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Prepaid Cell Phones in Kochi & Hampi

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Looking for cheap rate low-cost prepaid cards
13 years ago, January 24th 2011 No: 1 Msg: #127167  
Hi there,

I'm traveling to India early Feb. I'll be arriving in Bangalore and head to Hampi by train on the same day. Will be there for a few days before taking the train back to Bangalore, and then to Alleppey for a day. Then will be going to Kochi for 2 days.

Now I like to find out what is the prepaid rates like? Do they charge by state? Is it better to get a prepaid every time I'm in a different state i.e. Karnataka, Kerala?

Is it difficult to buy prepaid cards? What are the cell phone bands? 900, 1800, etc? Any do's and don'ts?

Your advice is greatly appreciated! Reply to this

13 years ago, January 24th 2011 No: 2 Msg: #127239  
Hi Josh!

I just got back from India, so just giving you few tips!

1. If you decide to purchase an Indian prepaid SIM, do note that you have to produce a copy of your passport details + visa page, your National ID (front & back - this is to jot down the address back home), a passport photograph, a photocopy of your guesthouse receipt.
2. It's really cheap though, depends on which carrier you choose. India have a couple of them, amongwhich are VODAFONE, AIRTEL etc. I used Vodafone and it works fine with me.
3. The purchase of a SIM card plus the recharge (top-up) should cost you less than Rps300 (which is about.. USD7.5-8) If let's say, you purchase it in Kochi, which is in the state of Kerala - do note that the local rates only applies in the state/region. So if you happen to get out of Kochi and land into Hampi which is another region, you'll be charged as what they call it 'state roaming' which is abit similar to international roaming rate, but a bit cheaper.

Hope this answer your question and don't worry, India is cheap! 😊 Reply to this

13 years ago, January 25th 2011 No: 3 Msg: #127252  
Hi farnwahab

Thank you so much for your tips... very helpful! Especially the passport photograph and photocopy of receipt!!

Guess I have to buy one in hampi and another in kochi then!

How was your trip to India? Where did you go?

Cheers! Reply to this

13 years ago, January 25th 2011 No: 4 Msg: #127264  
Well you don't have to buy diff SIM, it's still usable, and besides, for SMS sent to out of the state but in India only cost you 1.5Rps.. that;s nothing at all! :X

Well I was more at Chennai, Pondicherry, the west coast (Kerala, Goa, Bombay) and up north in Rajashtan (Udaipur & Bundi), Varanasi and Kolkata.

I miss India and it's definitely a special place. :P Reply to this

13 years ago, January 25th 2011 No: 5 Msg: #127277  
How much for international SMS? Any idea? Reply to this

13 years ago, January 25th 2011 No: 6 Msg: #127279  
i think its about 3.5 rps per sms. so it's not so bad! Reply to this

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