Still a hassle for foreigners to purchase SIM cards for mobile phones?

desertsoleil · Jun 4th, 2009, 16:24

Greetings everyone!

Quick question. Heading to India in a few weeks with a French mobile phone (I am in Paris now). Following previous threads and when perusing online, I have been reading that it has been a bit of a hassle recently to purchase SIM cards for mobile phones if you are a foreigner (due to tightened security following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last fall).

Is this STILL the case? Will it be difficult / impossible to purchase a SIM card? I do not want to purchase one, only to have the phone blocked a few days later, and then purchase one again, and so forth. I would like to buy ONE, and keep that number during my entire visit.

ANY ADVICE here is appreciated! Perhaps there is one company that is easier to deal with over another, one dealer that is better than another, or some secret way to slide someone a few rupees to help. I AWAIT YOUR TIPS!!

I would really like to bring a mobile phone, but if buying a SIM will be a pain due to my non-Indian status, I might have to rethink this.

Tips and advice, please!!!!

Cheers!!

Haylo · Jun 4th, 2009, 19:18

I got one no trouble, as have other travellers. They get cancelled if the seller either doesn't hand the paperwork into their main office, or if the company can't contact you / your home to verify that you are the person who has bought the SIM card.

For that reason it's better to buy a SIM in the first place where you'll be staying put for a week or so, so that if they don't deal with your forms correctly you can go back to the seller and tell them to get their act together if you get texts saying your SIM will be cancelled if you don't fill the registration forms in.

Barlad · Jun 9th, 2009, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haylo

I got one no trouble, as have other travellers. They get cancelled if the seller either doesn't hand the paperwork into their main office, or if the company can't contact you / your home to verify that you are the person who has bought the SIM card.

Concerning the paperwork, do you still need a PROOF OF ADDRESS in India to buy a SIM card? If yes, I suppose it is STILL a hassle to buy a SIM card since it obviously is not easy for a foreigner to get an indian proof of address.

Haylo · Jun 9th, 2009, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barlad

Concerning the paperwork, do you still need a PROOF OF ADDRESS in India to buy a SIM card?

I did not need proof of Indian address to buy my latest SIM card.

If a seller insists on it, go to another seller. Or, if you have a driver, you could get him to register it in his name.

Rooobynn · Jun 9th, 2009, 18:24

I agree that i've never had hassle either. Just had to fill the form out with the address of the place i was staying and that was it

mutineer · Jun 20th, 2009, 10:19

are there any online providers where you could order one ahead of arrival

Haylo · Jun 21st, 2009, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutineer

are there any online providers where you could order one ahead of arrival

No, this is not possible due to security restrictions.

If you are prepared to pay truly ludicrous fees, there are companies which will rent you a cellphone on arrival.

fsg · Jun 21st, 2009, 21:44

Haylo not everyone has the privilege of having a driver to order.

Actually it is totally illegal to use someone ailas ID so pls dont suggest, the same exists for UK and no doubt Europe

People seem to think they can go to India, and it will be as it would at home.

India is India a special place with its own karma

Dsoleil.

I would factor in a couple or so days to sort out mobile paperwork etc,travel confirmations.

Personally I would not travel without a mobile there, its cheap and invaluable

India Is Magic · Jul 17th, 2009, 00:16

My understanding is that you need a photo, copy of passport and visa, passport and visa and some other id. Question: how hard is it to find a place to purchase? At airports upon arrival?

hitanshu · Jul 17th, 2009, 01:25

Umm, not really within airports - yes though you may find - may!

Else at EVERY nook/cranny/corner

bjp · Jul 17th, 2009, 01:43

Somehow I just could not get one to work in my HTC in Vrindavan. One I bought, we tried at the shop for an hour or so, but somehow it just didn't quite work.

delhiwala · Jul 17th, 2009, 01:51

No Dear ! Airtel has a kiosk right in the Arrival hall.....

India Is Magic, come with a photocopy of your Passport (Photo & Address Page) and 2 photographs......

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitanshu

Umm, not really within airports .....

alouise · Jul 17th, 2009, 02:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by delhiwala

No Dear ! Airtel has a kiosk right in the Arrival hall.....

India Is Magic, come with a photocopy of your Passport (Photo & Address Page) and 2 photographs......

Delhiwalla, is that the arrival hall of Delhi airport? Great news if it is! And would that mean you could get a SIM without having to present proof of address in India?

