Playing Multiple Characters on 1 account?

■ Windows + PlayStation 3: To play a character from each a version simultaneously
- A Square Enix account
- A copy of the Windows version
- A copy of the PlayStation 3 version
*You can register up to eight registration codes per Square Enix account.
*Please create separate service accounts for the Windows version and the PlayStation 3 version of FINAL FANTASY XIV. You will not be able to play at the same time if you register the codes under the same service account.

I found this information but I'm slightly confused. Does this mean I would still have to pay more money as if it was a separate account? Am I able to pay the monthly fee for one account while multiple characters are able to play?

I doubt this would be possible since it doesn't seem likely for a for-profit business. xD Somewhat hopeful however.

Simultaneously is the key word.

You can have multiple characters on one account you just can't play them at the same time. A monthly fee is required for each character you want to play simultaneously -- if you want to play on two computers or on a computer and a PS3 for example.

So what SE will be charging you for is the Service Accounts then, right?

It basically means you have 1 Service account for PS3 and one for PC.
That would be 2 subscription fees. You can log in one character from each service account at a time.

FFXIV #1 PC A B C < subscription fee
FFXIV #2 PS3 D E F < separate subscription fee

You can log in one on each account, and you will only be able to play PS3 on account #2, it will not allow you to play on the PC for that account. Likewise the PC version does not grant you the ability to play on the PS3 on that account.

Imagine how cool it would be if your alt could be an npc party member. That would enable you to play 2 characters simultaneously and would solve some issues with alts in this game.