India – Landlines and Mobile Phones

What are the international dialling codes for India, and what are the area codes for the most popular expat destinations?

India was assigned the country code +91 by the International Telecommunication Union during the 1960s. To reach an Indian number from overseas, dial your international exit code (either 00 or +), then 91, followed by the relevant area code and local subscriber number. One important point: the leading zero that appears before area codes in domestic dialling must be dropped when using the international format — it has no place in calls made from abroad.

Indian phone numbers follow a consistent structure in which the combined length of the area code and subscriber number always totals 10 digits. Major metropolitan centres use two-digit area codes, while secondary cities and larger towns are assigned three-digit codes. As a result, local subscriber numbers run to eight digits in the biggest cities and seven digits everywhere else.

The table below shows area codes for cities where significant numbers of expats and international residents are found. When calling from outside India, leave out the leading zero shown in the domestic STD code:

When calling from a landline in one STD code zone to another, or when dialling any fixed-line number from a mobile phone regardless of location, you must prefix the call with zero followed by the area code. Mobile numbers in India work differently — they carry no area code as such, and a standard Indian mobile number simply appears as +91 followed by 10 digits.

For a complete and up-to-date reference of all STD codes across India, visit the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) website or the Department of Telecommunications at dot.gov.in.

Who are the major landline providers in India, and how can you contact them?

BSNL holds the largest share of India’s fixed-line telephony market. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is a central public sector undertaking operating under the Department of Telecommunications, incorporated on 1 October 2000, and delivers mobile voice, internet, and fixed-line services through an extensive national network.

The principal landline providers you are likely to come across as an expat living in India are:

• BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) — The foremost government-run fixed-line operator, with coverage stretching across virtually the entire country, including rural and remote areas. Website: www.bsnl.co.in. Customer care for Bharat Fiber, broadband, and landline: 18004444 (reachable from BSNL or any other operator). For GSM postpaid/prepaid queries: 1503 from a BSNL line or 1800-180-1503 from any other operator.
• MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited) — A government-owned operator that was among the original two providers licensed to offer fixed-line telephone services in India. MTNL now serves only Delhi and Mumbai. Website: www.mtnl.net.in.
• Bharti Airtel — A leading private-sector provider delivering landline and broadband services across urban India. Website: www.airtel.in. Customer care: 121 (from an Airtel connection) or 1800-103-0121 (toll-free).
• Reliance Jio (JioFiber) — JioFiber delivers home broadband and fixed wireless services via the Jio network, with a focus on fibre and fixed wireless access solutions. Website: www.jio.com. Customer care: 199 (from a Jio number) or 1800-889-9999 (toll-free).

In the major urban centres and technology hubs — including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurgaon — private operators such as Airtel and Jio typically offer more robust coverage and faster broadband infrastructure. BSNL, however, remains the most accessible choice in smaller towns, secondary cities, and rural locations where private fixed-line networks have not yet been built out. It is always advisable to check with each provider whether service is available at your specific address before signing up. For current tariffs and plan details, consult each provider’s official website directly, as pricing is subject to regular revision.

Who are the major mobile phone providers in India, and how can you contact them?

In 2025, India’s mobile market is shaped by four major operators — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and BSNL — collectively serving a subscriber base of more than 1.17 billion. All four carriers provide both prepaid and postpaid options, and the intense rivalry between them keeps tariffs comparatively low by international standards.

Reliance Jio commands the largest subscriber base at roughly 477 million users and leads the sector with its standalone 5G network, including Voice over New Radio (VoNR) technology that delivers superior call quality. Bharti Airtel, operating since 1995, caters to customers who prioritise reliability and premium service, with approximately 391 million subscribers and a strong reputation for urban 5G performance that appeals particularly to working professionals.

Vodafone Idea (Vi), created by the 2018 merger of two established operators, holds around 204 million subscribers and is steadily building out 5G coverage in major metropolitan areas, though it continues to see customers migrate to competitors. BSNL, operating as a government-backed carrier, is the network of choice across rural India and has approximately 90 million subscribers.

