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using phone for travelling in India

eastmidsaver
Forumite Posts: 276
Forumite

hi,
i am wondering what is the best, and most cost effective way to use phone when travelling in India, for around 1 month.
i have seen some options as follows:
a) get a Lebara PAYG Sim card. but issue with this is having to have a new number, registering it etc. and if it will actually work when out there.
b) get an E-Sim, but i don't think my phone is compatible with these.
c) get to India, and then buy a local SIM card. maybe cheaper, but maybe still issue of needing to register it etc.
if anyone has any ideas, it would be appreciated.
i am wondering what is the best, and most cost effective way to use phone when travelling in India, for around 1 month.
i have seen some options as follows:
a) get a Lebara PAYG Sim card. but issue with this is having to have a new number, registering it etc. and if it will actually work when out there.
b) get an E-Sim, but i don't think my phone is compatible with these.
c) get to India, and then buy a local SIM card. maybe cheaper, but maybe still issue of needing to register it etc.
if anyone has any ideas, it would be appreciated.
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Comments
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What provider do you currently use and what are their roaming charges?
Have you confirmed that your phone can't use an eSIM?Things that are differerent: draw & drawer, brought & bought, loose & lose, dose & does, payed & paid0 -
You can usually buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. They are designed for travellers, put the card in and it just works with no registration.
For international phone calls Skype is a decent option. Cheaper than normal calls in many cases. You can call any phone number with it.
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rigolith said:You can usually buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. They are designed for travellers, put the card in and it just works with no registration.
"Usually"..? Perhaps you mean in most countries - but I've a feeling (without personal experience) that in the case of India it may not be so simple.
Evolution, not revolution1 -
oldernonethewiser said:What provider do you currently use and what are their roaming charges?
Have you confirmed that your phone can't use an eSIM?
yes, contacted my phone manufacturer (Samsung), who advised my phone is not compatible for an eSIM.0 -
rigolith said:You can usually buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. They are designed for travellers, put the card in and it just works with no registration.
For international phone calls Skype is a decent option. Cheaper than normal calls in many cases. You can call any phone number with it.
However, would be happy to offset the cost vs simplicity if the Airport had no registrations etc.
I did some research and apparently in India it is not so simple, you need to register the SIM card, prove the address you staying at, plus the UK address. Seems a bit of a hassle.
I have a feeling Lebara might end up being the best option at the moment.0 -
eDicky said:rigolith said:You can usually buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. They are designed for travellers, put the card in and it just works with no registration.
"Usually"..? Perhaps you mean in most countries - but I've a feeling (without personal experience) that in the case of India it may not be so simple.0 -
eastmidsaver said:rigolith said:You can usually buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. They are designed for travellers, put the card in and it just works with no registration.
For international phone calls Skype is a decent option. Cheaper than normal calls in many cases. You can call any phone number with it.
However, would be happy to offset the cost vs simplicity if the Airport had no registrations etc.
I did some research and apparently in India it is not so simple, you need to register the SIM card, prove the address you staying at, plus the UK address. Seems a bit of a hassle.
I have a feeling Lebara might end up being the best option at the moment.
Personally if a Lebara SIM comes with free roaming for India then I'd just do that - set it up and get it working here a day or two before I leave and Bob's your uncle. I've never had any issue with a SIM not roaming properly when it should do - so it'll work. Provided of course the roaming limits are going to be enough for you for a month, I think it's 10GB data and 200 minutes?0 -
eDicky said:rigolith said:You can usually buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. They are designed for travellers, put the card in and it just works with no registration.
"Usually"..? Perhaps you mean in most countries - but I've a feeling (without personal experience) that in the case of India it may not be so simple.0 -
tightauldgit said:eDicky said:rigolith said:You can usually buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. They are designed for travellers, put the card in and it just works with no registration.
"Usually"..? Perhaps you mean in most countries - but I've a feeling (without personal experience) that in the case of India it may not be so simple.
Evolution, not revolution0 -
The staff at the airport will know how to get it set up quickly. Which airport?
From what I read you can just go to the Airtel store at Delhi airport and they will get you a prepaid SIM, handling all the registration and activation. You just need your passport as ID.
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