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FAQ's

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1. How to Apply

Visit any of our Authorized Dealers
Visit our Airtel Relationship centers.

2. Change a Tariff Plan

Call our IVR at 121 and leave a request, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121. You can also walk in to any of our Customer Service Counters and give your request

3. Mobile - Transfer of Ownership

Either Transferor (the existing subscriber) or Transferee (new owner) to walk in to any of our Customer Service Centers. The first owner (Transferor) must settle all outstanding balance in his account and give a no objection letter before proceeding with the transfer. The transferee would need to fill a fresh agreement form and give all the documents required for a new connection.

For transfer of a connection in Company name, the no objection letter needs to on the company letterhead and signed by the authorized signatory.

Application on Behalf

If Transferor or Transferee is unable to apply in person; an authorized person may submit the application on behalf. He/She must produce the applicants' original documents, an authorization letter. The Subscriber Enrolment Form (obtainable from the counter) must be pre-signed by both the Transferor and the Transferee.

4. I see "PUK" on my mobile phone, what should I do?

"PUK" happens when you attempt to unlock your phone unsuccessfully after the third try. You will need a PUK code to unlock your mobile phone. Please call 121 and speak to our call center executive

5. What should I do when I see the words "SIM Card Rejected" or "Blocked Card" or "Check Operator Services"?

First check that your SIM card is properly put in place. Then switch the phone off and on. If the same message appears, you will need to replace the SIM card. To get a replacement SIM card, the registered customer must apply personally,at any of our Customer Service Centers.

Incase, you have a Nokia handset and you are getting "Check Operator Services" please refer to the handset manual for the same.

6. Why is my SIM card blocked?

A SIM card becomes permanently blocked after ten unsuccessful attempts to unlock due to incorrect PIN number entered.

7. What are the charges to replace the SIM card?

For replacement of a damaged SIM card, you would need to pay a nominal amount as a one time replacement charge.

8. Will I be charged if I make overseas calls to a friend but hear a system announcement instead?

If you are using your mobile phone/fixed-line to call an overseas number, the system announcement that you receive usually originates from the overseas network operator's system. Whether this system announcement from the foreign network operator's system is chargeable and will depend on the foreign operator's pricing scheme

9. I have lost my mobile phone, what should I do?

We are sorry about the loss of your mobile phone. We advise customers who have lost their mobile phone to call our hotline ( +919xxxx12345 if calling from overseas) immediately to report the loss. The mobile connection will be temporarily disconnected to prevent unauthorized calls. Alternatively, you may also visit our Customer Service Centers to report the loss of your mobile phone.

10. Do I have to pay for the unauthorized calls made from my lost mobile phone?

All calls, authorized or otherwise, made prior to the time of reporting to Airtel, will be borne by the customer.

11. I Have lost my mobile phone. How do I get a replacement SIM card for my spare / new handset?

You have to walk in to any of our Customer Service Centers with original identification documents. Airtel customers who have lost their SIM Card can get a replacement SIM card at a nominal cost. You may call up our customer care at 121 and ask if they can have the SIM delivered. (Please note this service is restricted to few areas only).

12. What if my mobile phone is found after I have reported the loss to Airtel Mobile?

To reconnect your mobile connection, the registered customer will have to walk in to any of our Customer Service Centers or call up 121.

13. Why am I unable to send SMS?

You will not be able to send SMS if you have not set up the Message Centre number correctly. This set-up process is a one-time effort. Generally, the steps are as follows. Please use them together with your hand phone manual if necessary:
STEPS:
Enter Menu Mode on your hand phone
Select "Messages" or "Mail" **
Select "Message Setting"
Select "SMS Centre", "Message Centre Number", "Route Centre" or its equivalent
Enter Message Centre Number:
(please confirm the number from your local call center)
Confirm selection
Select "Exit"/"Quit"
** Depending on your handphone model, "Message Setting" could be "Mail Setting" or "Message Editor".

14. I have already set up the Message Centre Number. Why am I still unable to send SMS?

If the problem still persists, you may c all us at 121 and leave a request, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121

To facilitate investigation, we require the following information:

Your mobile number

The receiving party's mobile phone number

Date and time the message was sent

The cellphone brand and model used

The display on the cellphone when the message was sent

The network logged on to

The message center number set up in the cellphone

15. What happens to my incoming SMS messages if my cellphone is switched off or out of signal range?

When your mobile phone is switched off or out of signal range, our Message Service Centre will continue to re-send the message to you at regular intervals for up to 24 hours.

16. Why didn't the intended recipient receive my SMS?

Here are some possible causes for delays in the receiving of SMS:

SIM Card memory is full. The recipient should delete some of the unwanted messages to enable more memory space.

