SIMpool

[petkow]

Just trying to brainstorm a daft idea here! Has anyone ever though of starting a Simpool? The basic idea is fairly simple, though it could get complex in the details:

Basically, some people (who travel a lot) and who somehow trust each other get together as a club and put together a few local prepaid SIM cards that they have from various countries. When a member wants to go to a country for which he does not have a SIM he checks in the pool to see if someone has one and makes a request. If available, the SIM is then sent to him, and upon reaching the country he can use it right away. If need be he will have to load some credit! He then holds onto the SIM until the next person wants to use it etc.

The idea is that it keeps a huge number of SIMs at easy disposal and for a change you have a local SIM from the moment you touch down. Hopefully it also works around some of the local hassles associated with buying and needing to register prepaid SIMs. IN some countries, some of the best products are "internet only" which makes them unavailable for people without a local address (e.g. Simyo 1c/MB here in Spain). Also the pool will hopefully workaround hassles associated with SIM's that need to be kept active by making calls or recharging them every once in a while.

Another important factor is that SIM’s will be bought by knowledgeable (often local) people who will always be savvy on the latest rates, especially in terms of amazing HSDPA data rates. Also the fact that the SIM’s get more usage may make them eligible for cheaper or free data (e.g. UK ones). Ideally users should also leave specific 'useage notes' with the SIM to describe how it can be best used to call internationally etc.

Now when you get into the details, it gets a bit more complex. The pool needs to rely on a nice website with a clever online database (which could be easily programmed in MySQL or the like), which keeps an eye on where the SIMs are and how much credit they have on them etc.

Unfortunately, the part I do not like is that the SIMs still need to be snail-mailed around the globe. (The shipping rates could also be tabbed by the system, but should basically be reciprocal). I suppose, if such a thing really were to get going, SIMs could eventually be left at important destinations in their registered country at a hotel reception, business centre etc. and wait for a pickup by a member! Or a local member in the country might be able to send the SIM to the travelling members hotel in advance along with a self-addressed envelope for the traveller to send back the SIM after use. This keeps the SIM in the country and the shipping rates very low!

Other problems might be with incoming calls. The problem is that the number you leave a contact may end up with someone else later, but there are workarounds by using DID's etc.

By the way…as an aside …wouldn’t it be really nice instead of snail-mailing in this day and age there was some sort of a “blank SIM”, for which you could load firmware (which could be emailed to the user). Anyhow… as I said, I’m just brainstorming! Can anyone pickup on some of these mad ideas? Don’t worry… be critical! Basically, I’m getting a bit bored waiting for someone who is running very late on this fine Friday evening…..