Unfortunately, because of browser security models that ensure each tab is effectively sandboxed from every other, it is not possible to share a connection between tabs. As such, if a user has 3 tabs open, each with a connection to Ably, that will count as 3 connections.
Please note however that:
- There are APIs available for communication between tabs and frames
- There are libraries to assist with this
Also, from an Ably browser client library perspective, connections can be closed in one tab and resumed in another.