FAQ

Idea Cellular has Idea Customer Centres (ICC) located across various cities to provide over-the-counter service. At the ICCs, subscribers are provided with prompt assistance and detailed information on how to take a cellular connection, how to activate the line, how to make payments and related queries and complaints if any. Please refer Customer Care section to get more information.

The main corporate office is at: 5th Floor, Windsor, CST Road, Kalina, SantaCruz (E), Mumbai-400098 The registered office is at: Suman Tower, Plot No. 18, Sector-11, Gandhinagar 382 011. In addition to it, there are several regional offices.

Idea Cellular is committed to achieving total coverage. Its advanced cellular network build-up helps it offer seamless coverage in nearly 2200 towns and unsurpassed highway coverage across all its circles of operation. It is the first cellular operator in India to offer uninterrupted highway coverage across all its circles of operation.

Idea Cellular operates in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar & Jharkhand, Delhi & NCR, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh, Maharasthra & Goa, Mumbai, NESA, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil-Nadu, Uttar Pradesh-East, Uttar Pradesh-West , West Bengal.

In the year 2001, the Aditya Birla Group, the TATA Group and the world's largest telecom giant AT&T Wireless, USA came together to form Idea Cellular. The year 2002 saw the launch of brand Idea. In the year 2006, Idea Cellular Ltd has become an Aditya V Birla Group company. The Aditya Birla Group has acquired the entire 48.14% holding of the Tata Group in the company. The combined holding of the Aditya Birla Group companies in Idea now stands at around 57 per cent.

Selective barring of only the outgoing STD calls is not possible currently. You will have to choose the Bar All Outgoing Calls option to bar STD calls. In this event, do remember, all outgoing calls (local/ STD/ ISD) get barred.

Activation and deactivation of call barring is protected by a password. The default password is 0000, which is a 4-digit number. You can change it to the number of your choice from the handset menu. To change the default password, enter:**03*330* then 0000* then the new password * and then new password and # and DIAL / YES key.

The call barring feature can be activated/ deactivated from the handset by selecting the relevant options from the handset menu. The call barring options are generally available under the handset menu options of ‘Settings’, ‘call settings’. Activation and deactivation of call barring is protected by a password. The default password is 0000, which is a 4-digit number.

Call barring is a facility that needs activation and is also handset-dependent. In case your handset is compatible, you also need to send in a written request to activate this facility.

This is a security feature, designed to prevent the possible misuse of your cellular phone. You can selectively bar all incoming calls and all outgoing calls and thereby prevent others from using your cellular phone.

One can divert calls under any of the four options viz. divert all calls, divert when busy, divert when no reply and divert when switched off. This can be done in the following way: All Calls : (activate and cancel call divert as explained above) Busy : **67* then the divert number and again # and DIAL / YES key (to activate) and # # 67# and DIAL / YES key (to cancel) No Reply : **61* then the divert number and again # and DIAL / YES key (to activate) and # # 61# and DIAL / YES key (to cancel) Switched Off : **62* then the divert number and again # and DIAL / YES key (to activate) and # # 62 # and DIAL / YES key (to cancel)

The call divert feature can be activated/deactivated from the handset by selecting the correct options from handset menu. Alternately, just enter **21* then the divert number, and then again # and DIAL / YES key to activate call divert. Enter # # 21# and the DIAL / YES key to cancel call divert.

Call divert feature is beneficial especially when you are in a meeting or have travelled outside the coverage area. With this feature, your calls can be diverted to another Idea Cellular connection. This ensures that all your calls are answered or kept a record of.

Call divert is a handset-dependent feature and is based on the handset compatibility. However, it is a pre-activated feature from the network. So, if your handset has this feature then you can avail of it simply by activating the handset option.

Call divert enables you to divert an incoming call to a cellular phone. This way you can have your calls attended to when you are unable to do so. The call can be diverted to any other Idea Cellular connection within the home network.

