Prepaid mobile phone in India - a starter's guide! (roaming, SIM cards, networks...)

burbujasdeamor · Nov 19th, 2007, 05:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by fajitanumerouno

Now I just want to get going on this trip!

Me too!!!!!

My head is splitting already over this phone business. I too might just buy a calling card and use it only when I absolutely have to call within India. For international (urgent only) calls, I'll use Skype. And if it's really an emergency, then a real phone call is worth it.

Hell, I'm only going for 10 weeks, my family won't miss me THAT much!

After all, I've done similar trips BEFORE cell phones!

cristos7 · Nov 19th, 2007, 08:59

Anders,

THANK YOU for your input pertaining specifically to my old Nokia 6060 (or 6061, if that makes any difference). I can't get any corroboration of your statement re the 6060 in India, but if you can give me a shout saying that you're SURE it won't work, I'll take your word for it. (And gladly buy you a beer if we cross paths in southern India this Feb/March.)

Thanks to everyone,

Chris

Anders · Nov 19th, 2007, 23:49

According to this link http://www.nokiausa.com/A4409138 the 6061 is a GSM 850/1900 phone (at least when it was sold in the US). India has GSM 900/1800 networks. The phone will not work in India.

Spanky · Nov 22nd, 2007, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

Although we could get one of those cheap call cards that works with a mobile and use that.

kristinm, can u clarify how this works? I've not heard of using a calling card with a mobile. Do u use your phone and SIM from home?

Thanks.

kristinm · Nov 22nd, 2007, 15:17

Oh God I don't know - I think I might have been wrong actually as I just asked our homestay student and the one he has to call Switzerland can not be used FROM a mobile, but can be used to call TO a mobile - in which case you'd buy one in India and use it with a public phone to call home or someone's mobile or your hotels.. Which brings us back to not using our mobile.

The problem is of course that here in Australia - if someone calls you and you are out of the country YOU pay the international rates .... OUCH!

steven_ber · Nov 25th, 2007, 08:29

I've got an AirTel sim and have had difficulty making calls, but this is mostly to do with a problem with my telephone (after I dropped it), I've now got the problem fixed but have no airtime/credit, this brings about another question.

I'm in Varanasi at the moment, but I bought my sim card in Rajasthan, so when I go to get more airtime/credit they tell me that for every Rs100 I spend, I will only get Rs75 airtime.

Normally, I would accept this, but in Varanasi they really treat the tourists badly, a rip-off opportunity is never missed, so I have my doubts.

I will be away from large cities for a while as I'm heading to Andhra Pradesh, so I really need to get some airtime.

Should I take the above deal?
Am I then going to lose more airtime because I purchase the airtime in UP, but will be using it in AP?

I'm very confused, please help.

capt_mahajan · Nov 25th, 2007, 09:34

Quote:

so when I go to get more airtime/credit they tell me that for every Rs100 I spend, I will only get Rs75 airtime.

Yes, there are some deductions for taxes and such on all cards, except when airtel has some offer going on. This is quite normal. In any case, the shopkeeper doesn't have control, you recharge the card with the number on it and the money automatically gets credited to your phone. I wouldnt worry about this deduction.

Quote:

Should I take the above deal?
Am I then going to lose more airtime because I purchase the airtime in UP, but will be using it in AP?

Yes, you should.

Re: airtime, you will be charged according to the circle you bought the simcard in. If it is Delhi, your charges will be wrt to Delhi (ie roaming charges et al), where you recharge is immaterial.

shashank.aggarwal · Nov 25th, 2007, 09:56

<Crossposted>

Go for it Steven, nothing to worry about..there is nothing they can actually do about it...

They take your number and recharge it using a phone..its called easy recharge. You will get a message confirming the recharge and the amount you need to pay to the retailer..

It does'nt matter from where you get the airtime..it depends on from where you get the connection...Airtime would be same across the states..

Other than the city you bought the connection in, it will always be on national roaming and same charges will apply to all calls and messages...

steven_ber · Nov 25th, 2007, 10:37

OK, thanks for the info.

1 thing I wasn't told about.............spam texts and phone calls, I've had hundreds, but because my daughter has been ill (she's fine now) I've been eager to check the phone every time I get a text or call.

capt_mahajan · Nov 25th, 2007, 10:52

You can't do anything about text/sms at short notice, but phone calls, the callers number shows up. Domestic numbers always show up, international sometimes.

If it is a domestic number you do not know, dont answer the call, you are paying roaming charges (probably) if you do.

shashank.aggarwal · Nov 25th, 2007, 11:26

call up customer service and ask them you do not want all these things..no promotional offers..no schemes nothing...see it works on airtel.

it works for me on my Idea connection and do not get anything that can be termed spam !!

capt_mahajan · Nov 25th, 2007, 11:50

They promise to stop spam within 45 days....

My BSNL cell connection stopped it in a week. The airtel, about a month has passed with no luck.

shashank.aggarwal · Nov 25th, 2007, 12:26

Thats good, atleast Steven should tell them that they need to stop it..it might stop later or sooner..but there is nothing to loose..

steven_ber · Nov 25th, 2007, 13:55

The magical merry-go-round that is 'travel in India' has won again.

