Mobile internet suggestions please?

deepakvrao · 4th September 2007, 19:15

Till about a year ago I used Reliance CDMA and the internet while travelling was great. Now I have switched back to GSM so I need some suggestions for cheap decent laptop internet connectivity when I travel - maybe 4-5 days every two months.

I dont want a monthly rental if possible as some months I may not travel at all.

My options as I see them

Reliance PCMCIA/USB card
Tata Indicom
GSM internet

Dont know much so would be grateful for any inputs.

abhibh · 4th September 2007, 19:29

Well the speeds on HUTCH network are better than AIRTEL but you wont get anything above 10 mostly 6 - 8 KBPS (KILOBYTES). AIRTEL CHARGES ARE LIKE 400 - 600 unlimited and on hutch there is data limit.

I would recommend PCMCIA card as reliance phone net was good enough for surfing and checking email. Its still better than GSM.

deepakvrao · 4th September 2007, 19:38

Is the PCMCIA better than USB? I thought that if I get a USB Indicom - its just 150/month - I can use it for my desktop too when my broadband is down. So I have a back up internet.

How is Tata Indicom coverage and quality vis a vis Reliance? I was very happy with the Reliance for the laptop connectivity.

kpzen · 4th September 2007, 19:39

Tata Indicom is a reliable option but expensive.
It'll cost u around Rs 1200 per month for the unlimited usage package.

More details abt Tata Indicom can be found here.

deepakvrao · 4th September 2007, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpzen

Tata Indicom is a reliable option but expensive.
It'll cost u around Rs 1200 per month for the unlimited usage package.

How is connectivity in small towns? Cost is not so much of a factor as if I take the 150/month package I get 5 hrs and the 50p/min. Sounds OK to me.

What about USB v/s PCMCIA?

iraghava · 4th September 2007, 20:56

Tata coverage is very good up here in North, no idea about Bangalore and surrounding areas. Mumbai/Cochin coverage was good though when I travelled there.

spadival · 5th September 2007, 10:39

Obviously, Airtel has the widest coverage, even in the smallest of the villages.. but probably less than BSNL.. but BSNL does'nt work half the time.

Go for Hutch/Tata if you want speed.. Reliance is a good compromise between speed and coverage, but can throw up hefty bills if you are not carefull.. Go for Airtel if you want max coverage and you are ok with slow connection.

PS: Airtel GPRS cannot be used to connect to ur office n/w using VPN, becoz they give u a private IP address starting with 10.* which is NATed.

adc · 14th September 2007, 08:34

I am thinking of having the airtel usb data modem for interent coverage, which I need in rural areas when travelling. Airtel card seems the best for coverage though speed can be an issue. This Q&A I saw on their website has me confused.

""". Does Airtel USB Modem work on GPRS or the GSM data platform?
A. Airtel USB Modem works on EDGE / GPRS platform.""""

Does this mean that even if Airtel has coverage in a particular rural area, but not GPRS enabled [definitely Edge will not be there], then the Airtel card will not work.

iraghava · 14th September 2007, 13:38

Just bought a new TATA USB modem to replace my older Sierra Wireless Data Card. First impressions are that it is equally good speed wise, if not better while being a lot smaller in size.

But, it does tend to get very hot on extended usage.

Zappo · 14th September 2007, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by spadival

PS: Airtel GPRS cannot be used to connect to ur office n/w using VPN, becoz they give u a private IP address starting with 10.* which is NATed.

Not very sure about this statement. It probably is different for different cities. I have used an Airtel broadband connection (Not GPRS) which has a private IP address starting with 10.* And it seems to work fine while connecting to the office network via VPN. Similarly Sify also gives a private IP address starting with 10.* here, and again can connect using VPN easily.

srishiva · 14th September 2007, 13:58

If the VPN ports are not firewalled, then it should not pose a problem with a private IP address.

phamilyman · 14th September 2007, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

""". Does Airtel USB Modem work on GPRS or the GSM data platform?
A. Airtel USB Modem works on EDGE / GPRS platform.""""

Does this mean that even if Airtel has coverage in a particular rural area, but not GPRS enabled [definitely Edge will not be there], then the Airtel card will not work.

I don't think so. I have seen airtel data cards being used in some very godforsaken areas in MP - they should have good GPRS coverage.

Ofc, it can't ever match BSNL in coverage in rural areas to begin with

bill1182 · 14th September 2007, 16:40

Dont go for Data Cards as new laptops do not accept PCMCIA cards any more. It is better to go for USB. Another advantage of USB is, you can use on laptop as well as desktops. If you are planning to use airtel GPRS then why not connect your GPRS enabled phone via data cable.