For the broadest 4G and 5G coverage nationally, Jio and Airtel are the standout options. BSNL, by contrast, is more suited to those based in remote or semi-urban locations. Expats settling in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Hyderabad will find either Jio or Airtel to be the most dependable choice for everyday use. For current pricing and plan specifics, check each operator’s website directly — both Airtel and Jio implemented tariff increases for prepaid and postpaid plans from July 2024 onwards, and costs continue to shift.

The TRAI MySpeed app, published by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, allows you to measure and compare real-time network performance across operators at your location — a helpful tool when deciding which provider to go with.

How do I get a landline connected in India?

Arranging a landline in India is a fairly uncomplicated process, and is most likely to be relevant if you are renting or buying a property and want bundled home broadband alongside a fixed number. Many expats discover that a mobile data plan is sufficient for their needs, but a fixed line can be valuable for a home office setup or where a more consistent broadband connection is required.

1. Choose a provider. Decide between BSNL, Airtel, Jio, or MTNL (Delhi and Mumbai only) based on what is available at your address and what suits your needs. Verify coverage by visiting each provider’s website or calling their customer support line before you apply.
2. Gather your documents. You will generally need two items: proof of your address — such as a tenancy agreement, electricity bill, or bank statement dated within the last three months — and proof of identity, such as a passport, PAN card, or driving licence.
3. Submit your application. Applications can be submitted in person at the provider’s nearest branch office, or by arranging for a company representative to come to your home with the relevant forms and collect your documents. Most major operators also accept applications through their official websites or mobile apps.
4. Pay any deposit. A refundable security deposit is usually required, typically ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 depending on the provider and your chosen plan. Confirm the current amount with the provider before applying, as figures may vary.
5. Await installation. Connection is generally completed within two to five business days of your application being accepted. A technician will call at your property to carry out the installation — make sure someone is available to grant access on the agreed day.
6. Activate and test your line. After installation, verify that the connection is working properly and register for the provider’s online account portal, where you can monitor your usage, view bills, and log any faults.

Whether you are a tenant or a property owner has little bearing on the application itself, though renters should confirm that their lease does not prohibit the installation of telephone infrastructure. If you are renting, there is a chance the premises already has an existing BSNL or private operator line that can either be transferred into your name or reactivated.

For regulatory matters or unresolved disputes, you can contact the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) or the Department of Telecommunications at dot.gov.in. TRAI also runs a dedicated consumer helpline for telecoms-related grievances.

How do I get a mobile phone SIM card or contract in India?

All SIM registrations in India — whether prepaid or postpaid — are subject to a mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This means that buying a SIM and walking out with it immediately active is not always possible; activation generally takes several hours and can occasionally run to 24–48 hours. For foreign nationals in particular, some documentation formalities apply, and the activation window should be factored into your plans on arrival.

The documents you will need to obtain a SIM card in India are:

• A valid passport (for foreign nationals)
• A valid Indian visa
• One recent passport-sized photograph
• Evidence of a local address — for instance, a signed lease, a hotel reservation confirmation (suitable for short stays), or a utility bill
• Biometric verification (fingerprint or iris scan) carried out at the point of sale via Aadhaar-linked systems, or using passport details for foreign nationals

For the smoothest activation experience, choose an operator with a streamlined process for foreign customers — both Jio and Airtel handle passport and visa documentation efficiently. One potential snag at official carrier stores is that some may ask for an existing Indian phone number for verification, which new arrivals won’t have. Purchasing a SIM at an international airport on arrival is therefore often the most practical option, as staff there are well versed in assisting foreign nationals.

Postpaid contracts carry slightly more extensive documentation requirements than prepaid. In addition to the same identity and address documents, proof of income or employment may sometimes be requested. New arrivals who do not yet have a permanent Indian address may find postpaid plans difficult to access initially; a common and sensible approach is to start on prepaid and upgrade to postpaid once you are settled. This is broadly comparable to the approach taken in many other countries — in Germany or France, for example, a postpaid contract also requires proof of local address — though India’s biometric KYC requirement sets it apart from most Western markets in terms of rigour.

Prepaid SIMs can be purchased from operator stores, authorised resellers, and airport counters. BSNL provides prepaid and postpaid services alongside value-added products such as India Telephone Cards and account card calling. For up-to-date prepaid plan pricing, visit the official websites of Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL directly, as tariffs are updated frequently.

