SIM cards for India

redleader · Sep 16th, 2005, 15:08

I have a GSM phone and plan on using an India SIM chip while I'm there. I tried looking to purchase one in advance online. I was able to do this last year for a trip to Hong Kong, by buying a SIM chip online, so that it ready as soon as the plane landed. Of course, when I got out of the plane, I found that SIM chips were sold everywhere, including vending machines, for a fraction of what I paid online.

So is this the case in india as well? I'm ariving in Dehli and will be in northern india most of the time. So far, the online SIM chips I've found for sale online from suppliers are chips that are based in Mumbai.

Nick-H · Sep 16th, 2005, 16:03

Unless you have desparate need to be 'in touch' the instant you arrive, just go shopping for your SIM when you get there.

john.sw · Sep 17th, 2005, 07:14

SIM cards are available everywhere.

You will pay a "roaming charge" for receiving calls when you are in a different state from that in which you bought the card, so if you are travelling in India for a while you may be better off buying several cards as you move from state to state.

SMS charges to an overseas phone are normally about Rs.3/- to Rs.3.5 so you can easily let people know your new number.

kiwi_razz · Sep 18th, 2005, 06:02

Apparently you need a passport photo with your application for a prepay sim card (well at my local phone shop they do now).

john.sw · Sep 18th, 2005, 17:15

If it's a problem, just ask your rickshaw driver to get the sim card for you!

Nick-H · Sep 18th, 2005, 21:17

Before I left there were adds in the papers telling that those of us who didn't give proof of identity when getting our SIMS had to send it in. I hope my Sim still works when I get back!

Anders · Sep 18th, 2005, 21:59

Why do they need proof of identity for a prepaid sim?

TREKorDIE · Sep 18th, 2005, 22:13

Previously, in case of prepaid SIM, if address proof & Identity proof was not submitted while buying it, they used to give connection to the SIM for 48 hrs with SMS reminders to submit that within that period or else the SIM will be disconnected. It could be reactivated after submitting address proof.

Now, the rule is more strict, to prevent use of cell phone by terrorists. They don't give connection to the SIM just after buying from a shop. Connection is withheld untill the address proof is submitted to service provider's office.

Nick-H, your SIM have been deativated and You have lost the no.(most probably), because they do not keep activated any SIM or do not keep that perticular no. reserved for you after non-payment for 3months.

Nick-H · Sep 18th, 2005, 22:24

Indian-Government-Control-Freak-ery.

mind you, I wouldn;t be surprised to see the same thing in US/UK: the throw-away anonimity of a prepaid SIM is a gift to the, err, not-so-honest

I paid enough on my SIM to have it active until January, I think. I never gave my address at all! But the guy who sold it to me is a friend, so maybe he put down his address; I don't know.

Oh well, if I have to get a new one.....

redleader · Sep 20th, 2005, 07:17

in the U.S. SIM cards are not popular at all outside of international travellers. You won't find any prepaid cards in any stores here, everyone just uses the card included with the phone. Most don't even know they have a SIM card.

But when I went to HK, they were sold everywhere including vending machines in the subway as well as 7-11 stores. I assume in India they are not purchased as easily and you have to actually go into an actual phone dealer type store and fill out forms....or, that's what it seems like.

GoanCanuck · Sep 20th, 2005, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by redleader

in the U.S. SIM cards are not popular at all outside of international travellers. You won't find any prepaid cards in any stores here, everyone just uses the card included with the phone. Most don't even know they have a SIM card.

Most of the cell phones in the US work on CDMA/TDMA and not GSM and as such they do not have a SIM card. The technology is completely different.

stormysky · Sep 20th, 2005, 09:01

What you need for identity,

1. Your US driving license should be fine. IF that is not accepted then show your passport.
2. Local address give your hotel address.
3. As far as going to the fone dealer, you'll find more fone dealers in most of the cities than gas stations in the US.

regards
sk

Quote:

Originally Posted by redleader

in the U.S. SIM cards are not popular at all outside of international travellers. You won't find any prepaid cards in any stores here, everyone just uses the card included with the phone. Most don't even know they have a SIM card.

But when I went to HK, they were sold everywhere including vending machines in the subway as well as 7-11 stores. I assume in India they are not purchased as easily and you have to actually go into an actual phone dealer type store and fill out forms....or, that's what it seems like.

th3_saint · Sep 27th, 2005, 02:28

This is an interesting topic, I am taking a mobile phone and have read a little about the Indian networks... But really I don't know which one to go with...

Can anyone suggest the best network?

I'll be starting in Delhi and going north or Hemechel Pradesh, then Rajastan, Goa, Kerala and then onto Tamil Nadu where I expect to spend several months doing Aidwork... 6 months in total... So if it's best to buy in the place I'll spend the most time in... I won't have it until the last couple months!

Are SIM's cheap enough to buy one in each major destination? Or cheap enough to pay extra roaming charges everywhere else?

What's the best way then?

Nick-H · Sep 27th, 2005, 02:46

So long as you don't need to maintain the same number, buy as you go. They are cheap.

wizemen2 · Oct 17th, 2005, 01:33

From another Thread:
BSNL/MTNL prepaid cards include nationwide roaming without rent charged for the roaming facility
.............................. .....................

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3_saint

This is an interesting topic, I am taking a mobile phone and have read a little about the Indian networks... But really I don't know which one to go with...

Can anyone suggest the best network?

