"Dual SIM" allows you to use two mobile phone lines on one smartphone, but some people may want to use separate mobile phone lines for work and personal use.
By using a dual SIM compatible device, you can have two phone numbers and switch carrier lines depending on the communication situation, so you will be less likely to find yourself unable to use your mobile phone when you are out of range.
There are two types of dual SIM: one is to insert two SIM cards, and the other is eSIM, which does not require swapping cards. KDDI's online-only brand, povo2.0, is compatible with eSIM and can be used for 0 yen (*0) when not in use, making it suitable as a secondary line for dual SIM.
It is especially recommended for those who have the following problems:
・I want to separate my work and personal phone numbers
・I want to add gigabytes when my main line is slow.
・I want to use a carrier with a large data capacity as a replacement for pocket Wi-Fi
In this article, we will explain six reasons why povo2.0 is ideal for dual SIM and provide details about fees plans.
*0: If there is no paid Topping purchase for more than 180 days, the usage may be suspended or the contract may be terminated. 0 yen 0 GB, the maximum sending/receiving speed is 128 kbps. Data Only In the case of **, initial Topping purchase is required at the time of contract. Calls＋Data In the case of tax included, domestic calls: 22 yen/30 seconds Some calling rates, such as calls to satellite phones, may differ. For more details. In addition, designated call charges apply to calls to phone numbers set up fees by other companies. Sending domestic SMS: tax included 3.3 yen/text (up to 70 characters) Receiving: Free Up to 670 full-width characters can be sent depending on the model. However, up to 134 characters, two SMS will be sent, and after that, one SMS will be sent for every 67 characters. If you subscribe to 5 lines(*) under the same name, a contract administration fee of tax included 3,850 yen/line will be charged for the 6th line and thereafter.
*Including lines that have been terminated or cancelled by us within the past year.
Reference: "What is povo2.0?" (povo)
Dual SIM means that you can use two carriers' lines on one smartphone.
In areas with poor signal conditions, you can switch to a carrier with a more stable signal line, expanding the range of uses.
Dual SIM means using two SIM cards, but there are ways to load both a card-type SIM and a digital eSIM.
This type has a function called DSDS (Dual SIM Dual Standby) and can accommodate two physical SIM cards, such as the Xperia 5 III.
On the other hand, DSDV (Dual SIM Dual VoLTE) is a type that allows you to use the phone numbers and data communications of two devices on one smartphone by inserting a physical SIM card and activating an eSIM, and is applicable to devices such as the iPhone.
The advantages and disadvantages of eSIM and the activation procedure are explained in detail in the article below.
If you want to use dual SIM, which allows you to use two lines on one smartphone, we recommend povo2.0.
The reasons are as follows:
povo2.0 supports eSIM, allowing dual SIM on DSDV (dual SIM dual VoLTE) smartphones.
DSDV smartphones have one SIM slot and can register an eSIM, so you can use two lines on one smartphone.
This will allow you to use your smartphone in a wider range of ways, such as separating phone numbers for work and personal use on one smartphone, or using separate numbers for calls and data communications.
By the way, povo2.0 lines use au 's own lines, which boast a population coverage rate of 99.9% (*1).
*1: "Population coverage rate" is calculated based on areas where communication is possible in 50% or more of the approximately 500m blocks used in the census.
This information is current as of the end of December 2020. Content is subject to change. Compatible devices are 4G LTE (800MHz) compatible.
There is no basic fees for povo2.0, so if you do not add any paid Topping, you can use it for 0 yen (*2).
The system allows you to use the service for free during months when you are not using it, and you can add Topping (additional data volume or unlimited calling plans) only when you want to use it, so you can use it flexibly to suit your lifestyle, such as as secondary-line or a line that is only used for data communication.
However, please note that if you do not use Topping for more than 180 days, your povo2.0 service may be suspended or your contract may be terminated.