One can easily opt out of the conference mid-way by simply disconnecting the call. However, to terminate the conference completely, the person initiating the conference has to disconnect the call.

You can conference with up to 5 people at the same time. You can therefore add more numbers to the group, subject to the maximum number not being exceeded. This can be done in the middle of the conference by entering 2 + 3 + the new number + 3 + the DIAL / YES key.

Call conferencing can be initiated in the following way: Make the first call by simply dialing the desired number normally. Then put the called party on hold by entering 2 and the DIAL / YES key. Then make the next call by dialing the desired number normally Finally get everybody talking together by entering 3 and the DIAL / YES key.

Call conference is a handset-dependent feature and is not compatible with all handsets. You may refer to your handset manual to check the compatibility of your handset. Further, to use call conference feature, it needs to be activated from the network, for which you need to forward a request (either written or telephonic). Once activated, the said feature can be used as per your requirement.

This feature allows you to have a teleconference with up to five people at the same time, from wherever you are. You can conference with either cellular or landline phones, including STD and ISD calls. However, this service can be used only if the CW/ CH feature is enabled.

This feature gives you the details of all calls made and received during a month. Your monthly bill thus comes with the details of the numbers called/ received, time and date of the calls, duration of each call, amount charged etc. This is an optional feature, and is activated on request.

To put your current call on hold and switch between two calls, you need to choose the correct options from your handset screen. Alternately, to put a call on hold or to switch between calls, just press 2 and the DIAL / YES key. To end the current call and take the call on hold, just enter 1 and the DIAL / YES key.

If you are on a call and receive a second call, your CW feature alerts you with a special tone and you will hear the beeps at regular intervals. You then have the option to either put the first call on hold and answer the new call, or reject it.

The CW/ CH feature can be enabled/disabled from the handset by selecting the correct options from the handset menu or by entering a generic code: * 43 * 11#.

This feature is handset-dependent and you need to activate/cancel the CW/ CH option from the handset to enable/disable the same, as per your requirement.

Call Wait/ Call Hold (CW/ CH) allows you to receive or make a second call, by putting the first call on hold and also to switch between the two calls at the same time.

The number of the caller may not appear in spite of you having the CLIP feature because it is dependent on the network or exchange from which the call has originated. For example, if the exchange is a non-automatic one, calls originating from it will not show on the CLIP.

CLIP allows you to identify the caller by displaying the number on the handset. This gives you the benefit of accepting or rejecting the call. In case the name of the caller has been saved in the phonebook, then the same would flash on the screen on receipt of the call.

Cellular telephony offers various additional services referred to as call management services (CMS), which help users to manage their calls better. Most of these features are optional and can be availed on request. These are Caller Line Identification Presentation (CLIP), Call Wait/ Call Hold (CW/ CH), Itemised Billing, Call Conference (CC), Call Divert (CD) and Call Barring (CB).

You can request for plan change at our My Idea or call our customer service desk and the same shall be changes within 24 hours . Please note that on the day of plan / pack change, the rental of the new plan will be charged, however the tariff of new plan will be applicable the next day.

As a Postpaid subscriber, you will be charged for calls made in home network and calls made & received in roaming networks as per the Home /Roaming Network pulse rate of the plan selected.

We, at Idea Cellular provide you with cellular services only. There are several outlets in your local market that can provide you with handsets of your choice. However, we do at times have offers combining handsets with the subscriptions.

The STD/ ISD and roaming features will be installed after realization of relevant deposit/(s) and completion of the  address verification process.

It is very simple to get a connection for Idea Cellular. Our sales executives could come to your residence and provide you with necessary information pertaining to a new connection and also help you in taking it. Alternatively, you may also visit our nearest "My Idea" (My Idea Address Locator link) and ask our customer service executive for the required assistance.

To take a connection under a corporate account, the CAF form needs to be signed by the authorized signatory of your company. Also the proof of billing should be that of the company and the proof of identity should be that of the authorized signatory. The company is required to undertake the payment for the new subscription and furnish the PAN (in the absence of the PAN, the Form 60 needs to be signed).

