Two phone numbers, different carriers, same phone?

I have service with a Canadian carrier. I am often in the US. At such
times, I would like to use Verizon prepaid which I evaluated will be
much more cost effective than hefty roaming charges. Verizon, as you
probably know, have no issues with activating foreign ESNs. The
StarTAC 7868W phone I have is compatible with both carriers for the
basic if not all functions.

Is it possible to have 2 unique numbers on the same phone with
*different* carriers?

The manual for the StarTAC says only one number can be active at any
time. The manual did not specifiy but I suppose that means if I make
the Verizon number active, all incoming calls to my Canadian number
will just go unanswered. Are there phones out there (supported by
carrier services) that can receive incoming calls to either number and
you would be billed accordingly depending on which carrier the dialed
number belongs? Basically, I'm trying to avoid carrying around 2
phones in the US while being able to answer calls to my Canadian and
US numbers.

---

› See More: Two phone numbers, different carriers, same phone?

"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I have service with a Canadian carrier. I am often in the US. At such
> times, I would like to use Verizon prepaid which I evaluated will be
> much more cost effective than hefty roaming charges. Verizon, as you
> probably know, have no issues with activating foreign ESNs. The
> StarTAC 7868W phone I have is compatible with both carriers for the
> basic if not all functions.
>
> Is it possible to have 2 unique numbers on the same phone with
> *different* carriers?
>
> The manual for the StarTAC says only one number can be active at any
> time. The manual did not specifiy but I suppose that means if I make
> the Verizon number active, all incoming calls to my Canadian number
> will just go unanswered. Are there phones out there (supported by
> carrier services) that can receive incoming calls to either number and
> you would be billed accordingly depending on which carrier the dialed
> number belongs? Basically, I'm trying to avoid carrying around 2
> phones in the US while being able to answer calls to my Canadian and
> US numbers.

As you noted the StarTAC appears to support dual NAMs but you
can only select one or the other. I have a LG TM-510 that does the
same but allows one to select one or both.

This could only work if the coverage (native and roaming) was
completely separate geographically. Now a days there is a good
chance that your Canadian carrier's roaming partner is also VZW's
roaming partner (or VZW themselves). Now you have the same
ESN for two carriers (and numbers) on the same network... won't
work. Then there is the problem of how does the phone know which
number to choose (originating) when you dial out.

How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
calls to your FREE-UP number?

-Quick

"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> I have service with a Canadian carrier. I am often in the US. At such
> times, I would like to use Verizon prepaid which I evaluated will be
> much more cost effective than hefty roaming charges. Verizon, as you
> probably know, have no issues with activating foreign ESNs. The
> StarTAC 7868W phone I have is compatible with both carriers for the
> basic if not all functions.
>
> Is it possible to have 2 unique numbers on the same phone with
> *different* carriers?
>
> The manual for the StarTAC says only one number can be active at any
> time. The manual did not specifiy but I suppose that means if I make
> the Verizon number active, all incoming calls to my Canadian number
> will just go unanswered. Are there phones out there (supported by
> carrier services) that can receive incoming calls to either number and
> you would be billed accordingly depending on which carrier the dialed
> number belongs? Basically, I'm trying to avoid carrying around 2
> phones in the US while being able to answer calls to my Canadian and
> US numbers.

As you noted the StarTAC appears to support dual NAMs but you
can only select one or the other. I have a LG TM-510 that does the
same but allows one to select one or both.

This could only work if the coverage (native and roaming) was
completely separate geographically. Now a days there is a good
chance that your Canadian carrier's roaming partner is also VZW's
roaming partner (or VZW themselves). Now you have the same
ESN for two carriers (and numbers) on the same network... won't
work. Then there is the problem of how does the phone know which
number to choose (originating) when you dial out.

How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
calls to your FREE-UP number?

-Quick

On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:24:10 -0700, "Quick" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>As you noted the StarTAC appears to support dual NAMs but you

Four NAMs the manual says!

>can only select one or the other. I have a LG TM-510 that does the
>same but allows one to select one or both.

>This could only work if the coverage (native and roaming) was
>completely separate geographically. Now a days there is a good
>chance that your Canadian carrier's roaming partner is also VZW's
>roaming partner (or VZW themselves). Now you have the same

Yes, VZW is the Canadian carrier's #1 preferred roaming partner in the
US.

>ESN for two carriers (and numbers) on the same network... won't
>work. Then there is the problem of how does the phone know which
>number to choose (originating) when you dial out.

