ekit dual number [US & UK] SIMs
 

Since these new Dual SIM cards are going to be out in less than a month {if we can trust the various vendors}: I hereby start a thread to discuss various issues with them!

Question 1: What area code did you get? Did you have a choice? This is actually a major curiosity for me.


Question 2: Does the US service stay activated? And does the number change?

According to this from the Telestial site:
"Please note:Your United States Service is automatically deactivated 7 days after your last call or text message; however the remaining credit is not expired until 9 months after your last call or text message. To reactivate your United States Service, simply follow the initial activation instructions.
Your US number may change if you do not:
Activate your SIM card within 1 month of purchase
Use a charged service within 1 month of the initial activation
Purchase additional calling credit within 2 months of initial activation (if you haven't already done so at the time of purchase)" Interesting.

Question 3: Can you accidentily [or purposefully for that matter] make the phone think you should be charged as if your UK number is in the US?

Also from the Telestial site: "In the United States and Canada, you must activate your US service prior to making a call, and enter 2 followed by the PIN when turning your phone on. Failure to follow these steps will result in you being charged rates applicable to Zone 4."

Well then, here are some preliminary issues that I am sure users will want to be aware of and avoid when neccessary. Good luck to you bleeding edge folks!

I am pretty sure they might make a range of area codes available. It is a dual IMSI card, so the US part of it, functions just like the standard US registered SIM of whatever MVNO they choose to use.

By the way, I am sure the point comes across spectacularly even without multi-font sizing it! It might actually make it easier to read!

I have an older Passport SIM without the Dual numbers. I have spoken to their Customer Service department. They said that if a friend in the U.S. calls my U.S. number, they pay nothing (if they have a U.S. cell phone with free U.S. roaming) and I will receive the call in Europe and only pay 19 cents a minute. This is a pretty inexpensive way for associates to call me. The extra connectiuon fee is not applied.

I am not sure why they shut down the U.S. number after 7 days. But reactivation is easy.

You must make one call or SMS every 9 months and recharge at least every 15 months.

As for activating the SIM with a code and #2 in the U.S. and #1 in Europe, I assume this is needed so the SIM knows where you are located. So if you make a call from the U.S. without that activation #2 code, you will pay $2.49 per minute instead of 49 cents per minute.

I don't know why they shut down the numbers that quickly. I have a friend who runs a small local VOIP service catering to small businesses. Level Three gives him Michigan DIDs for free. At the wholesale level, they is effectively no charge for these numbers.

My guess is that the numbers are tied to the carrier and they get a cheaper rate doing it this way.

The US number they're assigning is there for one reason only:
It helps US carriers identify the card as US SIM rather than a European one...(so it belongs to the US carrier involved in the deal). So the assigned US number is really there for Roaming purposes...as long as there is one assigned it really doesn't matter what it is...The expiry limits make it sound like some sort of Prepaid plan with one of the carriers..

It is likely that your own US DID forwarded to your +44 number will be more reasonably priced than receiving calls to your US number assigned to the SIM...

Telestial Dual Number SIM
 

I am the CEO of ekit, the provider of the dual IMSI SIM currently being sold by Telestial, ekit’s retail partner, and by other resellers via ekit. Telestial and ekit customers are purchasing and using this service today. If you are interested in experiencing the service for yourself I recommend you go to Telestial.com to purchase a dual IMSI SIM, or if you’re interested in reselling then please contact pauld@ekit-inc.com

In response to your questions:

Question 1: What area code did you get? Did you have a choice?

The dual IMSI SIM currently comes with either an LA or New York US number. There will be the ability to choose area codes in future.

Question 2a: Does the US service stay activated?

The US service, which is the ability to make outbound calls in the US and Canada, remains active as long as a call is made or text is sent once a week. Calls and text messages can be received on either US or UK number in the US and Canada at any time, even if the US service is not active.

Question 2b: And does the number change?

No, the number does not change if the US service is deactivated. You can receive calls and text messages on the US number even if the US service is deactivated. You retain the US number as long as the service is used once every nine months. You can receive calls or text messages on either the US or UK number at any time. Thank you for pointing out the current language needs to be clarified.

