Editing SIM lock (section)

=== India ===
SIM locking is not common in [[India]]. Initially, each state in India had a different [[mobile network operator]] and [[roaming]] across states was prohibitive. It was cheaper to change the [[Subscriber identity module|SIM card]] than pay high roaming charges. The number of inter-state travelers demanded unlocked phones. Usually, phones and SIM cards are sold separately. Mobile phone manufacturers sell phones directly to customers rather than through network operators. [[Dual SIM]] phones are quite common in use, with users choosing to make calls using a cheaper operator suitable for the particular call and time of the day from a Dual SIM phone without even switching it off. This along with other factors, encouraged competition among network operators and brought down the mobile phone call charges in from the initial {{INR}}32 (US$0.75) in 1996 to {{INR}}0.50 (US$0.005 approx.) in 2011. The rates still differ from one service provider to another and across different tariff schemes provided by the same operator. [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI) is the independent [[Competition regulator|regulator]] of the [[telecommunications]] business in [[India]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.trai.gov.in/ |title= TRAI website |access-date= 2008-08-19}}</ref> established to check call rates and resolve all communication related issues and holds the upper hand in fixing call rates.