Mobile phones-what to do?

cuero123

Leaving next week for Rajhastan, so much to do!
Mobile phones, I am such a technophobe that I cant get my brain around the best way to deal with keeping in contact with my travelling companion.
Do I buy a new sim card in india and avoid having to pay internetional rates when trying to contact her in India if we go off in separate directions or am I best to use my UK provider? How much is a card , how do I go about getting one, and how much is it likely to cost?

my indya

yu can get a prepaid card from any providers for as low price
it wil cost around 100 INR ( $2) starter pack and refill around $4 to $10 US..

Mobile to mobile cost per call is around approx - 50 cents are so (BSNL mobile)

__________________
List ur site in phpBB forum directory
Indian Talk Channel - discuss anything everything

brightspark

For cellphones.. one more thing, as far as possible try to buy from the state that you plan to spend the most time... this may not always be possible.. so buy a SIM card where you first land..

however depending on the usage it may make sense to buy another card.. for instance if you plan to be in Rajasthan for 15 days.. in jaipur.. then all the calls within the state are local calls (which maybe from about 2.5 cents to 7 cents or so depending on the plan.. also for incoming calls you dont pay any roaming charges.. whereas for instance if you have a Delhi phone. you pay roaming charges.. which may indeed take your per minute cost for even receiving calls to around 50 cents..

cuero123

Thanks for that information, one more question.
My provider in the Uk has told me that I will have to pay a fee ( quite high)to unlock the phone before I can use another sim card. Do you know if this can be done when I arrive?

Nick-H

The Google adds seem to be very accurate in this one!

Most town centres, markets etc here in UK seem to have places that offer phone unlocking for a few pounds.

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

goangoangone

I had my phone unlocked in Margao for 350 rs. A text costs me 5rs.Cheapest way to keep in touch.

__________________
GoanGoan......here

Nick-H

350 soudsn expensive! London places do it for £5 or less.

Shamim

I am arriving in India from UK in a weeks time and asking around I have been told that Nokia phones are best to take as they are most compatible with all the networks out in India. Some other makes, although unlocked, may not work properly, esp with sending and receiving sms. I have also been told that Reliance Network is the truly national network working all over India. With other networks, one may find problem topping up units outside of the state in which the sim card was first bought. Can anyone please confirm this or let me know if it is not so.
Thanks

shere

Depends on the phone. £5 @ RS80 (to£) = 400RS so 350RS to unlock is reaosnable.

If you have a Nokia you can unlock it yourself at no cost.

Shamim

Thanks Shere

Are there any instructions anywhere as to how to unlock a Nokia phone?
Thanks.

shere

No problem. Try the following site to calculate your unlock code online for free. Your phone may already be unlocked so try a sim card from a different network in your phone b4 you start unlocking (borrow a different provider sim from a friend or relative).

http://www.trycktill.com/eng/

or you can download an unlock program and start unlocking Nokias at a local car boot sale. use following site :

http://www.unlockme.co.uk/dct4free.html

Oh yes Nokia phones are the best. I have been through Samsungs etc as they are very popular in India but the battery life is really bad on them. Most Nokias usually have good standby and talktime after a full charge.

Reliance phones are not GSM phones so do not expect your UK phone to be able to accept a Relaince SIM card. Reliance use CDMA phones and these are pretty much uselesss in the UK.

Enjoy your trip.

Nick-H

I'm thinking that he India rate should be much less