[Voyager-1]

Originally Posted by F2005

Hi Voyager,
The speed is from my S5 with data mode and not through any WiFi.
I got the above speed only a few times. But on average I get around 30Mbps. The speed also varies based on the location and signal strength probably due to traffic.

Thanks for your inputs. 30 Mbps on the average is great for India. Even though 3G is capable of up to 21 Mbps, in reality, I get a paltry 1 to 2 Mbps on Airtel in Bangalore, whereas in developed countries, the same 3G easily gives 15 to 20 Mbps easily. So, I am very pleased to know that Airtel doesn't throttle the bandwidth for phones and is giving 30 Mbps (theoretical maximum for LTE is 100 Mbps for a stationary user). I think this alone would be a good enough reason for me to upgrade my S4 to S5 LTE model.

[F2005]

Originally Posted by Voyager-1

Thanks for your inputs. 30 Mbps on the average is great for India. Even though 3G is capable of up to 21 Mbps, in reality, I get a paltry 1 to 2 Mbps on Airtel in Bangalore, whereas in developed countries, the same 3G easily gives 15 to 20 Mbps easily. So, I am very pleased to know that Airtel doesn't throttle the bandwidth for phones and is giving 30 Mbps (theoretical maximum for LTE is 100 Mbps for a stationary user). I think this alone would be a good enough reason for me to upgrade my S4 to S5 LTE model.

A small warning before you upgrade. Even though the speed is good, the network coverage is not that great. Like inside a building the 4G signal is not great or to be precise not present. So you get a lot of dropped calls.
I feel even 3G suffers when inside a building.

[Voyager-1]

Originally Posted by F2005

A small warning before you upgrade. Even though the speed is good, the network coverage is not that great. Like inside a building the 4G signal is not great or to be precise not present. So you get a lot of dropped calls.
I feel even 3G suffers when inside a building.

Thanks for the caution. Airtel has implemented CSFB (Circuit Switched Fall Back), where in 4G is used only for data and the voice calls are routed through 2G/3G based on what network is available. So, while browsing, when we receive a call, the connection would automatically switch to 2G/3G mode and 4G data connectivity is lost. I guess, this CSFB may be a reason for lot of dropped calls. The time to establish a call is also more with CSFB.

The 4G technology that Reliance is implementing is the true 4G (without CSFB) and the call drop issue should not be there. TRAI has also mandated All India Mobile Number Portability by 31-Mar-2015. So, if Airtel is not implementing the true 4G by next year, I would switch to Reliance 4G. One issue with Reliance is that, if 4G signal is not available, there is no 2G/3G option to fall back on (like how Airtel does now).

[Diamond_dawg]

Hey guys,

need some advice. Moving to Thane(MH) after living in the states for a while. i was wondering if anyone could suggest some good broadband/cable internet providers here.

Thank you

[prateekm]

Originally Posted by Diamond_dawg

Hey guys,

need some advice. Moving to Thane(MH) after living in the states for a while. i was wondering if anyone could suggest some good broadband/cable internet providers here.

Thank you

Which area of Thane? Go for 5net, if they provide connection in the area you are shifting. Else, go for Airtel if you don't download much.

[sgiitk]

Mine is a 2Mbps DEN, only a couple of days ago my concessionaire switched from UTP to fibre. I now find it more stable.

[Fabiaous]

Any reviews of Tata Photon Max Wi-Fi, is it good wifi option to start with. How is the connectivity compared to 2G. I have BSNL 3G which is very bad in bangalore

[venuvedam]

I have a local ISP called Sritel. I get 15 Mbps down and 15 Mbps up with no bandwidth caps. Works for me.

[prasanna.vps]

I use ACT Fibernet, migrated last month from Airtel and getting a speed of 60 MBPS. My limit is 125 GB and I pay 2K, compared to what I had previously this is miles ahead. Would suggest it for anyone who has coverage with ACT.

[pratyush6]

Originally Posted by prasanna.vps

I use ACT Fibernet, migrated last month from Airtel and getting a speed of 60 MBPS. My limit is 125 GB and I pay 2K, compared to what I had previously this is miles ahead. Would suggest it for anyone who has coverage with ACT.

Question for you Prasanna - Is ACT an always on kind of internet like Airtel - implying, say you plug it in a wifi modem and leave it on 24hrs. And you do not need to log in each time you connect?

[prasanna.vps]

Originally Posted by pratyush6

Question for you Prasanna - Is ACT an always on kind of internet like Airtel - implying, say you plug it in a wifi modem and leave it on 24hrs. And you do not need to log in each time you connect?

Hi Partyush,
ACT is actually a fiber network, hence you get a ethernet cable directly to your home. No modems required

Regarding your question on always on; yes, once you set your router with the required login and password, its always on. Mine is.

The only problem that I see is that their coverage is not very high, they are still expanding so you would have to check out whether they have any coverage in your area through their website. But installation is quite fast. I had mine done within 2 days of my enquiry.

[pratyush6]

Originally Posted by prasanna.vps

Hi Partyush,
ACT is actually a fiber network, hence you get a ethernet cable directly to your home. No modems required

Regarding your question on always on; yes, once you set your router with the required login and password, its always on. Mine is.

The only problem that I see is that their coverage is not very high, they are still expanding so you would have to check out whether they have any coverage in your area through their website. But installation is quite fast. I had mine done within 2 days of my enquiry.

Thanks for that. I have ACT in my area but they seem too occupied when I gave them a call. In fact I asked the same question to them and they said, it is not always on. Plus, have had heard horror stories about their CC over here in Bangalore. Skeptical

[Voyager-1]

Originally Posted by Fabiaous

Any reviews of Tata Photon Max Wi-Fi, is it good wifi option to start with. How is the connectivity compared to 2G. I have BSNL 3G which is very bad in bangalore

The 'Photon Max' (6.2 Mbps) coverage is limited to major cities, check their coverage before buying the dongle. In other cities, you will get only Photon Plus (3.1 Mbps) connectivity, which is still good. I use it and I have seen very good as well as bad connectivity within Bangalore and in Tamilnadu. Overall, I feel Max-wifi is better than a 3G dongle as we get pan-India connectivity without roaming charges. In case of 3G, only if your operator has bought license in a particular state, it will work and the roaming charges are very expensive.

[YVES]

Originally Posted by Voyager-1

The 'Photon Max' (6.2 Mbps) coverage is limited to major cities, check their coverage before buying the dongle. In other cities, you will get only Photon Plus (3.1 Mbps) connectivity, which is still good.

Has any one tried using Tata 'Photon Max' in Cars 12V socket as a wifi hub for devices in car while travelling.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by prateekm

Go for 5net, if they provide connection in the area you are shifting.

Originally Posted by yogi1771

Shifted now from MTNL(2Mbps NU plan) to 5net,here is the plan Special New Year Offer Plan | Five Network Solution (India) Ltd,though the charges shown are Rs5999/- you need to add the local cablewallahs profit and wiring stuff which came around Rs9000/- for me,at some areas it is even cheaper or costing a bit more.

How is this 5 Net Broadband? Planning to install it at my home in Malad. Do they actually provide the speeds as claimed? Was planning to go for 1mbps 6 month connection for 3.7k or 2mbps 6 months for 5.3k. Hope there are no issues during the rains & or with their service.
Installation would cost 1.1k .
They also provide free router if one opts for the yearly scheme.