Plugs, phones & digital India

See below for a few tips on what to take to India as the country rapidly embraces the digital age.

Phone and Internet connections
Generally speaking there is good Internet, Wi-Fi and mobile phone coverage in India, but please note that more remote areas may not be fully covered. Increasingly hotels will offer Wi-Fi access in the lobby, or sometimes your room. Larger hotels may make a charge for this, but most hotels now include Wi-Fi in their rates. 

If you plan on using your mobile phone to make, or receive, calls from home you can save up to 90% of all call costs by purchasing a Global roaming SIM card from Aether Mobile www.aether-mobile.com. Please note that your phone needs to be unlocked, which can take up to one week to arrange through your provider. If you are using your home provider whilst overseas it is worth ensuring that data roaming is turned off unless you have a suitable tariff. 

Tablets & other devices
If you are taking an iPad, or other sort of tablet, then you will be able to download a range of applications that offer assistance with the local language or provide country guides & maps of India. If you choose not to take your mobile or tablet most hotels will have access to a PC, or a business centre, for online communication. Failing that there are a large number of Internet cafes throughout the country. 

Plugs etc.
Electricity sockets in India vary. Some are two pin, either flat or round, and some are three pin. Therefore, it is highly likely you will need an adapter. If you are travelling with multiple devices then you may wish to take a second adapter to facilitate overnight charging. Internet cafes can be found in larger towns and cities; rates for Internet access range from US$0.5-2 per hour.