Cheap GSM phone for India/Singapore
Sep 28, 2004, 1:16 pm
#18
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So are there no national providers in India? Can I not use a single SIM for free inbound calls when in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune, etc.?
Sep 28, 2004, 1:32 pm
#19
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Originally Posted by stimpy
So are there no national providers in India? Can I not use a single SIM for free inbound calls when in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune, etc.?
Sep 28, 2004, 5:48 pm
#20
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Originally Posted by stimpy
Back on topic, I'm planning a week-long biz trip all over India. Which is the best nation-wide carrier to buy a pre-paid SIM from? I mainly want to receive calls for free, but might make a few international calls too. It would be nice if I could buy this at DEL or BOM.
When you're out of BOM (ie. roaming nationwide) add about Rs 6 per minute to both incoming and outgoing calls.
IIRC, 1 US$ = Rs 46.
Sep 29, 2004, 12:01 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 780
Originally Posted by stimpy
So are there no national providers in India? Can I not use a single SIM for free inbound calls when in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune, etc.?
I bought my pre-paid SIM from AirTel Chennai and was able to roam with it in Maharashtra. My incoming calls were free while roaming. Not sure if that's a billing oversight or a new rule.
I am allowing for the possibility of billing oversight, since the card was supposed to expire (according to the sticker on the starter pack) a week after activation unless I topped it up (top up cards start at 50 rupees and are available in every corner shop) but it lasted at least 3 weeks.
There's also a handy feature that texts you your new balance after every call or SMS.
Last edited by mashav; Sep 29, 2004 at 12:04 pm
Jan 11, 2005, 3:36 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 27
Airtel Delhi
Originally Posted by mashav
Maybe things are changing? I can't speak for Delhi
It was quite easy to get the SIM card -- the guys at the shop around the corner from my hotel only wanted a copy of the front page of my passport.
Jul 17, 2008, 1:25 pm
#23
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Bumping this up for a upcoming trip to Chennai.
I normally get my pre-paid SIMs from telestial.com but they want $79 for an Airtel SIM and you only get $5 of airtime....seems very steep....I like getting my in-country phone# in advance but not that bad.
So is the info on this thread about getting a SIM in India with a passport copy
still valid and is the initial cost more reasonable there?
I normally get my pre-paid SIMs from telestial.com but they want $79 for an Airtel SIM and you only get $5 of airtime....seems very steep....I like getting my in-country phone# in advance but not that bad.
So is the info on this thread about getting a SIM in India with a passport copy
still valid and is the initial cost more reasonable there?
Jul 17, 2008, 2:09 pm
#24
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These are actually great old phones. I have a T39m as my "cheap phone to take overseas" when I don't want to risk my blackberry.
And great FT spirit there, MedEdGuy!
And great FT spirit there, MedEdGuy!
It's an Ericsson T28 World, and it's yours if you want it. Just drop me an email with your address, and pass it along to another FTer when you're done with it.
Jul 18, 2008, 10:56 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
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Bumping this up for a upcoming trip to Chennai.
I normally get my pre-paid SIMs from telestial.com but they want $79 for an Airtel SIM and you only get $5 of airtime....seems very steep....I like getting my in-country phone# in advance but not that bad.
So is the info on this thread about getting a SIM in India with a passport copy
still valid and is the initial cost more reasonable there?
I normally get my pre-paid SIMs from telestial.com but they want $79 for an Airtel SIM and you only get $5 of airtime....seems very steep....I like getting my in-country phone# in advance but not that bad.
So is the info on this thread about getting a SIM in India with a passport copy
still valid and is the initial cost more reasonable there?
when i visit two yrs ago, got airtel at hotel counter in bangalore for about US$75 and never finished the minutes after 10 days visit.
Jul 18, 2008, 5:42 pm
#26
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Bumping this up for a upcoming trip to Chennai.
I normally get my pre-paid SIMs from telestial.com but they want $79 for an Airtel SIM and you only get $5 of airtime....seems very steep....I like getting my in-country phone# in advance but not that bad.
So is the info on this thread about getting a SIM in India with a passport copy
still valid and is the initial cost more reasonable there?
I normally get my pre-paid SIMs from telestial.com but they want $79 for an Airtel SIM and you only get $5 of airtime....seems very steep....I like getting my in-country phone# in advance but not that bad.
So is the info on this thread about getting a SIM in India with a passport copy
still valid and is the initial cost more reasonable there?
Jul 18, 2008, 5:58 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2001
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My flight from HKG arrives at 0120...are the airport concessionaires open @ that time?
Jul 18, 2008, 7:13 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2008
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A really cheap and good phone that I like to take traveling to the third world/un-safe locations/et. or even hiking someplace that I might break my iPhone easily is the Motorola FONE. It is dirt cheap (~$20 to $30...$35 at Tiger Direct), has an e-ink display (so you can read it in any light), great battery life, does SMS, and I don't care if it is lost or stolen.
Last edited by njmcgreg; Jul 18, 2008 at 9:02 pm Reason: To Add
Jul 19, 2008, 8:28 pm
#29
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sorry but posts #24 & #28 are unrelated to my question...
but thanks to the others who hit the mark...only outstanding question is: are the GSM sim card vendors open in the early AM when my flight arrives.
but thanks to the others who hit the mark...only outstanding question is: are the GSM sim card vendors open in the early AM when my flight arrives.