phone

Susan London · May 22nd, 2009, 08:56

I've been convinced to have a phone while in India, if only to allow me contact with my family if needed. I have ATT and can upgrade to int'l service for 6$ a month (I think) which will lower the out of country cost of "phoning home" over 2$ a minute.

Is the purchase of a SIM card and cover an option in case I need to "phone home?" I think that will be much cheaper and then I don't have to worry about bringing a converter to plug in my mobile phone for recharging.

Thanks for your suggestions.

hsagar63 · May 22nd, 2009, 09:05

You will get better coverage if you use an indian sim.

hsagar63 · May 22nd, 2009, 09:06

Instead of converting your ATT, it will be better to purchase an Indian sim and you can use it for making contact to your home.

Hal · May 22nd, 2009, 09:07

If your phone is unlocked, you can get a SIM in India, and it will be extremely cheap to phone home. You need to give 2 photos and an Indian address (your hotel or guesthouse) and show your passport in order to get a SIM card.

hitanshu · May 22nd, 2009, 09:41

Yeah. It costs like 6 Rs/min to call back (12cents).

Also there are cyber cafes proclaiming 2-3rs for USA through VoIP as well.

Susan London · May 23rd, 2009, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsagar63

Instead of converting your ATT, it will be better to purchase an Indian sim and you can use it for making contact to your home.

I like that idea but need to be able for them to contact me if needed as well. I suppose they might get worldwide coverage while I am in India for emergencies. An Indian SIM sounds much less expensive!

Plus, I'm thinking it'll be easier for making reservations for travel, etc. I read that depending on the state, one might need a different SIM card. Can someone suggest a phone co. SIM that is usable in HP and states immediately south and east of there?

Susan London · May 23rd, 2009, 09:33

Hal, What do you mean by "unlocked?" Thanks for the help.

capt_mahajan · May 23rd, 2009, 09:38

Unlocked means that the phone can be used with another sim card.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-unl...ell-phones.htm

spicetrekker · May 23rd, 2009, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Unlocked means that the phone can be used with another sim card.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-unl...ell-phones.htm

BTW even if your phone is network locked, you can easily get it unlocked in India and if you dont want to do that , it may still be cheaper to buy a cheap handset (US 30) plus SIM. I do travel a lot on business and roaming charges just kill you...

hitanshu · May 23rd, 2009, 11:13

I've been told that:
a. you can get handset unlocked for intl travel
b. you can buy cheap phones like above:
http://www.virginmobile.in/plan_kya-hai.php for example.
http://www.virginmobile.in/phone_V-trendy.php for the phone. else reliance has some dirt cheap plans.
http://www.rcom.co.in/webapp/Communi...delhi_gsm.html

net net, chill. come to india and you'll get something decent/cheap.

mvwaling · May 23rd, 2009, 18:36

Hitanshu,

My son has a Virgin Mobile pay as you go phone. Do you know if we can buy minutes in India for it at the cheaper Indian rates? My first plan was to just buy a cheap phone plan once we get there.

obione980 · May 23rd, 2009, 18:55

If you're phone is not 'sim-locked' it will work just fine in India. If it is sim locked - it can be unlocked in India for cents!

Your family and friends will be able to call your Indian phone number. NOTE - you will need to inform them of your Indian number - and they will need to preface your number with the India International call code - you will have a different number if you instal an Indian sim. (Yeah!! I know it's basic stuff - but, not everyone knows it).

Call costs from India are dirt cheap - BUT - be sure you provide all the paper work to have your Indian number registered.

hitanshu · May 24th, 2009, 02:23

mvwalling,

I have limited experience with international CDMA phones working in India - I have seen both UK/EU numbers roaming well in India (GSM) as well the same handsets using indian numbers - cannot comment on what you are asking.

my take - you'll get a decent cheap handset in like 1200 odd, or a good one in like 3000 bucks (http://www.virginmobile.in/phone_Vsleek.php). Why bother with the paperwork itself.

obione980 · May 24th, 2009, 08:29

Quote:

Why bother with the paperwork itself.

If you do not complete the paperwork - indeed if the paperwork is not submitted promptly by your sim supplier - your service will be terminated - usually within 48 hours.

It's all part of anti-terrorism regulations.

hitanshu · May 24th, 2009, 11:05

lolol. I'm an Indian. Having gone through more than 12+ numbers in the last 6 years, I know that inside out

But that's beside the point - you misread it.