*2: If you do not purchase Topping for more than 180 days, your usage may be suspended or your contract may be terminated. 0 yen 0 GB, the maximum sending/receiving speed will be 128 kbps. Data Only In the case of *1, initial Topping purchase is required at the time of contract. Calls＋Data In the case of tax included, domestic calls: 22 yen/30 seconds Some calling rates, such as calls to satellite phones, may differ. For more details. In addition, designated call charges apply to calls to phone numbers set up fees by other companies. Sending domestic SMS: tax included 3.3 yen/text (up to 70 characters) Receiving: Free Up to 670 full-width characters can be sent depending on the model. However, up to 134 characters, two SMS will be sent, and after that, one SMS will be sent for every 67 characters. If you subscribe to 5 lines(*) under the same name, a contract administration fee of tax included 3,850 yen/line will be charged for the 6th line and thereafter.
*Including lines that have been terminated or cancelled by us within the past year.
Reference "What is povo2.0?" (povo)
povo2.0 allows you to add gigabytes at a lower price than other companies, with 1 gigabyte costing just 390 yen, one of the lowest prices in the industry.
The additional fees per gigabyte for major carriers' online-only brands and povo2.0 are as follows.
| Major carrier's online-only brand | Additional fees per gigabyte (tax included) |
|---|---|
| povo2.0 | 390円 |
| ahamo | 550円 |
| LINEMO | 550円 |
When comparing the additional fees per gigabyte for each plan, we can see that povo2.0 is the cheapest option.
Even if your speed is limited at the end of the month, with povo2.0 you can add 1GB for just 390 yen, so you don't have to worry about things like "I can't access SNS!" or "I want to add more gigabytes, but fees to add 1GB is so high it's a waste!" and you can use it at a low price.
However, povo2.0 has a 7-day usage limit for adding 1 gigabyte of data.
Please note that if you add 1 gigabyte but do not use it for 7 days, you will lose the 1 gigabyte of data.
With povo2.0 you can easily switch from au, and even if you have a contract with another carrier, you can complete the process online, making it easy to switch.
The switchover process is quick and can be completed in just a few hours, so you can switch on the same day you decide you want to switch your mobile phone line (*3).
However, there is one thing to note: if you are using a line from another company, you can transfer your phone number to povo2.0, but to transfer your carrier email, you will need to apply separately, and additional fees will be incurred.
If you want to use email for free, you will need to use a free address such as Gmail provided by Google.
*3: If you apply for an eSIM, you can start using it on the same day if you complete the SIM activation procedure between 9:30 AM and 8 PM. However, if you activate the SIM after 8 PM, the activation time will vary depending on the details of your application. Please see here for details. Also, depending on the application volume, it may take some time for the procedure to be completed.
Furthermore, customers who have switched (MNP) from another company (*4) to povo2.0 can receive Topping of half the price (tax-free) on au PAY balance if they link au ID to their povo account, activate the SIM, and purchase eligible toppings within seven days. "Real-discount Campaign!" We are currently implementing the following!
*4: If you change from au / UQ mobile / povo1.0 to povo2.0, you will not be eligible for this campaign.
povo2.0 offers free tethering, so it can also be used as a pocket Wi-Fi alternative.
Tethering is a feature that allows you to connect your computer, tablet, gaming device, etc. to the Internet using your smartphone's data communication.
By using tethering, you can use your tablet to watch videos on YouTube and other sites while you're out and about, or you can work on your computer.
povo2.0 uses au 's communication environment, which not only provides a stable communication line, but also allows you to add data as and when you need it, so you don't have to pay more for communication costs than necessary.
Tethering is normally a feature that can be used by paying an optional fees, and while it is free with docomo and au, some SoftBank plans require a monthly optional fees of 550 yen.
Even if tethering costs 550 yen per month, it amounts to 6,600 yen per year, which is a significant expense, so if you are considering using the Internet on a device such as a tablet or PC, we recommend povo2.0, which offers free tethering.
povo2.0 has no contract validity and you can cancel at any time you like.
Also, if you switch from povo2.0, there will be no MNP transfer fee or other fees.