I'm not so worried about outgoing calls. If in the US, I would always
use VZW for all outgoing calls to elsewhere in the US and to Canada.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that some phones with dual NAMs
would give you a different ring tone for each number so you could
identify which number was being called and answer appropriately. But I
wasn't sure if something like that, with or without distinct rings,
worked if the numbers were with different carriers one of them being
in roaming mode.

>How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
>calls to your FREE-UP number?

I don't have free LD so this is a non issue. However, I would say if
that were the case, my VZW account would be charged because it is the
one actually receiving the call.

On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:24:10 -0700, "Quick" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>As you noted the StarTAC appears to support dual NAMs but you

Four NAMs the manual says!

>can only select one or the other. I have a LG TM-510 that does the
>same but allows one to select one or both.

>This could only work if the coverage (native and roaming) was
>completely separate geographically. Now a days there is a good
>chance that your Canadian carrier's roaming partner is also VZW's
>roaming partner (or VZW themselves). Now you have the same

Yes, VZW is the Canadian carrier's #1 preferred roaming partner in the
US.

>ESN for two carriers (and numbers) on the same network... won't
>work. Then there is the problem of how does the phone know which
>number to choose (originating) when you dial out.

I'm not so worried about outgoing calls. If in the US, I would always
use VZW for all outgoing calls to elsewhere in the US and to Canada.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that some phones with dual NAMs
would give you a different ring tone for each number so you could
identify which number was being called and answer appropriately. But I
wasn't sure if something like that, with or without distinct rings,
worked if the numbers were with different carriers one of them being
in roaming mode.

>How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
>calls to your FREE-UP number?

I don't have free LD so this is a non issue. However, I would say if
that were the case, my VZW account would be charged because it is the
one actually receiving the call.

"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
> >calls to your FREE-UP number?
>
> I don't have free LD so this is a non issue. However, I would say if
> that were the case, my VZW account would be charged because it is the
> one actually receiving the call.
>

Even if you're paying for the long distance, wouldn't that be cheaper than
the international roaming charges?!

-Jeff

"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
> >calls to your FREE-UP number?
>
> I don't have free LD so this is a non issue. However, I would say if
> that were the case, my VZW account would be charged because it is the
> one actually receiving the call.
>

Even if you're paying for the long distance, wouldn't that be cheaper than
the international roaming charges?!

-Jeff

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:38:58 -0400, "jeff" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Even if you're paying for the long distance, wouldn't that be cheaper than
>the international roaming charges?!
>
>-Jeff

Exactly why I want to have a Verizon number as the second NAM hence
the original post.

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:38:58 -0400, "jeff" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Even if you're paying for the long distance, wouldn't that be cheaper than
>the international roaming charges?!
>
>-Jeff

Exactly why I want to have a Verizon number as the second NAM hence
the original post.

If there's a phone that will do what you want you'll be set but if not,
here's another suggestion if available. Use your landline or a remote CF
number and just forward it to whichever number you'll be using depending
on your travels. If you're spending a lot of time on the US side, you
might want a Remote CF number in the US.

From:Richard
[email protected]

> On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:38:58 -0400, "jeff" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> Even if you're paying for the long distance, wouldn't that be
>> cheaper than the international roaming charges?!
>>
>> -Jeff
>
> Exactly why I want to have a Verizon number as the second NAM hence
> the original post.

If there's a phone that will do what you want you'll be set but if not,
here's another suggestion if available. Use your landline or a remote CF
number and just forward it to whichever number you'll be using depending
on your travels. If you're spending a lot of time on the US side, you
might want a Remote CF number in the US.

From:Richard
[email protected]

> On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:38:58 -0400, "jeff" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> Even if you're paying for the long distance, wouldn't that be
>> cheaper than the international roaming charges?!
>>
>> -Jeff
>
> Exactly why I want to have a Verizon number as the second NAM hence
> the original post.

"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote .
> On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:24:10 -0700, "Quick" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >This could only work if the coverage (native and roaming) was
> >completely separate geographically. Now a days there is a good
> >chance that your Canadian carrier's roaming partner is also VZW's
> >roaming partner (or VZW themselves). Now you have the same
>
> Yes, VZW is the Canadian carrier's #1 preferred roaming partner in the
> US.
>
> >ESN for two carriers (and numbers) on the same network... won't
> >work. Then there is the problem of how does the phone know which
> >number to choose (originating) when you dial out.
>
> I'm not so worried about outgoing calls. If in the US, I would always
> use VZW for all outgoing calls to elsewhere in the US and to Canada.
>
> I seem to recall reading somewhere that some phones with dual NAMs
> would give you a different ring tone for each number so you could
> identify which number was being called and answer appropriately. But I
> wasn't sure if something like that, with or without distinct rings,
> worked if the numbers were with different carriers one of them being
> in roaming mode.

