone because C&W have decided to be difficult and install 1900Mhz

Is it that they're being difficult or is it because of other issues like equipment compatibility with existing TDMA network for bridging them? It's also possible that they decided 1900 MHz to offer customers a better roaming option in the US. I dunno, just speculating here ???

[pradere]

I am just biased towards the European 900/1800 Standard.

Plus 900Mhz would travel further in Jamaican Terrain.

[Ropy]

There are some aftermarket batteries and backplates available for some phones which have spaces for two sim cards. Thus converting one sim slot into two.

That's what I meant. I believe it is possible or else why would the make such a thing. I think that C&W will use the same frequency as Digicel, so that old customers can return but with their Digicel phones. Thus saving them money... But I can be wrong; we'll have to wait until next month to know for sure...

[pradere]

C&W will be using GSM1900, Digicel uses GSM900,
Also I don't know if Digicel locks its phones. This would mean that they could only be used with Digicel sim cards. You can unlock phones though if you have the correct software and data cable.
Apart from this the only phones which will be useable on both nets are tri-band phones.

[Chris]

... Also I don't know if Digicel locks its phones.

Yes, they are now locking their phones. I'm made to understand though that some of the original tri-band phones that they sold were not locked. ;)

Unlocking these phones should be a very informative and educational discussion. Anyone here knowledgeable in this area? Better yet, let me ask this in another topic so we won't digress here. ;D. See discussion on phone unlocking (http://www.techjamaica.com/tech_forum/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=620).

[pradere]

see my reply on
http://www.techjamaica.com/tech_forum/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=620 (http://www.techjamaica.com/tech_forum/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=620)

You guys make it sound like unlocking phones is some highly illegal practice!!

[Gillion]

You can't have that hybrid. CW Jamaica is TDMA, and phones are not designed to use a SIM card. If they changed the specs, it would not be TDMA anymore. If CW decided to go GSM, then yeah, but currently, you cant have a TDMA/GSM hybrid.

Actually C&W is Code Divis.. CDMA not TDMA.

And http://www.cellular-news.com/story/8506.shtml
<snip>
By integrating Qualcomm's MSM6300 Mobile Station Modem (MSM) chipset and system software with the GSM1x solution, Samsung will develop and deliver the world's first multimode, multiband GSM1x handset. The MSM6300, the first product to integrate the GSM and CDMA modems into a single chip solution, enables Samsung to design multimode handsets using previous single-mode form factors.

The multimode, multiband GSM1x handset will allow GSM subscribers to roam across GSM and CDMA2000 networks with one SIM subscription, providing world travelers with a true global roaming phone.
</snip>
Now technically you are correct there is no TDMA hybrid... nobody is interested in TDMA anymore... it sucks... however CDMA+GSM hybrids are the new potential rave.. especially in Europe and Japan. Jeeze can' t believe I am just reading this thread !!!

My 2 dolla

--regards
Gillion

[pradere]

Actually C&W is Code Divis.. CDMA not TDMA.

C&W is definitely TDMA.
Centennial is CDMA.

TDMA is definitely a dead platform. C&W should have gone GSM from the time they went digital.

[Gillion]

If this is true... then it is ridiculous.
I scould have sworn that C&W changed over to CDMA just after Digicel nyam them food ?
The reason is I heard a PR/Rep for their company on a news program state they are CDMA !
Maybe him not in the know... another thing is... during the controversy overy why centenial got to make cross network calls cheaper ($7.00 at the time) was the claim that C&W was CDMA and as such they will have no prioblems providing cheper rates for cross network calls. Thirdly a C&W technician at shool (UTECH) says they runs CDMA... whats the deal ? and the nokia 3320 since when is it TDMA ?

Now i am no longer certain ... yep fully confused

if (!query ()) then {
eat my hat ();
}
else {
murder_some_people();
}
ADDENDUM: It looks like I have been the victim of company propaganda even from some of my "insider friends" These people will be summarily drawn and quatered. Thank you for the correction !!

--regards
Misinformed

[Chris]

For clarification:
C&W - TDMA + GSM (soon)
Centennial - CDMA
Digicel - GSM

The Nokia 3320 (http://www.nokia.ca/english/products/3320.asp)phone is TDMA.

[pradere]

if C&W themselves don't know what they are then there's no hope for them.

Digicel are just on a little profiteering racket with the X-net calls. Most operators worldwide do the same. It's the reality of a liberalised market.
We can still complain and hope they change it.

[RuHaSs]

Good news, you can have them all in 1 phone i've been doing this since Dec 2002 its called a Siemens S46, i thought i would let the cat out of the bag :). I have CW TDMA service, Digicel GSM and also testing CW GSM all on 1 phone hehehe, only Centennial got left in the picture :(. Oh and also ATT wireless up North, which seems to roam down here, did not test that part, afraid of the rates :)

[pradere]

How?????
Tell us sir.

