Airtel — keeping phone number in safe custody

Address: Bangalore, Karnataka, 560029

Website: www.airtel.in

I am airtel prepaid customer from last 5 years.

I am travelling abroad and kept my international roaming active.

I missed one recharge on 2 feb 2018 and within one day i noticed that my sim is not working.
Immediately i tried recharging my number but it was showing that i am no longer airtel customer. I contacted customer service and they replied that due to no activity last three months it is disconnected permanently.

{below is reply from customer care

Re: [|bal|ref58924800|] international roaming issue

This is in reference to your email regarding reactivation of sim services for your mobile number

At the outset, we regret the inconvenience caused to you.

As discussed with you on your mobile number, we regret to inform you that, currently there is no online process for reactivation of sim services.

We would like to inform you that services for your airtel mobile were discontinued on[protected] due to no usage found on your number in last 90 days. Usage could be with respect to an outgoing call, sms or data usage. Beyond 90 days period, in case of no usage, charges of rs.20/- per month are deducted from main account towards service extension for 30 days. Due to insufficient balance, the amount could not be deducted and services were disconnected permanently.

Further, you may get the same number reactivated within grace period of 15 days from the date of disconnection by paying reactivation charge of rs. 20/- at airtel relationship centre in home circle.

Please note: physical presence of the subscriber is mandatory at airtel store in order to reactivate the sim services.

As per dot regulations, it is important that your documents are verified in person and therefore, request from a different person other than the registered owner of the connection will not be accepted.

For your convenience, we are including airtel store details url which will help you to get nearby store http://www.airtel.in/forme/arc/reach-airtel

Thanks for reaching out to us. Delighted to assist you!

Best regards,
Indumathi elayaraja
Service specialist
Bharti airtel ltd
}

According to customer service, above is the only option and no safe custody option.

I missed recharging for airtel service and it got disconnected permanently within a day with no other options to revive it from abroad. I have to be in india to reactivate it. Highly disappointing!!

They also said that there is no option like safe custody. However when i am checking online i got to know that there is an option for keeping it in safe custody.
I am surprised why customer care department is not ready to give me an option of safe custody. I am still within 15 days grace period to activate my sim. I seek information as soon as possible.

I was holding this number for more than 5 years and this was associated with all my other services where mobile number and otp is required.

The safe custody option is given by other broadband services like vodafone.

I have also researched online and i found it is possible to keep in safe custody. (Link - http://www.airtel.in/wps/wcm/connect/mobile/postpaid/services?CIRCLE=4&CIRCLENAM...⇄ and https://telecomtalk.info/mobile-operators-could-charge-safe-custody-charges-for-...⇄

But the information i received from customer care is that there is no option for safe custody.

I seek right information and if possible i want to keep my mobile number in safe custody.

There is also a threat to my privacy once the number is given to some other customers.

Regards
Swati