prepaid mobiles - up to date information?

kristy · Oct 29th, 2009, 18:16

Namaste

I had a read through the sticky threads... but they are years old!

I will be travelling all over India, will the same Sim work throughout?

Is Airtel still the best way to go?

Thanx

LilBoy BigTown · Oct 29th, 2009, 18:42

Yes, but you will pay roaming charges on outgoing calls when travelling outside the state your sim card is registered in. Incoming calls I think are free, but perhaps someone else may confirm this.

kristy · Oct 29th, 2009, 18:44

Thanks : )

so it's a state based phone system. Is it pricey or difficult to transfer the sim to different states? or would I buy a new sim?

LilBoy BigTown · Oct 29th, 2009, 18:53

Not sure what exactly you mean by transfering the sim. The SIM card works everywhere.

It is a bit expensive to make calls on roaming, but won't break the bank. Local calls or national calls from home state are fairly cheap, about Rs/- 1-2 a minute. So roaming could be double that, or perhaps less. Texting is about 50 paise.

Airtel is pretty good.

kristy · Oct 29th, 2009, 19:01

sounds reasonable...

I meant transferring the number between states - so it was local rates rather than roaming, does that make sense? it would probably be too much of a hassle.

LilBoy BigTown · Oct 29th, 2009, 19:09

It will be, specially when you consider the photos and ID's you need to furnish to get a pre paid connection.

Not worth it, best to keep the same number, even if it means you pay a bit more.

fsg · Oct 29th, 2009, 19:53

Airtel is best for coverage all over. I got a signal in the upper reaches of Sikkim!

Yes you pay different rates in other states where you first bought the sim, but they are not going to break the bank.

Calls to uk cost about 6/- per min. Check Airtel site for costs, I would never be without it in India, now I can even use the sim in UK though costs are high compared to India

Mike Cork · Oct 29th, 2009, 20:35

I have had both Airtel and Vodophone lifetime simcards, they worked everywhere except Kashmir (which was expected). They both died after a while when back in the UK. Will see what happens when I return to Goa in January, maybe I will be a ble to get reconnected.

fsg · Oct 29th, 2009, 22:04

Mike

I was lucky enough to get a 6yr sim before lifetime was introduced.

That dies after 6 months unuse or top up.

Airtel India works on Orange uk, and as I have still a bit of money, can send texts etc.

When Airtel add debit/ credit card top up, which I think will come soon, in my logical way of thinking, you should be able to top up as long as you can connect.

I go back in 3 weeks and will ask then.

kristy · Oct 30th, 2009, 10:00

thanks folks

so, to sign up for a sim I will need passport photos, my passport, anything else?

Mike Cork · Oct 30th, 2009, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristy

thanks folks

so, to sign up for a sim I will need passport photos, my passport, anything else?

You will need to provide an address, your hotel should be OK for this.

I always carry photocopies of my passport, visa, my drivers licence and photos for occasions like this.

Oct 29th, 2009, 18:16	#1
kristy Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 16	prepaid mobiles - up to date information? Namaste I had a read through the sticky threads... but they are years old! I will be travelling all over India, will the same Sim work throughout? Is Airtel still the best way to go? Thanx

Oct 29th, 2009, 19:53	#7
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	Airtel is best for coverage all over. I got a signal in the upper reaches of Sikkim! Yes you pay different rates in other states where you first bought the sim, but they are not going to break the bank. Calls to uk cost about 6/- per min. Check Airtel site for costs, I would never be without it in India, now I can even use the sim in UK though costs are high compared to India __________________ The British gave India bureaucracy..... India perfected it [Lord Desai]

Oct 29th, 2009, 20:35	#8
Mike Cork Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wales UK Posts: 406	I have had both Airtel and Vodophone lifetime simcards, they worked everywhere except Kashmir (which was expected). They both died after a while when back in the UK. Will see what happens when I return to Goa in January, maybe I will be a ble to get reconnected. __________________ Only you can make it a good day...

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Oct 29th, 2009, 18:42	#2
LilBoy BigTown Visionary Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 636	Yes, but you will pay roaming charges on outgoing calls when travelling outside the state your sim card is registered in. Incoming calls I think are free, but perhaps someone else may confirm this.

Oct 29th, 2009, 18:44	#3
kristy Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 16	Thanks : ) so it's a state based phone system. Is it pricey or difficult to transfer the sim to different states? or would I buy a new sim?

Oct 29th, 2009, 18:53	#4
LilBoy BigTown Visionary Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 636	Not sure what exactly you mean by transfering the sim. The SIM card works everywhere. It is a bit expensive to make calls on roaming, but won't break the bank. Local calls or national calls from home state are fairly cheap, about Rs/- 1-2 a minute. So roaming could be double that, or perhaps less. Texting is about 50 paise. Airtel is pretty good.

Oct 29th, 2009, 19:01	#5
kristy Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 16	sounds reasonable... I meant transferring the number between states - so it was local rates rather than roaming, does that make sense? it would probably be too much of a hassle.

Oct 29th, 2009, 19:09	#6
LilBoy BigTown Visionary Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 636	It will be, specially when you consider the photos and ID's you need to furnish to get a pre paid connection. Not worth it, best to keep the same number, even if it means you pay a bit more.

Oct 29th, 2009, 22:04	#9
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	Mike I was lucky enough to get a 6yr sim before lifetime was introduced. That dies after 6 months unuse or top up. Airtel India works on Orange uk, and as I have still a bit of money, can send texts etc. When Airtel add debit/ credit card top up, which I think will come soon, in my logical way of thinking, you should be able to top up as long as you can connect. I go back in 3 weeks and will ask then.

Oct 30th, 2009, 10:00	#10
kristy Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 16	thanks folks so, to sign up for a sim I will need passport photos, my passport, anything else?