[Ropy]

C&W - TDMA + GSM (soon)

Chris your are not completely right. C&W is gonna be TDMA + (GSM + GPRS). The TDMA will only lasy 4 year after the GSM & GPRS service have been launched.

[Nastrodamus]

Actually Ropy, Chris is kinda right. Since the current phones that are being marketed by C&W are not GSM compatible. Indeed C&W have started working on their GSM 1800 system, and has made phone calls between sites that are already built. None the Less since their is no consumer for that service, then we can't say that they actually provide the service.

What if the should change their minds from offering such a service, could we then she that C&W use to offer the service to other. I think not.

Knowing C&W they will promise you one thing and take forever to deliver.

If they do at all....not bashing them, but its reality.

[techie101]

Can u look at how far technology has reached? Dual Sim phones are now available and affordable..... hmmm... wonder what it will be like in another 6yrs

[hv_thugg]

A wey you go find this thread dude? the last time sombody spoke in it was May 14, 2003, 07:30 PM lol i never even join the forum dem time.

[crysis]

I have a chinese phone that uses two sim cards and i have digicel and c&w on it

[hv_thugg]

I have a chinese phone that uses two sim cards and i have digicel and c&w on it

lol@this........................we know that these phones are now available, this thread is old.

[BlaqMale]

in another fews years either more phones will come with dual sims slots or the need for such a feature will decrease. eg. flat rate fees for cross networks.

[hv_thugg]

in another fews years either more phones will come with dual sims slots or the need for such a feature will decrease. eg. flat rate fees for cross networks.

Whats this another prediction? :) i sure hope so 2.

[TheRaptor]

in another fews years either more phones will come with dual sims slots or the need for such a feature will decrease. eg. flat rate fees for cross networks.

Either them offer impressive cross-network rates or dual sim phones will become standard. Hope you right bout decreasing the rates.

[Cultus]

A wey you go find this thread dude? the last time sombody spoke in it was May 14, 2003, 07:30 PM lol i never even join the forum dem time.HV please address the female properly, she's not a dude :D ... lets show more love for our female techies..

[jomo]

Can u look at how far technology has reached? Dual Sim phones are now available and affordable..... hmmm... wonder what it will be like in another 6yrs

hardly any phones are dual sim nowadays and the chinese phones are garbage, there is still a long way to go:thumbsdown:

[Yung_Jah]

I am not too comfy with the idea of spending for a chinese phone....sticking to the brand I know best...until they decide to release dual sim phones...

[Cultus]

I am not too comfy with the idea of spending for a chinese phone....sticking to the brand I know best...until they decide to release dual sim phones...That's what I have been saying for a while now. If S.E., Nokia, HTC, RIM and the other big players not making dual Sim phones on a large scale basis, why should I go and buy it from some unknown Chinese manufacturer...

[TheRaptor]

That's what I have been saying for a while now. If S.E., Nokia, HTC, RIM and the other big players not making dual Sim phones on a large scale basis, why should I go and buy it from some unknown Chinese manufacturer...

Is it possible the big players stand to lo$e if they start making dual sim phones? Want to use different carriers....buy different phones. Not sayin this is necessarily so....just a thought.

[Cultus]

Is it possible the big players stand to lo$e if they start making dual sim phones? Want to use different carriers....buy different phones. Not sayin this is necessarily so....just a thought.Of course they stand to lose. Because phone sales would decline if they started making dual sim devices. Why buy 2 phones now when you can have 2 in 1.

[hv_thugg]

Of course they stand to lose. Because phone sales would decline if they started making dual sim devices. Why buy 2 phones now when you can have 2 in 1.

But are you saying samsung is not a big player/big gun? Cause they have a few on the market now.

[KAos_3rd]

yes the big players stand to lose. Samsung wasn't doing so well with phone sales i gues thats why the decided to go dual with a phone. However samsungmostly sales the phone to service provider like Tmobile or u spend like 3 times the amount on the retail ones. Marketing strategy. The other big guns are jus waiting to see if its beneficial (samsung the test monkey)

[Cultus]

But are you saying samsung is not a big player/big gun? Cause they have a few on the market now.I don't regard Samsung as a big player in the mobile industry. As far as I see it, dem just trying a thing. Their phones are yet to get my attention. They need to stick to making consumer home electronics :D

[overboost]

I don't regard Samsung as a big player in the mobile industry. As far as I see it, dem just trying a thing. Their phones are yet to get my attention. They need to stick to making consumer home electronics :D

On the contrary.. Samsung makes good quality reliable cellphones...