The intended recipient did not turn on his phone or is not within coverage.

The recipient's battery power is depleted.

The message center may be experiencing congestion at that point in time.

17. How do I arrange for temporary suspension of mobile service?

To arrange for temporary suspension of mobile service, you may c all us at 121 and leave a request, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121 or walk in to any of our Customer Service Centres

18. How do I reconnect my mobile line if it is temporarily on suspension?

If you wish to reconnect a line that has been temporarily suspended. You may c all us at 121 and leave a request, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121. You can also walk in to any of our Customer Service Centers. Please note before reconnection you would be required to clear outstanding balance in your account

19. My Phone shows Full Strength but I can't make a call, why?

On some occasions, mobiles can receive signals from a number of base station towers. To make a call, the mobile will try to use the best available signal from the network.There are a few possible explanations here.
You are picking up a weaker signal that's bouncing off from objects a TV set, or the fading of the car radio signal.
The main signal is too weak to make a call and results in errors on the handset.
In some elevated locations, the handset will be able to see a number of base stations and these will interfere with the handset. Hi-rise buildings and hill tops can sometimes be a problem. Moving to a less elevated area, or the other side of a building may help.
Congestion may also cause this problem. This means that all the radio channels in the area are currently being used. Wait a few moments and try again.

20. Why do I see suburb/town names on my phone?

This is Cell Broadcast - a free service which allows information to be sent from a base station to all mobile phones that are located within the range of that base station. The information displayed on your Airtel Mobile handset is usually the name of the suburb you are in or a well-known landmark in the area, but look out for changes in the Cell Broadcast when you go to special events.

21. In what countries can I use my Airtel phone?

Before you go abroad, please check with our customer services team to ensure that your phone is set up correctly, and to find out how we can help you to stay in touch while traveling. For a full list of the countries where you can use Airtel,click here.

22. I am using my phone while abroad - how can I contact customer services to get help?

To get help while traveling anywhere in the world call us at +919810012345 and leave a request, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121

23. What are the alternatives to talking while driving?

Airtel voicemail will take messages and allow you to listen to these later. You can also divert your calls to another number or to your personal assistant.

24. How can I make payments while roaming? What are the modes of payments?

Airtel has introduced "Anywhere payment" facility that offers you the convenience of making your payments when you are travelling out of your home network. You can now walk into any Airtel relationship centers anywhere in the country and make your payments by cash or credit card. This exclusive "Anywhere payment" facility lets you enjoy uninterrupted Airtel Services even when you are roaming out of your home network. You also make online payments for your or any other postpaid number from anywhere in India or abroad.

Standing Instructions
You can give us standing instructions allowing us to debit your credit card account for your monthly Airtel bills. All you have to do is fill the Standing Instruction Form and mail or fax it to us.

Electronic Clearing System
Fill an ECS form and we will directly debit your bank account every month. The amount debited will be the same as your monthly Airtel phone bill.

25. What is credit limit?

As per the international practice followed by telecom operators, we use the concept of credit limit. Your credit limit helps you keep mobile costs in control, track of your usage and ensures no misuse of your mobile phone. It is like the spending limit on your credit card. We have preset a dynamic credit limit defined basis history of your association with us, security deposit and your average usage.

26. How does it work?

Your dynamic credit limit is defined on the basis of your security deposit, your average usage and history of your association with us. As you reach XX% of your credit limit you'll be informed through a voice or a non-voice message. In case you exceed your Credit Limit, there's a temporary restriction on your making calls and sending messages. However, you can still receive incoming calls and text messages, and make emergency calls. To start the services on your mobile again, you can simply make an interim payment to bring your account outstanding below the credit limit.

27. What if I exceed my credit limit?

Should you exceed 90% of your credit limit you'll be intimated through a voice or a non-voice message. If you reach your Credit Limit, there's a temporary restriction on your making calls and sending messages . However you can still receive incoming calls and text messages, and make emergency calls. At Airtel we also constantly review the credit limits set for our customers. If a customer's usage steadily increases, and he has a good payment record we automatically raise the credit limit.

28. What do I do if I exceed my credit limit?

Remember if you exceed your credit limit all you need to do is to make an interim payment and reduce your account balance below your credit limit. Alternatively you may opt for our convenient payment method of Credit Card standing instruction or ECS from your bank account. T he usage will automatically be debited from your credit card or bank.

29. Will my incoming calls also get barred if I do not make the interim payment?

Sir/Ma'am, Incoming calls will be barred if interim payment is not made within 10 days from the date when outgoing calls were barred.