Question 3: Can you accidentally make the phone think you should be charged as if your UK number is in the US?

If you accidentally try to make a call in the US using the global (+44) service, the call is blocked, and you will receive a text message notifying you that your US service has been activated (if it wasn’t already activated) and providing instructions on how to make a call from the US or Canada. You can receive calls or text message on either the US or UK number at any time.

The press release for the ekit dual number service is attached.

Welcome and thanks for joining.
 

Welcome and thanks for joining us here. Thanks for clarifying my questions.
And here is the new clarified language:
This makes a lot more sense for the customer--the phone number stays the same. And the ability to receive calls and text messages is not comprimised.

Is the logic of the 7 days before deactivation as a safeguard for Europeans rather than a 'nusiance' for [North] Americans?

Thanks again for responding and being here. It looks to be a very useful product.

We appreciate the feedback
 

I'm very happy to clarify. The feedback is very valuable as it helps us to refine the way in which we explain our services - which isn't always easy in the world of international telecommunications.

Yes, it is designed more as a safeguard for Europeans, and as a means of keeping the service inexpensive for European travellers to the US. European travellers using other global roaming services will be making good savings in most countries they travel (relative to roaming), with the exception of the US, where they will typically pay $1.50 to $3 per minute to make a call from the US. The US is one of the largest travel destinations for business and liesure travellers, which is a big hole for many alternate roaming service providers.

The major differentiator of the ekit dual IMSI service is that it enables much lower calling costs from the US (49c with ekit), as well as the rest of the world, in addition to the convenience of a US and UK number for friends and family to contact you.

Thanks again for the feedback, please keep it coming.

I also have some questions. I have seen rates on telestial web site concerning the dual sim card. I noticed that there are no free incoming calls, not even in Europe. Can you verify if these rates apply on calls made on the +447 number?
Another issue is that some other carriers offering the dual sim card apper to offer coverage in 203 (!) countries, while your product claims coverage in 130 countries. How come?

Happy to assist if I can. If you receive calls to the +44 number, the calls are free in over 50 countries, including the US and much of Europe. If you receive calls to the +1 number, there is a cost of 19c/min.

Country coverage is determined by the roaming agreements in place between the telecommunication providers. This continues to change and grow as more roaming agreements are establsihed between telco providers. You are correct that ekit services currently have coverage in 130 countries.

I haven't seen a dual SIM card with coverage in over 200 countries. I have seen several organisations announce dual SIM card offerings in the press, however, I haven't seen another provider that is selling and operating a dual number service today.

Happy to help if you have any more questions.

Thanks for clarifying the issue of the rates. I think telestial rate page needs updating on this.
In regard to other providers, they claim they will be offering the sim in a few months time.
The issue is that since you both appear to use Manx telecom it is strange that they will claim coverage in 70 countries more....

Thanks. This is a pretty complex service. There has been several iterations to communicate more clearly how the service and pricing works. No doubt there will be several more iterations to get it right. Thanks for the feedback.

Sorry I can't really comment on what others are claiming.

One more thing. Where else can we get your card besides telestial?
Ebay?

Yes, our cards are available via Telestial and eBay. ekit also works with a wide range of travel partners including: travel agents, online travel providers, tour operators, student exchange organisations, airlines and the like. Some examples include: Orbitz, Lonely Planet, and Contiki. If you are interested in reselling the ekit service, then please contact Paul Duggan - pauld@ekit-inc.com

Are the dual SIM cards _currently_ available on eBay?
 

Are the dual SIM cards _currently_ available on eBay?

If so, there are a whole bunch of listings on ekitmobile and ekitmobileusa that will need updating to reflect this.

Thank you for all your prompt responses. It is most helpful.

JDekit:

I currently have a standard Passport SIM I got from Telestial two years ago. The first year it worked just by dialing a number on my phone. The second year (and using the same phone) I suddenly had to dial the *126* etc string to make a call. Or send a text message to generate a call back. I am not sure why this happened. My question, has the software or the configuration in the new dual SIM changed so I can just make a call without the extra numbers?

