3G has hit Goa but it is painfully slow.

papa

As I thought would happen I have bought a sim that was good for the seller but not exactly what I asked for.
On sayng that it works fine it's just a little slow.

Called in at the Elephant shop near Highland Beach and asked about a sim for Iphone.
Was told he didn't have one so try the other shop near Magnum.
He sold me an Airtel sim for 700rp
This should have 1 month ulimited internet and 300rp call credit.

Taken a little time to get set up for internet and had to call help centre who didn't help.
Ended up switching off and on then it worked fine.

As I have said it is a little slow at accessing the internet but it has a feature to attach it to the laptop.
Personal Hotspot. This allows you to connect your Iphone to your computer via Bluetooth or USB.
Internet Explorer 9 seems to connect faster than Safari.
This works better for getting on the usual web sites and email.

It's not 3G like I asked for but it will do for now.

I have about used all the call credit so I need to make a choice to look for a 3G sim or stick with it.
Any suggestions appreciated

Steve

as soon as you mentioned Iphone you lost me Steve
sorry
Chilly

Me too Chilly, I sit at a computer all day but wish I understood the jargon, think I'm too old to learn now. Phones and computers - I'm lost.

No sure if this has been discussed elsewhere, I am wondering if it is possible to get a sim card suitable for an iPad in Goa for access to the internet. We have had the Indian sim cards for our mobile telephones and was hoping that we may be able to do the same sort of thing with an iPad?

Any information anyone is able to supply would be appreciated

Hi Steve, did you get anything else sorted in respect to your 3G sim Card? I have started another thread (mod's you may like to merge that with this?). I am hoping to be able to get a sim card suitable for an iPad on my visit in December in order that we can use the internet to check emails etc. Not sure exactly where to go to get the relevant help though. We stay in Arpora so expect to have to go to Candolim/Calungute. Is the Elephant shop the best place? In all my years of going to Goa I haven't actually been there!

Not sure of the details but have read somewhere that its possible to cut a normal sim card to fit an IPad

You can try contacting the service providers to ask if the do a compatable sim card.
I bet Vodafone do as they sell the iPhone4
I think there are Vodafone shops in Mapusa.
You could try to contact Rob CWT as he likes his gadgets.
He should be able to say where to try to buy.
Mine is a 3GS so it's a big sim.
You could also try chopping a sim but what to do if it don't work?

Steve

Silent man you can buy a sim cutter for a couple of pound try eBay. Why don't you just try to find somewhere with Wifi and download that way?

nejulie thanks for the info I don't have an IPad but had read somewhere about a sim card cutter, think 3G is only just starting to come to india, I use airtel and last year their web site was giving details on pre-registering for the 3G service.

The 3GKindle coverage map which uses the Vodaphone network shows the slower edge/gprs connection although this may not be up to date http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=2&view=intl

I know you are going to think I am really thick, well I am when it comes to using a mobile phone abroad. I never take my phone away with me on holiday but have found that I really need it when I am in Goa, mainly for ringing up the taxi driver instead of having the poor man coming to collect us when we are still eating/drinking and he has to hang around - not that he ever complains. My question is - do I need to have a different sim card to use in Goa? I do not intend ringing the UK when I am away or having anyone else ringing me although friends who are travelling to Goa at the same time will be ringing me. Thanks for your help. Wish I was a bit more technically minded sometimes!

It would be very wise to get an Indian sim card for your needs. They are cheap to buy and use. They can be brought at various places but, you will need a photocopy of your passport and visa to obtain one.

Thank you very much for your advice - will do that.

You will also have to make sure your phone is unlocked or able to be used in India. You also need 2 photo's (passport size) which you can do yourself before you go, there not as stringent as the visa people. We got our photos done for a few rps in Goa 1st time we got the phones sorted, and for them unlocking the phone, a new sim with 600 rps credit cost us approx £10. One thing I would recommend people to do before they leave is to do a few photo copies of your passport once it's returned and remember to make sure to copy the page with your new visa on. Not a bad idea to photocopy flight tickets, and any other documents you may think important.....Keith

Keith, forgot about the photo's

Thanks, have got the photos. Will just ask our taxi driver to sort it all out for me, he is very good at looking after us.

just turned my nokia n8 smartphone into a wifi hotspot so all i need is an airtel 3g sim card and im up and running. will also be able to wind my freinds up by posting pictures of hols on face book.
smudger2

That all sounds like Chinese to me Smudger but I am sure you will enjoy using it.