I am using Airtel mobile office connection for Rs.199 unlimited usage with my Nokia E50 which acts as a modem when connected to my PC / Laptop via bundled USB cable or Bluetooth.

kumar2007 · 14th September 2007, 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill1182

Dont go for Data Cards as new laptops do not accept PCMCIA cards any more. It is better to go for USB. Another advantage of USB is, you can use on laptop as well as desktops. If you are planning to use airtel GPRS then why not connect your GPRS enabled phone via data cable.

I am using Airtel mobile office connection for Rs.199 unlimited usage with my Nokia E50 which acts as a modem when connected to my PC / Laptop via bundled USB cable or Bluetooth.

I cant seem to find unlimited for 199 on their site. Is yours a corporate deal?

bill1182 · 14th September 2007, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumar2007

I cant seem to find unlimited for 199 on their site. Is yours a corporate deal?

I have a corporate connection but i did not get this as a corporate deal. You can just call the customer care and tell that your friend has this scheme and you would like to avail that. They provide it. One of my friend did the same way.

4th September 2007, 19:15	#1
deepakvrao BANNED Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 300 Thanked: 2 Times	Mobile internet suggestions please? Till about a year ago I used Reliance CDMA and the internet while travelling was great. Now I have switched back to GSM so I need some suggestions for cheap decent laptop internet connectivity when I travel - maybe 4-5 days every two months. I dont want a monthly rental if possible as some months I may not travel at all. My options as I see them Reliance PCMCIA/USB card Tata Indicom GSM internet Dont know much so would be grateful for any inputs.
	() Thanks

4th September 2007, 19:29	#2
abhibh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Back in the HOOD near you! Posts: 2,768 Thanked: 39 Times	Well the speeds on HUTCH network are better than AIRTEL but you wont get anything above 10 mostly 6 - 8 KBPS (KILOBYTES). AIRTEL CHARGES ARE LIKE 400 - 600 unlimited and on hutch there is data limit. I would recommend PCMCIA card as reliance phone net was good enough for surfing and checking email. Its still better than GSM.
	() Thanks

4th September 2007, 19:38	#3
deepakvrao BANNED Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 300 Thanked: 2 Times	Is the PCMCIA better than USB? I thought that if I get a USB Indicom - its just 150/month - I can use it for my desktop too when my broadband is down. So I have a back up internet. How is Tata Indicom coverage and quality vis a vis Reliance? I was very happy with the Reliance for the laptop connectivity.
	() Thanks

4th September 2007, 19:39	#4
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,610 Thanked: 1,876 Times View My Garage	Tata Indicom is a reliable option but expensive. It'll cost u around Rs 1200 per month for the unlimited usage package. More details abt Tata Indicom can be found here. Last edited by kpzen : 4th September 2007 at 19:42.
	() Thanks

4th September 2007, 20:56	#6
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Tata coverage is very good up here in North, no idea about Bangalore and surrounding areas. Mumbai/Cochin coverage was good though when I travelled there.
	() Thanks

5th September 2007, 10:39	#7
spadival Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, AU Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	Obviously, Airtel has the widest coverage, even in the smallest of the villages.. but probably less than BSNL.. but BSNL does'nt work half the time. Go for Hutch/Tata if you want speed.. Reliance is a good compromise between speed and coverage, but can throw up hefty bills if you are not carefull.. Go for Airtel if you want max coverage and you are ok with slow connection. PS: Airtel GPRS cannot be used to connect to ur office n/w using VPN, becoz they give u a private IP address starting with 10.* which is NATed. Last edited by spadival : 5th September 2007 at 10:41.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 08:34	#8
adc Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,352 Thanked: 2,289 Times View My Garage	I am thinking of having the airtel usb data modem for interent coverage, which I need in rural areas when travelling. Airtel card seems the best for coverage though speed can be an issue. This Q&A I saw on their website has me confused. """. Does Airtel USB Modem work on GPRS or the GSM data platform? A. Airtel USB Modem works on EDGE / GPRS platform."""" Does this mean that even if Airtel has coverage in a particular rural area, but not GPRS enabled [definitely Edge will not be there], then the Airtel card will not work.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 13:38	#9
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Just bought a new TATA USB modem to replace my older Sierra Wireless Data Card. First impressions are that it is equally good speed wise, if not better while being a lot smaller in size. But, it does tend to get very hot on extended usage.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 13:58	#11
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	If the VPN ports are not firewalled, then it should not pose a problem with a private IP address.
	() Thanks

14th September 2007, 16:40	#13
bill1182 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 165 Thanked: 312 Times	Dont go for Data Cards as new laptops do not accept PCMCIA cards any more. It is better to go for USB. Another advantage of USB is, you can use on laptop as well as desktops. If you are planning to use airtel GPRS then why not connect your GPRS enabled phone via data cable. I am using Airtel mobile office connection for Rs.199 unlimited usage with my Nokia E50 which acts as a modem when connected to my PC / Laptop via bundled USB cable or Bluetooth.
	() Thanks