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

anorak · Apr 22nd, 2008, 16:09

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 · Apr 22nd, 2008, 16:54

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 · Apr 22nd, 2008, 17:00

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..

anorak · Apr 22nd, 2008, 17:20

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 · Apr 23rd, 2008, 01:16

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

kenyan_sun · May 9th, 2008, 21:40

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 · May 9th, 2008, 22:10

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 · May 9th, 2008, 22:11

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.

ploink · Yesterday, 16:23

Goodness... I'd been thinking whether to get a prepaid for my three-week stay in India (mostly Mussoorie) but if a prepaid requires photos, papers and the like, and takes time, no thanks.
I've two days in Delhi before we leave to Mussoorie, but appears that ... I don't know.

I had a SIM in the autumn when I stayed for four months, got it from Mussoorie, photos, papers, waiting and all, it worked in Delhi and Rajasthan also, was able to recharge in Delhi too. It made sense when I had so much time.

shashank.aggarwal · Yesterday, 16:49

get it in Muss itself..it will take few hours only and if you have some problem it can be sorted in muss itself..

Apr 22nd, 2008, 17:00	#78
shashank.aggarwal The Ex - "Meet Up Guru" Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 4,269	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.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

May 9th, 2008, 22:11	#83
capt_mahajan Reproof of life Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 7,877	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. __________________ . The cynic must remember that he is a spy (Epitectus) Indiamike moderating team ..ich bein ein oneliner

Yesterday, 16:23	#84
ploink Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 294	Goodness... I'd been thinking whether to get a prepaid for my three-week stay in India (mostly Mussoorie) but if a prepaid requires photos, papers and the like, and takes time, no thanks. I've two days in Delhi before we leave to Mussoorie, but appears that ... I don't know. I had a SIM in the autumn when I stayed for four months, got it from Mussoorie, photos, papers, waiting and all, it worked in Delhi and Rajasthan also, was able to recharge in Delhi too. It made sense when I had so much time. __________________ But rather, ten times rather, die in the surf, heralding the way to that new world, than stand idly on the shore! -Florence Nightingale

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Apr 22nd, 2008, 16:09	#76
anorak Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 38	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.

Apr 22nd, 2008, 16:54	#77
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 199	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

Apr 22nd, 2008, 17:20	#79
anorak Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 38	I know, it's too much to expect. Next I'll be expecting to pay RS300 for RS300 talktime and not RS181! Silly boy.

Apr 23rd, 2008, 01:16	#80
shashank.aggarwal The Ex - "Meet Up Guru" Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 4,269	ask the vendor for a "top up"..tell specifically you need "Talk time" and not validity..and him for relevant plans..

May 9th, 2008, 21:40	#81
kenyan_sun Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 5	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

May 9th, 2008, 22:10	#82
SueJ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 117	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.

Yesterday, 16:49	#85
shashank.aggarwal The Ex - "Meet Up Guru" Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 4,269	get it in Muss itself..it will take few hours only and if you have some problem it can be sorted in muss itself..

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