30. How do I increase my usage limit?

Sir/Ma'am, At Airtel we regularly review the credit limits set for our customers. If your usage steadily increases, and you maintain a good payment record we automatically raise the credit limit. If you foresee, that your usage is likely to exceed the credit limit allocated to you, you can simply make an additional deposit payment. Your credit limit will automatically be increased by the amount of additional deposit paid. You can also increase your credit limit by a convenient payment method of Credit Card standing instruction or a direct debit from your bank account.

31. What is a missed call alert?

A missed call alert is a SMS that you will receive for all the calls that you missed. The SMS will detail the CLI and the time when the call was made.

32. How to I deactivate this service?

You can deactivate and later reactivate this service from your handset. Else you may need to borrow USSSD supporting handset, insert your SIM card reactivate or deactivate the service
To deactivate dial *135*1# and press Call button and wait for the request to be completed.

33. How do I reactivate this service?

To reactivate, dial *135*2# and then press call button and wait for the request to be completed

34. What is voice mail service?

When you cannot receive calls, The Reach Me service helps you by picking your calls for you. The callers are diverted to your Voice Mail Box, where callers can leave their messages, which are stored for you.

Your Voice Mail gets activated:
When your cellular phone is unreachable (not in coverage area/cellular phone is switched off)
When there is no reply for 30 secs
When you are busy

Callers will hear a pre-recorded greeting, after which they can leave their message. In case your caller does not record a message and hangs before the "Beep", you will receive a missed call alert stating his number.

35. How do I activate Voice mail?

You can activate the Service yourself from your handset, for the scenarios of your choice. Just go to call divert option on your handset, select the condition (eg. Switched Off / Not Reachable / Not Answered in 30 sec / Divert all calls / Divert when busy), then select other number.

36. How do I de-activate this facility?

Very simple. Just go to call divert, then go to the feature you want to deactivate (e.g. divert when busy etc.) the feature, which you don't want. If the customer wants to deactivate all the features he can go to cancel all diverts and the service gets cancelled

37. Can I retrieve Voice Message from landline?

No, you can retrieve messages only from your mobile phone.

38. Can I retrieve the messages from another mobile phone?

No, you cannot retrieve messages from another mobile phone.

39. How do I retrieve Voice Message during National Roaming?

You would get missed call alert or voice message notification while roaming and can retrieve your message by dialing the ten digit Voice mail number (to know the number contact your local customer service). Please note that you will receive missed call/voice mail alerts while roaming only if your cell phone is switched off.

40. What is Call waiting?

It's a basic supplementary service given along with the connection so, now there is no chance of missing an important call while you are on the phone!

If you are online with party B and party C calls you
You will get to know that C is calling ('C waiting' will show on screen) and you will get a chance to swap your calls.
In case you don't accept the call from C and after the call with B is over, you will get a missed call from C whom you can call later.
While dialing your number, C will not get you as busy

41. I don't want this service, please disconnect it for me?

With call waiting facility, there is no chance of missing an important call while you are on the phone & it comes free of cost. Incase you want to deactivate it you can do so from the handset by going into the menu options. In settings/call settings / call waiting press deactivate. You can also activate this service whenever you require from the handset itself

42. What is Caller Line Identification?

You can check your caller's telephone name and number on your phone screen whenever you receive a call. This gives you the flexibility to either accept or reject an incoming call. This service is also helpful in identifying your missed calls.

43. How to activate

You can give a request for activation of this service by dialing 121, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121.

Please note: There may be occasions when the number of the incoming caller does not appear. This happens because this service also depends on the landline (PSTN) exchange and other cellular service providers.

44. What is Call Divert / Forwarding

If you are busy or away or your phone is switched off, you can simply forward all incoming calls to a landline or another mobile phone where someone can receive messages on your behalf.

45. How can I activate it?

You can activate Call Divert / Forwarding by using the menu function of your phone. Scroll to call setting forwarding and activate for the following options

All calls,
If busy
If no reply
If not reachable/switched off

46. What is GPRS?

GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. It allows always ON data connectivity at high speeds

47. What is MMS?

AirTel MMS gives you the power to combine pictures, photos, animations, speech, audio and text for the ultimate messaging experience. A multimedia message can consist of a photo or picture postcard that can be attached with text and/or an audio clip. Airtel MMS makes it possible for mobile users to send these multimedia messages from MMS-enabled handsets to other mobile users and to e-mail. It also makes it possible for mobile users to receive multimedia messages from other mobile users and from internet based applications.

48. How can I use MMS services? What do I need to do to use MMS?

To use MMS services, you require a MMS enabled phone and your MMS services need to be activated.
You can give a request for activation of this service by dialing 121, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121 respectively and our customer care executive will help you with your handsets MMS settings.