STD/ ISD and roaming are optional features. These attract a one-time charge and a deposit for activation of the card. The deposit is refundable upon deactivation of the said features.

While taking a new post-paid connection, you will be required to pay a one-time activation charge and a security deposit, as applicable. The onetime activation fee attracts an applicable service tax. The security deposit is refundable. Your SIM card will be activated on completion of all these formalities.

To avail a post-paid connection, you will be required to arrange for the following documents: Proof of Address like landline telephone or electricity bill or lease agreement. Proof of Identity like driving license, passport or voter's identity card. Your PAN or GIR in case you aren't able to provide either, you will be required to sign on Form 60. A passport size photograph of yourself.

A post-paid subscription is also called a billing connection. In this type of a connection, you can avail of the cellular connection first and pay for the usage at the end of the month. To avail this type of connection, you will be required to submit a signed Customer Application Form (CAF) along with certain specified documents. Your connection will be activated post the payment of the applicable one-time charge or activation fee, a refundable deposit and verification of the requisite documents. On consistent & regular payment and high usage patterns, you could win yourself the opportunity to enjoy exclusive loyalty and frequent user facilities provided by Idea Cellular

As a Prepaid subscriber, you will be charged for calls made in home network and calls made & received in roaming networks as per the Home network/Roaming pulse rate of the plan selected. (Example: 60 second is 1 pulse and charge per pulse is Rs.1 then if the call made for 73 second then charges for that call will be Rs.2 for 2 pulse)

All prepaid cards come pre-activated with STD/ ISD facility. Therefore, you will not have to pay any one-time charges or deposits towards availing the said features.

As per Government of India regulations, subscribers are required to sign on the verification form and furnish their PAN card, 1 passport size photograph, photo-identification and proof of address. In case the PAN is not available then Form 60 needs to be filled. For outstation & foreign nationals, additional details of local reference are also required in addition to the above mentioned documents.

You need to purchase a recharge coupon, which is available in various denominations. The prepaid card can be charged over the air (remote charging) from your cellular phone by calling the toll-free prepaid IVR. To charge the account, simply feed the voucher number (concealed under a black strip) from the scratch card (given along with the recharge coupon) in the IVR and complete the IVR flow. Once done, your account gets charged and the card is ready for use.

As a prepaid subscriber, you will be charged for calls made and received as per the airtime tariff plan and the pulse rate pre-loaded on the card. Whenever other networks are called either on local, STD or ISD, appropriate landline cost will also be deducted along with airtime. The calling value in the account gets decremented against real time usage.

Once the grace period has expired, the prepaid subscription gets permanently deactivated. In this case, you will need to buy a new prepaid card and get a new Idea Cellular number as the old number can no longer be allotted.

Every recharge coupon has a pre-defined calling value and a validity period OR usage & recharge condition. For cards with  predefined validity period,  you need to use the entire amount of your coupon within a certain time limit. In case you exceed the time limit or the coupon value, your number will be deactivated till such time as you renew your coupon. You will be given a grace period beyond this time limit to recharge your account. If the account is not recharged within the first 15 days of the grace period, the balance if any, is forfeited. For Cards with Long validity, you are expected to maintain the usage & recharge as per the product condition, to avoid disconnection.

You will need to buy a prepaid card, which may or may not have a preloaded calling value. If there is no default preloaded calling value, then you will need to buy a recharge coupon to add calling value to your account. These recharge coupons are available in different denominations.

A prepaid subscription is like a ‘cash & carry’ subscription, designed for quick convenience and ease of mobility. To subscribe, do ask for the ‘IDEA Chitchat’ brand at our outlets. Under this subscription, you can pay in advance for using the services and your credit balance on the subscription keeps reducing in real time against usage.

You will need to buy a prepaid card, which may or may not have a preloaded calling value. If there is no default preloaded calling value, then you will need to buy a recharge coupon to add calling value to your account. These recharge coupons are available in different denominations.