BTW... customer service is important to me plus recharging through the phone. The EKIT Passport SIM has great customer service (24/7) and I can recharge using the phone. These are two big pluses to me.

Prion:
As far as I can tell, the Telestial site does show a number of countries with free incoming calls. Just look at the Passport SIM. Not their Passport Lite or Passport Plus SIM.

You're right, currently only the single number SIMs are being sold via eBay. We are in the process of updating the information there so the dual number SIMs can also be purchased. This should be done shortly - withine one weeks time. Thanks for the reminder.

FBlack 111:

I'm surprised you've had to change the method of initiating a call. We continue to revise the SIM software, however, that should not affect you, particularly given you're using the same handset. Please email me directly at jd@ekit-inc.com with your Passport phone number and we can do a diagnosis.

The SIM software for the dual IMSI does handle more handsets seamlessly. I'd think there is a much greater change of you being able to make calls directly. Please provide handset details in your email I can confirm. If you're are interested in a dual IMSI SIM please contact me directly and I will organsie it.

Thank you for your feedback on customer service. We invest a great deal in providing 24/7 customer service, and I'm glad to hear it's valued. I'll pass on your positive feedback to our team in CS, they'll appreciate it.

Global Travel Service [ekit] SIM price adjustment/change.
 

Just noticed that the Global Travel Service [ekit] SIM price has been adjusted/changed. How often does ekit change the rates on a SIM card?
Twice a year/once a year/whenever costs change?

I would note that the changes both increased and decreased various rates---so it isn't neccessarily a bad thing?

Are other SIM card rate changes coming soon or was it just this one?

Thanks for your questions. ekit reviews pricing quarterly and may make changes subject to wholesale telecommunication rate changes, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, and also market conditions. Foreign exchange rates, as you will have seen in the financial markets in recent months, can fluctuate widely.

Can you receive calls on both UK and US numbers worldwide? Even if service is deactivated ie - no calls or text in a week - ? So Just to clarify in EU incoming calls to UK number are free and incoming calls to US numbers are 19c a minute, no other charges, fees etc. In other countries for calls received on US numbers the charge is normal incomimng call fee + 19c. Am I correct?
How long the sim is valid and its credit?

You are correct, you can receive calls and text messages on both the UK and US numbers world wide, regardless of the US service being active. The US service is required to be active for you to make outbound calls form the US and Canada. If the US service is not active you can still receive calls to this number.

Incoming calls to the UK number for the Dual IMSI Passport Service are free in 51 countries, including the majority of the EU (I would have to check if it covers all the EU). You are correct that a call to the US number incurs the normal incoming call fee plus 19c.

The SIM card is valid and credit does not expire provided you make at least one call or send one text once every nine months.

Would like to know then if US service is not active and I go to US how can I make calls from US and reactivate the service to be able to make calls.

A call coming into my mobile phone (which has a US number) is forwarded to the US number and I am in the UK......what do I pay to receive the call in the UK?

(Inother words, if somebody calls the US +1 number, do I simply pay 19¢ to receive the call in the UK?)

A couple more questions. On my account online what features are available? Is a detailed list of calls made and received and its prices for both numbers available? Is voicemail retrievable on my account online? Is the connection fee applied in EU to receive free incoming call on UK number or on US number at 19c?
To listen to voicemail on the phone is free or is like a outbound call charge?

It looks like so from the post above. It says incoming on the US number incurs 19c plus whatever the incoming rate is in the country. So, since the UK is free incoming you pay just 19c. If it were another country that is NOT free incoming the cost will be 19c plus whatever the incoming rate is for that country.

Just speculating though, so we'll wait on JDEkit to clarify.

I have an EKIT (Telestial) Passport account now. They provide very good details of the SIM activity. I assume it will be the same with their Dual SIM.

They list calling history by month. Then each call is listed by date, the number called, minutes and amount charged.They also show a running account balance. Text messages are shown the same way. They also show a billing history.

