Mobile Phones /International Phone Cards in India

Bev MacKenzie · Sep 9th, 2009, 06:21

Sorry to hash this subject again, but had a good browse yesterday and still not sure whether it is worth buying local sim cards in India. My understanding is that we will have to buy different sims cards in Delhi and Rajasthan and as we're moving around for the 3 weeks may not be worth it. My partner and I may need to sms each other occasionally. The International Card sounds like an option to make calls back to Australia which I gather we buy over there. How do they work? Once our mobiles are unlocked I beleive we can use whichever sim card (local or optus) we like. I know roaming is very expensive, but if we only use it for emergencies maybe that is the go. Can anyone who has been there recently advise me please.

SitaParityaga · Sep 9th, 2009, 06:54

I've been wanting to ask this question too, BevM.

When I read some cards work only for some areas, I was really thrown off.

I don't want to make international calls. I do want to call locally in Chennai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Delhi and Haridwar. Do I need a different card in each place, or would one Airtel card work for all?

thejag · Sep 9th, 2009, 07:31

Most sim cards will work in most areas. Stick to the brands that are established (bsnl/mtnl, airtel, vodafone, etc) and you should not have any problems.

the only reason a certain sim card wouldnt work in any area is that they still dont have roaming agreements in place with local operators (only in case of the new operators, and there has been a lot of em).

Roaming on a Sim in india is cheap. if you call a number in the same location as you (even on roaming) it costs a rupee and an STD call on roaming is a buck and a half.

international cards are to be bought in your country before you come here. theyd work the same as a local card id imagine but the paperwork is done before you start out and it costs a lot more to make a call on one...

PS: yes the airtel card will work in all those places..

Sep 9th, 2009, 06:21	#1
Bev MacKenzie Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: australia Posts: 4	Mobile Phones /International Phone Cards in India Sorry to hash this subject again, but had a good browse yesterday and still not sure whether it is worth buying local sim cards in India. My understanding is that we will have to buy different sims cards in Delhi and Rajasthan and as we're moving around for the 3 weeks may not be worth it. My partner and I may need to sms each other occasionally. The International Card sounds like an option to make calls back to Australia which I gather we buy over there. How do they work? Once our mobiles are unlocked I beleive we can use whichever sim card (local or optus) we like. I know roaming is very expensive, but if we only use it for emergencies maybe that is the go. Can anyone who has been there recently advise me please.

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Sep 9th, 2009, 06:54	#2
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,146	I've been wanting to ask this question too, BevM. When I read some cards work only for some areas, I was really thrown off. I don't want to make international calls. I do want to call locally in Chennai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Delhi and Haridwar. Do I need a different card in each place, or would one Airtel card work for all?

Sep 9th, 2009, 07:31	#3
thejag has arrived Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 842	Most sim cards will work in most areas. Stick to the brands that are established (bsnl/mtnl, airtel, vodafone, etc) and you should not have any problems. the only reason a certain sim card wouldnt work in any area is that they still dont have roaming agreements in place with local operators (only in case of the new operators, and there has been a lot of em). Roaming on a Sim in india is cheap. if you call a number in the same location as you (even on roaming) it costs a rupee and an STD call on roaming is a buck and a half. international cards are to be bought in your country before you come here. theyd work the same as a local card id imagine but the paperwork is done before you start out and it costs a lot more to make a call on one... PS: yes the airtel card will work in all those places..