Im going to India for 3 weeks in November. I have read lots of things online about the local sim cards being a scam. Due to the regestration of the sim card.
Has anyone had and experience with this? or would recomend any companies that do it for you. Im travelling from the UK.
Thanks
I'm sure I've commented on this subject before, but can't lay my hands on the topic.
However, as a frequent visitor to India, my advice is not to worry. Everyone in the country has a mobile phone - it's a huge market and the telephone network is vast. You'll find phone shops offering SIM cards in every town. Just don't attempt to buy one at the airport because you'll be ripped off.
I've bought cards from guys with a trestle table in a little shopping square without problems!
Just make sure that:
- your phone is unlocked,
- you have your passport and some photocopies of it and of your visa,
- you provide the seller with a printed confirmation of your hotel booking with their address and your name on it,
- you choose a package with the right amount of data/calls/SMS for your needs.
The costs will be tiny in comparison to what you'd pay in the UK (although you may well be asked to pay a bit more than a local person. That's normal and, in the grand scheme of things, it won't be a lot as far as you're concerned.)
There's usually a time lag of 12 to 24 hours before your line is active, so be sure you're still in the same place that you bought the SIM card in case you need to chase your supplier.
I've used Airtel and Vodafone Idea on my most recent visits, BSNL prior to that. I've not had problems with any of them, but their coverage does vary and one may be better than another in some regions - the DigitBin website usually gives an idea of these.
I think Jio or BSNL is better than others because it have very low cost plans.
Keep Smiling is right on the mark.
If you're traveling in remote areas, such as certain places in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, or tribal areas in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, it's better to use BSNL, which is owned by the Indian government.
I want to suggest you Airtel Sim card because you will find this Sim car at the airport and it will start early.