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-   -   The DATA Card and USB Modem discussion thread (Reliance/Airtel/Tata) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/14087-data-card-usb-modem-discussion-thread-reliance-airtel-tata-40.html)

I am sad to write this as I was once an ardent advocate of this product. But today I have turned into one big hater of this service.

I am talking about none other than Tata Photon+. Trust me - Don't go by the cheesy ads featuring an equally cheesy actor promoting their services. They are useless, good-for-nothing people.

Story - I was not gonna use my Photon for some time and hence I applied for Device in Safe Custody. As per this, I shall not be charged my usual rent or any other charges but instead a monthly fee of 75/-. This is completely different from deactivating the service as your device and account will remain in your name and you can activate the service at your convenience, when you plan to use it again.

By mid-April, I felt the need to stay connected again and wanted to 'revive' my connection. It should be a simple process, right? I applied for Safe Custody through the internet and the same should be followed even for removal of my device from safe custody! But, reality is vastly different from our imagination.

I first applied to remove my device from Safe Custody through my account on TataPhoton.com. I also sent a mail to their helpdesk as mine is a corporate connection. The sales guy who sits in our premises said all I need to do is to send them a mail with a scanned copy of my company ID card and it shall be done. I sent the first mail on 19th April, along with the necessary attachment. got the usual auto-reply that my query will be resolved soon. I kept on connecting my Photon device to my laptop every night, night after night, only to be disappointed as the connection was not restored. Wrote a few more mails, visited their store in Chinchwad (Pune), resubmitted my documents, wrote a few more mails, phewww....

Till date - nearly 14 days have passed but my issue hasn't been resolved yet. The connection is not active. In the meantime I have not only lost my patience and my precious time (4 days of liesure as Tuesday was a holiday and was planning on using internet big time during these 4 days), but also had to let go several important tasks that I wanted to perform. There is no solution in sight as of this writing. I don't know how long it will take and how many mails, trips and phone calls are required further to get what I should have gotten with mush lesser efforts.

PS - I have a credit balance with the company. Take that! :deadhorse

There is always the mandatory Nodal Officer and Appellate Officer of Tata Indicom that you can approach and seek redressal. Unlike the others you have been talking to, the Nodal and Appellate Officers have to be direct employees - no hanky panky.

Update - After a strongly worded mail to the Appellate Authority, services to my Tata Photon has been restored. If I look back at it, probably the entire drama could have been avoided if I would have approached the Appellate on day 3-4 itself.

I did write to the Nodal officers after a week into this, and guess what, I received an auto-reply stating that as per the latest directive of TRAI, Nodal desk shall no longer be functionaing after 31st May, 2012.

clap:Good for you!

:eek:The Nodal guys were slightly better than the Helpdesk guys, though over the years their responses were gradually bordering on the helpless. At least they would listen patiently without insensitively reading from the written script. Too bad, now the Appellate guys are going to be flooded with calls, which was not the case earlier.

Hello Friends,

First of all, this is the first time posting in this thread so please re-direct me if the question is answered elsewhere.

I recently bought a Huawei E368 Unlocked 3/4G USB Stick. This is the one that can be used with any GSM SIM. I have successfully connected with it using the Airtel Sim from my phone. The internet works perfectly and so does the VPN that connects to my workplace LAN.

I am using the Mobile Partner software (v16) that came with the USB Stick as the primary interface. This software gives me the capability to make and receive Calls/Messages as well. Here is where my problem exists. I am able to call any number, but I'm not able to hear anything on my Laptop and the receiver is also not able to hear anything either.

So my issue is the sound interface between the USB stick and the Laptop. I have checked the drivers and settings for both the speakers and Mic but nogo. My laptop is a Lenovo L412 running Windows 7 Ent x64.

Please help me out guys, this is slightly urgent as I need the feature for TeleCon on-the-go.

Thanks a lot.

Ok, is this thread only for Airtel/Reliance/Tata?

I have a BSNL EVDO card and would like to use it with my Linux (Ubuntu) OS. Somehow the data-card is not getting detected while I am on Linux. It works fine when I log in using WinXP.

Can somebody please suggest on how to rectify this issue? Or, is it that EVDO card is not compatible with Linux (it clearly mentions that it is compatible in the manual)?

Unsurprisingly, I did not get a good support from the BSNL team regarding the issue.

Is it a USB Card? what is the model(details).It may have been detected. You may issue lsusb to see whether it is detected.
"nm-connection-editor" can be used to configure EVDO connection. You may visit support forum at Ubuntu Forums or Bsnl evdo forum

Check who is the manufacturer of that Modem, I am quite sure it would be a Huawei or ZTE device, and then you need to hunt for the required linux commands to initialize the device on that OS.

BUMP!!! Please help me with the above issue guys please:

This is a configuration issue with the Mobile Partner - you just need to specify which devices to use for input (microphone) and output (speaker). In a laptop there is more than one choice usually.

Is your Mobile Partner software in English or Chinese?

Search for the Linux drivers and dialler package corresponding to your modem make and model number (should be printed on a sticker on the device). Sometimes it is available in the Support section of the manufacturer's website, sometimes on other telcos' website. It should install and work without problems.

@ghpk - the 'AT command' method is too tedious for normal use. Too cumbersome when all you want to do is get onto the net without any hassles

I have K4505 Huawei 3G USB Modem and it can be easily configured on Ubuntu or other Linux distros using Network Manager.
If unfortunately, the modem is not supported, In Linux, You need Kernel Module needs to be built for driver support. but, it is rare.
open a terminal(CLI), run lsusb command and see if the device is identified. next step is to configure using network manager(ideally). because, commands and ppp dialer configuration may not be easy for most Linux users.

Thanks for getting back to me. I am using the English version of Mobile Partner v16.001.06.01.500 FaKiro. I also thought that the Mobile Partner settings could be Off, but the strange thing is there is no such option to set the Audio devices. I have made sure the correct settings are in place on the laptop under Control Panel->Sound for both speaker and Mic. I am attaching some screeshots for your review.

Zenster try the following thing for your mic and sound problem

Right click on Speaker ICON on system tray
Select "recording devices"
It should show multiple devices if you have checked the option "Show disconnected devices"
Select "Internal MIC" click Set Default
Click on properties, click "advanced" check the box "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and check "Give exclusive mode applications priority:

I use the same mobile partner version only difference is mine is not the one from Fakiro, I am able to make phone calls using Huawei E160x modem when using mobile partner 16.xxx
I also found Mobile partner version 23 to be visually very attractive but it doesn't show USSD option so not using it currently, if you wish to try, I can PM you the link if its not allowed for posting.

Checked those settings and made sure the Mic works with Sound Recorder too. But still same issue with calls. Tried the other MP v23 but I coudn't find the Call making option at all :( so switched back to v16.

Now also have an issue with my office VPN. It seems to connect and I can browse intranet sites, but the Lotus Notes Server and Sametime is not connecting :( . But that I'll sort out with my IT Teams.

Any other suggestions for the Call on the E368 with Airtel Sims on lenovo L412?

Thanks guys for the inputs.

The modem I have is a Prithvisolutions UE 100. I was not able to find any drivers etc on the web nor on the company website.

The speeds I am getting on WinXP is not that great too; around 150 - 250 kbps only.

Do any of you use this modem on Linux?