BSNL Mobile Prepaid FAQ

What is BSNL Mobile - prepaid?

" BSNL Mobile - prepaid is the prepaid service, the countrywide mobile service from BSNL, with minimum cost, maximum voice clarity and continuous coverage on all major national highways. Pre-paid is that connection for which one makes the payment in advance to purchase the SIM card and he can use it till its call value or validity period. Following are the services provided by BSNL Mobile - prepaid: 

• Mobile to mobile voice calls.
• Mobile to land line voice calls.
• Various supplementary services like:
• CLIP (Calling Line Identification Presentation).
• SMS (Short Messaging Service).
• Call forwarding, call wait, Voice mail etc"

How do I avail a new BSNL Mobile - prepaid connection?

New BSNL Mobile - prepaid connections are available through our Mobile CSC/ distributor network in all cities covered with mobile services.

What is the initial amount to be deposited for a new BSNL Mobile prepaid connection?

A new BSNL Mobile prepaid connection can be had for Rs.220/- only with Rs. 50/- free talk time. Cards can be taken from Rs. 70/- to Rs. 3000/- value having validity period from 7 days to one year.

How to register your account and get started?

"Once you purchased prepaid SIM card, simply insert your SIM card into your mobile handset. Switch on your mobile set and dial 123 and you will be connected to IVRS, you can know the credit of your card, you can also select the language. "

What are the services available free of cost along with the connection?

"There are a host of services, features available free of cost and pre-activated like zonal roaming, CLIP, call waiting, voice mail etc."

How do I activate my BSNL Mobile prepaid connection?

"Upon receipt of your pre-activated BSNL Mobile prepaid SIM please dial 123; follow the prompts of the IVRS computer to know your balance amount. Once the balance amount is known, your SIM is ready for further use."

How to know account balance in prepaid?

Dial 123 and follow the IVRS instructions

What’s the validity period for prepaid?

Validity Period is the period of during which you are allowed to make or receive the calls and start with the date activation of your SIM card.

When does the grace period starts?

It is meant for recharging purpose and starts from the date of expiry of the validity period

Whom should I contact for service related problems?

"For all service related problems our 24-hour help line number is 9415024365. Additional information in case of coverage, roaming etc. problem can be given on Mobile No. 9415020200. In case of non-maturity of mobile codes/ calls from other places, the information can be given on Mobile No. 9415006611"

Do you allow roaming for prepaid cards?

Yes, All India roaming facility is available for BSNL Mobile prepaid customers.

What charges I need to pay when I receive a call from BSNL network...

What charges I need to pay when I receive a call from BSNL network/ any other networks? Is it same if I am roaming to other circle?

"All incoming calls are free from BSNL network/ any other networks so long you are in your home cellular circle. As such, there is no extra charge when you receive call from the network other than BSNL. 

Incoming calls are charged while on zonal roaming and STD charges (of plan–225) from Lucknow to the Level–I TAX of the respective circle are to be paid."

Is there any additional security deposit or prerequisite for zonal roaming?

There is no additional security deposit for availing the zonal roaming.

Whether International roaming is also available?

Presently this facility is not available.

What should I do if my Mobile (SIM) requires PUK Number?

"The PUK No can be obtained from help line (9415024365) on giving mobile No. and SIM serial number. The PUK No. should be entered carefully as wrong feeding of PUK No repeatedly will damage the SIM, permanently."

What should I do if my SIM is damaged?

"Damaged SIM’s would be replaced afresh with same mobile number for a replacement fee of Rs.200/- from any of our distributor/CSC of the city from where connection is taken. The balance amount shall be transferred to new SIM. At the time of delivery, the customer is required to submit identity proof and copy of receipt of prepaid connection"

What should I do if my SIM is lost?

"A new SIM with same mobile number would be made available after receipt of a copy of FIR of the lost SIM and a deposit receipt of Rs.200/- as replacement charges from any of our distributor/CSC of the city from where connection is taken. The balance amount shall be transferred to new SIM. At the time of delivery, the customer is required to submit identity proof and copy of receipt of prepaid connection."

Whether BSNL Mobile prepaid connection is ready to use or it is needed to recharge...

Whether BSNL Mobile prepaid connection is ready to use or it is needed to recharge it immediately?

"Yes, every new BSNL Mobile prepaid connection is ready to use. Presently the BSNL Mobile prepaid connection is loaded with inaugural free talk value of Rs. 50/- and is available for 07 days from the date of SIM initialization."

BSNL prepaid validity period?

At the time of first recharge your BSNL prepaid will be valid for the validity period specified (in days) on the recharge card used for recharging your BSNL prepaid. Validity period depends on the recharge cards denomination used for recharge.

How to know the balance and validity?

Dial 123 from your cell phone. Follow the prompts and select the option for balance and validity period enquiry.

"What should I do when the validity of my card is expired?

"What should I do when the validity of my card is expired? What will happen to the amount, which is still available unutilized in my number?"

"After expiry of the validity of the card, the connection is required to be recharged by the scratch cards ( meant for same license service area). This recharge is to be done within the grace period of 15 days from the date of expiry of validity if you want your balance unutilized amount also to be credited along with the net call value of the new recharge coupon through which you are recharging. After expiry of the grace period the balance unutilized amount will be lapsed. 