I was one of those who did have probs with this, when landing in Kolkata last December. The booths selling the SIM cards were on just about every block, but they wouldn't sell one to me unless I had proof from my hotel that I was staying there more than five days. I left on the train a couple of days later, then sort of lied when presenting my hotel receipt at my next stop in Konark. I got one, but it was Aircel and not much use beyond Andhra Pradesh.

So If you can get a SIM card on arrival at Delhi airport, without having to hang around a week, I would certainly try again.

Haylo · Jul 17th, 2009, 03:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by alouise

they wouldn't sell one to me unless I had proof from my hotel that I was staying there more than five days.

That is because they were responsible vendors, you were very lucky.

They could have taken your money, and sold you a SIM that worked okay for five days until it was cut off because when the security checks were done, Airtel could not verify your address.

When you buy a SIM, it has to be purchased in an area you're going to be in for a while, or you risk having your SIM cut off.

alouise · Jul 17th, 2009, 03:15

Oh well, Haylo, that means no mobile for me. But I still live in hope of Delhiwallah's arrival hall scenario!

Jun 4th, 2009, 16:24	#1
desertsoleil Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Quebec (Canada) Posts: 3	Still a hassle for foreigners to purchase SIM cards for mobile phones? Greetings everyone! Quick question. Heading to India in a few weeks with a French mobile phone (I am in Paris now). Following previous threads and when perusing online, I have been reading that it has been a bit of a hassle recently to purchase SIM cards for mobile phones if you are a foreigner (due to tightened security following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last fall). Is this STILL the case? Will it be difficult / impossible to purchase a SIM card? I do not want to purchase one, only to have the phone blocked a few days later, and then purchase one again, and so forth. I would like to buy ONE, and keep that number during my entire visit. ANY ADVICE here is appreciated! Perhaps there is one company that is easier to deal with over another, one dealer that is better than another, or some secret way to slide someone a few rupees to help. I AWAIT YOUR TIPS!! I would really like to bring a mobile phone, but if buying a SIM will be a pain due to my non-Indian status, I might have to rethink this. Tips and advice, please!!!! Cheers!!

Jun 4th, 2009, 19:18	#2
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,807	I got one no trouble, as have other travellers. They get cancelled if the seller either doesn't hand the paperwork into their main office, or if the company can't contact you / your home to verify that you are the person who has bought the SIM card. For that reason it's better to buy a SIM in the first place where you'll be staying put for a week or so, so that if they don't deal with your forms correctly you can go back to the seller and tell them to get their act together if you get texts saying your SIM will be cancelled if you don't fill the registration forms in. __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Jul 17th, 2009, 01:25	#10
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 880	Umm, not really within airports - yes though you may find - may! Else at EVERY nook/cranny/corner __________________ SMASH!!!!

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

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	165	Nov 16th, 2009 21:51
phones and sim cards - again...	yeshekathy	Electronics in India	21	Sep 24th, 2009 13:36
Sim Card for foreigners	mirajrussell	Electronics in India	4	Jan 10th, 2009 20:22
Indian SIM cards to use in my mobile phone	UK Paul	Electronics in India	2	May 9th, 2008 22:19
Mobile phone Sim cards, id required?	Frooty	Electronics in India	5	Mar 8th, 2005 12:12

Jun 9th, 2009, 18:24	#5
Rooobynn Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 35	I agree that i've never had hassle either. Just had to fill the form out with the address of the place i was staying and that was it

Jun 20th, 2009, 10:19	#6
mutineer Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA, Midwest Posts: 12	are there any online providers where you could order one ahead of arrival

Jun 21st, 2009, 21:44	#8
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	Haylo not everyone has the privilege of having a driver to order. Actually it is totally illegal to use someone ailas ID so pls dont suggest, the same exists for UK and no doubt Europe People seem to think they can go to India, and it will be as it would at home. India is India a special place with its own karma Dsoleil. I would factor in a couple or so days to sort out mobile paperwork etc,travel confirmations. Personally I would not travel without a mobile there, its cheap and invaluable

Jul 17th, 2009, 00:16	#9
India Is Magic Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Posts: 6	My understanding is that you need a photo, copy of passport and visa, passport and visa and some other id. Question: how hard is it to find a place to purchase? At airports upon arrival?

Jul 17th, 2009, 01:43	#11
bjp Jai Sri Radhe Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Durban, South Africa. Posts: 183	Somehow I just could not get one to work in my HTC in Vrindavan. One I bought, we tried at the shop for an hour or so, but somehow it just didn't quite work.

Jul 17th, 2009, 03:15	#15
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 822	Oh well, Haylo, that means no mobile for me. But I still live in hope of Delhiwallah's arrival hall scenario!