The Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) has introduced a new product called Tawam, a dual SIM cards system that allows two mobile phones to operate with the same number.

"This allows two mobile phones to operate with the same number, eliminating the inconvenience of switching SIM cards between phones," the corporation said yesterday.

The service is available to both Wasel prepaid and GSM post-paid mobile users and can even be used while roaming, available for Dh100.

Mohammed Al Fahim, Etisalat's Executive Vice President of Marketing, said: "They have been specially developed by the Ebtikar unit, Etisalat's smart card manufacturing unit."

A corporation statement said this new feature is of particular benefit to subscribers who have two mobile phones such as a car phone, or different models used at the work place and at home.

"Until now, they either needed two different numbers or had to swap the SIM card from phone to phone whenever they changed phones.

"Additional benefits include additional address book storage capacity and one monthly bill for calls made on both phones."

Using the service is simple. To select the phone or Tawam SIM card required for making calls, it should be activated by switching the phone on or off or by making an outgoing call.

To subscribe for the new service, customers need to visit one of the 50 Etisalat branches, business centres or service centres located throughout the UAE, fill in the application form and attach a valid ID copy.The Tawam cards can then be collected within a few days.

"Current customers will be able to use their existing single SIM card until it is deactivated upon receipt of the new Tawam cards," said the statement.