Question about SIM cards

[TJN23]

The thing I like about GSM phones is the SIM card, allowing you to preserve your contacts should you get another phone. It would really suk if the SIM card broke though, so my question is:

-Can I call Cingular and have them send me a second SIM card just in case my current one breaks?

I have a cheap backup GSM phone, so why not have a backup SIM card...

 

[Juice Box]

you can get another sim card I believe...they aren't cheap though

 

[TJN23]

Would this 2nd SIM card only work if my original were broken? I couldn't have 2 of the same SIM cards operating simultaneously, right?

 

[aux]

Originally posted by: TJN23
Would this 2nd SIM card only work if my original were broken? I couldn't have 2 of the same SIM cards operating simultaneously, right?

I am not a cellphone expert, but IIRC, you can have only one SIM card associated with your phone number at a time. Even if you get a second SIM, it will not be automatically activated if the first one breaks.

Keep in mind that many current phones have two phonebooks -- one in the SIM and another one in the phone (usually they use different names for the different phonebooks).

IMHO the best thing to do is to backup your contacts to your computer using cable, Bluetooth or IR connection. Some phones come with software that does this, for some brands there is third party software available.

Good place to ask cellphone questions: howardforums.com

Edit: lokiju's post reminded me that I missed the cable option.

 

[lokiju]

Mobile Phone Tools plus Data Cable FTW!!!

 

[Dead3ye]

Originally posted by: TJN23
Would this 2nd SIM card only work if my original were broken? I couldn't have 2 of the same SIM cards operating simultaneously, right?

No you can't. You can't have a "spare" SIM card. A second active SIM card would be a second account or line. With GSM service, you need to view the SIM card as your phone.

I lost my phone once with the SIM in it, but I had a inactive SIM card and a spare phone. I called Cingular and they asked for the numbers on the SIM and they activated it for free. I think to get a replacement card for the same number it isn't that much.

 

[tomt4535]

If you leave your sim card in your phone it wont break.