My partner and I had a unique opportunity to take part in a Hindu wedding in Kolkata. Together with the newlyweds and friends, we flew to Bengaluru and then visited Kabini National Park. The two-week trip was a successful chance to experience Indian digital connectivity. While discovering new tastes and meeting new people.
Piotrek Bodera
India's leapfrog to 4G
Years ago, the story of Jio inspired me. Until 2015, the Internet penetration was below 20% and 1 GB of data costed 225–250 INR (~$3 USD). Which meant that the average monthly data usage per user was just 240 MB. In 2016, they started dynamic 4G rollout, offering six months of free voice and data, followed by plans ~90% cheaper than competitors.
Since 3G networks and data plans weren't common, Jio skipped that generation and built its own 4G infrastructure. Today they're the biggest telecom in India, and overall Internet adoption is at around 55–70%.
Looking for the best mobile plan for my trip to India
It's been a decade since that transformation. I enjoy reading about it because it's like what I experienced as a kid in the 1990s/2000s in Poland. For me, the Internet started with dial-up modems. Thanks to Polish ingenuity, we adopted broadband. Mobile 5G internet is now easily available in all cities.
Henceforth, staying online while on the go is essential for me. Before traveling, I did extensive research about Indian travel eSIMs. I found some offers for Perplexity Pro, but as usual, esimdb.com was the best tool to compare eSIM options.
These were my requirements:
- 5 GB for 14 days.
- 5G and 4G coverage.
- Utilizing the biggest networks (Jio and Airtel) to ensure a connection in the city and in rural areas.
- Service with reviews and a verified track record.
- Hotspot support to share the Internet with my laptop.
- No throttling, maximum speed limits, or daily data caps.
I considered Airalo, which is very popular and that I had used in the past. Ultimately, I went with Nomad eSIM. And it was a sound decision. They designed their app and instructions well, so I could set it up smoothly. The coverage was good during the trip, with 5G available in urban areas and 4G elsewhere. Some sources mentioned that Nomad eSIM uses both Jio and Airtel networks. To clarify that, I reached out to their support:
- The product page lists only 4G, but you can use 5G if your phone and local network support it.
- Currently, only Airtel serves as the infrastructure backbone.
In practice, I experienced no issues with the coverage, speed, or network reliability.
Get 5 USD off on your Nomad eSIM when using my promo code:
BAWBINQGJETL
Uneven Wi-Fi connections
My regular mobile data usage is around 10 GB per month. If I have a Wi-Fi connection for daily work. Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi in India was hit-or-miss. In Kolkata, we stayed in a five-star hotel, where the connection was stable but slow. Their facilities didn't offer proper workspace, so I found a nearby Starbucks with my go-to tall table for healthier posture.
While the coffee and staff were good, the Wi-Fi was inaccessible. The only way to connect was by receiving an SMS code to an Indian mobile number. The same case was at international airports! These are the tourists' hubs, where no international visitor has an Indian number.
Such illogical situations have happened to me many times over in different destinations. Therefore, I'm glad that Nomad eSIM offered hotspot allowance.
What steps should you take after you use up your mobile data allowance?
I'm very careful about my data usage. Apple now applies its Low Data Mode feature whenever hotspotting the connection from an iPhone. Additionally, I use the TripMode app on my Mac to only allow transfers for crucial apps like web browsers and communicators.
J. D. Biersdorfer
Yet, even limiting the usage, I still used most of my 5 GB quota. That's when I discovered customers cannot do Nomad eSIM data top-ups from within India. Apparently, local regulations allow buying travel eSIMs only from abroad. It's a silly way to force travelers to get a local SIM. I wanted to continue using my Nomad eSIM. So I used a VPN to change my IP to Malaysia and completed the transaction. Many use this method, and I'm glad it worked for me as well.
Why is the internet connection so quirky in India?
If I'd come to India a decade ago, it would have been a much tougher experience. Jio's 4G revolution helped most Indians come online and, consequently, established a mobile-based economy. Like every country, India has its flavor. Some regulations (around Wi-Fi authentication) hinder connectivity, but others allow for reliable travel eSIM plans. Overall, I'm glad that the current state of affairs enabled my remote work and to stay in touch with my loved ones.
Discussion