Telephone Communication Guide – Bangalore
Landline Connection
Getting a landline connection in Bangalore is very simple. You can choose from many quality providers like BSNL, Airtel, Tata Indicom, Idea, Reliance and so on. Choose wisely, private operators like Airtel, Tata Indicom and Reliance can give you peace of mind in terms of installation and quality, while for service and maintenance, state operator BSNL is the best.
It is quite likely that the apartment you rent will come with a landline, in case this does not happen, you can opt for private providers like Airtel, Tata Indicom and Reliance who will give you instant connections. You will have to find the branch office closest to your home and take the documents required or more conveniently, you can apply online. Most services offer a variety of packages, which you can choose depending on your calling needs. A good idea is to get a state operator for your fixed home line and opt for any one of the private providers for mobile connections.
Required documents include:
- Identity proof
- Residence proof
- PAN (Permanent Account Number Card) or Passport (also functions as identity proof) or Driving license.
Mobile Connection
Just like a landline connection, getting a new mobile connection in Bangalore is not only simple but is also hassle-free. There are many service providers to choose from, like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Tata Indicom, Reliance, Uninor, Virgin and Spice. Mobile connections can either be ‘prepaid’ (where you pay before you use the service by buying a ‘pay-as-you-go’ card) or can be post-paid (where the bill is delivered to you monthly). Pre-paid is typically easiest and can be recharged in different denominations on the internet or at various shops/stalls. If you intend to make a significant number of long-distance phone calls, a monthly plan may be best.
Though both options are relatively inexpensive, post-paid services are usually cheaper and do not run the risk of running out of credit. Reliance is the only service provider that gives CDMA phones and your monthly package with Reliance includes a nominal rent for the phone. Airtel and Vodafone offer Blackberry mobiles and Apple iPhone on their post-paid connections.
In India, you do not pay to receive calls unless you are roaming outside of the Bangalore region. If you will be spending significant amounts of time outside of Bangalore/Karnataka, you can inexpensively purchase a SIM card for the region in which you will be spending time and alternate between both cards.
Required documents:
- Identity proof,
- Residence proof,
- PAN (Permanent Account Number Card) or Passport (also functions as identity proof) or Driving license.
Providers
- Airtel: http://www.airtel.in
- Vodafone: https://www.vodafone.com/
- Reliance: http://www.rcom.co.in
- Uninor: http://www.uninor.in
Other
International long-distance calling cards can also be purchased widely, though the most popular and easiest option is to make long-distance phone calls over the Internet using a Skype account. Since internet speeds in Bangalore are adequate, this is an ideal option and allows for video calling, too.
