India Broadband Forum

Glass

Technology & Line Quality etc.

I read somewhere Reliance has OFC upto the junction boxes though I do not know if that is true. However I have a junction box right on my terrace and the box is under lock and key. A thick cable joins this box to a bigger box (DSLAM?) in a nearby apartment.

Phone line quality: Is very crisp and clear. The dial tone comes up very bright and conversations have nice voice quality. Reliance supports phone features such as conferencing, caller id, dynamic lock etc. etc. This is quite good. The bad part I have in my locality is that the phone and broadband die in about 45 minutes, when the power goes off. I have been assured this will be taken care of - some backup batteries have to replaced somewhere.

Broadband quality: Very good. All the troubles I mentioned aside, the signal and attenuation numbers are excellent by any standard, but this could be because I have a box close by. There are hardly any disconnections and the line is stable and provides the promised speeds. The SNR etc. on two different routers at two different times:




I trust my netmeter more than online speed tests and the average download is 300Kbps and average upoad is 270Kbps (each Kbps of 1024 bytes), which is decent. Torrents with Reliance peers get me 1Mbps and even more at times.







Authentication
Reliance has a non-standard authentication mechanism which at times proves a pain. The connection does not support bridge or PPPOE but instead needs you to enter a login id and password into an html page. The moment you do this, a popup window opens and stays in a corner until you logout.
Tip: Login in Opera and this will be less of a hassle. You can set the page auto reload every 30 minutes to avoid time out and consequent logoff too. There are a few scripts and small programs available on forums to automatically log you in and keep you logged in. Am trying some and they work fine.
The biggest trouble is when you have not logged off properly and have fiddled with the hardware of your system or the system crashes. You will remain logged in cannot login until the timeout period passes, which I think is 15 or 30 minutes; you will get an authentication failure until then.

Freebie Software
Reliance also bundles F-Secure antivirus antispyware and firewall free with every post-paid connection (I chose to stay with my Avast+Comodo+Spyware Terminator though).

Ookla

@Glass: is that kind of junction box is installed on ur roof top?

2964d1243368065-info-reliance-metro-ehternet-me1.jpg

Glass

The Maze Called Wifi

One of the complex mazes I have been sucked into in the recent past has been to set up the wifi for Reliance broadband. You will see a path ahead of you and before you get excited over it, you have a wall ahead of you to work a way around. A great learning experience overall.

Sales had confirmed to me several times to my precondition, that wifi can be setup and will work for the Reliance wired broadband. When the installers were unable to set the modem up, I removed the modem and set the connection up myself with the UTStarcom WA3002-g1 ADSL wifi modem that I had from BSNL. Presto, wifi worked like a charm. Two days later, I went and put in an application to BSNL to buy the router outright for the residual cost before disconnection - I had it for >2 years already.

The router setup is straightforward - just that you have to have - VPI/VCI of 0/35, Dynamic IP/MAC Encapsulation Routing (MER) with LLC connection type; and obtaining IP, dNS, Gateway automatically.

The tragedy began after the 2 days - the router does not get an IP and just shows 0.0.0.0 - do whatever - disconnect/connect, power cycle, remove phone line for a while, repair connection etc. etc. Customer care just has a parrot response - we do not support routers, please contact the hardware vendor for more information. Interestingly, the modem works and gets an IP without a problem. I figured this is possibly to do with the MPOA link that the server has to provide to the router to connect. There is always a standard error in the router log 'netMakeChannDial: err=-3001' when this happens, which seems to indicate the server node is stuck connecting forever.

The solution? - time is a great healer - it starts working after a few hours or a day. Another modem or even another router might work at the same time though.


In summary, both of the following setups work in principle:

ADSL modem+router -> PC (LAN cord) & Laptop (wifi)
as well as
ADSL modem -> Router -> PC (LAN cord) & Laptop (wifi)

The problem is the occasional IP address not being obtained by the router. I now have replaced UTSTarcom W3002-g1 with a DNA-A211-I Router, which seems to be working fine for now. Will keep this thread updated if there is something that happens after 2 days, with Reliance trying to fiddle with the MAC ids or something, or if it is a pure server side issue. I will research this further if it comes back.





