2 mobile lines on one phone, without the fuss

2 mobile lines on one phone, without the fuss

SINGAPORE - Starhub has launched a service for customers who need a second mobile line, but do not want to carry a second phone or part with their favourite models for dual-SIM ones.

The 2-in-1 LINE app, the first of its kind here, allows mobile subscribers to host two numbers on one SIM card.

Until now, people with two phone lines had to either carry another phone or use models with dual SIM-card slots.

These models include the Xiaomi Redmi, Asus Zenfone 6 and HTC Desire.

StarHub's new app lets users maintain a secondary address book, voicemail inbox, and call and text logs on their smartphone.

All calls and text messages on the second line are made through the app.

Chan Kin Hung, StarHub's senior vice-president of mobility, said: "Consumers increasingly want to maintain work-life integration by managing communications across different numbers without carrying two SIMs or phones wherever they go."

The telco's target users are likely to be property or insurance agents who want to differentiate business calls from personal ones.

The app, created by StarHub using Spanish firm fonYou Telecom's technology, is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

Users log in to the app with the same username and password they use for viewing their StarHub bills and account details online.

Sign-up and activation of the second line - which must be a new line - can be done on StarHub's website. Those who sign up before Dec 31 will get the service - which costs $5.35 a month - free for three months.

The secondary line does not have a separate call and SMS allowance, and uses those of the primary line.

Businessman Harry Chew, 44, gave the app the thumbs up.

"It is cheaper to maintain two lines this way," he said.

However, Christine Lai, a 54-year-old property agent who already has two phones, said: "I wish the service had been launched earlier. It's too late for me now."

itham@sph.com.sg


Get MyPaper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.