If you are planning to travel to an international destination anytime soon with an Airtel sim, you might want to check if you can get a valid international roaming plan. An international roaming plan is a compulsory check on your to-do list as you don’t want to be charged exorbitantly for a call when you are lost on the Pacific Crest Trail, in case you find any range in the first place.
In this article, we will discuss Airtel’s international roaming plans and every doubt that you may have regarding them in case you are planning a holiday or traveling abroad to study.
Also read: Why is your Airtel SIM not working on international roaming? 6 Fixes
Airtel international roaming plans
Airtel is one of India’s largest telecommunications network carriers which provides international roaming plans for anyone traveling out of India. When you venture out of India, you go beyond the network area that Airtel covers and when that happens, you are on roaming.
Airtel helps you pre-book International Roaming plans up to 30 days in advance and travel anytime. The plan comes into effect when your phone contacts an international mobile network. Airtel has also set standard rates to maintain uniformity and has divided the countries they cater to into two sets: Set 1 and Set 2.
Prepaid International Roaming Plans
| Prepaid IR packs | Validity | Voice charges | Data charges | SMS charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹649 | 1 Day | 100 mins free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | 500 MB free | 10 Free SMSs |
| ₹755 | 5 Days | – | 1 GB free | – |
| ₹756 | 5 Days | 100 mins free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | – | – |
| ₹899 | 10 Days | 100 mins free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | 1 GB free | 10 Free SMSs |
| ₹2997 | 365 Days | 100 mins free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | 2 GB free | 20 Free SMSs |
| ₹2998 | 30 Days | 200 mins free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | 5 GB free | 20 Free SMSs |
Airtel has also brought forth Global packs for prepaid customers that covers the most traveled countries:
| Global IR packs | Validity | Voice charges | Data charges | SMS charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹ 1199 | 30 Days | 100 Mins of Incoming & Outgoing Calls to India and the host country | 1 GB | Unlimited Incoming SMS |
| ₹ 799 | 30 Days | 100 Mins of Incoming & Outgoing Calls to India and the host country | – | Unlimited Incoming SMS |
| ₹ 4999 (coming soon) | 10 Days | Unlimited Incoming Calls, 500 minutes of outgoing calls to India and the host country | 1 GB / day | Unlimited incoming SMS |
Postpaid International Roaming Plans
| Postpaid IR packs | Validity | Voice charges | Data charges | SMS charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹649 | 1 Day | 100 min free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | Unlimited: Fair usage policy of reduced speed apply post 500 MB | 10 Free SMSs |
| ₹2999 | 10 Days | 100 min/day free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | Unlimited: Fair usage policy of reduced speed applies post 5 GB | 20 Free SMSs |
| ₹3999 | 30 Days | 100 min/day free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | Unlimited: Fair usage policy of reduced speed applies post 12 GB | 20 Free SMSs |
| ₹5999 | 90 Days | 900 min free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | Unlimited: Fair usage policy of reduced speed applies post 2 GB | 100 Free SMSs |
| ₹14999 | 365 Days | 3000 min free local outgoing calls, incoming calls, and calls to India | Unlimited: Fair usage policy of reduced speed applies post 15 GB | 100 Free SMSs |
You can now travel with unlimited data with a postpaid sim (coming soon):
| Global IR packs | Validity | Voice charges | Data charges | SMS charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹ 4999 | 10 Days | Unlimited Incoming Calls, 500 minutes of outgoing calls to India and the host country | 1 GB / day | Unlimited incoming SMS |
Also read: Jio international roaming: All you need to know
Do you need international roaming?
If you want to travel the world without worrying too much about your data and voice call charges, then you should consider buying an IR pack from Airtel. Initially, only postpaid customers could get International Roaming, however in 2018 Airtel brought out voice packs for prepaid users, and by 2020, they made IR packs operational for prepaid users.
Airtel has agreements with telecom carriers in more than 180 countries and you can use Airtel’s International Roaming packs to call your family or friends back home with ease. To be able to make online payments and receive OTPs or important work calls without any network disruption, one should consider buying an IR pack before or during their trip.
How to activate international roaming in Airtel?
If you have a prepaid Airtel sim, you can open your Airtel MyThanks app or visit this page on their website. If you have their app, follow the steps given below:
Scroll down to Shortcuts and tap on international roaming icon -> Select the country of your visit -> Enter your 10-digit mobile number -> Choose an appropriate international roaming pack
Your IR pack will be activated on arrival at your destination country. Unlike Jio’s in-flight coverage, Airtel does not cover aero mobile, in-flight, ship, cruise, maritime, and satellite areas. Standard rates will apply.
How to check if international roaming is activated in Airtel?
It is fairly easy to activate international roaming on your device. You can do so by switching on data roaming on your device.
Settings -> Network & internet -> Mobile network -> Tap on your Airtel sim -> Tap on Data Roaming -> Switch it on by setting it to All Network
You can activate Data Roaming after or before buying an International Roaming pack from Airtel. You can choose any plan from the IR pack for Airtel to work internationally.
Can Airtel receive SMS without international roaming?
Airtel’s prepaid sim comes with free International Roaming activated. So even if you have not bought an IR pack, you can receive messages. For calls, if you have enough money in your sim’s balance account, then you can also receive calls. You can also use a Wi-Fi connection to make calls online and receive messages.
Also read: How to contact Airtel customer care? List of Airtel USSD codes
How can I check my Airtel international roaming balance?
You can track your International Roaming balance by checking your Airtel Thanks app. This works for both prepaid and postpaid users in real-time.
How can I recharge my Airtel international roaming?
You can recharge your Airtel mobile number with a new or the same International Roaming plan by visiting this site or the same way as you did the first time. Visit the Airtel Thanks app, head to Shortcuts and tap on international roaming, fill in the required details, and choose your required plan.
How to cancel international roaming in Airtel?
You can deactivate your International roaming plan by a similar route taken during the activation of data roaming.
Head to settings -> Tap on Network & internet -> Tap on Mobile network -> Tap on the Airtel sim -> Tap on Data Roaming -> Switch it off by setting it to Disable
By just switching off your data roaming, your Airtel sim will no longer be charged according to your chosen international roaming plan. Every phone may have a different path to disable data roaming. You can also search for data roaming and directly disable it at the source.
Can I get OTP in international roaming?
Yes, you can get an OTP or receive any type of message as all incoming messages under International Roaming are free with a prepaid sim.
Does Airtel eSim support international roaming?
Yes, Airtel’s eSim works in International Roaming. You have to activate an International Roaming pack suitable for your needs on your eSim.
Also read: How to fix the error ’emergency calls only’ on Airtel?
