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

anorak

Oh aye, 'twas a rant indeed, I spent a total of RS295 last time for the lifetime validity thing and wish I hadn't, the RS10 talktime didn't even stretch to 2 texts home (mine is an Airtel SIM)! I still think the roaming charges are a con and Indian SIMs are, when you take in to account the prices of other things, very expensive. I got my UK bill last week from when I was away and some texts home were as little as 3 pence, as opposed to 10 pence on my Indian SIM.

fsg

Lifetime[ or in my case 6 years on airtel] Yes there are caveats, my 6 years stops in 3 years. To try and find out how you have to top up to keep the number existing, before the 3 year sic[ expiry] date is like digging for gold in the Antartic.

However India is India, the mobile system is very different to UK and in no way would I knock it.. Its a vast country and each state is protective of its own.

Personally I find it OK and inexpensive, convenient

Most folk in India do not travel out of state, but remedies are there, they buy a new sim for another area.

One cause for complaint I do have that I was promised international roaming on my Airtel prepaid.............. does it work? pooof.

At least I will be going back within the year....... Watch this space

shashank.aggarwal

Now you want to have a life time prepaid and also talk time for the money you paid ?? how is that possible ? does it sound logical ? to me, who is a bit used to Indian networks, that sounds like the most absurd thing to expect..

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anorak

I know, it's too much to expect. Next I'll be expecting to pay RS300 for RS300 talktime and not RS181! Silly boy.

shashank.aggarwal

ask the vendor for a "top up"..tell specifically you need "Talk time" and not validity..and him for relevant plans..

kenyan_sun

Hi,
does anyone know the best plan to get if i am backpacking through north india and then later through south India. Should i just buy it from delhi with a lot of minutes (airtel) and can i use that for the whole journey. I am in India for around 40 days. I will most probably carry my gsm phone with me, unless if its better to get one from there.

Thanks

kenyan_sun

SueJ

The main thing is to make sure you get it properly registered before you leave the State where you bought it (there is loads about this in various threads, in terms of proof of id, etc.). After that you can buy top up minutes wherever you are.

Only caveat is that there are a few places where only 1 network works e.g Airtel in parts of the Andamans. But generally, it does not matter nearly as much as it used to which network you are with, as they all have better coverage.

capt_mahajan

Generally speaking, buying a simcard is best in an area where you are spending most time.

But given that you may want one on arrival India, or close to it, I would say buy in Delhi.

Be aware, though, that service providers now ask you to confirm residence (by SMS) after a few days of buying the service, which can be a problem if you have moved on.

I can't think of any good solution to this, except knowing somebody in Delhi who can buy the card/plan for you- and sort out confirmatory issues if and when they arise.

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