There was a time when mobile phones came with a single SIM card. So, users could only keep one SIM at a time. Things have changed with the arrival of dual-SIM phones. Many mobile phone users these days use two SIM cards- one as a primary SIM and the other as a secondary SIM card. What’s behind the reasons to use two SIMs on a phone? In this post, we explore the nitty gritty of keeping two phones for different purposes, reasons, pros/cons, etc. Also do participate in the survey regarding your take on the usage of primary and secondary SIM in Nepal, find below.
Table of contents
What is Primary and Secondary SIM?
Primary and Secondary SIM refers to keeping two or more than two SIM cards but using one for more purposes than the other. It’s having two different SIM cards either from the same or different telecom company and using them for different purposes.
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Why are Primary and Secondary SIM cards used?
People keep more than two SIM as primary and secondary for different purposes. Some may use a primary SIM for voice calls and a secondary SIM for data services. It’s also possible that one uses a primary SIM for all services while keeping a secondary SIM mostly for incoming calls. There are many users including my own friends who also keep a secondary SIM for coverage. When they go somewhere far from the city limits, they get coverage on that particular SIM.
Some also use a SIM for data service only. If they are loyal to one telco for data or think that data packs are more affordable to them, they wold prefer using that SIM. So, users keep primary and secondary SIM cards on their phone for coverage, data, voice, SMS, services, and other possible reasons.
Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) record shows that there about 2.30 crore SIM subscribers. The higher odds are that many out of them are using dual-SIMs. Having two SIM provides flexibility for using different mobile services – voice, data, and SMS. Also, some find it more beneficial to use two SIM from two different companies to ensure coverage.
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Two SIMs on a single phone or two phones?
Users don’t only use both primary and secondary SIM cards on one single phone. It’s common two see mobile users carrying two phones for two different SIM cards, or even more. If you don’t have a phone that supports two SIMs but want to use two anyway, using two phones is the primary way. Thankfully though, most smartphones these days even those including premium ones come with dual-SIM support. Even further, flagship phones such as iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with dual-eSIM support.
Dual-SIM phones have many advantages and one of them is that it lets you use two different SIM cards on your phone.
It is also more common these days to see many using two SIMs on a signle phone. Some even love to carry one extra feature phone for a secondary SIM. Are you one of those?
Check out: Dual SIM phone in Nepal and its importance
Good and bad for telcos!
People using primary and secondary SIM can be both good and bad for telecom operators. For e.g., if you use two SIM card of the same telecom company, Nepal Telecom (NTC) or Ncell, it’s certainly healthy for the company in financial terms. Equally, even if you use two different’ companies’ SIM cards on your phone, both companies find a customer in you. So, that’s equally good.
But, if you are using a primary SIM for more often and limit the secondary SIM for other purposes, then that won’t bring big benefits to that telco. To illustrate, we have seen some users using primary SIM for voice and data while limiting secondary SIM for incoming calls. In such a condition, the telco finds a user but won’t draw income through as much. Nepal’s telecom companies are already facing challenges. If you only keep a secondary SIM for incoming calls or limited services, it’s not helping the telco and the industry in general.
Conclusion
Using primary and Secondary SIM adds great flexibility for using mobile services. It is useful for using data, voice, SMS, or getting a signal coverage. One thing is that it may increase mobile recharge expenses on the user. However, that requires cautious use.
Also: How to change dual-SIM setting on your phone?
But the ability to have two different SIMs on a phone or even on two different phones lets users maximize their using services on either SIMs. So, that’s a key reason that the trend of using two SIMs is so common these days.
Please fill in the Survery form regarding Primary and Secondary SIM card in Nepal.
