converters

Susan London · May 31st, 2009, 09:48

After reading the thread about SIM cards and the hassles from state to state, I'm planning to take my ATT cell to India with the World Travel add-on feature so I can contact family or they me in an emergency. I'm planning to keep the phone off except once a day to check for messages.

I'll have to bring my charger (US style plug), but think I'll need a three round plug. I'm hoping not to bring a converter but borrow one from some friendly soul from time to time, just to keep the charge.

My question: Do guesthouse/internet cafe proprietors to allow visitors to charge their phones while at the establishment?

Thank you for your suggestions to any of my ideas.

Kayde · May 31st, 2009, 14:27

India is one of the only places that I know that has phone chargers in the airports free of charge. Not only are they in airports but malls as well. I am sure you will be able to charge your phone easily. Also some places have wall plugs that will actually take the US type of plug. It looks like it will take many different types. I can not describe but does anyone know what I am talking about??

RPG · May 31st, 2009, 14:55

A plug adapter (2-pin is fine) costs around a dollar at Indian stores in the US, and is probably less in India if you can find one. Why would you want to avoid having your own?

In case you are confused about this: modern cell phone chargers will work fine on either 110 or 220 volts. Check the label on the charger; it should say something like 100-240VAC 50-60Hz, which covers all bases. If so, all you need is a passive device that allows your charger to fit the Indian sockets (it has a US female and an India/Europe-compatible male, back to back). It's called a plug adapter or a converter; it is not a transformer.

Haylo · May 31st, 2009, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPG

It's called a plug adapter or a converter; it is not a transformer.

Plug adaptors are readily available and dirt cheap, I've heard you can get them for Rs 20 though I'm not sure I'd trust the wiring as I heard of one of them burning out. We got well made ones from Khan Market, even they were only Rs 85.

ragz · May 31st, 2009, 17:11

if your charger supports 220v input then all you need is an adapter. It will cost less than a dollar and is available at most electric stores across India. Its a simple device and there is no risk of burning or damage.

Airports, some cafes also have chargers available to let people charge their phones, but they are for a few more popular models.

Most shopkeepers are friendly enough to let you charge your phone.

Susan London · Jun 1st, 2009, 07:32

"It's called a plug adapter or a converter"

My bad!!!! Thank you for bringing me into the 21st Century!!

I will wait until I arrive to purchase an adapter!!

I'm thinking sending texts may be cheaper to contact family than a call. Does anyone know?

Thank you.

Hal · Jun 1st, 2009, 08:10

Just be sure the transformers on your appliances can handle 240V (most cell phones and laptops can). Otherwise you will shortly hear a pop then smell burned electronics. I did this to my beard trimmer and came home looking like Grizzly Adams.

ragz · Jun 1st, 2009, 08:48

the contract with your service provider, would specify how much an SMS costs and the rate of calling back to your place.

the cheapest would be emailing though. there are enough internet cafes around, even at the remotest of places.

ragz · Jun 1st, 2009, 08:55

btw, you can use a public phone booth to call home too. should cost about Rs. 8/- a minute. I dont think any other service provider can beat that

and there is always a public phone round the corner.

http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/std_pulse.htm

Susan London · Jun 1st, 2009, 09:16

My charger is a 100 - 240V 50/60 Hz, so I hope I'm all set.

In case of emergencies, I don't want to have to rely on waiting for someone to receive an email.

I relied on no phone in Thailand and it seemed to work out alright there. Of course, a much smaller country compared to India.

I like the option of a phone booth, too. It might work out cheaper in the long run for me to call home that way.

Aishah · Jun 1st, 2009, 09:33

Well it's definitely not cheaper via the ISD phone i.e. public phones in little shops. to ring Australia or NZ, so I imagine the same will apply for your country Susan. It's much cheaper via your mobile. However if you are having roaming charges added, it could be cheaper for you.

And good idea to get your own adaptor - you will find no one will have one when you need it!

Haylo · Jun 1st, 2009, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragz

btw, you can use a public phone booth to call home too. should cost about Rs. 8/- a minute. I dont think any other service provider can beat that

Check the Airtel mobile phone rates, I know that phoning the UK at least is incredibly cheap, I have one of their Rs 99 Lifetime Prepay SIMs and I think it's about Rs 6 per minute, or for an international text. Local calls and texts are so cheap I regard them as basically free!

On the other hand, phoning back to the UK using my UK SIM costs around Rs 100 a minute, and even ACCEPTING a UK call costs me the same!

mutineer · Jun 20th, 2009, 10:20

international roaming on most US plans is absurdly expensive

nycank · Jun 21st, 2009, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutineer

international roaming on most US plans is absurdly expensive

Concur - People from US should check -

1. If international roaming is enabled
2. What it costs to receive or make a call (I think it is about a dollar plus if not more... )
3. Rent a SIM for a fraction in US for India; or get a SIM in India for much less that that fraction..

gvdv · Jun 21st, 2009, 10:42

For the last few years I have consistently (but not always) had problems sending SMS/text messages between Canada and the U.K. when I am the one sending the first message.

