We have had 3 sim cards disconnected by the network operator in the last 6 months - 2 Airtel and 1 Vodaphone. We have tried to keep them active when in the UK by texting or by calling the number from our UK landline.

The rules now state that if a phone is not used within 49 days they will cut you off and you lose any credit. We have signed up for "lifetime" numbers before now but they have gone, along with the extra rupees that it cost.

We can only spend 2 weeks twice a season in Goa at the moment but are sick and tired of having to get new sim cards each time we arrive. Plus, our mobile number gets registered to things like our Tata Sky account. It's becoming a pain.

Any ideas on how we can keep our numbers? We have heard that if we bought sims in Mumbai we are less likely to get cut off than if we are registered in Goa, provided we still call the number when in the UK.

Sadly you have to use the phone here to keep them active, calling them from the UK does not count. We use Idea and give our phones to a friend who sends us messages with them while we are away. It keeps them active and we have had the same numbers for five years. Its quite easy..the only thing is that we have to take a copy of our passport and visa and a photo to the Idea shop each time we come to keep the paperwork up to date. Just make sure you sign the documents with the same size signature as is on your passport however small it is.