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

A 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 must either carry another phone or use models with dual SIM card slots. These models include the Redmi, Asus Zenfone 6 and HTC Desire.

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

All communication exchanges, whether calls or text messages, on the second line are done via the app.

Mr 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."

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 can be done on StarHub's website.

Those who sign up before Dec 31 this year 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 used those of the primary line. But from now until Dec 31, 2-in-1 LINE app users will get to send free unlimited local SMS messages.