Thread: Wireless broadband INDIA!!!

Tataindicom Photon - High Speed Internet Access ( HSIA ) service

Speed: Simply plug the USB Modem device into your Laptop or Desktop PC to access internet at speeds of upto 2.4 Mbps (Downlink speed). Internet speed will depend on multiple factors like time of the day, number of simultaneous users, web page accessed etc.

Tata Indicom's USB Modem is available at Rs 3500

Tariff plan
There are three tariff plans

Hi-Speed 500
Monthly charge - Rs 700
Download limit - 0.5GB
Promotional Offer - Free 1GB
Extra MB download - Rs.2/MB
Charges for hardware - 3500

Hi-Speed 1000 plan
Monthly charge - Rs 800
Download limit - 1 GB
Promotional Offer - Free 2GB
Extra MB download - Rs.2/MB
Charges for hardware - 3500

Hi-Speed unlimited plan
Monthly charge - Rs 1500
Download limit - Unlimited
Promotional Offer - N.A
Extra MB download - N.A
Charges for hardware - 3500

BSNL's Wireless Internet Service
Speed: EVDO offers speed ranging upto 2.4Mbps.

The Data Card is available at a cost of Rs 3000 (for one time charges). No monthly rentals are charged for the data card.

Tariff Plan

Tariff Plan for Wimax broadband service

HOWI 1000
Bandwidth - 256Kbps
Single/Multi User - SU
Installation charges - Rs 750
Fixed Monthly - Rs 1000
Discounted Annual Payment Option - Rs 10000
Free Email IDs/ Space (Per email ID) - 2/5 MB
Dl/UL limit per month - Unlimited
Security Deposit - One Month's Fixed Monthly Charges

HOWI 1800
Bandwidth - 512 Kbps
Single/Multi User - SU
Installation charges - Rs 750
Fixed Monthly - Rs 1800
Discounted Annual Payment Option - Rs 18000
Free Email IDs/ Space (Per email ID) - 2/5 MB
Dl/UL limit per month - Unlimited
Security Deposit - One Month's Fixed Monthly Charges

For Business

BUWI 8000
Bandwidth - 256 Kbps
Single/Multi User - MU
Installation charges - Rs 750
Fixed Monthly - 8000
Discounted Annual Payment Option - Rs 80000
Free Email IDs/ Space (Per email ID) - 2/5 MB
Dl/UL limit per month - Unlimited
Security Deposit - One Month's Fixed Monthly Charges

BUWI 12000
Bandwidth - 512 Kbps
Single/Multi User - MU
Installation charges - Rs 750
Fixed Monthly - Rs 12000
Discounted Annual Payment Option - Rs 120000
Free Email IDs/ Space (Per email ID) - 4/5 MB
Dl/UL limit per month - Unlimited
Security Deposit - One Month's Fixed Monthly Charges

BUWI 20000
Bandwidth - 2048 Kbps
Single/Multi User - MU
Installation charges - Rs 750
Fixed Monthly - Rs 20000
Discounted Annual Payment Option - Rs 200000
Free Email IDs/ Space (Per email ID) - 4/5 MB
Dl/UL limit per month - Unlimited
Security Deposit - One Month's Fixed Monthly Charges

Reliance NetConnect Broadband
Speed: This is a simply plug and play broadband option which offers speeds of upto 3.1 Mpbs

USB Modem is available at Rs 3500 with 2 months unlimited Internet connection.

Tariff Plans for Wireless Broadband services
For Speed 150 Kbps + Unlimited Download - Rs 750 / Month
For Speed 300 Kbps + Unlimited Download - Rs 999 / Month
For Speed 600 Kbps + Unlimited Download - Rs 1,799 / Month
This is exclusive of the service tax and installation charges
Reliance Business Wireless Broadband Plans for SME/SMB
Speed 100 Kbps + Unlimited Download - Rs 1,250 / Month
Speed 300 Kbps + Unlimited Download - Rs 4,000 / Month
Speed 600 Kbps + Unlimited Download - Rs 11,100 / Month
This is exclusive of the service taxes and installation charges

Airtel's EDGE wireless Internet Service
Speed: Airtel's wireless EDGE 247 kbps high-speed data

USB Modem is available at an Mrp of Rs 2999

Tariff Plan:
Standard Plan

Data Card Rental: Rs 49
Free Bundled Usage: N.A
Additional Data Usage (per MB): Re 0.10p/10KB
Voice Plan: Additional any plan

Plan I
Data Card Rental: Rs 350
Free Bundled Usage: 500 MB
Additional Data Usage (per MB): Rs. 5/-
Voice Plan: Voice Rental Inclusive

Plan II
Data Card Rental: Rs 599
Free Bundled Usage: 1 GB
Additional Data Usage (per MB): Rs. 3/-
Voice Plan: Voice Rental Inclusive

Plan III
Data Card Rental: Rs 999
Free Bundled Usage: Unlimited
Additional Data Usage (per MB):NA
Voice Plan: Voice Rental Inclusive

ANALYSIS
Let's draw a comparison between the major Internet providers in the Indian market in terms speed, price and download limit.

Speed
The speed is a crucial feature for any broadband service. Although the speed of a wireless broadband connection depends on a lot of factors, the key is to get the one that is real fast. If you are power user who needs to access things in a jiffy, it seems that Reliance with 3.1Mbps and BSNL with 2.4 Mbps would score high and Tataindicom with upto 2.4 Mbps are good options.

Price
This is one of the major consideration while choosing a wireless Internet connection. As I can see the Reliance wireless USB worth Rs 3500 with 2 months unlimited Internet connection offering speeds of upto 3.1 Mpbs might be the ace. The BSNL also offers decent plans that are worth the price.

Download Limit
This should be determined according to the type of job you are involved in. Suppose you are a blogger, there's not much you need to download. They can probably do with BSNL's HOWI 1800. But a web designer or even a developer needs to decide upon the download limit can look for something BSNL's BUWI 12000 or Tataindicom's Hi-Speed unlimited plan. For small or medium businesses BSNL's BUWI 20000 or Reliance Business Wireless Broadband 600 Kbps Unlimited Download seems a suitable offer.

Good one .....................

The picture along with your description of the Airtel EDGE is not a USB modem, is it? It looks like PCMCIA. Otherwise, great information to have. Any note about the reliability and customer service of the ISPs you mention?