International roaming offers you one of the finest roaming footprints in most GSM countries in Europe, Africa, Far East Asia and Central Asia. You are thus assured of the most comprehensive coverage across the globe when you leave the shores of your country.

All calls made to the Helpline numbers of the roaming operator are charged in accordance with the applicable roaming airtime rates. All calls made to the Helpline number of the home network from the roaming network are also chargeable.

In case you are unable to log in to the visited network automatically or manually, then you may check with your local operator for the network update. If the local operator confirms that there is no network problem, then you can call our Customer Care Helpline (of the home network) for further assistance.

National roaming helps you avail larger footprints across the nation. To ensure that our subscribers get the maximum cellular footprints across the country, our national roaming feature gives you comprehensive coverage across the entire country. This does not include Jammu and Kashmir, and the North Eastern States (barring Guwahati and Shillong) currently.

The roaming usage is billed in the respective Idea Cellular invoice. The monthly invoice reflects the roaming usage in the said billing period, if any. The call details are generated only if the subscriber has opted for the itemised billing feature.

On reaching the roaming network, you will automatically get a signal from the visiting network. If automatic selection is not working, you can also do a manual network setting from your handset. For this, just select the manual mode from the network selection option in your handset menu.

While roaming, subscribers get the CLIP, CW/ CH and SMS features by default. Likewise, you can use call barring (all incoming calls) and access voice mail, if applied for. However, you will be charged the applicable rates of the roaming operator for SMS used in the roaming network.

In case of National Roaming, the STD feature needs to be active to make and receive calls from different roaming networks across the country. Similarly, for International Roaming, you should have ISD feature to be able to use roaming outside the home country.

To suit the roaming needs of different subscribers, Idea Cellular has tailor made three different types of roaming viz. - National Roaming - Global Roaming

Roaming is defined as the feature which enables subscribers to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data / messages or access other services when traveling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network.

Home network is the network that belongs to your network provider i.e. the origin of subscription for you. In a roaming network, the home network service provider ties up with another national or international service provider to provide you with access, when in that part of the country/ world.

You can connect your handset to pc or laptop through a data cable; infrared or blue tooth port (handset dependable feature). 1. Install the drivers (i.e., software communicate between the two hardware’s) provided with the handset 2. Go to control panel 3. Open phone & modem option 4. Go to Modem Tab 5. Select the installed drivers 6. Go to the properties and then select Advance tab. 7. There you will find an empty text box, where you have to write at+cgdcont=1,”ip”,”internet. Select OK and then connect to Internet through the dialler.

Magic MMS will be charged at Rs 5/- for every message sent. However messages to know the list of categories (Magic) and help messages (Magic help) will be charged Rs 3/-.

The total length of the SMS can be 160 characters.

MMS messages can be sent to mobile users across the country. However the MMS can only be received by users having MMS phones & an activated MMS service. Those who don’t have MMS handsets or an MMS service or MMS interoperability with IDEA will receive legacy MMS messages.

This service can be used by all IDEA subscribers. This includes both pre-paid and post-paid subscribers

You can specify the recipient mobile number in any of the following formats: 9822012345 09822012345 +919822012345 919822012345

The Magic MMS application works on the 4777 short code and all SMS are to be sent to this number. The various message formats to use the service are as follows - - To send a Magic MMS: Magic <Category> <Message (optional)> <Recipient Mob no> e.g. 1) Magic birthday Have a great birthday 9822012345 2) Magic love 9822012345 Note – Message is optional. - To know the list of categories: Magic - To know how to use the service: Magic help

MAGIC MMS is a unique fun application, which allows you to communicate with your friends and love ones through cute, funny & chirpy images. MAGIC MMS allows every mobile user to send MMS messages. To send a MAGIC MMS subscribers write an SMS and sending it to 4777. Their greetings and feelings will get illustrated with cute images. This service is available to all IDEA prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

You can see pictures, but black and white only. As most cellular phones have a green background, it is technically black and green. The restriction is twofold; firstly there are very few cellular phones that have colour displays. However, the main reason is speed. As stated before, the data speed of a cellular phone is quite slow compared to a domestic modem, so pictures take a while to download. Keeping them simple will reduce the amount of time it takes to download.

