While the concept of Dual SIM is not new, it is more valuable than ever as business professionals operate in a remote environment where their personal and work lives are tightly blended together. I have been using a Dual SIM on my phones for a while, but it makes even more sense now. In the current WFH situation many of us are in, we are completely reliant on our cell phones without home landlines. Work and personal communications meld together and it would be nice to have a little separation again.
Most people are familiar with the traditional SIM card, a physical chip inserted inside your phone with your carrier’s plan. An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a programmable version of the SIM card that is embedded into your phone and downloads your carrier’s plan. In recent years, many popular phones have been designed to support Dual SIM. This allows someone to switch between two different mobile networks – and their respective coverage areas.
Separate Business and Personal
Before Dual SIM, many professionals carried two devices. One was for personal use and one was for business. This was cumbersome. Now you can use two different phone numbers on the same device. This streamlines communication and can create a clear separation between personal and business calls. If your company reimburses you for business expenses, this makes the process even easier.
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Extended Coverage
Like most carrier networks, GCI’s network is compatible with Dual SIM technology. With Dual SIM from GCI, you are able to not only separate work life and personal life, but also expand your coverage. This is particularly relevant if you travel outside Alaska or internationally. By activating Dual Sim with another carrier, you fill in any coverage gaps. You’ll be covered wherever you go and be able to work from anywhere. No need for a second phone.
Strengthen Business Continuity
Using Dual Sim improves business continuity with a built in back-up plan. If critical personnel, essential workers, or executive leaders are all on one network and that network goes down, all communication is lost. This is even more of a concern in today’s reality where few people are physically in the same office or have a home phone. Dual SIM allows teams to seamlessly switch over to another carrier in the event of an outage.
How it Works
To activate Dual SIM, customers sign a contract with two different carriers. To get the most widespread coverage, you’ll want to select a carrier that is not already hosted on your primary network. For GCI customers, we recommend setting up a Dual SIM phone with an eSIM from AT&T and a hard SIM from GCI. Most new phones are Dual SIM capable, including iPhone 10, 11 and 12, and Samsung. If you have a newer phone, you can contact your representative who can assist you with setting it up.
Now that many of us are working from home, we need to communicate with our teams more than ever. Dual SIM can provide peace of mind, knowing that you have the best coverage possible, wherever your job takes you, and help create some separation between work and personal.