Thread: Internet for Backpacking

Hi guys,

I am from Germany and will go to India for half a year. Starting next Sunday.
I need internet for that time, using my netbook.
What is the best way to do that? Can I buy a dongle or something like that? Is it possible as a foreigner? Any suggestions which provider to choose? (I will start in Kerala but traveling through whole India).

Hope you can help me with that.

Cheers,
Bernd

Ive just replied to a similar query here (Need best possible wireless internet while travelling all over India)

I once saw an Airtel booth at the International airport at New Delhi but that airport is no longer in use and I havent seen anything of that sort at the new one but I am not saying there isint any its just that I haven't seen one myself.

If you dont buy a sim card from the airport it could be a bit of a hassle outside as shops need local address proof although your hotels address and copy of your passport should be ok legally but no one wants trouble for selling one sim card so they choose the easy route of refusing to sell. Things have become a lot strict after the Mumbai attacks.
Locals in India love to talk to tourists.. I am sure you can talk some one into buying a sim card for you in their name and address

Your best bet to get a simcard is to get one at the airport itself or if you have a local contact get them to buy one for you I am 100% positive that shops or company offices outside the airports wont sell you one.

Oh just saw that, after sending PM....

Ok, I will have to wait for 8 hours in New Delhi before my plane to Cochin departs. Maybe I can sort things out while I am waiting.
I am kind of new to that mobile internet stuff. I need a dongle and a simcard? Right? Whats the difference between Reliance and Airtel?

Thank you for the information!

The Reliance dongle is called Reliance netconnect broadband plus and it doesnt need a simcard and uses CDMA technology not 3g and have wide coverage and dont think it would be avilable at the airport but if you can get one of thise its good.

Airtel would be a sim card and uses GSM 3g technology and you can either use it with a USB dongle or use it in your phone and connect your netbook using wifi or cable tethering like I do.

My india phone is cheap crap :P I can only use it for... well.... phoning (and texting!)
I will try to get something at New Delhi Airport in my 8h waiting time. If that wont work I will try to do it in Kerala. An Indian Family I know will be there at that time, too. I think I can let them buy the simcard.

Thank you for the help and the forum link. There I have found very good information, too!

Originally Posted by GerTourist

An Indian Family I know will be there at that time, too. I think I can let them buy the simcard.

Way to go Youve got it all sorted then I hope you stay connected everywhere in India Have a great time.

Hi again,

anybody knows if airtel 3G works on Andaman? I guess not? Only BSNL?
Anybody knows how fast BSNL 3G is on Andaman and if it works on Havelock?

Thank you in advance,
cheers

BSNL has 3G services in port blair, rangat, mayabunder & digilpur only. rest is 2G.

Bsnl EVDO is also available at Portblair as most of the IAF people use EVDO and they say they get about 1mbps speed with EVDO.

Originally Posted by GerTourist

Hi again,

anybody knows if airtel 3G works on Andaman? I guess not? Only BSNL?
Anybody knows how fast BSNL 3G is on Andaman and if it works on Havelock?

Thank you in advance,
cheers

did you find an answer? i'm also foreigner and need same info

Originally Posted by masterofdeath

did you find an answer? i'm also foreigner and need same info

Not yet, but I think EVDO is the best chance. I dont have so much time atm, so I will try to get it in some days.
But I am also not that into all that wireless stuff. What exactly is 2G ? Slow internet? But available like everywhere? When I tried to google for "internet on andaman" I never found something about 2G, only EVDO or CDMA.

Hi Admin ,

I am the one you just replied to and I want to thank you for your reply. I am reading your reply to Bernd and will also follow as per your advise to him.

Do share your experiences in this direction as and how you are able to get the devices & services and how they perform through your travels.

Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!