Mobile Operators & SIM Cards in India

Mobile networks in India

Mobile lines by operator, as of August 2026 (wireless mobile connections, including machine-to-machine SIMs). Sources are listed at the end of the page.

These totals include 140.50 million machine-to-machine (M2M) connections, and Bharti Airtel alone has 86.06 million of them, so its count of phone users is lower than the table suggests.

Buying a SIM card in India as a visitor

• India's digital KYC process for new SIMs also applies to foreign customers, along with the extra safeguards that apply to them.
• To get a new mobile connection, you visit the operator's authorized point of sale (or the agent comes to you), and you must have your original identity and address documents with you.
• A live photograph of you is taken at the point of sale and embedded in the customer form.
• You sign the form with a one-time password (OTP) sent to another mobile number of yours; if you don't have one, the number of a family member, relative or someone you know may be used.
• The SIM is activated only after the operator's representative has checked and digitally signed the form, followed by tele-verification.
• The Department of Telecommunications discontinued the paper-based KYC process (paper form with pasted photo and document copies) from January 1, 2024.
• At Vi, a foreign national's proof of identity is the passport and visa, and a local reference is mandatory.
• Vi says the local reference must provide supporting documents as proof; a self-declaration is not enough.
• Jio asks for original proof of identity and proof of address documents, such as a passport, at Jio stores, Reliance Digital or Jio retailers.
• Airtel says a foreign national's mobile number stays valid until the visa's validity date.

Bring your original passport and visa to an operator's store, and line up a contact in India, such as a relative, who can receive the verification OTP on their mobile number and, for Vi, act as your local reference with their own supporting documents.

Prepaid offer examples

Prices from each operator's own website or announcements, checked on September 29, 2026. Offers change often, so confirm before you buy.

Using your US phone in India

Whether your US plan covers India, and at what cost, depends on the plan, so check your carrier's international page before you go. Our guide to using your US phone abroad covers roaming, Wi-Fi calling and bill surprises.

To call India from the US, dial 011 + 91 + the number: see how to call India and the India phone number format.

FAQ

Can I buy an Indian SIM card with a US passport?

India's digital KYC process for new SIMs also applies to foreign customers, along with the extra safeguards that apply to them. At Vi, a foreign national's proof of identity is the passport and visa, and a local reference is mandatory. Jio asks for original proof of identity and proof of address documents, such as a passport, at Jio stores, Reliance Digital or Jio retailers.

Do I need a local reference or an Indian phone number to get a SIM?

It depends on the operator, and a relative in India can help. You sign the form with a one-time password (OTP) sent to another mobile number of yours; if you don't have one, the number of a family member, relative or someone you know may be used. At Vi, a foreign national's proof of identity is the passport and visa, and a local reference is mandatory. Vi says the local reference must provide supporting documents as proof; a self-declaration is not enough.

How long does an Indian SIM stay active for a foreign visitor?

Airtel says a foreign national's mobile number stays valid until the visa's validity date.

Which is the biggest mobile operator in India?

Reliance Jio had 508,431,905 wireless (mobile) connections at the end of August 2026, up from 506,030,343 in July (Annexure-II, Total row). Bharti Airtel had 491,599,117 wireless (mobile) connections at the end of August 2026, a net addition of 2,110,812 in the month (Annexure-II, Total row). At the end of August 2026, private operators held 92.75% of India's wireless (mobile) connections, and the public-sector BSNL and MTNL together held 7.25%.

What does "2 GB/day" mean on Indian prepaid plans?

Jio's ₹349 prepaid plan includes unlimited voice, 56 GB of data (2 GB/day), 100 SMS/day and Jio apps, valid for 28 days. On these Jio plans, "unlimited" data means the daily high-speed allowance, then 64 kbps; unlimited 5G data is only for eligible subscribers.

Who owns Vi (Vodafone Idea)?

Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) describes itself as a partnership between the Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group.