Mobile phone query

[Dudley]

Is it possible to operate two mobile phones off the same number both of which would ring and whichever answers first receives the call? What I want to do is to use my present mobile in the car which has a dedicated hands free system my existing phone and purchase another phone for non-car use. What I have in mind is similar to my two computers (one at work and one a laptop) whereby I can pick up my emails from either. I am prepared to pay extra for the service (within reason).

[peanut]

Sorry to disappoint you but that will not work because each phone has an electronic serial number and this unique number is what links your phone number to your phone. Trust me, ive tried. I wanted a phone that can get all beat up at work, and then a good phone for nights and weekends. My work phone had to have its own number. all I do is forward my good phone to my old work phone during the day and then no matter what phone i get the call on, it goes to my work phone, or vise versa.

[Oneeyedvic]

Must agree with peanut on this. I want to do the same as you and contacted orange. They said it was impossible.

In the end, the only way I found round it (as call divert wasn't practical) is to swap over SIM cards.

[kempie]

I would disagree that this is impossible, although it is not legitimately available to consumers, since what you describe is commonly known as "cloning".

[AllYourBase]

I'm sure something like this can be done on vodafone if you buy certain cars. I saw somewhere something about the new top of the range BMW 5 series coming with the option to put a duplicate SIM card into a part of the car so you didn't have to have two phones or use a cradle.
I could be misrtaken - so I suggest you try a BMW dealer. This may not be classed as a 'reasonable' cost though........

[robski]

Ok....lets just say I work in the business so I know a thing or 2....

Vodafone about 5 years ago had a 2 sim system but it didnt take off, so definately not possible anymore.

Cloning can only be done on analogue lines and the analogue network was switched off last year.

The closest thing you can get is buy 1 orange contract phone and 1 orange prepay sim to use in the car system.

Keep the prepay sim in the car and on the contract sim, you can dial into a service called EVERYPHONE on 330 and divert your contract number to your prepay sim FREE OF CHARGE. The only cost is accessing 330 which is 8p/min. You can also divert to landlines free and access 330 from a landline on 07973100330 but make sure you setup a pincode on 330 first.

This is usefull if you leave your contract phone at home at least you can divert it to your car by simply calling from another phone!

Dont bother asking orange about the service as anyone under the age of 30 wont know about it. I have been using it for years and its very usefull

[kempie]

robski - If you do not believe that GSM can be cloned you should check news reports out of India.