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I'm off to India for 4-6months at the end of October and am wondering whether to take any electronics like smart phone/netbook/kindle. I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge about the current status of wi-f availability in hostels/public areas or of 3G coverage across the country? I've had a look at international/global SIMs and have decided if I do take my phone I'll try and get an Indian SIM from Vodafone or someone similar although I've read these can be tricky to get hold of and can be unreliable due to regional laws and what not. Does anyone have any general advice for me regarding this?
Thanks
Tom
You really need to think about either generating enough cash flow for your startup to get a fixer to do all this for you or getting maybe a girlfriend/life. india is not an online experience and while the tec toys have many advantages it is a place that you need to smell, taste and feel not virtually experience.
Not sure what #2's response has to do with your question.
Wi-Fi is hit and miss. The more you spend for a hotel, the better the internet options will be. Most times it will suck.
Sim cards are much more difficult (don`t try internet thru sim if you do get a card, it will be lousy). For your length of time, find an Indian you can fairly trust to go to a COMPANY STORE with you to try to sign up. All the proper documents, pics, etc AND your co-signer will likely make this successful.
Oh and OP it was with vodafone ...
I apparently left the Southern zone according to the guy in the Vodafone shop in Delhi , he said that i would have to buy a new Sim which i did , cost was negligible and the data plan was the same so no biggy there ... But i agree they could have most likely turned it back on with re-verifying documents ..
Still not to worry , i will know next trip :-)
Except for pre-paid cards in Jammu Kashmir - that were purchased outside of that state.
While I really doubt that adam has the first clue, it is common to buy a card from a vendor and then, because there was no physical verification by the telco, that the card is cancelled. About 2 months would be a max time.
The telcos are fined Rs100 for each unverified card that is found by TRAI. Hence the cancellations.
Yes i agree with this , the first card and data plan that bought in Margoa i had to hassle the vendor to make sure that he got the paper work off , and again in Delhi i had to hassle them to get the paper work off ..
The only real advice that i would give concerning Sim cards in India is don't buy one unless you have a couple of day spare so that you can chase up the vendor in the likely event that they have not sent off your paper work ...
http://www.asianage.com/india/foreigners-can-use-sim-cards-only-3-months-943
I was wrong about the period, it is 3 months instead of 2.
And things change daily in this sector, as the govt makes new rules almost every day.
Easiest way to accomplish this is to go the regional office of a service provider, and not to generic SIM card sales people...
the 2g ones come with voice and sms only. you can buy a 2g, and then upgrade, but of you are not staying in one place long enough, that might be a problem.
Also, only reliance has pan india license, others have area licenses and cross provider agreements, which are currently subject of court cases. so buyer beware.
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Wi-Fi in India
Hi everyone,I'm off to India for 4-6months at the end of October and am wondering whether to take any electronics like smart phone/netbook/kindle. I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge about the current status of wi-f availability in hostels/public areas or of 3G coverage across the country? I've had a look at international/global SIMs and have decided if I do take my phone I'll try and get an Indian SIM from Vodafone or someone similar although I've read these can be tricky to get hold of and can be unreliable due to regional laws and what not. Does anyone have any general advice for me regarding this?
Thanks
Tom
1
TomYou really need to think about either generating enough cash flow for your startup to get a fixer to do all this for you or getting maybe a girlfriend/life. india is not an online experience and while the tec toys have many advantages it is a place that you need to smell, taste and feel not virtually experience.
2
wifi is common in hotels. In Bombay i've seen stickers advertising wifi on coffee shops- but i haven't tried it.Not sure what #2's response has to do with your question.
3
There is Internet in India ... amazing heh. Wi-Fi, USB Cell sticks, 3-G networks, cell phones, smart phones ... etc... You just need a passport photo to get a SIM card - you can get data plans, texting plans ... they have it all. Incredib!e India. Take all your gadgets.4
Yarra may be helping Vijay Mallya`s efforts today ;)Wi-Fi is hit and miss. The more you spend for a hotel, the better the internet options will be. Most times it will suck.
Sim cards are much more difficult (don`t try internet thru sim if you do get a card, it will be lousy). For your length of time, find an Indian you can fairly trust to go to a COMPANY STORE with you to try to sign up. All the proper documents, pics, etc AND your co-signer will likely make this successful.
5
Oh i don't know Pirate , i brought my ever so humble Blackberry and i got sorted out with a decent monthly data plan in Margoa worked pretty well in Goa and Karnatika all though once i returned back up to Delhi i had to get another Sim card as the one that i was apparently using from Goa was not valid in the North ...Oh and OP it was with vodafone ...
7
Yes it was shut off once that my data allowance was used ...I apparently left the Southern zone according to the guy in the Vodafone shop in Delhi , he said that i would have to buy a new Sim which i did , cost was negligible and the data plan was the same so no biggy there ... But i agree they could have most likely turned it back on with re-verifying documents ..
Still not to worry , i will know next trip :-)
8
There is no card that works in only a part of IndiaExcept for pre-paid cards in Jammu Kashmir - that were purchased outside of that state.
11
What on earth are you talking about ...?While I really doubt that adam has the first clue, it is common to buy a card from a vendor and then, because there was no physical verification by the telco, that the card is cancelled. About 2 months would be a max time.
The telcos are fined Rs100 for each unverified card that is found by TRAI. Hence the cancellations.
12
The telcos are fined Rs100 for each unverified card that is found by TRAI. Hence the cancellations.Yes i agree with this , the first card and data plan that bought in Margoa i had to hassle the vendor to make sure that he got the paper work off , and again in Delhi i had to hassle them to get the paper work off ..
The only real advice that i would give concerning Sim cards in India is don't buy one unless you have a couple of day spare so that you can chase up the vendor in the likely event that they have not sent off your paper work ...
13
It is possible that people do not follow the latest news, here is a reference article for your informationhttp://www.asianage.com/india/foreigners-can-use-sim-cards-only-3-months-943
I was wrong about the period, it is 3 months instead of 2.
And things change daily in this sector, as the govt makes new rules almost every day.
Easiest way to accomplish this is to go the regional office of a service provider, and not to generic SIM card sales people...
14
Also, if you want internet on phone, you HAVE to buy 3g cards, with data pack.the 2g ones come with voice and sms only. you can buy a 2g, and then upgrade, but of you are not staying in one place long enough, that might be a problem.
Also, only reliance has pan india license, others have area licenses and cross provider agreements, which are currently subject of court cases. so buyer beware.