Firstly, while it is true that cellular phone data speeds will get faster, it will take several years, and even then not everyone will upgrade to the new systems. So, on that premise, WAP will be around for a minimum of five years, which in the Internet world, is a massively long time! Also, web browsers for the PC, such as the one you are now using, will soon come with the ability to view WAP pages, so you won't even need a WAP enabled cellular phone. Finally, it doesn't cost a lot to put WAP into a cellular phone, and prices are falling all the time. So it is expected that by the third quarter of this year, almost all new cellular phones sold will be WAP enabled. I just got a phone but cannot see any sites…There could be a few reasons for that. Firstly, have you or the company that sold you the phone, set up the WAP gateway in the phone? You will need to check with the phone manual to check how to do that. If the gateway was not set-up, we advise that you contact your provider, as they may set it up at their end as well. Another thing is to check that you typed in the WAP page address, not the normal web page address, as most but not all WAP addresses are different. Finally, the phone has to be able to send and receive data, as well as the usual voice calls. Not all networks actually enable that service when you buy the phone, so you may need to contact them to double check that you can send data.

Currently, WAP phones do not support audio and video files. However, with the coming of GPRS which supports large bandwidth, cellular phones of the future will have multimedia capability.

This is possible. The companies that manufacture SIM cards used in GSM and TDMA phones are working on a new SIM-based WAP browser. It won't be as fully featured as a normal WAP phone, but it will offer a basic WAP service. It will offer a cheap way of getting WAP service if you don’t want to change your phone.

WAP is developed using WML. This is a subset of XML and HTML and supports a very limited range of tags. This is the main reason why WAP pages differ from what they appear on the Internet. Of course, one of the other reasons is also that a WAP screen is really small.

Data travels from the WAP device receiving station, much like all voice calls do with cellular phones. This receiving station is known as a WAP gateway, and its task is to act as a middleman between a WAP device and a web-based resource (in other words a web server directly connected to the Internet).

For day-to-day use, WAP is as secure as the cellular standard that your phone works on - GSM, CDMA or TDMA. All these are very secure against eavesdropping. If you are interested in m-commerce or buying plane tickets over a WAP phone, it is fairly secure. The signal from your phone to and from the WAP gateway is as secure as a normal e-commerce web site. Giving your credit card details to a WAP site should not be any more of a problem than handing it over to a waiter at a restaurant.

With SMS, a mobile user can send short messages (up to 160 characters) to any other cellular user. However, the cellular operator must support SMS for this service. SMS is characterized by two modes: ‘push’, where the information is sent to the mobile and ‘pull’ where the customer requests for information and the result is sent as a short message to his phone. WAP supports up to 1400 characters per card. It is interactive for the user. Entire portals can be developed and made available to users on their WAP phones through WAP browsers included in the phones. Simply put, WAP is the technology that makes the Internet available on cellular phones.

GPRS will not be accessible while in Roaming even if there is a Roaming Agreement between Operators that are GPRS compatible.

The GPRS-session doesn't disconnect. If you get outside the coverage area, the data session will be put on hold until you get back into the coverage area.

You can receive and answer a GSM-call and park the GPRS-session during the conversation. When the GSM-conversation is over, you can re-establish the GPRS-session. However, this depends on what the terminal is capable of, and also what the network can handle. (see ‘Classes A, B and C’ above)

No, each time you connect, you will get a temporary IP-address that you will keep as long as your GPRS-session is connected.

Each and every operator will set his own prices. In other words, GPRS will be charged in the same way as today's GSM.

