Cell phone in Chennai

crowgirl · Oct 29th, 2007, 21:44

Hi all,

Not sure if this has been covered ( but most likely has over the years; if so, please point me the way

)

When we get to Chennai we will be phone-less and are wondering how to go about getting a pay as you go cell phone to use for the month while there. No idea where to look or how to ask. Is the process difficult?

Someone I spoke with said they use something called a SIM card but our phone here in USA is a pay as you go phone and they don't use SIM cards and will not work in India as I've already talked to the provider.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

capt_mahajan · Oct 29th, 2007, 21:51

The 'Electronics in India' forum, where this thread has now been moved, is full of information on this, including a sticky.

What you need is a prepaid simcard in Chennai.

As for the phone itself, there is information on that too.

Rachmilievitch · Oct 29th, 2007, 22:24

We'll be in Chennai in January and I'm considering getting a cell phone from

http://www.mobalrental.com

just to have in case of an emergency. I wonder if anyone has experience with this company (or similar) and their service.

brownboy66 · Oct 30th, 2007, 00:07

So...sounds like you currently have a cdma prepay. As the capt has said - oodles of info in the thread re prepay phones here. Yes - you can buy a prepay here. Yes - both cdma and gsm phones here come with a sim card! Check out the rest of the threads re providers, services, plans - etc (plenty of options and opinion as to what is best). Also - you'll need copies of your passport, tourist visa to purchase a phone.

happy travels!

Sama · Nov 6th, 2007, 03:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachmilievitch

We'll be in Chennai in January and I'm considering getting a cell phone from

http://www.mobalrental.com

oh my god. under no circumstances should you rent a cell phone! my husband rented one for me for my first trip to india and ended up paying about $500 for my calls + rental for one month.

HA! taught him a lesson because I told him not to!

Nick-H · Nov 6th, 2007, 18:43

Seconded... mobiles can be bought very cheap, and I am surprised that there is any market at all for renting them!

Oct 29th, 2007, 21:44	#1
crowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 162	Cell phone in Chennai Hi all, Not sure if this has been covered ( but most likely has over the years; if so, please point me the way ) When we get to Chennai we will be phone-less and are wondering how to go about getting a pay as you go cell phone to use for the month while there. No idea where to look or how to ask. Is the process difficult? Someone I spoke with said they use something called a SIM card but our phone here in USA is a pay as you go phone and they don't use SIM cards and will not work in India as I've already talked to the provider. Thank you in advance for any suggestions. __________________ S/he who laughs lasts

Nov 6th, 2007, 18:43	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,819	Seconded... mobiles can be bought very cheap, and I am surprised that there is any market at all for renting them! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Oct 29th, 2007, 21:51	#2
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	The 'Electronics in India' forum, where this thread has now been moved, is full of information on this, including a sticky. What you need is a prepaid simcard in Chennai. As for the phone itself, there is information on that too.

Oct 29th, 2007, 22:24	#3
Rachmilievitch Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: US Posts: 41	We'll be in Chennai in January and I'm considering getting a cell phone from http://www.mobalrental.com just to have in case of an emergency. I wonder if anyone has experience with this company (or similar) and their service.

Oct 30th, 2007, 00:07	#4
brownboy66 Chicken 65 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,261	So...sounds like you currently have a cdma prepay. As the capt has said - oodles of info in the thread re prepay phones here. Yes - you can buy a prepay here. Yes - both cdma and gsm phones here come with a sim card! Check out the rest of the threads re providers, services, plans - etc (plenty of options and opinion as to what is best). Also - you'll need copies of your passport, tourist visa to purchase a phone. happy travels!

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