Additionally, once you log in, you can recharge, change account setting, trigger a call back, and see a host of other services.

Can you print a report that resembles a classic phone invoice which would be suitable for reimbursement?

I think the layout for the "call history" is satisfactory to submit for reimbursement to a company. Each call is on a separate line. Each line says the date, call details, minutes of the call, and amount charged. It will also say if the call was outbound or inbound. Outbound calls have the number dialed as well. Here's a sample of what the call details say from some of my call history:

Outbound call from your mobile phone in France (Cellular) to +44792441**** in United Kingdom (cellular)

Inbound call via +447924****** to your mobile phone in Ireland

Outbound call from your mobile phone in Turkey (Cellular) to +1858******** in United States

Got the card through telestial and putting it through some testing....

Am in the USA....calls to the +1 number complete fairly quickly...have no idea of the quality of the call as I am not answering it......

Calls to the +44 number also go through quickly......one big big difference though...

Calling on the +1 number I do get the caller id of the calling number

Calling on the +44 number does not show caller id....this is a big problem. Is ekit aware of it???

(BTW got a 978 area code on US card...I think this is in Mass..(would have preferred NYC 212 or 718 or 917 or 347 or 646 for call forwarding purposes...can one choose the area code of the US number and can it be changed)

Finally I always change the pin number to one I use all the time...tried it with the ekit dual card and while it took the change of pin number, when I tried to turn on the card the next time, it said sim card fails to register...had to change it back to the original one....is this a none defect?

Other than that, prices seems right.....

Matha:

I was under the impression that you cannot change the password on the SIM but just the password to log on to your account.

Also, you said "Calling on the +44 number does not show caller id..". Do you mean that your number does not show up on the caller id of the other phone?

Well a normal part of sim card fact is that when the card comes with a PIN, you have the ability to change the PIN to anything you want. Have done that with several sim cards.......apparently ekit dual passport doesn't allow it.

As far as the lack of caller id....I used my home phone to call the +44 number...call went through and cell phone rang but caller id showed unknown.....not good.

I have one of these on order, and was looking at the instructions in the meantine. It says to enter "1" or "2" to select UK or US IMSI, then the PIN number at startup. Is the SIM card interpreting the "1" or "2" as the first digit of an, effective, 5-digit PIN at startup? If so, a phone whose "change PIN" algorithm is only capable of understanding 4 digits might not handle a change properly. Just thinking out loud...

I don't have a dual IMSI from Telstial, but one from a German MVNO (solomo/vistream, who have their own MNC, but use a second IMSI from a MNO (eplus) for international roaming) and maybe Telestial's SIM is working the same way.
So with solomo the PIN itself has generally 4 digits. By prefixing 1 or 2 one can change the IMSI. If only the 4-digit-PIN is entered, the last used IMSI will be activated. The PIN can be changed in the usual way: enter the old 4-digit-PIN and thereafter a new one. Any change will apply for both IMSIs.

You can activate the US service for outbound US calling by going to the ekit website, entering your account details and activating, or you can activate from your mobile by dialing the shortcode 870.

Correct, if you revceive a call on the US number, while you are in the UK, you pay 19c. When you receive calls on the US number you pay 19c plus the normal cost of receiving a call (easiest to refer to the ekit rates page), which in the case of the UK is one of the 51 countries that cost 0c to receive a call on the UK number.

Thanks Bossman you are correct.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Are Telestial rates and surchages for real?
 

On the information for the passport sim, telestial has the following. These seem high compared to other sim cards.



- A one-time 35c connection fee applies to each call made or received (except when incoming calls are FREE).

- There is a $0.35 USD per minute surcharge when you make a call to a cell phone (does not apply when calling to a US or Canadian cell phone).
- Additional surcharges apply when calling certain countries. Please click here for more information.


Under additional surcharges, there is the following link that list ssurchages to a lot of countries. can this be true:

http://www.telestial.com/misc/MSIM-PP02_surcharges.pdf