Before you connect, you have to choose which data carrier (GPRS/GSM) is to be used. If you wish to change the data carrier, you have to interrupt the present data session, choose the other data carrier and then re-connect.

Yes, it is possible to get a specified invoice even for GPRS (typically operator dependent).

To be able to use GPRS, you need a phone or a terminal that supports GPRS and also a subscription from an operator that provides a GPRS service network.

When GPRS is used, you don't say that you make a data call. Instead you say that you connect to a GPRS-session or a data-session.

No, GPRS is a data service that is based on data package technique i.e. the same technique that is used for communication on the Internet. Speech is provided by GSM.

Today GPRS have about the same coverage as GSM.

This means that the Class supported by the product uses four time-slots in downlink and one time-slot in uplink.

Class A; simultaneous operation of GPRS (Packet-Switched) and other GSM services (Circuit-Switched). Class B; the terminal can only operate one set of services at a time but can be registered to both. Class C; the terminal can only be registered to one of the services.

The maximum theoretical raw data rate per user is 171.2 kbits/sec, net that will be up to 115 kbits/sec.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an extension of the GSM network that enables data packets to be transmitted at high speed in the same way as on the Internet. The network offers virtually instantaneous connection.

To activate data and fax, please visit our franchisee nearest to you, and fill up the requisite service request form. On activation, you will be informed of your data and fax numbers.

PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Modem Connectivity Interface Adaptor. It is the size of a credit card and is inserted into the PCMCIA slot of your computer in order to connect it to your cellular phone through an interface cable.

To use the data and fax feature, please ensure that your cellular phone is data and fax compatible. Refer to your handset manual to confirm this. Further, you will need a data suit to connect the cellular phone to your PC/ laptop, for which the latter needs to be PCMCIA compatible.

With Idea data and fax service, you can be sure of staying constantly in touch with your office by getting access to important faxes and valuable data, even when away from your office. Furthermore, you also have access to e-mail and Internet on your data and fax number.

To use the WAP feature, kindly ensure that your cell phone is WAP compatible. Refer to your handset manual to confirm whether your handset is WAP compatible. Further, you will be able to access only WAP enabled sites like BBC, Yahoo etc. from your handset.

WAP or Wireless Application Protocol is easy access and interaction with the Internet, even when you are on the move. WAP enables you to surf the Internet and download information from the Net by just pressing the right buttons of your cellular phone.

Most of these applications can be used by typing the correct syntax for the requisite information (e.g. type ‘news’ for the latest news update) and sending it to the correct number. Within 1-2 minutes of sending the message, you will receive the necessary information. For details on these applications, kindly refer to the SMS user guide.

Other than sending text messages, this service offers the following applications viz., news, schedules, entertainment, banking, stock updates, horoscope, chat etc. For details, please go to specific circle link.

At one time, the message sent cannot be longer than 160 characters, including blank spaces.

In case the dialed number is within India, just enter the number as +91 followed by the 10-digit cellular number. However, if the dialed number is outside the home country, then enter + followed by the country code of the sent destination and then the 10-digit cellular number.

You will be able to send an outgoing SMS to anyplace within or outside the country, as long as the network of the sent destination supports the feature and/or there is a bilateral tie between the two countries in case of outgoing SMS to a foreign destination.

To delete a message, scroll down to the message option from the handset menu, go to the Inbox, select the message you want to delete and choose erase/delete from your handset.

On receiving a message, your cell phone will notify you with a sound and/or an icon on screen (usually an envelope). To read the message, all you need to do is scroll down to the Message option from your handset menu, go to the inbox/ read message/received message and read the message.

To send a message, scroll down to the 'message' option from the handset menu, go to the 'Write' option and type in the message using your keypad. Thereafter, go to the 'Send' option and type in the mobile number of the person to whom you want to send the message. Please note that to send an SMS to another national network, the mobile number needs to be prefixed by +91 or 0 and for an international network, by the respective country code.

SMS is a mode of communication via short text messages on your handset. You can receive and send these messages and also access a host of other applications.