I'll be starting in Delhi and going north or Hemechel Pradesh, then Rajastan, Goa, Kerala and then onto Tamil Nadu where I expect to spend several months doing Aidwork... 6 months in total... So if it's best to buy in the place I'll spend the most time in... I won't have it until the last couple months!

Are SIM's cheap enough to buy one in each major destination? Or cheap enough to pay extra roaming charges everywhere else?

What's the best way then?

Sep 16th, 2005, 15:08	#1
redleader Crown Prince of San Leandro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Leandro, CA, USA Posts: 63	SIM cards for India I have a GSM phone and plan on using an India SIM chip while I'm there. I tried looking to purchase one in advance online. I was able to do this last year for a trip to Hong Kong, by buying a SIM chip online, so that it ready as soon as the plane landed. Of course, when I got out of the plane, I found that SIM chips were sold everywhere, including vending machines, for a fraction of what I paid online. So is this the case in india as well? I'm ariving in Dehli and will be in northern india most of the time. So far, the online SIM chips I've found for sale online from suppliers are chips that are based in Mumbai. __________________ have a happy day!

Sep 16th, 2005, 16:03	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Unless you have desparate need to be 'in touch' the instant you arrive, just go shopping for your SIM when you get there. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 17th, 2005, 07:14	#3
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	SIM cards are available everywhere. You will pay a "roaming charge" for receiving calls when you are in a different state from that in which you bought the card, so if you are travelling in India for a while you may be better off buying several cards as you move from state to state. SMS charges to an overseas phone are normally about Rs.3/- to Rs.3.5 so you can easily let people know your new number. __________________ www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur

Sep 18th, 2005, 22:13	#8
TREKorDIE A Trekker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: INDIA Posts: 358	Previously, in case of prepaid SIM, if address proof & Identity proof was not submitted while buying it, they used to give connection to the SIM for 48 hrs with SMS reminders to submit that within that period or else the SIM will be disconnected. It could be reactivated after submitting address proof. Now, the rule is more strict, to prevent use of cell phone by terrorists. They don't give connection to the SIM just after buying from a shop. Connection is withheld untill the address proof is submitted to service provider's office. Nick-H, your SIM have been deativated and You have lost the no.(most probably), because they do not keep activated any SIM or do not keep that perticular no. reserved for you after non-payment for 3months. __________________ TREKorDIE: " BECAUSE IT IS THERE ! ! ! "

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Sep 18th, 2005, 06:02	#4
kiwi_razz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 410	Apparently you need a passport photo with your application for a prepay sim card (well at my local phone shop they do now).

Sep 18th, 2005, 17:15	#5
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	If it's a problem, just ask your rickshaw driver to get the sim card for you!

Sep 18th, 2005, 21:17	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Before I left there were adds in the papers telling that those of us who didn't give proof of identity when getting our SIMS had to send it in. I hope my Sim still works when I get back!

Sep 18th, 2005, 21:59	#7
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	Why do they need proof of identity for a prepaid sim?

Sep 18th, 2005, 22:24	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Indian-Government-Control-Freak-ery. mind you, I wouldn;t be surprised to see the same thing in US/UK: the throw-away anonimity of a prepaid SIM is a gift to the, err, not-so-honest I paid enough on my SIM to have it active until January, I think. I never gave my address at all! But the guy who sold it to me is a friend, so maybe he put down his address; I don't know. Oh well, if I have to get a new one.....

Sep 20th, 2005, 07:17	#10
redleader Crown Prince of San Leandro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Leandro, CA, USA Posts: 63	in the U.S. SIM cards are not popular at all outside of international travellers. You won't find any prepaid cards in any stores here, everyone just uses the card included with the phone. Most don't even know they have a SIM card. But when I went to HK, they were sold everywhere including vending machines in the subway as well as 7-11 stores. I assume in India they are not purchased as easily and you have to actually go into an actual phone dealer type store and fill out forms....or, that's what it seems like.

Sep 27th, 2005, 02:28	#13
th3_saint Chai Chai Chaiiiiiaaaa! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kathmandu, Nepal Posts: 34	This is an interesting topic, I am taking a mobile phone and have read a little about the Indian networks... But really I don't know which one to go with... Can anyone suggest the best network? I'll be starting in Delhi and going north or Hemechel Pradesh, then Rajastan, Goa, Kerala and then onto Tamil Nadu where I expect to spend several months doing Aidwork... 6 months in total... So if it's best to buy in the place I'll spend the most time in... I won't have it until the last couple months! Are SIM's cheap enough to buy one in each major destination? Or cheap enough to pay extra roaming charges everywhere else? What's the best way then?

Sep 27th, 2005, 02:46	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	So long as you don't need to maintain the same number, buy as you go. They are cheap.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Prepaid mobile phone in India - a starter's guide! (roaming, SIM cards, networks...)	Martina	Electronics in India	105	Nov 3rd, 2008 08:41
Prepaid Phone cards calling Germany to India?	caliyogi	Chai and Chat	1	Mar 18th, 2007 19:36
ISIC cards in India?	mikkilake	Chai and Chat	13	Feb 13th, 2006 17:21
Sim cards and cash machines in India	bluetree	Mumbai (Bombay)	17	Dec 17th, 2004 14:22
Sim cards in Goa	elayne	Goa	1	Nov 10th, 2004 12:38

User Name		Remember Me?
Password