There are so many things that you have to take care of when you are travelling abroad. Hotels, flight check-ins, visas – a long list. However, one thing that most people forget or ignore is activating international roaming on their SIM cards. Activating an International Roaming pack on your SIM card is crucial – as it helps you to receive calls on your phone, use mobile data, getting OTPs and bank messages even when you are abroad. The International Roaming plan helps you to convert your regular SIM into an overseas SIM card or an abroad SIM card. Basically, by activating an International Roaming plan, you will be able to efficiently use your Indian number in a foreign country without any hassles, just like you would in India.
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Will my Airtel SIM be active by default for international roaming?
International roaming service is inactive on your smartphone, as a default setting. So, to enjoy seamless calling, SMS, and data benefits when you are abroad, make sure that you activate the IR pack.
For Airtel postpaid customers who are not on an Airtel International Roaming pack, they will only be charged when they use Airtel’s services (calls, mobile data, etc.). On the other hand, Airtel prepaid customers who are not using the international roaming service will need to have enough recharge balance on their SIM cards before they leave India to continue to enjoy Airtel’s services. However, whether you’re a prepaid or a postpaid customer, you must activate an international roaming pack whenever you travel abroad.
Activating International Roaming on your Airtel mobile number also ensures that you continue to receive bank account-based messages or OTPs on your registered mobile number. You can keep a steady track of your bank account activity too. This will not be possible if you switch over to a local SIM on your international trip.
Read more: The best SIM card for tourists and international travellers
How to activate Airtel international roaming on your Airtel number?
You can activate your Airtel international SIM card in 4 ways. And, no matter which method you try out, it will take no more than 3 or 4 minutes to activate your Airtel international SIM plan. Here are the methods:
Using Airtel Thanks
Open the Airtel Thanks app and toggle international roaming from there.
Reach out to the Airtel call centre
You can call on 121 if you are in India, or 99100-99100 (toll-free) if you are outside the country, in order to keep your Airtel SIM card active.
WhatsApp us on 99100-99100
Feel free to text us at 99100-99100 via WhatsApp and we will help you to activate your SIM card for your international trip.
Send an SMS
You can even send an SMS to 121 with the text IRSTART in order to activate the IR service.
Thus, there are multiple ways for you to keep your Airtel number activated during your trip. With the Airtel International Roaming plans, you will always have a wide variety of prepaid as well as postpaid plans to keep you connected.
Read more: How to activate international roaming?
Airtel International Roaming Plans for Prepaid Connection
| S.No | Roaming packs | Validity | Voice | Data | SMS | Additional Benefits |
| 1 | Rs.648 | 1 | 100 mins | 1GB | 10 | – |
| 2 | Rs.798 | 5 | 150 mins | 2GB | 20 | – |
| 3 | Rs.1098 | 10 | 200 mins | 3GB | 20 | – |
| 4 | Rs.2998 | 30 | 300 mins | 10GB | 100 | In-flight benefits : 250MB, 100mins outgoing calls, 100 outgoing SMS |
| 5 | Rs.4000 | 365 | 100 mins | 5GB | 100 | Pack benefits for India : 1.5GB/day, unlimited calls & 100 SMS/day |
Airtel International Roaming Plans for Postpaid Connection
| S.No | Roaming packs | Validity | Voice | Data | SMS | Additional Benefits |
| 1 | Rs.648 | 1 | 100 mins | Unlimited* | 10 | – |
| 2 | Rs.2999 | 10 | 100 mins/day | Unlimited* | 20 | – |
| 3 | Rs.3999 | 30 | 100 mins/day | Unlimited* | 20 | In-flight benefits : 250 MB, 100 mins outgoing calls, 100 outgoing SMS |
| 4 | Rs.5999 | 90 | 900 mins | Unlimited* | 100 | In-flight benefits : 250 MB, 100 mins outgoing calls, 100 outgoing SMS |
| 5 | Rs.14999 | 365 | 3000 mins | Unlimited* | 100 | In-flight benefits : 250 MB, 100 mins outgoing calls, 100 outgoing SMS |
*these benefits are applicable in countries like USA, Canada, Australia & most parts of Europe & Gulf.
Choose Airtel IR plans as your preferred option for travelling abroad and make the most out of your international trips!
