mgcarley
Founder, Hayai Broadband
This is exactly what happend before. couple of years back, i got the docomo lifetime sim thinking the number will be valid lifetime. but when I went overseas, and returned back after an year, the number was recycled. I did not do any recharges during the period.
I think the key to keep the number active is, to ask someone(from india) to send sms once a while, and recharge every 6 months. Will try it this time when I go there.
Incoming SMSes or phone calls won't help, it has to be topup (an outgoing call may work - calling somewhere in australia will cost around Rs30 which, really, isn't that much to save the inconvenience later... combine that with the topup and your number should stay active).
Does vodafone booths on the airport will be of any use? can i get the sim activated straight away? or do I have to go to all the pain of providing them photocopies/ photos etc.?
They are legally required to have your documents - if you want to get it *straight away*, then by all means keep an Indian address proof and passport-size photo in your wallet when you arrive, otherwise, get a few hours sleep once you land then go. But keep in mind that if you get the SIM at Mumbai Airport, it will be a Mumbai SIM, not a Maharashtra SIM, so the rates will be different and when you leave Mumbai you will be considered to be roaming (domestic roaming... a concept I've only otherwise seen in the USA and Russia) and if you're calling people mostly in Pune you'd end up paying more, so... it's probably best to get the SIM in Pune itself if that is the case.
So If I buy vodafone sim from airport or from vodafone store, How do I get this upgraded to 3G and get those packs? cannot find any info on the website.
wont will i able to just get the 3G sim with all the packs you mentioned above to start with?
The information is there, I guess it's just not easy to find.
3G is *not* activated by default (vast majority of users only have 2G capable phones and also data is charged at different rates on 3G as opposed to 2G - sucks, I know, but this is India). To activate 3G on Vodafone, you need to send an SMS "ACT 3G" to 111 to activate 3G, then to activate the pack I mentioned send a message "ACT " to 144 to activate a data plan.
According to Vodafone 3G India - Video Calling - 3G Internet | Vodafone 3G Services (Maharashtra circle) you would need to send "ACT MI100" to 144 to get a 200MB data pack (valid for 30 days).
I should also note that the small print on the Vodafone site says this:
Prepaid Customers:
[*]Services to your mobile number would be discontinued if there is no usage i.e., no Voice Calls (incoming or outgoing), SMS & Data for any continuous period of 60 days. No refund would be given for any unused talk time balance and validity of the card. Number will be unusable post disconnection.
[*]Customer with lifetime validity needs to do mandatorily recharge with Rs.200 cumulative in 180 days to avoid disconnection.
[/list]
I think the key to keep the number active is, to ask someone(from india) to send sms once a while, and recharge every 6 months. Will try it this time when I go there.
Incoming SMSes or phone calls won't help, it has to be topup (an outgoing call may work - calling somewhere in australia will cost around Rs30 which, really, isn't that much to save the inconvenience later... combine that with the topup and your number should stay active).
Does vodafone booths on the airport will be of any use? can i get the sim activated straight away? or do I have to go to all the pain of providing them photocopies/ photos etc.?
They are legally required to have your documents - if you want to get it *straight away*, then by all means keep an Indian address proof and passport-size photo in your wallet when you arrive, otherwise, get a few hours sleep once you land then go. But keep in mind that if you get the SIM at Mumbai Airport, it will be a Mumbai SIM, not a Maharashtra SIM, so the rates will be different and when you leave Mumbai you will be considered to be roaming (domestic roaming... a concept I've only otherwise seen in the USA and Russia) and if you're calling people mostly in Pune you'd end up paying more, so... it's probably best to get the SIM in Pune itself if that is the case.
So If I buy vodafone sim from airport or from vodafone store, How do I get this upgraded to 3G and get those packs? cannot find any info on the website.
wont will i able to just get the 3G sim with all the packs you mentioned above to start with?
The information is there, I guess it's just not easy to find.
3G is *not* activated by default (vast majority of users only have 2G capable phones and also data is charged at different rates on 3G as opposed to 2G - sucks, I know, but this is India). To activate 3G on Vodafone, you need to send an SMS "ACT 3G" to 111 to activate 3G, then to activate the pack I mentioned send a message "ACT " to 144 to activate a data plan.
According to Vodafone 3G India - Video Calling - 3G Internet | Vodafone 3G Services (Maharashtra circle) you would need to send "ACT MI100" to 144 to get a 200MB data pack (valid for 30 days).
I should also note that the small print on the Vodafone site says this:
Prepaid Customers:
[*]Services to your mobile number would be discontinued if there is no usage i.e., no Voice Calls (incoming or outgoing), SMS & Data for any continuous period of 60 days. No refund would be given for any unused talk time balance and validity of the card. Number will be unusable post disconnection.
[*]Customer with lifetime validity needs to do mandatorily recharge with Rs.200 cumulative in 180 days to avoid disconnection.
[/list]
