Ipad 3G works like a charm in Chennai, India.

The process

Needed a Copy of photo id / address proof and two photos, went to a BSNL franchisee in Chennai

Sim cost Rs 59 (US$1.25!). First recharge coupon Rs 120 (< US$3) . Gives a 6 month validity. (you can get the sim free - refer Chennai Telephones-free 3G gift)

Put the SIM into a non-3G phone, waited for the activation of the sim - make sure you can make outgoing calls and receive incoming calls

Once activated - recharged Rs 275 (US$6) - (0.5GB prepaid data plan validity 30days)

Balance check through *123# received two replies - one a message about talk time balance and connection validity - another message from 50030 about 100 local SMS free + approx 700 MB free for GPRS usage (500 MB I paid for and 200MB BSNL gives free for the first recharge) and 100 minutes local video call free)

Then went through the process of cutting the BSNL sim to the microsim size. The SIM BSNL gave me was larger than most other normal sims! Cut in such a way to make sure that none of the golden color contact area is damaged. Refer following link with photos
Convert Mini SIM in to Micro SIM for iPad 3G iPhone 4 | iPad
How To Convert a SIM to a MicroSIM with a Meat Cleaver!

Put it in the microsim tray of ipad

Go to Settiings --> cellular data --> APN enter bsnlnet
Leave username and password blank

Takes a few seconds to search for the BSNL network. You see Cellone 3G and signal strength bars

Open Safari and start surfing. Very decent speeds. Tested in T.nagar, Adyar & Thiruvanmiyur. Works well.

hi...i am also from chennai with a bsnl 3G prepaid card. would the ipad bought in the US work here ? Or would it be tied up only with AT&T ??The price is atleast 15,000/- more here in chennai (grey market) than the US.
please advice ...

Sorry for the late reply, I was traveling.

I bought my Ipad in the US. It works here with BSNL 3G sim without any jailbreaking. Ipad is not locked to AT&T unlike the Iphone as there is no carrier subsidy.

If you have someone coming from US ask them to bring it for you. I do not prefer to buy it in the grey market.

3G works well in Chennai, but it did not work in Mumbai.

hi how do u cut the bsnl sim in to micro sim u did it all r any one doing it;i also live inchennai

I cut it myself. See the link I have pasted.

Convert Mini SIM in to Micro SIM for iPad 3G iPhone 4 | iPad

It demonstrates clearly how to cut the sim. Make sure you do not damage the circuit part (gold colored). The plastic was easy to cut with tailoring scissors.

If you try in Ritchie street, you may find someone cutting it to right size.

Hi I got the iPad2 from the US and a bsnl card from here Chennai. I opted for the 599 pPre paid plan. Nome what I'm would like to know is how do I recharge the iPad data plan every month. Is there any way to do it online?

Thanks.

Hi,

I am new to this forum and i am facing the same problem. I have a micro sim data card from BSNL Chennai which is prepaid 3G. I don't know how to check usage. Can any one help?

Heyy chandar,

Thanks a lot for the information,i need one more suggestion from you,most of the time ill be in my office and i use my laptop very rarely i use my ipad,so guide me a better plan for 3g?? which service provider is cheap,i donot want unlimited per month i will be useing not more than 10 hrs.

guide me plzzz

and one more question,i cant able to update my ios ,now oam useing 4.3 ,when ever i upgrade it will dowload full and finally it says check ur netwrk connection ,why it is happeneing and when ever iam connecting my i pad with my office wifi ,every 5 mins its disconnecting i dono why,if you know the answer just reply me plzz

regards
kamal.c sugunaraj

There are so many shops in local chennai which own the SIM cutters to convert to MINI SIM Cards. 100 buks they charge to cut.

@cckamal

Simply buy a prepaid simcard without any plan (see if BSNL will provide you a mini simcard without the ipad plan, if they wont provide microsim without ipad plan - buy a standard sim and cut it as explained above). then use data recharge for Rs 100 - this gives 225mb of data with 15 day validity. Should suit your purpose. Bsnl is best in terms of cost and coverage if you travel much. You can try aircel if you plan to use it only in chennai.

Update using your laptop - first download the whole ios file (with an extension .ipa ) using your cable - make sure your laptop (or pc) usb is not configured to turn off to save power. Should work.