During grace period no calls are allowed except emergency ( Toll free ) and IVR call. 

These scratch cards are available in different denominations of Rs. 300/- ( with validity period of 30 days), Rs. 500/- ( with validity period of 45 days), Rs.1000/-( with validity period of 60 days) and Rs.2000/- ( with validity period of 90 days). Validity starts from the date of latest recharge. 

If recharge is not done with the additional grace period of 60 days (after the normal grace period of 15 days), the BSNL Mobile prepaid connection will be lapsed."

What is recharge card?

"It is a card containing 16-digit secret code to extend your prepaid account. Recharge cards are available in various denominations. When you purchase a recharge card, scratch the hidden portion on the recharge card to know the secret code. Dial 123 and you will be connected to IVRS prompt menu. Choose option 2 to recharge, you will be prompted to enter 16-digit code. Enter the code followed by “#”, the your recharging is activated."

Where I can get prepaid starter pack and recharge coupon?

You can get prepaid starter pack or recharge coupon from the nearest CSRs and BSNL appointed distributor outlets and their representatives.

What’s the validity period for prepaid?

Validity Period is the period of during which you are allowed to make or receive the calls and start with the date activation of your SIM card.

When does the grace period starts?

It is meant for recharging purpose and starts from the date of expiry of the validity period

Expiry of validity period?

Once your prepaid period expires your account gets deactivated. But you will get a grace period during which you can reactivate your prepaid card by recharging it. In grace period you will not be allowed to make or receive any call.

What is lapsing of prepaid card?

Incase you don’t recharge your prepaid card during grace period your account get ceased and you may loose your mobile number

When to recharge the account?

"Whenever your talk time value becomes very low or validity period expires or about to expire, please recharge your prepaid account, for that you will be prompted to recharge"

How can I recharge my BSNL Mobile prepaid connection?

"Recharge vouchers also known as scratch cards/cash cards of various denominations are readily available through our distributor/retailer network and customer service centers. For recharge, dial 123 wait for IVRS announcement to select proper option to feed the secret code and follow the instructions, at end you will be recharged with the appropriate amount. 

Entry of wrong secret code repeatedly will debar the recharge facility associated with your number. 

Once discharge option is debarred as above, you have to contact to help line 9415024365 or nearest CSC giving the Mobile No, Scratch Card No and Secret Number of the Scratch card to release the bar of recharge facility on your mobile number."

What is my new balance after I recharge my account?

"When you recharge your prepaid card, the new balance will be the sum of calling value (or talk time value) of recharge card (after deduction of processing fee and service tax) and previous balance left."

Can we use our PSTN India Telephone Card card in BSNL mobile network?

Yes, ITC Card(VCC card) used in PSTN fixed line connection can be used in BSNL mobile network.

"If I am a subscriber of UP (east) area, can I purchase and use scratch cards...

"If I am a subscriber of UP (east) area, can I purchase and use scratch cards available in other areas like Punjab, UP (west), etc?"

"No, subscriber’s of an area would be able to use scratch cards meant for and available in his license area e.g. a subscriber of UP (east) can recharge with scratch cards of UP (East) license area only but not of any other area’s like UP (west), Punjab, etc."

Can I convert my prepaid BSNL Mobile prepaid connection to a post-paid...

Can I convert my prepaid BSNL Mobile prepaid connection to a post-paid connection or vice versa?

No. At present it is not possible to convert your prepaid connection to postpaid connection or vice versa. Both the SIMs are not changeable. You have to apply afresh for prepaid/ postpaid connection (as the case may be) and to complete requisite procedures for obtaining the connection.

What are the charges for SMS?

The outgoing SMS (Maximum 160 characters) are charged between 40 paise to 80 paise per messag and incoming SMS are free in the same Service license area. see details

Can I send SMS to 2424 or 7333 etc. from BSNL cellular service?

Yes, BSNL has tie ups with many groups like Aajtak, NDTV, Indiatimes, Sify, Bharatmatrimony for SMS based services. see details

Whether I will get any concession if I call at night hours?

No. Presently the call charges are uniformly applicable for full 24 hours. (It means there is no peak off concessional slab).

What is pulse? Is it same for incoming and outgoing calls?

It is the minimum time period for which call is charged. it is same for both incoming and outgoing calls. For example if pulse rate is 15 seconds and call charges are 40 paise per pulse then it means that every 15 seconds 40 paise will be charged i.e for one minute call(60 seconds) 40x4=Rs.1.60/- shall be charged.

What is pattern for prepaid call charging.

See details at BSNL Mobile prepaid Plans page

Is third party transfer of mobile Cellone connection possible?

No. Presently it is not possible. Cellular connection is a type of personal communication

How to know account balance in prepaid?

Dial 123 and follow the IVRS instructions

What is my new balance after I recharge my account?

"When you recharge your prepaid card, the new balance will be the sum of calling value (or talk time value) of recharge card (after deduction of processing fee and service tax) and previous balance left"

In prepaid is there any off peak hours if a call is made from BSNL mobile...

In prepaid is there any off peak hours if a call is made from BSNL mobile to a mobile of another network?