One of those 'spam' messages was from AirTel and was informing me that they were de-activating my sim card, I've no idea why, I went to put more airtime/credit on the phone and the man in the shop told me about the message.

On my next trip, I'll just drag a red London telephone box around wherever I go, it's got to be easier.

Because of travel commitments, I can't do anything about the sim card for another 4 days.

Damn, I hate mobile phones, why can't we go back to carrier pigeons?

"How much to use your carrier pigeon?"

"What do you want to give?"

"Aaaggghhhhh"

machadinha · Nov 25th, 2007, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

On my next trip, I'll just drag a red London telephone box around wherever I go, it's got to be easier.

That's what I always say: Keep it simple.

Nov 19th, 2007, 08:59	#47
cristos7 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 19	Nokia 6060 won't work in India? Anders, THANK YOU for your input pertaining specifically to my old Nokia 6060 (or 6061, if that makes any difference). I can't get any corroboration of your statement re the 6060 in India, but if you can give me a shout saying that you're SURE it won't work, I'll take your word for it. (And gladly buy you a beer if we cross paths in southern India this Feb/March.) Thanks to everyone, Chris

Nov 25th, 2007, 08:29	#51
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,567	I've got an AirTel sim and have had difficulty making calls, but this is mostly to do with a problem with my telephone (after I dropped it), I've now got the problem fixed but have no airtime/credit, this brings about another question. I'm in Varanasi at the moment, but I bought my sim card in Rajasthan, so when I go to get more airtime/credit they tell me that for every Rs100 I spend, I will only get Rs75 airtime. Normally, I would accept this, but in Varanasi they really treat the tourists badly, a rip-off opportunity is never missed, so I have my doubts. I will be away from large cities for a while as I'm heading to Andhra Pradesh, so I really need to get some airtime. Should I take the above deal? Am I then going to lose more airtime because I purchase the airtime in UP, but will be using it in AP? I'm very confused, please help. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Nov 25th, 2007, 09:56	#53
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,820	<Crossposted> Go for it Steven, nothing to worry about..there is nothing they can actually do about it... They take your number and recharge it using a phone..its called easy recharge. You will get a message confirming the recharge and the amount you need to pay to the retailer.. It does'nt matter from where you get the airtime..it depends on from where you get the connection...Airtime would be same across the states.. Other than the city you bought the connection in, it will always be on national roaming and same charges will apply to all calls and messages... __________________ Spineless Travelogue - Around India

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Nov 19th, 2007, 23:49	#48
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	According to this link http://www.nokiausa.com/A4409138 the 6061 is a GSM 850/1900 phone (at least when it was sold in the US). India has GSM 900/1800 networks. The phone will not work in India.

Nov 22nd, 2007, 15:17	#50
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,603	Oh God I don't know - I think I might have been wrong actually as I just asked our homestay student and the one he has to call Switzerland can not be used FROM a mobile, but can be used to call TO a mobile - in which case you'd buy one in India and use it with a public phone to call home or someone's mobile or your hotels.. Which brings us back to not using our mobile. The problem is of course that here in Australia - if someone calls you and you are out of the country YOU pay the international rates .... OUCH!

Nov 25th, 2007, 10:37	#54
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,567	OK, thanks for the info. 1 thing I wasn't told about.............spam texts and phone calls, I've had hundreds, but because my daughter has been ill (she's fine now) I've been eager to check the phone every time I get a text or call.

Nov 25th, 2007, 10:52	#55
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,605	You can't do anything about text/sms at short notice, but phone calls, the callers number shows up. Domestic numbers always show up, international sometimes. If it is a domestic number you do not know, dont answer the call, you are paying roaming charges (probably) if you do.

Nov 25th, 2007, 11:26	#56
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,820	call up customer service and ask them you do not want all these things..no promotional offers..no schemes nothing...see it works on airtel. it works for me on my Idea connection and do not get anything that can be termed spam !!

Nov 25th, 2007, 11:50	#57
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,605	They promise to stop spam within 45 days.... My BSNL cell connection stopped it in a week. The airtel, about a month has passed with no luck.

Nov 25th, 2007, 12:26	#58
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,820	Thats good, atleast Steven should tell them that they need to stop it..it might stop later or sooner..but there is nothing to loose..

Nov 25th, 2007, 13:55	#59
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,567	The magical merry-go-round that is 'travel in India' has won again. One of those 'spam' messages was from AirTel and was informing me that they were de-activating my sim card, I've no idea why, I went to put more airtime/credit on the phone and the man in the shop told me about the message. On my next trip, I'll just drag a red London telephone box around wherever I go, it's got to be easier. Because of travel commitments, I can't do anything about the sim card for another 4 days. Damn, I hate mobile phones, why can't we go back to carrier pigeons? "How much to use your carrier pigeon?" "What do you want to give?" "Aaaggghhhhh"