With povo2.0 you can choose your preferred unlimited calling and data plan to suit your lifestyle.
For example, you can purchase large amounts of data in months when you need to use it for travel, or conversely, you can purchase only 3GB of data in months when you don't need it, saving on mobile phone fees.
You can freely choose from Topping below for povo2.0.
| Topping Type | Topping examples (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Usual Topping | ・ Unlimited data (24 hours) (*6) 330 yen/time ・ Data Top-up 1GB (7 days) 390 yen/time ・ Data Top-up (30 days) 990 yen/time ・ Data Top-up 60GB (90 days) 6,490 yen/time ・ Data Top-up 150GB (180 days) 12,980 yen/time etc. |
| Limited-time Topping | ・[Limited offer] Data Top-up (365 days) 5,800 yen/time ・[Limited offer Offer] 1TB Data Top-up (365 days) for 38,160 yen/time, etc. |
| Collaboration Topping | ・ LAWSON shopping voucher worth 500 yen + Data Top-up 0.3GB (24 hours) 500 yen/time ・ LAWSON shopping vouchers worth 500 yen x 4 + Data Top-up 1GB (30 days) for 2,450 yen per use, etc. |
| Call Toppings | ・Unlimited calls of up to 5 minutes (*7)(*8)：550 yen per month ・Unlimited calls (*8)：1,650 yen per month |
* Topping listed are examples (may differ from Topping actually on sale).
With povo2.0, you can easily select your toppings and make Topping using the dedicated app. Also, there's a service called "#Gigakatsu" that's only available with povo2.0.
#Gigakatsu is an activity where you can get gigabytes (data) by using various stores, services and content, or get special benefits by purchasing data Topping.
If you make good use of #Gigakatsu, you can enjoy the internet without having to Topping your data capacity.
However, please note that povo2.0 may suspend your service or terminate your contract if you do not use Topping for 180 days.
For details on paid Topping, please see the following page.
Reference "Topping List" (povo)
Check out the latest #Gigakatsu here.
The characteristics of people who are recommended to use povo2.0 eSIM are as follows.
| Recommended for: | Reasons for recommendation |
|---|---|
| I want to be able to use data communication on the same day I sign up (*3) | With povo2.0 eSIM, you can use data communication in as little as a few hours. |
| I want to choose a stable line for my dual SIM contract. I want to use a major carrier's line at a low price |
You can use 5G (*5) on the au network, which has a population coverage rate of 99.9% (*1), and monthly costs can be reduced depending on Topping you choose. |
| I want to use a mobile phone line with a large data capacity instead of pocket Wi-Fi | povo2.0 offers free tethering, so you can enjoy the internet on your tablet or computer. |
| It's a hassle to visit the store | povo2.0 allows you to easily complete the process online. |
| I have a low-fees mobile phone plan with another company, but I have some data left over at the end of the month and feel it's a waste. | With povo2.0, you can use as much data as you want, when you want, so there's no need to sign up for a plan with extra data. |
You can sign up for povo2.0 in just a few minutes using the dedicated app, and if you use an eSIM, you can start using the mobile line within a few hours. (If you use a physical SIM, it will be mailed to you the next day after the procedure is completed.)
Since you can start using data communications from the day you complete the online procedure (*3), this plan is recommended for those who want to be able to use data communications on the day they sign a contract, or for those who want to sign up with a carrier that allows them to add gigabytes at a low price because their current line has become slow and adding data capacity is expensive.
Additionally, if you already have a povo2.0 contract and are using an iPhone 8 or later, you can use "eSIM Quick Transfer." This feature is one of the reasons why we recommend povo2.0 's eSIM.
In this article, we explained povo2.0 's dual SIM and eSIM. povo2.0 is a system that allows you to customize your smartphone plan by adding paid Topping that suit you.
povo2.0 is offered for free if you do not add any paid Topping, and it also supports eSIM, making it suitable for dual SIMs.
It's perfect for use as secondary-line, so if you want to separate phone numbers and data communications for work and personal use, be sure to consider using povo2.0.
