The DATA Card and USB Modem discussion thread (Reliance/Airtel/Tata)

CaliAtenza · 26th April 2007, 23:11

guys im planning to get either one of these soon...which one is better? The Reliance one looked interesting because of the option of the USB modem...while the tariffs on the Airtel card are scaring me.

. I just want it for my laptop because i like the mobility aspect of it.

BunnyPunia · 26th April 2007, 23:21

i started using the Relaince data card (in my laptop) in November 2006 while i was in bangalore during the great indian road trip. From Bangalore to ooty/munnar/whole kerala, TN, AP, WB, even in Sikkim.. and now back to Delhi, the data card has always performed exceptionally well.

I have the 650 plan, in which i get 1GB of data per month. it always connects in the first go and i do all my surfing (of t-bhp, xbhp, and more sites) from my laptop only including uploading pictures as high as 200kb.

CaliAtenza · 26th April 2007, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyPunia

i started using the Relaince data card (in my laptop) in November 2006 while i was in bangalore during the great indian road trip. From Bangalore to ooty/munnar/whole kerala, TN, AP, WB, even in Sikkim.. and now back to Delhi, the data card has always performed exceptionally well.

I have the 650 plan, in which i get 1GB of data per month. it always connects in the first go and i do all my surfing (of t-bhp, xbhp, and more sites) from my laptop only including uploading pictures as high as 200kb.

oh ok...how fast are the speeds?? is it fast enough for streaming video at a manageable quality? and hey congrats for finishing the road trip, i was following somewhat when i was back in india. 650 bucks a month sounds reasonable too.

BunnyPunia · 26th April 2007, 23:35

hm... normal surfing ..around 4-5kb/second. i dont download movies/songs. Have tried youtube sometimes, but it does take some amount of time for seeing streaming vids. But for normal surfing, even at heavy sites, the data card is quite good.

I have heard rel now gives the USB type of data card. From what i have heard from my friend, they are not as fast as the ones i use (PCMCI slot cards?)... may be a one off case for the USB one then.. but do check before you buy

low_bass_makker · 26th April 2007, 23:39

I am also using Reliance data card......down load speeds are of max 120 kbps......but good for surfing...and I fear it will not be able to stream the video ....you might have to wait a bit to buffer it fully......

CaliAtenza · 27th April 2007, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyPunia

hm... normal surfing ..around 4-5kb/second. i dont download movies/songs. Have tried Youtube sometimes, but it does take some amount of time for seeing streaming vids. But for normal surfing, even at heavy sites, the data card is quite good.

I have heard rel now gives the USB type of data card. From what i have heard from my friend, they are not as fast as the ones i use (PCMCI slot cards?)... may be a one off case for the USB one then.. but do check before you buy

the only thing is with the data card, some of the newer laptops have switched to EXPRESS CARD slots and im planning to buy a new laptop so that might pose a problem unless there is an adaptor.

rahul_intlad · 27th April 2007, 00:19

Since its BLR I think the airtel data card works on the edge network[which is about 236kbps or so ] so it should be faster than the reliance network.

It too offers 1 GB free bundled usage for 600 bucks a month.There is an unlimited usage option for 999 bucks a month.

Airtel

BunnyPunia · 27th April 2007, 00:42

my data card runs at 240Kbps (reliance)

v.tec · 27th April 2007, 00:46

airtel is pathetic bro dont even think of buying it..its slower than dialup...opens yahoo.com in not less than 100seconds...not even easy to browse let alone download something

rahul_intlad · 27th April 2007, 00:46

Sorry for that, I took this post as reference,while comparing speeds between the two.

Quote:

I am also using Reliance data card......down load speeds are of max 120 kbps

CaliAtenza · 27th April 2007, 03:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyPunia

my data card runs at 240Kbps (reliance)

hmmn so it looks like reliance is the better choice. i'll be back in bang next week and i'll drop by the reliance store and see whats up.

tsk1979 · 27th April 2007, 10:59

I have used reliance extensively through the phone. It gives around 90kbps, I am told data card is much better.
As for Airtel, I used it once through the mobile phone and the speed was 10kbps-20kbps. I don't know how will their data card perform.