The problem is not with the phone. It's the network and billing system
that doesn't support it.

>
> >How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
> >calls to your FREE-UP number?
>
> I don't have free LD so this is a non issue. However, I would say if
> that were the case, my VZW account would be charged because it is the
> one actually receiving the call.

Probably not. In the US it is never the receiving party and always the
calling party that pays (naturally, collect calls are reversed). I would
have guessed that possibly you would get charged air time for the
incoming call and airtime again for the outgoing/forwarded call and
whatever charges to call the area code of your Free-Up number.
You Free-Up account would be charged airtime (and roaming?
charges if applicable) to receive the call.

O well...

-Quick

"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote .
> On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:24:10 -0700, "Quick" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >This could only work if the coverage (native and roaming) was
> >completely separate geographically. Now a days there is a good
> >chance that your Canadian carrier's roaming partner is also VZW's
> >roaming partner (or VZW themselves). Now you have the same
>
> Yes, VZW is the Canadian carrier's #1 preferred roaming partner in the
> US.
>
> >ESN for two carriers (and numbers) on the same network... won't
> >work. Then there is the problem of how does the phone know which
> >number to choose (originating) when you dial out.
>
> I'm not so worried about outgoing calls. If in the US, I would always
> use VZW for all outgoing calls to elsewhere in the US and to Canada.
>
> I seem to recall reading somewhere that some phones with dual NAMs
> would give you a different ring tone for each number so you could
> identify which number was being called and answer appropriately. But I
> wasn't sure if something like that, with or without distinct rings,
> worked if the numbers were with different carriers one of them being
> in roaming mode.

The problem is not with the phone. It's the network and billing system
that doesn't support it.

>
> >How do they bill if you have free LD and forward your Canadian
> >calls to your FREE-UP number?
>
> I don't have free LD so this is a non issue. However, I would say if
> that were the case, my VZW account would be charged because it is the
> one actually receiving the call.

Probably not. In the US it is never the receiving party and always the
calling party that pays (naturally, collect calls are reversed). I would
have guessed that possibly you would get charged air time for the
incoming call and airtime again for the outgoing/forwarded call and
whatever charges to call the area code of your Free-Up number.
You Free-Up account would be charged airtime (and roaming?
charges if applicable) to receive the call.

O well...

-Quick

No Phone Will Do this, PERIOD


"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have service with a Canadian carrier. I am often in the US. At such
> times, I would like to use Verizon prepaid which I evaluated will be
> much more cost effective than hefty roaming charges. Verizon, as you
> probably know, have no issues with activating foreign ESNs. The
> StarTAC 7868W phone I have is compatible with both carriers for the
> basic if not all functions.
>
> Is it possible to have 2 unique numbers on the same phone with
> *different* carriers?
>
> The manual for the StarTAC says only one number can be active at any
> time. The manual did not specifiy but I suppose that means if I make
> the Verizon number active, all incoming calls to my Canadian number
> will just go unanswered. Are there phones out there (supported by
> carrier services) that can receive incoming calls to either number and
> you would be billed accordingly depending on which carrier the dialed
> number belongs? Basically, I'm trying to avoid carrying around 2
> phones in the US while being able to answer calls to my Canadian and
> US numbers.

No Phone Will Do this, PERIOD


"Richard" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have service with a Canadian carrier. I am often in the US. At such
> times, I would like to use Verizon prepaid which I evaluated will be
> much more cost effective than hefty roaming charges. Verizon, as you
> probably know, have no issues with activating foreign ESNs. The
> StarTAC 7868W phone I have is compatible with both carriers for the
> basic if not all functions.
>
> Is it possible to have 2 unique numbers on the same phone with
> *different* carriers?
>
> The manual for the StarTAC says only one number can be active at any
> time. The manual did not specifiy but I suppose that means if I make
> the Verizon number active, all incoming calls to my Canadian number
> will just go unanswered. Are there phones out there (supported by
> carrier services) that can receive incoming calls to either number and
> you would be billed accordingly depending on which carrier the dialed
> number belongs? Basically, I'm trying to avoid carrying around 2
> phones in the US while being able to answer calls to my Canadian and
> US numbers.