Yes, similar, though I don't have the rest of the paraphernalia as the smaller box and pipes and no power supply either.

Glass

Downloads, Rapidshare and Torrents

Standard downloads are quite fast, given the connection has the promised bandwidth and is stable. However if you are a great free rapidsharer who powers off the modem and starts a fresh new download with a new IP, Reliance is not for you. The server assigns a dynamic IP to you that remains with you for a full 24 hours (I think) however many times you connect. So once you are done with your first download, you will need to wait if you are a free user (unless you use Cryptload or something else - as mentioned on the forum somewhere).

Torrents are good and run full speed of the plan. Port forwarding works correctly - successful on three different routers that I have tried - no issues on incoming connections. As I mentioned before, peers on the same LAN (?) on Reliance network give you you great speeds, I believe restricted only by the upload speeed they have configured.

Glass

Persistent Issues

I can not use a Reliance email id yet, and complaints and a dozen followups have been on deaf ears over the months. I still live with my name in Reliance records as the Reliance guys like it and not as I was actually named.

The wifi router doesn't get an IP 2-3 days each week. The workaround is - remove the wifi adsl router and connect direct using the Reliance modem, or set the wifi adsl router in bridge mode and reboot; with the LAN properties set to acquire IP and gateway automatically. I now have two router config files to quickly change settings.

But this is not my idea of an internet connection when I rush home from office to be just in time for a meeting; but then have to make configuration changes first depending on how many lights are on on the router.
First level email from Reliance says they can't help because wifi router on this type of connection is not according to their policy, but I have asked them to point out why the Sales commitment was different from policy and where exactly this policy was mentioned. I have a backup of the Reliance website now just in case, and this policy is nowhere on the site.

I am still corresponding with the topmost resoluton representatives at Reliance to find a solution to this issue, in view of the commitment made by Sales. Unfortunately, each level in Reliance is equally unresponsive.

Watch this space for an update, while I research the other ISPs in my area!

sidharthdassani

I applied for the broadnet connection on 13th July 2009 and the installation was completed on 14th July. I dont undrestand why some people have not been able to get connection quickly

Glass

Just shows it is people-dependent and not process-dependent.
Works well where you have good people and fails where are no good people!

priyan

Hi Glass,

Why dont you give me your subscriber id and e-mail id, i will see if i can be of some help.

Glass

Thanks Priyan. The wifi is somewhat okay now and I haven't faced the no-ip issue for more than a week - I hope it stays so. If I really were part of Reliance, I would plug in the issue permanently to see that it never comes up even once a week, for the connection that is otherwise very stable and fast.

The Ricmail was not set up yet and I have stopped following up on that. I will PM you my subscriber id and email id.

Edit: Well, did I say yesterday night wifi is working okay for a while now? Router gets no IP today morning!

Rameshjeee

Check out the following thread to know about port forwarding
Torrents and Port Forwarding Guide

Glass

Time for an update:
Almost 2 weeks after I have specified my three issues again, none has been sorted to completion.

1) I cannot create a Ricmail account yet. I was told some work has been done on Reliance's side and someone will call me up to set it up completely. I am yet waiting.

2) Wrong name as entered by Sales themselves remains at some places on my record, I await correction.

3) The critical issue of ADSL routers not being assigned IP addresses at times - I have raised this and tried to impress the powers that be that this is key for Reliance to be competitive, with every other ISP supporting this by default (I am not even talking about the commitments Sales has made to me anymore). Stock response 'we don't support outside routers' continues.

In summary, while it was a good initiative to try to sort issues right on this board, nothing much has happened differently from the standard customercare (in)actions so far.