How do I pay my telephone bill in India?

The billing and payment environment for telecoms in India is highly digitised, and most newcomers find managing their phone bills online or via an app to be simple and intuitive. India’s broad embrace of digital payment infrastructure — particularly the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) — makes settling a phone bill straightforward from the moment you arrive.

The main ways to pay your phone bill are:

• Provider apps and websites: All four major operators — Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL — maintain official apps and online portals where you can review your bill, make payments by debit or credit card, net banking, or UPI, and enable auto-pay for recurring charges. This is the method most residents use.
• UPI payment apps: Third-party platforms such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm are widely supported for telecoms payments and mobile top-ups. These apps link directly to your Indian bank account.
• Net banking: Most Indian banks offer bill payment through their internet banking portals, where you can add your phone account as a biller and either pay manually each cycle or set up a standing instruction for automatic payment.
• In-person payment: Bills can also be settled in cash or by card at the provider’s nearest service centre or at authorised retail outlets. BSNL in particular has a wide network of local offices where cash payments are routinely accepted.
• Auto top-up / auto-recharge: Prepaid customers can set up automatic recharges through most apps and provider websites, triggered when their account balance drops below a specified amount — a useful way to ensure uninterrupted service.

Postpaid bills are generated monthly and typically carry a payment due date falling 15 to 21 days after the end of the billing cycle. Prepaid plans operate on a validity basis: rather than receiving a monthly invoice, you purchase a recharge package that remains active for a fixed period — most commonly 28 or 84 days. This model is broadly similar to prepaid arrangements in countries like Australia or Canada, though the 28-day validity cycle (rather than a calendar month) is worth bearing in mind when planning your spending.

Falling behind on a postpaid account will generally result in a suspension of outgoing calls before eventual disconnection, typically with some advance notice. For prepaid users, once a plan’s validity expires the number enters a grace period during which incoming calls may still connect but outgoing calls and data access are blocked. Policies differ between operators, so check your provider’s terms. For billing disputes, TRAI operates a consumer grievance mechanism accessible at www.trai.gov.in.

Are there any practical tips for using phones in India as a newcomer?

India’s telecoms landscape has a number of distinctive features that it pays to understand before you arrive. The following are the most useful things to know:

International roaming: If you intend to use a foreign SIM when you first land before switching to a local one, investigate your home provider’s roaming rates for India well in advance — they vary considerably and can be costly. Indian operators also offer international roaming add-ons for their prepaid and postpaid customers, so you can use your Indian number when travelling abroad. Activate a roaming pack with your chosen Indian provider before any international trips.

Number portability (MNP): Subscribers in India are entitled to retain their mobile number when switching operators or moving between service areas. In September 2024 alone, more than 13.32 million mobile number portability requests were processed — reflecting just how actively people change networks. Unlike markets where a port can be completed in a single business day, India’s MNP process typically takes up to seven working days from the point of submission. To start a port, send an SMS reading “PORT [your 10-digit number]” to 1900, collect the unique porting code you receive in reply, and present it along with your identity documents at your new provider’s store.

eSIMs: eSIM functionality is supported in India by both Jio and Airtel on compatible handsets. For newly arrived expats with dual-SIM smartphones, this can offer a convenient way to activate a local number without physically obtaining a SIM. The standard KYC verification still applies, however, and can be completed online or in-store. Obtaining a prepaid eSIM as a foreign national can be more involved than simply buying a physical SIM, so if you need immediate connectivity on arrival, a physical SIM purchased at the airport is likely to be the simpler route initially.

Network quality and 5G: By mid-2025, India had deployed 5G across 486,000 sites, with Jio’s 5G coverage exceeding 70% nationwide. Airtel tends to outperform Jio on reliability in many urban locations, while BSNL can show impressive speeds where its network is present but has notable coverage gaps. In the main expat cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune — both Jio and Airtel offer solid 4G service and rapidly expanding 5G. In semi-rural or remote areas, coverage can be inconsistent, and BSNL often has the widest geographical reach.

Using the TRAI MySpeed app: The TRAI MySpeed app is a practical resource for checking live network performance before committing to a provider. Expats are encouraged to use it to verify signal quality at their home address or workplace rather than relying solely on provider claims.