If I receive a text from the U.K., I can reply to it with no problem. While this might be an idiosyncrasy of my service provider - it has happened with several 'phones - and doesn't seem to be related to any features that are not included in the plan that I pay for.

I don't know if this is a problem which you might encounter in India when trying to communicate with those at home, but just in case this kind of problem should befall you, I would (a) ask people to send you messages in addition to them expecting messages from you, and (b) also bear in mind the advice of others here regarding other methods of keeping in touch with your loved ones.

May 31st, 2009, 09:48	#1
Susan London Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 57	converters After reading the thread about SIM cards and the hassles from state to state, I'm planning to take my ATT cell to India with the World Travel add-on feature so I can contact family or they me in an emergency. I'm planning to keep the phone off except once a day to check for messages. I'll have to bring my charger (US style plug), but think I'll need a three round plug. I'm hoping not to bring a converter but borrow one from some friendly soul from time to time, just to keep the charge. My question: Do guesthouse/internet cafe proprietors to allow visitors to charge their phones while at the establishment? Thank you for your suggestions to any of my ideas.

Jun 1st, 2009, 09:33	#11
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,616	Well it's definitely not cheaper via the ISD phone i.e. public phones in little shops. to ring Australia or NZ, so I imagine the same will apply for your country Susan. It's much cheaper via your mobile. However if you are having roaming charges added, it could be cheaper for you. And good idea to get your own adaptor - you will find no one will have one when you need it! __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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May 31st, 2009, 14:27	#2
Kayde Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bahrain Posts: 99	India is one of the only places that I know that has phone chargers in the airports free of charge. Not only are they in airports but malls as well. I am sure you will be able to charge your phone easily. Also some places have wall plugs that will actually take the US type of plug. It looks like it will take many different types. I can not describe but does anyone know what I am talking about??

May 31st, 2009, 14:55	#3
RPG Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Timbuktu Posts: 382	A plug adapter (2-pin is fine) costs around a dollar at Indian stores in the US, and is probably less in India if you can find one. Why would you want to avoid having your own? In case you are confused about this: modern cell phone chargers will work fine on either 110 or 220 volts. Check the label on the charger; it should say something like 100-240VAC 50-60Hz, which covers all bases. If so, all you need is a passive device that allows your charger to fit the Indian sockets (it has a US female and an India/Europe-compatible male, back to back). It's called a plug adapter or a converter; it is not a transformer.

May 31st, 2009, 17:11	#5
ragz Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 109	if your charger supports 220v input then all you need is an adapter. It will cost less than a dollar and is available at most electric stores across India. Its a simple device and there is no risk of burning or damage. Airports, some cafes also have chargers available to let people charge their phones, but they are for a few more popular models. Most shopkeepers are friendly enough to let you charge your phone.

Jun 1st, 2009, 07:32	#6
Susan London Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 57	"It's called a plug adapter or a converter" My bad!!!! Thank you for bringing me into the 21st Century!! I will wait until I arrive to purchase an adapter!! I'm thinking sending texts may be cheaper to contact family than a call. Does anyone know? Thank you.

Jun 1st, 2009, 08:10	#7
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	Just be sure the transformers on your appliances can handle 240V (most cell phones and laptops can). Otherwise you will shortly hear a pop then smell burned electronics. I did this to my beard trimmer and came home looking like Grizzly Adams.

Jun 1st, 2009, 08:48	#8
ragz Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 109	the contract with your service provider, would specify how much an SMS costs and the rate of calling back to your place. the cheapest would be emailing though. there are enough internet cafes around, even at the remotest of places.

Jun 1st, 2009, 08:55	#9
ragz Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 109	btw, you can use a public phone booth to call home too. should cost about Rs. 8/- a minute. I dont think any other service provider can beat that and there is always a public phone round the corner. http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/std_pulse.htm

Jun 1st, 2009, 09:16	#10
Susan London Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 57	My charger is a 100 - 240V 50/60 Hz, so I hope I'm all set. In case of emergencies, I don't want to have to rely on waiting for someone to receive an email. I relied on no phone in Thailand and it seemed to work out alright there. Of course, a much smaller country compared to India. I like the option of a phone booth, too. It might work out cheaper in the long run for me to call home that way.

Jun 20th, 2009, 10:20	#13
mutineer Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA, Midwest Posts: 12	international roaming on most US plans is absurdly expensive

Jun 21st, 2009, 10:42	#15
gvdv Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 290	For the last few years I have consistently (but not always) had problems sending SMS/text messages between Canada and the U.K. when I am the one sending the first message. If I receive a text from the U.K., I can reply to it with no problem. While this might be an idiosyncrasy of my service provider - it has happened with several 'phones - and doesn't seem to be related to any features that are not included in the plan that I pay for. I don't know if this is a problem which you might encounter in India when trying to communicate with those at home, but just in case this kind of problem should befall you, I would (a) ask people to send you messages in addition to them expecting messages from you, and (b) also bear in mind the advice of others here regarding other methods of keeping in touch with your loved ones.