49. What is My Album?

The album allows you to store your favorite MMS pictures online. Not just for storage, the website offers a unique insight into other people's MMS as you can see what they have shared. Users can choose to keep their treasured MMS private, or opt to share messages in the forum-style site. This will provide something that is both useful in letting you save things that are important to you; and fun in letting you share your messages with your mates and the wider world.

50. How do I view the Album?

You can view the album on the Internet by logging into the web site http://www.airtelworld.com/mmsalbum

51. What is Airtel Live?

Airtel Live is a multiple access mobile destination that provides you an exciting variety of rich content that you can experience & download. With Airtel Live, you now have the freedom to choose how you want to download your favourite content. There are various ways in which you can access these properties. These are as mentioned below:

Voices based applications - Call 56465 and speak your request. You can get a host of services viz.

	Ring tones : Dial 56465 & say "Ring tones" to d ownload your favourite ringtones from Bollywood / Hollywood / IndiPop / Western Music etc
	Music messaging : Dial 56465 & say Music cards f or Music messaging.
	Astrology : Know your future as told by Bejan Daruwala
	Cricket : Dial 56465 & say Cricket to know the latest on the on-going Cricket Match(es)
	Jokes : Dial 56465 & say Jokes to laugh all the way with funny Jokes
	Movie review : Dial 56465 & say Movies to hear review of the latest Movies, know which movie is playing where and at what time.
	Radio Mirchi content : Dial 56465 & say Mirchi to hear the Best of Radio Mirchi right on your mobile.
	Harsha Tales : Listen to interesting stories on Cricket from Harsha Bhogle.

SMS based applications -

Ring tone : Send LIST to 56465 to get a list of tones & their ID's.


Eg: Tone Id	Tone
41	Addicted

To download type keyword TONE (for Nokia & Samsung handsets) & ETONE (for other handsets) and send it to short code 56465.

Logos : Send 'Logo<space>ID' to 56465

Picture Message : Send 'Pic<space>ID' to 56465

News headlines : Send 'News' to 56465

Financial news : Send 'FIN' to 56465

Sports headlines : Send 'SPO' to 56465

Cricket headlines : Send 'CRI' to 56465

Airtel Live on your SIM - Airtel Live comes pre-loaded on your SIM Card. It would appear either as Airtel Services or Airtel Live, when you scroll through your phone menu. You can also use ?Airtel Live' / ?Airtel Services' on your SIM to get the latest services & download rich content.

Airtel Live Portal - If you have a GPRS enabled handset, you can browse the Airtel Live portal and also download Polyphonic ring tones, Wallpapers, Video Clips, True Tones, Animated Greetings, Java Games, Colour Logos, and much more. Just send SMS as 'Airtel<space>live' (or 'Live') to 646 for service settings for your phone. After saving the settings go to the services menu on your handset to log on to 'Services' and click on 'Home' to access the Airtel Live portal at http://live.airtelworld.com/

52. How can I use Airtel Live portal? What do I need to do to use Airtel Live?

To use Airtel Live portal, you require a GPRS capable phone and your Airtel Live for GPRS needs to be activated. You can give a request for activation of this service by dialing 121, you can also send in your requests through email 121@airtelindia.com or SMS at 121 respectively and our customer care executive will help you with your handsets settings.

Save the settings sent to you by the customer care. After saving the settings go to the services menu on your handset to log ongo to Services and click on Home to access the Airtel Live portal. Browse through the site and download what you want. On a Sony Ericsson handset, you need to modify the home page to http://live.airtelworld.com/ to access the service by clicking on the homepage.

53. Can the customer get the settings from any source other than the Customer care?

The customers can SMS 'Airtel<space>live' to 56465 to get the settings. The settings will be available on the Web Site also for handsets that don't support OTA settings. After saving the settings go to the services menu on your handset to log on to Services and click on Home to access the Airtel Live portal.

54. What is HELLO TUNES service?

Airtel has launched a unique service for its privileged customers called 'Hello Tunes'. Today, when someone calls you, he or she typically hears the "Trring Trring". With 'HELLO TUNES' you can replace this "ring back tone" with a song that you select. For example if you can choose 'Dil Chhata Hai' as your Ring Back Tone. After your selection all your callers will hear 'Dil Chhata Hai' song while the call is being connected to you.

55. How can I select a song (avail the service)?

You can avail this service by simply dialing 55055 from your Airtel. You will get connected to an IVR. You can first select your default language and then follow the prompts to select the song of your choice.

Note : The company 'Bharti Airtel Ltd' does not pay any interest on security deposit.

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