CaliAtenza · 27th April 2007, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I have used reliance extensively through the phone. It gives around 90kbps, I am told data card is much better.
As for Airtel, I used it once through the mobile phone and the speed was 10kbps-20kbps. I don't know how will their data card perform.

oh ok..yeah i just need something basic..i dont really need broadband in the house. Now i just have to find out how good the USB modem is.

sk456 · 27th April 2007, 17:03

Airtel should really think about withdrawig there data cards from the market... they are pathetic... the worst part is that they promise you big speeds and saddle you with a horrible product worth 6K..which according to me is worth not even rs.60/- ... im seriusly thinkign of approaching the consumer forum...

directinjection · 27th April 2007, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk456

Airtel should really think about withdrawig there data cards from the market... they are pathetic... the worst part is that they promise you big speeds and saddle you with a horrible product worth 6K..which according to me is worth not even rs.60/- ... im seriusly thinkign of approaching the consumer forum...

Exactly what happended?
I've heard some horror stories about the Reliance data card too.

26th April 2007, 23:11	#16
CaliAtenza BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: LAX-SNA-BFL-BLR Posts: 321 Thanked: 18 Times	Reliance Net Connect Vs. Airtel Data Card guys im planning to get either one of these soon...which one is better? The Reliance one looked interesting because of the option of the USB modem...while the tariffs on the Airtel card are scaring me. . I just want it for my laptop because i like the mobility aspect of it.
	() Thanks

26th April 2007, 23:21	#17
BunnyPunia BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 895 Thanked: 1,257 Times View My Garage	i started using the Relaince data card (in my laptop) in November 2006 while i was in bangalore during the great indian road trip. From Bangalore to ooty/munnar/whole kerala, TN, AP, WB, even in Sikkim.. and now back to Delhi, the data card has always performed exceptionally well. I have the 650 plan, in which i get 1GB of data per month. it always connects in the first go and i do all my surfing (of t-bhp, xbhp, and more sites) from my laptop only including uploading pictures as high as 200kb.
	() Thanks

26th April 2007, 23:35	#19
BunnyPunia BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 895 Thanked: 1,257 Times View My Garage	hm... normal surfing ..around 4-5kb/second. i dont download movies/songs. Have tried youtube sometimes, but it does take some amount of time for seeing streaming vids. But for normal surfing, even at heavy sites, the data card is quite good. I have heard rel now gives the USB type of data card. From what i have heard from my friend, they are not as fast as the ones i use (PCMCI slot cards?)... may be a one off case for the USB one then.. but do check before you buy
	() Thanks

26th April 2007, 23:39	#20
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	I am also using Reliance data card......down load speeds are of max 120 kbps......but good for surfing...and I fear it will not be able to stream the video ....you might have to wait a bit to buffer it fully......
	() Thanks

27th April 2007, 00:19	#22
rahul_intlad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,579 Thanked: 4 Times	Since its BLR I think the airtel data card works on the edge network[which is about 236kbps or so ] so it should be faster than the reliance network. It too offers 1 GB free bundled usage for 600 bucks a month.There is an unlimited usage option for 999 bucks a month. Airtel Last edited by rahul_intlad : 27th April 2007 at 00:34.
	() Thanks

27th April 2007, 00:42	#23
BunnyPunia BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 895 Thanked: 1,257 Times View My Garage	my data card runs at 240Kbps (reliance)
	() Thanks

27th April 2007, 00:46	#24
v.tec BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 251 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	airtel is pathetic bro dont even think of buying it..its slower than dialup...opens yahoo.com in not less than 100seconds...not even easy to browse let alone download something
	() Thanks

27th April 2007, 10:59	#27
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	I have used reliance extensively through the phone. It gives around 90kbps, I am told data card is much better. As for Airtel, I used it once through the mobile phone and the speed was 10kbps-20kbps. I don't know how will their data card perform.
	() Thanks

27th April 2007, 17:03	#29
sk456 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: @Noida/Gurgaon Posts: 570 Thanked: 7 Times	Airtel should really think about withdrawig there data cards from the market... they are pathetic... the worst part is that they promise you big speeds and saddle you with a horrible product worth 6K..which according to me is worth not even rs.60/- ... im seriusly thinkign of approaching the consumer forum...
	() Thanks