By the way, three of my neighbours now ask me whether my Reliancee connection is good and they should go for it too, and I have reserved my judgement so far. (As I mentioned elsewhere, BSNL lines in my area are all screwed up, wholesale!)

just4kix

Bottomline: Every ISP has some problem or other. Best to check within the neighbourhood as to who is the best.

Glass

Here is another update:

My email issue has been taken care of; I have been assured the name correction has been done.

Most importantly, I have been told:

Quote:

"Reliance has started supporting the ADSL wi-fi router, but the process is in its nascent stage"

This is really fantastic news. As I always said, the erratic IP on ADSL wifi routers has been causing pain to many including me every now and then, and it is heartening to hear Reliance is taking the feedback into account, even if this means some quirks for some more time until it is fully stable! Way to go, Reliance!, and I would love to remain posted on the progress on this.


Further, I notice the myservices site has been much improved and has proper working links now, not sure how much of my feedback impacted that.

Last and most important, I do think Reliance needs a few more Priyans, who can understand issues and follow them up to resolution, for happy customers and to get to a stage of leadership in the marketplace. Thanks Priyan!
I would also suggest to mods the support thread (http://www.indiabroadband.net/relian...broadband.html (May I help you - Reliance wired Broadband)) be made sticky.

Cheers.

mglazam

hi glass i just want to take a reliance wired connection in vijayawada and my problum is how i can share my connection using a netgear router to my 2 pcs and a laptop give me step by step detailed instructions


thank you for your kind full help
mglaz





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T

Glass

@mglazam

It is no different from any other provider. Find the exact model of your router and look up in the how to section of the forum for detailed instructions.
The only difference for Reliance will be to select MER/dynamic IP mode in connection type - everything else will be same.

Try it and if you have issues, let us know.

essbebe

see reply :
Please mention the model make of the adsl modem supplied by Reliance....Recently they provided ZTE ZXDSL 831Aii modem .
If yours is same you can use like Netgear WGR614v9
to connect a laptop in wifi mode........
mention make of netgear model details........................................... .................................................. .
.
feedback required.

REF:.............http://www.indiabroadband.net/broadb...onnection.html (Solution for multiple machines connecting to same BB connection)

Glass

Unfortunate as it is, nothing has changed so far on the wifi issues front on ADSL router in MER mode. No IP gets assigned once every week or 10 days, and today has been trouble again right from the morning, a day I chose to work from home. So all the hassle to change to bridge mode, and such other system changes to get internet.

Tried customercare, and again they were graceful enough to enlighten me go contact the pc manufacturer, the router maker and anyone else on the road who is remotely connected to any equipment at my home - so much for the knowledge of CC. Nothing has changed despite assurances.
I wonder how Reliance takes such a key issue so coolly, with so many on this forum itself going away from them due to this one issue!

I got one of my neighbours to take a Reliance connection recently and am hoping they don't come and give me a dressing down anyday soon due to this.


Edit: The issue now spans for two days.

be_a_blue

he man...i have applied for the broadband for last 1 month and still no installation,i am from bangalore....

just like u nobody is picking up my call,and if at all they picks my call,they are telling it wiill be done but nothing is done till now

do u have any delivery persons no in bangalore????????

Glass

I see you have tried Priyan - should work.

If not, look up the nodal officer number for Bangalore on the website. Not that they pick up phones any better, but marginally better I guess.

Glass

It is a shame this issue remains unresolved and Reliance is sleeping. Hell is back, after what seems to be a stint when this did not happen.

While you are connected, you suddenly lose connectivity, and don't get a dns or gateway assigned anymore. Interestingly, I have noticed this occurs exactly at 12 PM, among other times - presumably has to do with some server configurations.

Priyan from Reliance had indicated a few months back they are working on this, but nothing has changed even today. With this trouble still looming, I suggest anyone who needs reliable wifi on an ADSL router to stay away from Reliance broadband. It is never a great idea to go for a service where the management is fast asleep to one customer issue, for years. No point in having supposedly world class infrastructure, if the service is unreliable - your service as good as the weakest link.