You cannot keep your foreign number in India: There is no cross-border number portability between India and other countries. You will need a local Indian number for daily life. Many expats run both a foreign SIM (kept active on a minimal roaming or data plan) and a local Indian SIM simultaneously in a dual-SIM device, allowing them to remain reachable on both numbers at once.

Local customs around phone use: WhatsApp is the default communication platform across India, used for personal messaging, business dealings, and interactions with local tradespeople and service providers alike. Getting WhatsApp configured on your Indian number from the outset is strongly advisable. Voice and video calls made over data via WhatsApp, Google Meet, or Zoom are widely relied upon and perform well in most urban settings.

Voicemail: Voicemail is not enabled by default on all Indian phone numbers. Many mobile numbers include it as an optional add-on, while traditional fixed-line numbers generally do not offer voicemail at all. Check with your provider whether the service is available and how to activate it on your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my foreign number when I move to India?

No — international mobile number portability into India is not available. You will need to get a local Indian SIM card. A common workaround for expats is to keep a home-country SIM running on a low-cost international plan in one slot of a dual-SIM handset alongside their Indian number, making it possible to receive calls on both numbers at the same time.

Do I need a local address to get a SIM card in India?

Yes. Providing proof of a local address is a mandatory part of the KYC (Know Your Customer) registration process. For those who have just arrived, a hotel booking confirmation or rental agreement is acceptable as a temporary address document. Once you have a permanent residence, it is worth updating your SIM registration with the new address. At international airport counters, staff are well practised in processing documentation for foreign nationals, making the experience relatively smooth for new arrivals.

Can tourists get a prepaid SIM card in India?

Yes. A prepaid SIM is available to tourists on production of a valid passport and visa. The most convenient place to purchase one is at the international arrivals area of a major airport, where all four main operators usually have staffed counters. Expect activation to take a few hours. Some operator retail stores in cities may require an existing Indian contact number for verification purposes, which can be a problem for visitors with no local contacts — buying at the airport is the easiest option for a hassle-free experience.

How long does it take to get a mobile number ported in India?

Mobile number portability (MNP) in India generally takes up to seven working days from the date of a valid porting request. To start the process, send an SMS containing “PORT” and your 10-digit mobile number to 1900. You will receive a unique porting code (UPC) in return, which you present at your new provider’s store together with your identity documents. The new operator manages the technical switchover from there. This is a longer process than in some countries — in the UK, for example, a port is typically completed within one business day — but MNP is well established and widely used in India.

What documents do I need to get a landline in India?

A valid identity document — such as a passport, PAN card, or driving licence — and proof of your current address (a lease agreement, electricity bill, or bank statement dated within the last three months) are the standard requirements. A refundable security deposit will also be needed, with the exact figure depending on the provider and the plan selected. Confirm the current requirements with your chosen provider before attending their office.

Is 5G available in India?

Yes. As of 2025, 5G is live in all major cities and rollout is progressing at pace, led by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Jio’s 5G network covers more than 70% of the country, while Airtel is recognised for leading on 5G download speeds and overall user experience. Vodafone Idea (Vi) has commenced 5G deployment in key urban markets, and BSNL is currently focused on 4G expansion with 5G to follow in due course. To check whether 5G is available at a particular address, use the TRAI MySpeed app or your chosen provider’s online coverage map.

Who regulates telephone services in India, and what can I do if I have a complaint?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is the sector’s independent regulator, responsible for setting tariff rules, service quality benchmarks, and consumer protection standards. If a complaint to your provider has not been satisfactorily resolved, you can escalate the matter to TRAI via the Telecom Consumers Complaint Monitoring System (TCCMS), or contact the Department of Telecommunications directly. TRAI’s website can be found at www.trai.gov.in.

What are the emergency phone numbers in India?

India’s key emergency numbers are: 112 (the national unified emergency line, equivalent to 999 or 911, covering police, fire, and ambulance services); 100 (police); 101 (fire); and 108 (ambulance in most states). All of these numbers are toll-free and can be dialled from any mobile or landline, including a handset with no active balance or remaining SIM credit.