What I meant was that:
a. I have no clue whether the US Virgin Mob phone will work here
b. Even if it does, it'll be international roaming, and the paperwork required to "buy indian minutes" (if possible at all) will be madness - its simpler to do the paperwork for a new one

May 22nd, 2009, 08:56	#1
Susan London Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 57	phone I've been convinced to have a phone while in India, if only to allow me contact with my family if needed. I have ATT and can upgrade to int'l service for 6$ a month (I think) which will lower the out of country cost of "phoning home" over 2$ a minute. Is the purchase of a SIM card and cover an option in case I need to "phone home?" I think that will be much cheaper and then I don't have to worry about bringing a converter to plug in my mobile phone for recharging. Thanks for your suggestions.

May 22nd, 2009, 09:41	#5
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 879	Yeah. It costs like 6 Rs/min to call back (12cents). Also there are cyber cafes proclaiming 2-3rs for USA through VoIP as well. __________________ SMASH!!!!

May 23rd, 2009, 09:38	#8
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,605	Unlocked means that the phone can be used with another sim card. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-unl...ell-phones.htm __________________ . Outside the machine

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
The i-phone	errorinu	Electronics in India	68	Sep 2nd, 2008 19:34
phone cards	messenger	Electronics in India	5	Dec 28th, 2006 20:26
namasteindiatours phone=?	zoltan_nbsmba	Lodging and Hotels in India	3	Nov 4th, 2005 16:59
Phone call	kraken	Chai and Chat	1	Oct 3rd, 2004 18:52

May 22nd, 2009, 09:05	#2
hsagar63 Account Closed Join Date: May 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 25	You will get better coverage if you use an indian sim.

May 22nd, 2009, 09:06	#3
hsagar63 Account Closed Join Date: May 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 25	Instead of converting your ATT, it will be better to purchase an Indian sim and you can use it for making contact to your home.

May 22nd, 2009, 09:07	#4
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	If your phone is unlocked, you can get a SIM in India, and it will be extremely cheap to phone home. You need to give 2 photos and an Indian address (your hotel or guesthouse) and show your passport in order to get a SIM card.

May 23rd, 2009, 09:33	#7
Susan London Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 57	Hal, What do you mean by "unlocked?" Thanks for the help.

May 23rd, 2009, 11:13	#10
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 879	I've been told that: a. you can get handset unlocked for intl travel b. you can buy cheap phones like above: http://www.virginmobile.in/plan_kya-hai.php for example. http://www.virginmobile.in/phone_V-trendy.php for the phone. else reliance has some dirt cheap plans. http://www.rcom.co.in/webapp/Communi...delhi_gsm.html net net, chill. come to india and you'll get something decent/cheap.

May 23rd, 2009, 18:36	#11
mvwaling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: michigan, usa Posts: 38	Hitanshu, My son has a Virgin Mobile pay as you go phone. Do you know if we can buy minutes in India for it at the cheaper Indian rates? My first plan was to just buy a cheap phone plan once we get there.

May 23rd, 2009, 18:55	#12
obione980 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brisbane Posts: 379	If you're phone is not 'sim-locked' it will work just fine in India. If it is sim locked - it can be unlocked in India for cents! Your family and friends will be able to call your Indian phone number. NOTE - you will need to inform them of your Indian number - and they will need to preface your number with the India International call code - you will have a different number if you instal an Indian sim. (Yeah!! I know it's basic stuff - but, not everyone knows it). Call costs from India are dirt cheap - BUT - be sure you provide all the paper work to have your Indian number registered.

May 24th, 2009, 02:23	#13
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 879	mvwalling, I have limited experience with international CDMA phones working in India - I have seen both UK/EU numbers roaming well in India (GSM) as well the same handsets using indian numbers - cannot comment on what you are asking. my take - you'll get a decent cheap handset in like 1200 odd, or a good one in like 3000 bucks (http://www.virginmobile.in/phone_Vsleek.php). Why bother with the paperwork itself.

May 24th, 2009, 11:05	#15
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 879	lolol. I'm an Indian. Having gone through more than 12+ numbers in the last 6 years, I know that inside out But that's beside the point - you misread it. What I meant was that: a. I have no clue whether the US Virgin Mob phone will work here b. Even if it does, it'll be international roaming, and the paperwork required to "buy indian minutes" (if possible at all) will be madness - its simpler to do the paperwork for a new one